Hi guys! I’m Derek – a lifelong camper, hiker, and climber, born in Dallas, Texas.
I spent my childhood years in an RV with my parents, running around, camping under the stars, and even playing with fire even though my mom told me not to. (Mom if you are reading this, sorry about that)
As long as I can remember I have been in and out of tents and campgrounds like a second home. All that time has led to real-life experience and knowledge that most people just don’t have.
Fast forward to high school. Ashley and I met and fell in love like it was natural. Not only with each other but with our mutual love for Mother Earth and the outdoors.
Our adventures together have taken us around the world and back again, and I’m not talking about Paris. Our adventures always focus on getting outside climbing and hiking all day, s’mores around a campfire, and a night under the stars.
We don’t just love the outdoors, we eat, sleep, and breathe it.
All that brings us here and now. Ashley and I started Know Nothing Nomads after seeing how much false information was out there about camping, hiking, and climbing. We decided that we couldn’t sit on the sidelines knowing that people were being misinformed and misdirected instead of being shown the proper way of doing things outdoors.
So, that’s what we do here. We share our knowledge, experience, passions, and adventures with readers like you. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.
Derek’s Writings
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How to Survive the Dog Days of Summer
Don’t let the heat or humidity keep you inside this summer. There are ways to enjoy the outdoors, even when the mercury rises. This summer was our first summer in North Carolina and I quickly realized one thing – I’d forgotten how to summer. It was hot. It was sticky. It was hard to get […]
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How to Pack a Tent in a Backpack in Six Steps (The Best Way)
Learn how to pack a tent in a backpack in the most efficient and best way possible – that way your tent is safe and your pack is balanced correctly.
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A Legend Lost: Patrick Edlinger
In 2012 on Friday, November 16th, the world lost French climbing legend Patrick Edlinger at the age of 52. The sport climbing community recognized him as one of the greatest, and he was a pioneer who shaped climbing as we know it.
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7 Hilarious Dawn Wall Quotes by the Mainstream Media
The Dawn Wall is a 3,000ft rock face on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park in California. It’s the mecca of rock climbing, and Dawn Wall mania has swept the globe. Talks of ascents have made it into the mainstream press, where the whole world is watching as Kevin Jorgenson and Tommy Caldwell battle it […]
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Leave No Trace
It’s extremely important, now more than ever, that we all take personal responsibility for the future of our planet and its wilderness. So as we spend time outside in the natural world, it’s essential that we do our part – our conscious effort and our actions can make a huge difference on plants, animals, other […]
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7 Ways to Build Your Finger Strength for Climbing
Finger and grip strength is a MAJOR FACTOR in how well you climb, but it’s not as simple as pull ups and hangboarding. The best way to train your fingers is…
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Can You Put A Tent In A Compression Sack? (Yes and No)
Can you put a tent in a compression sack? Read on to learn more about this question, as well as the times you should never use one..
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What is a Tent Made of?: A Guide for Materials and Fabrics
The complete guide to tent materials: which fabric is best for which uses, how each fabric holds up again wear and tear, and so much more.
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Camping Clothes: What to Wear on Your Next Camping Trip
There are some camping clothes you should wear on your next adventure, and some items you should definitely avoid..
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Best Hiking Socks to Prevent Blisters
These best hiking socks for blisters are the KEY to blister-free hiking, and their SECRET ingredient will be a game changer for all your future adventures.
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Best Tent Stakes for Sand, Soft Ground, and Snow (2023)
If your next camping adventure is in sandy terrain, you’ll need to use one of the best tent stakes for sand to keep your tent secure.
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6 Best Instant Tents for Quick & Easy Setup (2023)
Using one of these best instant tents will dramatically cut back on your camp setup time, which lets you enjoy the more important parts of camping.
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Candle Heaters: Can a Candle Keep Your Tent Warm? (2023)
There’s more to consider than you think when it comes to how to heat a tent with a candle. Learn all about safety, BTUs, and products here!
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Best 12 Person Tent for Large Groups in 2023
These best 12 person tents are some of the most spacious tents you could buy, and they’re still easy to setup and have great features.
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Best 10 Person Tent for Group Camping Adventures (2023)
These are the best 10 person tents we really like, and they offer a wide variety of features, materials, and designs for you to pick from.
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13 Things To Do in Breckenridge That Aren’t Skiing (2023)
While Breckenridge is known for it’s skiing, there’s plenty of other things to do in Breckenridge winter that don’t involve riding down a mountain.
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Best Tent Heaters for Camping: Propane vs Electric Heaters
When the weather turns chilly and overnight temperatures get cold, there are options for staying warm in a tent while still enjoying the outdoors. One of the best ways to still enjoy winter camping (or fall and spring camping) is to use a tent heater! Bringing along a small, portable tent heater can make a […]
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Best 8 Person Tent of 2023
If you’re shopping for the best 8 person tents on the market, look no further because we’ve done all the research and assembled a list for you!
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Best Microspikes for Hiking in Snow and Ice (Winter 2022)
For walking and hiking on ice and/or packed snow, consider wearing a pair of our best microspikes for hiking so you can have better traction.
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Best 5 Person Tent: Tried and Tested (2023)
Use our list of the best 5 person tents to help navigate the several options that offer a variety of features like vestibules, high ceilings, and more!
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Best Tents under $200: Quality Meets Affordability (2023)
For the budget-conscious outdoorsman (or woman), we have assembled the best tents under $200 for all different sizes, uses, and seasons.
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Best Tents Under $100 for the Ultra-Budget Camper (2023)
For ultra-budget-conscious campers, we’ve assembled the most affordable and best tents under $100 so you can enjoy the outdoors!
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Best Tents for High Winds
Our picks for the best tents for high winds offer high quality, durable materials and a variety of design features that will spoil you for choice.
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How to Winterize a 3 Season Tent
Knowing how to properly winterize your tent can allow you to use your 3 season tent in winter while still keeping warm and safe.
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Best Battery Operated Heated Blanket for Camping
Another essential for cold weather camping is a best battery operated heated blanket for camping, which uses a rechargeable battery!
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Best Liner Socks for Hiking (Best of 2023)
One of the best blister prevention techniques is to wear a wool hiking sock paired with one of our suggestions for the best liner socks for hiking.
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Do Tents Come With Stakes? (Yes, but don’t use them.)
Do tents come with stakes? Yes, they do, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should use them. Read more about why you should upgrade!
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How to Make Wooden Tent Stakes (DIY)
Knowing how to make wooden tent stakes is a good piece of knowledge to have when venturing into nature, and can be a fun craft to do at camp.
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How to Stake a Tent Properly and Quickly (The Best Way)
If you’re planning on camping this season, it’s essential that you know how to use tent stakes on different types of soil so you can be better prepared!
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Best Tent Stake Hammer for Camping in 2023
In order to properly stake your tent and not damage your tent stakes in the process, use one of our top picks for the best tent stake hammer.
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Best Solar Powered Lanterns for Camping 2023
Take a look at our suggestions for what to look for in the best solar lantern for camping, as well as ideas for products that may fit your needs.
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How to Secure a Tent Without Stakes (5 Best Ways)
If you find yourself unable to use tent stakes or lacking stakes, you can use one of these other methods for how to secure a tent without stakes.