Josh Fink jokes that he’s spent the better part of his life outdoors. Josh has a passion for all outdoor activities, from canoeing to fishing, and even snowshoeing. Because of these passions, Josh has always spent most of his free time in nature. While other people might picture a relaxing vacation as one spent lying on a beach, Josh’s dream vacation involves venturing deep into a lush forest, where he and his family can camp and enjoy the scenery.

Josh Fink notes that he finds that the forest is the perfect place to relax and recharge. He also relishes the opportunity to spend time with his family without distractions such as cell phones and the television. Though his children, Mike and Carrie, are now grown, they still come home regularly to head out with their father on hiking, camping, and fishing expeditions. Since Josh is now a grandfather, he eagerly awaits the opportunity to instill a love of nature in his young grandchildren.

Josh’s appreciation for the outdoors comes from his father, who shared the same passion for nature. He would frequently take Josh and his brother, Matt, on hiking and fishing trips. They also spent a significant amount of time snow shoeing and canoeing. Josh’s mom would joke that she never expected to see her husband and sons home before dark on weekends, because they were always in the forest. These expeditions were both fun and educational. During the trips, Josh’s dad would talk to the boys about proper techniques, as well as safety protocol.

When they got a little older, Josh and Matt began to develop a particular interest for mountain climbing. They would spend hours reading about local climbing spots, and would devour pictures and articles about the world’s most famous peaks. They vowed to each other that one day they, too, would make a trek to the top of the world’s most impressive peaks.

This dream became a reality when both men were in their early twenties. They started with Mount McKinley, and eventually began traveling all over the world, summiting such spots as Mount Everest, Kilimanjaro, and the Matterhorn. Depending on the journey, they might set off in a group of thirty people, or they might only venture out with a handful of other climbers.

When you enter into Josh and Matt’s houses, you’re greeted with a museum’s worth of pictures featuring them at the top of world famous peaks. You’ll see snow-covered beards and impressive views behind both men. Josh Fink and his brother can entertain any guest for hours with heart-stopping tales of their various climbs.

Though mountain climbing was a major part of Josh’s life for many years, upon becoming a father, he shifted his focus from scaling peaks to other less perilous activities. He went from flying around the world to climb some of the toughest peaks to enjoying spending the afternoon catching fish with his kids. Though Josh doesn’t actively climb anymore, he still treasures the memories and enjoys reading books and watching movies on the subject.

Josh Fink Talks Planning an Enjoyable Camping Experience

Josh Fink and his family frequently embark on camping trips. On these expeditions they participate in all of the traditional camping activities, such as building a fire, making S’mores, and hiking in the woods where they’ve set up their temporary home. The experience was enjoyable when his children were kids, and is still memorable even now that Mike and Carrie and grown. For other families looking to plan a camping trip, Josh offers these suggestions:

Know the area

When you’re familiar with your surroundings, it’s much easier to have a safe and fun camping trip. For instance, you’ll want to know what types of hiking trails are available to you, as well as where you’ll pitch a tent. You don’t want to show up expecting solid ground, only to find that your campsite is located on a sandy beach. Also take time to study up on potential hazards in the area. Know if this location has poison oak or poison ivy, and learn about the different types of wildlife that you may encounter. This allows you to more effectively prepare for any situation, and keep yourself and your family safe from danger.

Check the forecast

If you don’t look at the weather report, you may end up trying to camp as a flood or hurricane is coming through the area, thus creating a hazardous situation. One or two days before you’re set to depart, check the forecast for the area where you’re planning to camp. If the weather report is bad, postpone your trip. You don’t want to put yourself and your family in danger by trying to brave the elements.

Practice

Before your trip, take time to practice walking with your fully loaded backpack. This will let you know if the pack fits properly, and if the weight inside is evenly distributed. You should also try on your boots and make sure that they’ll feel comfortable on a long hike. Testing out your gear ahead of time ensures that you’ll have a pleasant camping experience, free of blisters or strained muscles from a pack that’s too heavy.

Pack wisely

There’s nothing worse than arriving at your campsite, only to find that you’ve forgotten important medications or other necessary items, thus causing you to have to turn back. Before you leave, write out a checklist of materials that you must bring with you. As you’re packing, physically check off each item on your list, thus preventing anything from getting left behind. These are some elements that you should include on your checklist:

• A water resistant tent
• A warm sleeping bag
• Any medications that you’ll need to take while you’re gone
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• A first aid kit that includes sterile gauze, antiseptic wipes, calamine lotion, bandages, disposable gloves, alcohol pad, and a snake bite kit

You may also want to buy a book that offers tips for basic first-aid.

Josh Fink is passionate about the outdoors, and frequently participates in a slew of nature-based activities such as hiking, fishing, camping, and snowshoeing. He and his family enjoy participating in these sports together. Josh Fink   is also an accomplished mountain climber, and has scaled such peaks as Mount Everest, Kilimanjaro, and the Matterhorn over the course of his climbing career.