Category Archives: Ambassador

3 Knots You Need To Know While Camping

With thousands of knots it’s tough to decide what ones are important to know. Someone on a sailboat is going to answer much differently than someone who is climbing a mountain. Luckily, the knots used when camping work perfect for tasks around the house.

3 Bushcraft Camping Cooking Systems You Can Totally Make

Campfire cooking can make or break your trip. Let’s face it, everyone loves a good meal, and when you spend the day outdoors, that good meal becomes the pinnacle of camp life...

Winter #VanLife Camping Done Right

When the seasons change and the weather has you more inside than out, it’s time for a getaway. What are your options in the winter? You can rough it and sleep in a tent, which I will opt for in optimal conditions, or you can get fancy...

Beginners Guide To Winter Camping

Summer and the warm weather that goes along with it may be over but that doesn't mean you have to retire your house for the year. Make your next outing a little bit more comfortable...

How I live in my Toyota Truck

Everyone and their mom is moving into a van - everywhere you go there are sprinters and sweet VW buses and smiling people spilling out of them. And it seems for good reason - the type of life that comes with it is very attractive...

How to Prepare for a Day at the Crag

Washington is blessed to have so many climbing areas in close proximity to the Seattle metro area. Vantage, Index, the Exits, Leavenworth and Mt. Erie are some, just to name a few...

How I roast my own coffee from the back of my truck

Coffee roasting used to be widespread, and many households would roast their own on a regular basis. With the rise of modern conveniences, most people now buy stale coffee in stores. But you don't have to....

Ferrocerium Rod Basics

Ferro rod is referred to as the ultimate emergency fire starting device is because it is impenetrable to all weather and has an extremely long lifespan...

How To Build Simple Survival Shelters

Shelters come in all shapes and sizes with the most important being the home we live in. Creating a home away from home will provide safety, security, and comfort...

#TrashTag Makes a Major Comeback

Back in 2015, the UCO #TrashTag Project started and encouraged the public to clean up litter. Nearly 4 years later, the #TrashTag Project has made a major comeback...

How To Build A Self-Feeding Campfire

Avoid crawling out of your sleeping bag, scavenging for firewood, and battling the cold while camping. Learn how to build a the self-feeding fire.

How To Boil Water On a Campfire – Hacks to help you

One of those chores is preparing and purifying water. Filters, chemicals, and boiling are all great options, but boiling trumps them all.

The 5 W’s of Wilderness Survival

The 5 W's to help you stay safe in the wilderness.

Campfire Safety in the Wake of a Record-Breaking Fire Season

Simple steps you need to know for campfire safety.

Wilderness Survival Priorities You Need to Know to Stay Safe

Learn the survival priorities to make sure you are staying safe on your next adventure.

How to Choose a Headlamp

Our guide to headlamps helps you understand power, fit, brightness and projection to help you know what to buy.

FIRE STARTING 101 – LESSON 4 – TIPS & TRICKS 

Know these tips. There are a few, "outside the box", tricks that anyone at any skill level can use.

Fire Starting 101 – Lesson 3 – Natural Fire Starters

It is difficult to distinguish every plant and tree in nature. Dan tells you which plants to use to start a fire.

What does a survival guide think about Candle Lanterns?

Do you need this item in your kit? Survival Instructor Dan Wowak gets real helps you improve your kit in 3 minutes...

How to Keep Your Electronics Charged While Camping and Hiking

Even if you only follow some of these tips, you'll see a major boost to the battery life of your devices on your next camping trip! 

Fire Starting 101 – Lesson 2 – Choosing the Right Fire Starter & Creating Sustainable Fire

Creating a sustainable fire is the challenge, it’s the need, and it’s the want to be near something we can’t live without. 

Fire Starting 101 – Lesson 1 – The Basics of Starting a Fire

Fire is at the core of human existence as it provides warmth, utility, and comfort. Enabling us to cook food at camp, keep warm on a cold night, and purify water; learning to start a fire is essential.

Roses – Van Life: FIELDTRIP 009 with Aidan Klimenko

Mountaineering isn't always about charging for the summit, so take your time and stop to smell the roses. Aidan talks about a recent trip up Mt. Adams.

Oregon Splitboarding – FIELDTRIP 008 with Colton Jacobs

A Photo Collection from Colton Jacobs of a recent splitboarding trip around Bend, OR.

‘Guiding Hands’ – FIELDTRIP 007 with Gemina Garland-Lewis

Gemina Garland-Lewis got her start in the outdoors at a young age. Thanks to her parents' guiding hands, she's pursued a rich life full of outdoors experiences. Here's to Mom and Dad!

‘The Road Chose Me’ – FIELDTRIP 006 with Kathy Karlo

Kathy drops in to talk about a life on-the-move, and how she's settling in to the crossroads between a climbing life and a professional life.

NORRA Mexicana 1000 – Van Life: Fieldtrip 005 with Aidan Klimenko

Aidan covers the NORRA Mexicana, an off-road race through Baja that is renowned for thrashing vehicles. Especially a 30 year old van.

Death Valley – Van Life: FIELDTRIP 004 with Aidan Klimenko

Otis and Aidan head off to catch the elusive 'Super Bloom' in Death Valley National Park.

Aidan and Otis – Van Life: FIELDTRIP 003 with Aidan Klimenko

Otis' latest hiccup has left Aidan in central California, but that suits Aidan just fine.

Where Ocean Meets Desert – FIELDTRIP 002 – Sailing Baja

Gemina Garland-Lewis sails to the tip of the Baja Peninsula from Santa Barbara, CA.

I’m Pissed Off – Taking a Stance on Utah Public Lands – BEARS EARS

UCO President Graeme Esarey is pissed off at the way Utah government handles public lands like Bears Ears National Monument.

Turbotantrums – Van Life: FIELDTRIP 001 with Aidan Klimenko

Vol. 1 of our series with Aidan Klimenko and his VW Syncro as they travel together across the Americas.

Gold Bar Climbing Trip – FIELDTRIP 001

The UCO Gear Creatures of the Night crew headed up to Gold Bar, WA for some night climbing & camp vibes.

#Trashtag EarthLove 2016 Giveaway

Nominate a world changing organization on instagram and win some gear and money for the organization.

#TrashTag Project

We’re so eager to introduce the brain child of UCO + Steven Reinhold, the #TrashTag project. Here’s how it came to be:

The 10 C’s with Dave Canterbury

Noted survival expert Dave Canterbury shares his 10 C's for survival at the 2015 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Show.