What is the lightest backpacking tent?
If you love to spend time outdoors, taking in everything that nature has to offer, then give camping a try. The following article has guidelines for what you should be doing and planning for before and during your big trip. If you are prepared, camping is great fun and worth the effort you put into it.
One of the most important parts of your camping gear is your tent. The tent you buy should suit your needs and the size of your camping party. If you have young children, you probably want to purchase a large tent so they can sleep in the same tent with you. If your children are old, buy them their own tent so they don't have to bunk with the adults.
If you are going on a camping adventure, make sure you have enough time to set up camp before dark. It can be extremely difficult to set up camp in the dark and possibly unsafe. You need to be able to scout the terrain, prepare bedding, and possibly build some temporary shelter prior to the sun going down.
Take only photos and leave only footprints. That is the rule of thumb when camping. Only use the natural resources that you need and do not leave any traces that you were camping when you leave. Pick up all trash, extinguish and cover any fire pits, bury all human waste, and make the area where you camped look exactly as it did when you found it.
Bring along a sleeping bag appropriate for the season. A winter bag for the summer will cause you to sweat all night. On the other hand, you don't want a lightweight summer sleeping bag if you're going to be out in the frigid temperatures of wintertime. You might even contract hypothermia.
Always understand what dangers are associated with a new place. You should know if there are deadly spiders found there, or if sheer cliffs or flash floods occur there. Each spot can contain dangers which can really affect your trip.
When you bring your dog on a camping trip, make certain he has adequate tick protection. Bugs thrive in forests, and many flea treatments do not extend protection to include ticks, so ask your vet before departing if your dog has everything he needs and what you should do for proper tick prevention and removal.
Do not forget your cooking supplies. You will need pots, pans, utensils and dishes to cook on and eat with. Make sure that you double-check to be sure that you have packed these supplies before you leave the house. You do not want to get all set up and ready to cook your first meal and find that you have left your pot at home.
When it is time for you to go to sleep, it is a good idea to put the coolers that you brought along into your vehicle. Bears have become quite savvy these days and have figured out that these coolers usually carry food items and this will attract them to your campsite.
Bring your cellphone with you when you go camping. Even if you are serious about roughing it, cell phones are still very useful in emergencies and should not be left at home. A cell phone is no longer a hobby, and when you go camping it can help you reach police and emergency personnel--bring it.
Take along a fire extinguisher! You never know when a fire can spread. Being prepared to put it out quickly could save your life, your gear and the woods around you. Find one that is capable of putting out fires of all kinds to be sure you are prepared to extinguish them all.
Some of the best food options to bring camping with you are things that come in cans. While this may not be the tastiest, it is great for two reasons. It is very convenient and easy to prepare, but more rent glamping tent importantly; wildlife will be unable to smell the food inside of the cans.
To avoid those nasty mosquito bites the next time you go camping, try the peel from an ordinary orange. Don't worry if the insect repellant was left behind on the kitchen counter. Just rub the inner peel of an orange on your skin for a natural insect repellent. This should give you the protection that you need while out in the wilderness.
If you have more than three people camping with you, take along more than one tent. You are going to want to have some privacy at one time or another. The additional tent will make it possible to get some "me" time while at the camp site. It also gives you additional storage to keep animals out of your supplies.
A great tip for anyone who is planning a camping trip is to bring along some hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer is great for keeping your hands germ free, but it can also act as a disinfectant if you get a cut somewhere on your body and don't have access to first aid.
Charge all of your electronic equipment such as your cell phones and gaming equipment for the children to the max before you go to a camping trip. You want to get the most out of their charge when you do decide to use them, so make sure they are charged.
When choosing a sleeping bag, be sure you select one that fits the season in which you are going to be camping. For instance, if it is summer, you are going to want a lighter bag so that you stay as cool as possible. However, if it is winter, a thicker sleeping bag will be needed so you won't freeze during the night.
Whenever you are camping, be sure to adhere to proper safety protocol. Make sure to avoid all bears and larger wildlife in the wilderness. Even small animals, such as squirrels, can pose a dangerous hazard. Bears should never be fed in the wild under any circumstances.
You should now see how much planning actually needs to be put into a great camping trip. Now that you know, you should begin preparing for a trip in which you are ready for anything. Follow this guide and you will soon be camping under the stars and having a great time.