Elise has more than five years of backcountry canoe tripping and winter camping experience.
She and her husband Ross spend at least four full weeks in the backcountry every year, no matter the season.
Together, they’ve paddled thousands of kilometres of lakes and rivers across Ontario, Canada.
Elise is an expert at backcountry meal prep and planning—having mastered the art of dehydrating foods, cooking over a campfire or camp stove, and keeping meals as simple as possible without sacrificing taste or nutrition.
With a professional background in copywriting and digital marketing, Elise is the one who makes sure Gone Camping Again looks as good as it does and features the highest quality camping content (including original photography).
She has also completed a whitewater canoe clinic, certification for Whitewater Rescue (WWR) I & II and Wilderness First Aid (WFA), and is a member of the Wilderness Canoe Association.
Side sleepers often face challenges when it comes to finding the perfect camping mattress. Your main concern is likely adequate support and proper spinal alignment. Lying on your side can cause your hips and shoulders to sink into the mattress unevenly, leading to...
Cooking when you're camping can be a challenge no matter what, but it can be especially challenging when it's windy. Camping stove windshields protect your stove from the wind so cooking is less of a hassle. Why use a camping stove windshield? You may wonder if...
When you're on a camping trip, it's easy to neglect certain aspects of personal hygiene. But, washing your face is an essential part of any skincare routine, even when you're in the great outdoors. Camping can be tough on your skin, with dirt, sweat, and grime...
So, you're thinking about painting your tent and giving it a creative touch? Great idea! Customizing your tent can not only express your personality and style but also make it easier to spot your temporary home among other similar-looking tents in a busy camping area....
When it comes to camping, we all love the idea of being one with nature, enjoying the tranquil beauty of the great outdoors. But let's be honest—it isn't all sunshine and rainbows when your hair starts looking like a bird's nest after a few days in the wild. The...
Camping is all about finding the perfect balance between comfort and convenience, especially when it comes to your sleeping arrangements. Hammocks have become increasingly popular for campers, offering a lightweight and comfortable alternative to regular tents. For...
Imagine this: You're out in the wilderness, far from the hustle and bustle of city life. The stars are your only light, the rustling leaves your only soundtrack. It's blissful and serene until you realize that your tent, your temporary home, is vulnerable to unwanted...
There's nothing quite like the great outdoors, the smell of fresh air, the thrill of adventure, and the unexpected...rain. If you've ever found yourself staring at a heap of tent poles and canvas with rain pouring down, you know the struggle. It's a scenario that...
Summer is camping season, but this year is different—especially for those of us in eastern parts of Canada and the US. It's been a very dry spring, sparking massive wildfires that continue to burn and blow smoke over a huge swath of North America and even right across...
Ah, the smell of a campfire. There's nothing quite like it. That is, until it's in your hair. That smoky smell might actually be coming from the particles that cling to your hair, and believe it or not, your own skin might be contributing to the smell as well. Quick...
Camping on the beach or at a sandy campsite? You're bound to get sand in your tent if you're not careful. It's not really a bad thing—it's just a nuisance. After all, nobody wants to clean sand out of their sleeping bag, clothing, and other gear. But if you're willing...
Air conditioning inside a tent? It's possible! This type of camping—or should we say glamping—can make your camping experience much more enjoyable, especially during the hot summer months. The main benefit of using one of these luxury tents over a traditional...
Setting up your tent on a hill or uneven ground can be a daunting task, but sometimes, you might not have a choice. Most campgrounds and established backcountry campsites have at least one tent pad area where the ground has been cleared and flattened, but it's a...
Spiders? Inside your tent? NO THANKS!!! It's enough to put you off from camping altogether. Many spiders are harmless, but some species of spiders can cause serious pain and itching when their venom is injected into the skin. Spiders you'll want to steer clear of in...
So you're planning a camping trip... But for how long? Shorter trips are great for weekend getaways, but what if you're not sure about taking extra time off for another day or two...or three, or four? It's a hard decision to make, we know. A short trip can be just...
Going camping is an exciting experience, but for some people, it can also trigger feelings of anxiety. Fear of the unknown, uncertainty about your surroundings, and being away from your usual environment can be overwhelming. But you're not alone in feeling this way,...
Picture this: You pull your trusty old camping tent out of storage, give it a good look over, and then... Uh oh. You spot some mould. Can you get away with sleeping in it? Sleeping in a mouldy tent might not seem like a big deal, but the truth is that it can pose a...
Nobody likes dealing with stomach issues, but they can feel even worse when you're not at home. One common issue campers tend face is constipation, which can be extra uncomfortable in the great outdoors. Given that camping involves a lot of manual labour and physical...
Ever hang out in your tent on a sunny day and wonder if that thin piece of material is giving you enough protection from the sun's harmful rays? Yes, it's possible for you to get sunburned while inside a tent—especially if the tent fabric is thin enough for sunlight...
It can be a lot of fun to plan a camping trip, but one mistake campers often make is waiting too long to book their campsites. Given the increasing popularity of camping and the limited availability of campsites at popular destinations, booking your campsite as soon...
If you're preparing for a backpacking or long distance camping trip, you need to know how long you can keep your down sleeping bag compressed while you travel. Compressing your sleeping bag makes it more compact and easier to pack, but doing so for too long can...
Nobody wants to be uncomfortable when they're camping—especially when trying to sleep. A sleeping bag is a standard part of any camping sleep system. It's also a vital part of staying warm and comfortable in the wild. So yes, sleeping bags are comfortable, but their...
