Camping is a hobby that is enjoyed by thousands of people around the world everyday, and I'm here today to tell you how to get the best experience from your trip. Some people love the feel of surviving in the wild with nothing but a knife and a box of matches while others will quite happily drag the kitchen sink along with them. It's all well and good going with as little as possible but you need to know what you're doing to make sure you're both safe and comfortable.
Shelter
If it is raining heavily a shelter is the thing that could save your life. Being wet in the outdoors can lead to hypothermia in minutes and in extreme circumstances even death...yes I said death! Most people will take a tent or a tarp at least on their camping trip as they make excellent waterproof shelters and protect from the elements. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous though, why not make a shelter? It may sound hard but it really isn't, we will talk about what kit to take later on but paracord is very handy when it comes to making a shelter. It's as simple as stringing a line between a couple of trees and laying some long twigs either side against the cord, a bit of dense moss over the top and you will have a half decent shelter for the night.
Warm Clothes
Warm clothes on a camping trip are important even in the height of summer, it may be hot through the day but at night the temperature can really plummet leading to a sleepless night in the cold. A waterproof coat is also essential to protect you from the elements and going on a camping trip without at least putting one in your rucksack isn't the brightest idea. A base layer like is also not a bad idea in the colder months and also helps to keep you warm at night while you sleep. Outdoor clothes are often rated in terms of how waterproof and windproof they are and this is something that should be considered when buying for your trip depending on location and time of year.
Food and water
Food is something that isn't necessary for an overnight trip but then nobody wants to camp on an empty stomach do they? Whatever food you decide to take you have to make sure that it can be cooked on your fire should you decide to light one. If you're not lighting a fire a gas stove can be picked up for very cheap and their small size means they can be packed away without taking up much room. High energy snack bars and chocolate are also a great source of energy and will help to keep you warm. Water is also essential to keep you hydrated and can be used for cooking and cleaning. An alternative would be to buy a Lifestraw or similar product, that way you can drink straight from a river or lake and not run the risk of drinking dirty and contaminated water.
Fire
A fire isn't a priority for your trip although it can provide valuable warmth and light, it keeps the bugs and possible predators at bay. A fire is relatively easy to get started providing you have dry tinder and some good fuel to keep the fire sustained. Once you have it lit, the embers in the bottom will keep it hot enough to sustain itself for a few hours. Just remember that if your firewood is green it will not burn and before you leave your campsite you must ensure the fire is fully out! Depending on where you decide to go for your camping trip a fire can be the worst thing to have as it may attract unwanted attention. Having a fire can also damage the ground around your campsite so this needs to be considered as well. You could have a very small fire but with currently clothing technology warmth really shouldn't be an issue if you prepare well!
Useful equipment
- A good Length of 550 paracord
- Camping/Hunting knife
- Hatchet
- Flashlight
550 paracord is very useful and in an
emergency will hold your body weigh
A hatchet can make gathering firewood a walk in the park
A large knife can help when building a shelter or cooking
and even catching food
A flashlight is key and will make night time much easier
The next time you go camping just remember this vital information and hopefully you will have a safe and enjoyable trip.
All photographs are my own and I thank you for reading, please share my blog and spread the word, you can also find me on social media:
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Happy camping!!
Liam
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