Camping is great fun and people often want to get off the grid and take time off with friends and family. However if things are not planned properly instead of time to enjoy and relax in wilderness, it would be stressful break. And no one would want to be in that situation. This article / post will give you some tips be it avoiding bears, weather related situations or as simple protecting from mosquitoes.
It is exciting to go for camping, however getting to the camp can be quite tiring with all the driving to get the park and then getting to your camp site. People could be tired and it could be late after carrying a back pack, canoe and all your gear. Before you commit to the first place that suggests it could house a tent, think about what you will want later that evening or even the morning. Are you a late sleeper? Do you want to watch the sunrise? Are bears around? Do you want an Instagram-worthy spot without being that guy that pitched his tent on a windswept ledge?
The good news is, you can have beauty, comfort and safety. The bad news is, you have to be willing to work for it.
Next time you pull up to your home for the night, either in your truck or on your own two feet, think of these 10 ways to maximize your comfort and minimize the danger. Below are the 10 rules that can make your camping trip memorable
Plan for the sun
Most of us are either morning owls or night owls. Consider how much or less shade you want in your tent in the morning, depending on what you prefer or what you want that particular night. If you want to sleep until 9:00 a.m., choose a spot deep in the forest where the sun doesn’t reach the horizon and burn down quickly. On the other hand, if part of the beauty of sleeping outdoors is waking up to the sun, face your screen east and enjoy the warmth and light of the early morning.
Check out for storms
Think of the seams as you would fishing, says Marco Johnson, senior lecturer at the National Outdoor Leadership School NOLS. Fish choose places that are calm enough to relax, yet close enough to fast-moving water to catch food as it flows. The same goes for avoiding bad weather at your campsite. Find a sheltered spot along the edge of a rock, small clump of shrub, or tree. That way, you’ll be able to enjoy and photograph the meadows and mountain peaks while sheltering from sudden storms. Beware of sleeping under the tallest mature trees that can fill up with water during a rainstorm, or under the tallest trees that can be struck by lightning one day. Also consider which rivers you crossed on your way to the campsite. If a storm might be approaching, make sure you’re not on the wrong side of a potentially flooded canyon.
Stay away from bugs
People can either be night owls or morning people. Consider how much shadow will be on your tent in the morning depending on your preferences or what you want for this specific night. Choose a location further in the woods where the sun won’t rise, and then immediately bear down on your mesh screen if you intend to sleep till nine in the morning. Place that screen facing east and enjoy the early morning warmth and light if, on the other hand, you enjoy one of the wonders of sleeping outside—waking up to the sun.
Check for trees
It’s important to look down to find the best campsites, but perhaps even more important to look up. When choosing a pitch, make sure it’s not only right next to your tent, but big enough that it won’t crush you if a dead lodgepole pine or other tree falls while you’re sleeping. . In addition to trees that appear dead, watch out for trees that are leaning steeply or that have already fallen and are caught in another tree’s branch.
Critters can give indication of danger
Do not put tents on hunting tracks. A passing deer might be nice, but a grizzly or black bear chasing you isn’t so nice. Follow standard food storage and cooking regulations in bear areas, look for suitable trees to hang food, and keep edibles away from tents. Many chipmunks and squirrels are so accustomed to dropping or feeding humans that they chew up food bags or slide into open car doors.
Stay away from foul odour
Of course, if you’ve had too many drinks before bed, it’s nice to be near the outhouse at your campsite. But often these nearby places smell the most. The same goes for trash cans. When you arrive, make sure you know where the restrooms and trash cans are, and keep your distance so you don’t wake up in the middle of the night with your nose smelling.
Understand your gear
This is not a tip for choosing the right location, but it’s important to understand what you have so you know where to use it. “Do you trust your gear to provide a good campsite and shelter?” One should be comfortable in their ability to put up a shelter that’s not going anywhere.
In other words, you should know what you have and how it works before your maiden voyage. It’s never a bad idea to pitch a tent or shelter in your home or yard before you see if you can and make sure you have everything you need. The same applies to camping stoves and other camping equipment.
Find a flat spot
Finding a flat spot and positioning yourself and your tent in the best possible way can either help you sleep soundly all night or wake you up with a constant headache with blood pumping to your brain all night long. It’s a difference. It also keeps you from rolling over tent buddies you may never want to be with again.
While checking, look for stones and roots. Spending a little more time choosing the perfect spot will help you sleep better and make your trip more enjoyable.
Look for amazing nature spots
If you’re traveling with kids, the best campsite is the one with the most opportunities for climbing and playing. Opt for a campsite with boulders or downed logs they can climb on or around. Bonus points for spots near creeks.
Clean up & make it tidy before you leave
Just because you can rearrange rocks, logs, and other elements to make your campsite perfect, doesn’t mean you have to. “Good campgrounds are found, not built,” Sam said 🙂
If you are at the campsite, please use the designated fire pits and clean up in the back. If you’re in the backcountry, look for places that are already in use. Please note that fire safety restrictions may vary by location. If you have assembled a campfire ring, make sure it is completely turned off and there is no residual heat, and dismantle it before returning home or going to another camp.
What to Consider When Choosing How to Camp
To decide how to camp, you have to sit down and answer a series of questions.
- Are you on a budget?
- Do you want to sleep on the floor or want a more structured bedding?
- Worried about mosquitoes and gnats, or is it cold where you’re going?
- You want to spend as much time outside as possible Or do you want a warm, dry hideaway where you can cook and play games?
Before deciding where to invest your money, ask yourself the following questions. Also note that in most cases you can buy the equipment to use or rent what you need to try everything out. Testing RVs, RVs, wall tents, and even yurts will give you important information that you can’t gather any other way.
