CYBERSPACE CAMPING COULD LEAD TO OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ARMCHAIR INDOORSMEN MIGHT BE SURPRISED WHAT THEY'D FIND SURFING WHITEWATERS OF THE INTERNET.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

Want to know how to noodle a catfish? Does spending a week snow camping sound like a cool way to forget about the summer heat? Interested in joining the Christian Deer Hunter's Association?

Maybe not. But if you're in search of outdoor adventure - from the bizarre to the more traditional - look no further than cyberspace.

It may seem ironic that you can learn a lot about activities that actually require you to leave the chair in front of your computer and go outside, but you'd be surprised what you can find on the Internet.

I recently took such an odyssey through the Internet, and was exposed to these valuable morsels: building the perfect igloo; the gospel according to rock star/bowhunter Ted Nugent on his United Sportsmen of America Web site; the art of kicksledding (It's a Finnish snow sport touted as a ``physical activity for the millennium.'')

And I never once got sunburned, seasick or stung by mosquitoes.

But I did find some intriguing and informative Web sites for those wanting to experience the great outdoors as a novice or veteran. Here are some of the best:

--The river wild: Whitewater rafting fans should check out California Creekin' (www.creekin.net).

River rafting has a lot of class to it. A river's dangerous waters are ranked from Class I (being the tamest) to Class V (for experts only).

California Creekin' is the perfect site to check a river and make sure a run is the right one for your trip. The Kern River (Class II-III), from Kern Powerhouse No. 3 to Isabella Reservoir east of Bakersfield, is one of the close-to-L.A. trips highlighted.

``This is the best training run in Southern California,'' says the description of the 2- to 4-mile (one-hour-or-longer) journey. ``There are many campgrounds along the north fork Kern, and many nearby motels if you prefer not to rough it.''

--Gone fishing: California's fishing options are as diverse as the state itself. A good place to find out why is www.calfishing.com.

Don't have a boat? Check out the site's salute to float tubing, ``the poor kid's way of getting out on the water.''

The Barni Zone should not be missed for any angler with a sense of humor, though an introduction warns: ``Some anglers may become offended by the remarks made in this section, but nothing is meant to be personally demeaning.''

The site's message board offers information on where the big ones are biting.

--Go climb a rock: If you don't have a fear of heights, log on to www.vertical-adventures.com for the thrill of a lifetime.

Vertical Adventures Rock Climbing School offers courses year-around, ranging from one-day classes to multi-day seminars to advanced courses that focus on rescue techniques.

If the name of the peak doesn't scare you, the Idyllwild Rock Climbing School is offering classes and guided climbs up Suicide Rock in the San Jacinto Mountains through August.

--Wild thing: L.A. Wild (lawild.rivals.com) is the quintessential site for a weekend of exploring without having to drive far.

Among the trips featured: hiking to the summit of Mount Baden-Powell in the San Gabriel Mountains and sportfishing off the Baja coast.

The Web site's motto is ``Explore The Limits.''

--Girl power: For those who think handling worms is just a guy thing, try Women's Fishing Online (womensfishing.rivals.com).

One of the gems of this site is a section titled Meditations on Fishing and Life, a tribute to what fishing means from the female perspective.

``A lot of people read for relaxation. A lot of people love to swim. A lot of people (love) to travel,'' writes one woman from Missouri. ``I love to fish. . . . I've heard that every time you fish, you add seven years to your life.''

There is also Women's Hunting Online (www.womenshunting.rivals.com).

--Shop till you drop: Check your credit card limit before logging on because the Bass Pro Shops' online store (www.basspro.com) is Toys R Us for adults.