Nobody wants to find a snake in their tent...let alone anywhere near their campsite! While snakes can be fascinating to observe from a distance, being surprised by one that gets too close can be a frightening (and potentially dangerous) experience. Remember, you're in...
Nobody ever wants to come back to their campsite to find that their gear and belongings have been stolen or damaged. It's rare, but it happens. At this point, you're probably wondering if it's worth leaving your tent unattended. People do it all the time, but you...
If you love camping, then you know that there's nothing quite like enjoying a cold beer at the end of a long day by the campfire. But keeping your beer cold while camping can be a challenge—especially when you don't have access to a refrigerator. Luckily, there are...
Tents typically say how many people they can sleep, but that doesn't necessarily mean you'll be comfortable by cramming the maximum number of people in there. Ross and I have a three-person/three-season tent for this exact reason. We're just two average-sized people,...
Thinking about buying a new camping tent? Or wondering how much longer your current tent will hold up? Unfortunately, tents don't last forever, and their lifespan depends on a lot of things. 4 common types of tents and their estimated lifespans Tents come in various...
You've just woken up inside you're tent, and the first thing that comes to mind is: Coffee (or maybe tea). But gosh darn it, it takes forever to boil water while camping! Some of the biggest challenges involved with boiling water include: Weather conditions that can...
Just because you’re roughing it in the wilderness doesn’t mean you have to let your personal hygiene fall by the wayside. One of the biggest challenges of camping is figuring out how to maintain your daily routines, like shaving. You can probably get away without...
Planning a beach trip and wondering if you can use your camping chairs on the sand? You're not alone! The answer is yes, you can use camping chairs on the beach, but you might have trouble keeping it stable and staying upright. It really depends on the design of the...
I'm not a diabetic, but I certainly know people who are. Those who have diabetes and enjoy camping may be understandably concerned about managing their glucose levels while away from home and the comforts of daily routines. As someone who previously turned to overly...
Thinking about getting in touch with your "outdoorsy" side? Even if you're not the biggest outdoorsman or outdoors-woman, camping can be a really great way to explore that side yourself. In fact, camping is more popular than ever before. According to Kampgrounds of...
Keeping up your personal hygiene is a must while camping, but simple tasks like brushing your teeth are a lot harder when you don’t have access to running water. You might find yourself asking: What water do I use to wet my toothbrush? Should I use special toothpaste?...
As someone who loves camping but also suffers from lower back pain thanks to working at a desk all day, I know that finding a comfortable sleeping surface can be a challenge. Sleeping on the ground in a tent can be a recipe for a painful night, leaving me feeling...
Have you ever gone camping and had something unexpected happen? Maybe your tent was damaged in a wind storm, or your camping stove malfunctioned, leaving you without a way to cook your meals. These situations can be frustrating and even dangerous—especially if you're...
Nothing is more annoying than a bee (or a hornet or wasp) buzzing around camp while you're trying to cook, eat, or relax. If you're brave, you'll probably try to swat them away. If you're scared, you'll probably try to run away from them. And if you're unaware, you...
A camping trip is guaranteed to leave you feeling a little grimy. And if you're camping in hot summer weather, the sweat from your scalp can leave you with some pretty greasy hair—even after as little as a day. As someone who's learned to go as long as two weeks...
One of the worst parts about camping is that you can't always guarantee a good night's sleep. If you already suffer from back pain, the idea of going camping can seem daunting. But it doesn't have to be. What the science says about camping mattresses and back pain At...
So you have a new puppy, and you're planning to go camping. What could go wrong? It's hard enough dealing with a puppy at home, but at a campsite, you'll have to be even more prepared and attentive to your pup. Puppies are generally known for being absolutely...
When it comes to honeymoons, most of us think of exotic destinations with a romantic atmosphere and lots of pampering. Going camping may not be your traditional type of honeymoon vacation, but it can certainly be a unique and unforgettable way to start your life...
So maybe you're thinking about going camping, but you're not sure it's for you. What's so great about camping, anyway? Well, there are a lot of things that are great about it. And there are a lot of not-so-great things about it too. As a beginner, or as someone who's...
No camper likes to wake up in the middle of the night only to find that they've slid right into the side, top, or bottom of their tent. Air mattresses are tricky like that. Most camping air mattresses are made of polyester or nylon fabrics that are usually coated with...
When you plan a camping trip, you need to be prepared for all kinds of weather—including windy weather. High winds are no joke, and if you're not careful, you could end up losing or ruining your tent and other gear items that are susceptible to being blown away....
There's nothing worse than crawling into your tent at night and realizing that your sleeping bag is damp. Okay, maybe the only thing worse than that is waking up in the middle of the night to find it soaking wet. It's more common than you might think. A few reasons...
Have you ever sat down in your camp chair, only for one of the four legs to sink several inches into the ground, causing you to lose your balance and fall over? It's happened to use hundreds of times! Camp chairs are built to be convenient, a lot of them have skinny...
Going camping without breaking the bank can almost feel impossible these days. They say that camping is "when you spend a small fortune to live like a homeless person," and as someone who's made one too many expensive gear purchases over the years, Ross and I both...
So you've decided to go camping, but you're looking for a few new setup ideas for your campsite that take you beyond the basics. Functionality and convenience are a must, but not at the expense of pleasure—or even luxury! We get it. Some of our favourite camping...
Solo camping is camping by yourself, plain and simple. You don't have a partner with you, you don't have any friends tagging along, and you certainly don't have any family members around nagging you to do camp chores. It's just you, your sense of adventure, and the...