What to Bring on a Camping Trip

For nearly two decades, John Rhyshek has been involved with law enforcement. Starting as a state trooper for the state of Alaska, he became an officer working out of the town of Palmer. He is currently the head of the Bristol Bay Police Department in King Salmon, Alaska. During his free time, John Rhyshek enjoys outdoor activities like camping. Following are some tips for what to bring when camping.

A camping gear checklist includes the following items: a tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad, lighting equipment, cooking equipment, beverage cooler, eating implements, and camp chairs.

When choosing a tent, bigger equates to a more comfortable camping experience. This means that a three-person tent would be a good pick for two people, and a six-person tent is ideal for four people. Other characteristics to look for would be a tent tall enough to stand in, one with more than one door, and an outside storage area for shoes and other gear.

When it comes to staying comfortable and safe at night, pay attention to the temperature rating of sleeping bags. Summer bags will not offer enough protection for the colder months, while a bag rated for sub-zero temperatures will be uncomfortable when camping in the heat.

Sleeping pads insulate against the cold ground, and also make for a more comfortable night’s rest. Insulation ratings or R-values are indicated in the pad. Higher R-values mean a warmer pad. As to cooking equipment, this should include a propane camp stove with extra fuel canisters and a lighter. 

Which Muscles Does Hiking Work?

Long-time public safety officer John Rhyshek leads the Bristol Bay Police Department in Alaska as officer and chief. He previously served as a state trooper for the state of Alaska, and as an officer for the Houston, Alaska, police department. A fan of the great outdoors, John Rhyshek enjoys all types of open-air activities, including hiking.

A powerful cardiovascular activity, hiking strengthens and tones several muscles throughout the body. These include the calves, glutes, abs, hips, quadriceps, and hamstrings.

The quadriceps on the front of the thighs are the primary muscle used during hiking trips as they are responsible for extending the knee while a person walks. The hamstrings work in combination with the quads since they are located on the back of the thigh. While the quads extend the leg, the hamstrings pull them back so the body moves forward.

With hiking, the calves are also constantly active, but the level of activity they get depends on changes in intensity during the hike. Flatter hikes stress the calves less, so they get less of a workout. Similarly, the glutes support the body weight of a hiker and are worked more rigorously during uphill hikes or when hikers carry heavier backpacks.

Finally, the abs and hips support the rest of the body during a hike. The abs, specifically, keep the body upright and reduce the risk of back injuries. Lower back pain is also minimized by the hip muscles, but they must be flexible and loose when hiking so the group of muscles functions fluidly.

 

Requirements for Becoming a CAP Mission Pilot

An experienced law enforcement officer, John Rhyshek serves as chief of the Bristol Bay Police Department in King Salmon, Alaska. In addition to his work as a police chief, John Rhyshek provides his services as a mission pilot with the Civil Air Patrol.

Since 1941, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) has mobilized volunteer citizen airmen to provide national defense, disaster response, and search-and-rescue services. Today, the patrol comprises 60,000 members serving in various roles, including that of the mission pilot.

CAP mission pilots take on the most demanding disaster response and search-and-rescue missions. To qualify for this role, pilots work with mentors who assist them in meeting various requirements. The requirements checklist includes completing a general emergency services quiz, earning qualification as a CAP mission scanner, and completing a number of preparatory and advanced training tasks.

Mission pilot candidates must also have 175 hours of pilot-in-command (PIC) flying time, and must reach 200 PIC hours by the end of their mission pilot training. The final step is completing a mission pilot flight check, which assesses a pilot's skills in areas such as preflight planning, visual and electronic search patterns and procedures, safety awareness, and mountainous terrain procedures. 

The Salmon Treasure of Bristol Bay, Alaska

The chief of the Bristol Bay Police Department in King Salmon, Alaska, John Rhyshek’s responsibilities include supervising police officers and the 911 Dispatch Center. He started his over 15-year law enforcement career as an Alaska state trooper. In his free time, John Rhyshek enjoys hunting, camping, and fishing in the breathtaking Alaskan natural environs.

One of Alaska’s magnificent natural areas is the Bristol Bay watershed, located in the southwest. The location is home to many animal species, including over 190 birds, over 40 terrestrial mammals, and 29 fishes. The watershed sustains the production of all five Pacific salmon species present in North America: pink, Chinook, chum, coho, and sockeye.

Spawning and rearing in the Bristol Bay watershed, these wild salmons support eagles, bears, other wildlife, as well as human civilization. Hosting the world’s largest sockeye salmon run, the watershed produces around 46 percent of the planet’s wild sockeye harvest. Valued at over $1.5 billion, the Bristol Bay watershed fishery provides, annually, close to 20,000 jobs across the United States.