The First Decision You Have To Make Is: Synthetic Or Down
Synthetic heavier but superior in wet conditions. Good for summer with rain falls.
Down superior in terms of warmth and weight. But you have to be very careful about it staying dry including your own sweat and condensation! Its good to air-dry it every morning during a long hike.
TIP! Please remember you cannot store your sleeping bag in the compression bag! When you return back home store it in a big bag or hang it.
Camping For Beginners Step : Campsite Cooking
After setting up the tent, one of the first joys or challenges of campsite life is getting that all-important campsite dinner on the picnic table. If youre going to be cooking on a camping stove make sure youve planned ahead and taken plenty of camping gas then set up your stove outside, off the ground and always bring more gas than you think youre going to need. If youre cooking on a campfire take a look at our guide to building the perfect fire and get it roaring before you start to cook on it. If youre arriving late on your first day, its a great idea to take something youve made or semi-prepared earlier. Whether youre cooking on a camping stove or a campfire, a Tupperware full of chilli that can be simply warmed through is a great idea.
Watch Out For Allergies
Dogs can feel symptoms of outdoor allergens, just like people can. If your dog is sneezing, itching, wheezing or has a noticeable ear infection, they may be suffering from seasonal allergies. Talk with your vet about treatment options, and do your best to limit your dogs exposure during high-pollen times.
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Meal Planning For Camping
If youre an accomplished chef and meal planner, then do your thing but be mindful that simple prep is better. Even if youre not a chef, you should do a basic meal plan. It could be as simple as dinner out on the drive to camp, then cooking breakfast and having a lunch before breaking camp the next day.
You can go with boxed or canned entrees and side dishes, or fresh food or a combo of all of them. Be sure to bring plenty of snacks, and fixings for smores if you cant imagine a campout without them.
If coffee or tea arent optional for you, then options range from instant coffee or tea bags to a stovetop percolator or teakettle.
Tip: Critters that hang around campgrounds are accomplished raiders, so dont leave food or garbage out overnight, nor unattended. Seal up everything in a large bin anytime youre away from camp and lock it in your vehicle at night. In bear country, check the local regulationsthere might be food lockers because bears have been known to break into vehicles. To learn more read Food Storage and Handling for Campers and Backpackers.
Reasons You Might Not Like Camping
14 Dec 20175 min read
Fresh air, stunning views and starry nights what a drag! Heres what else youll avoid if you never go camping.
We think camping is a great way to spend a weekend or a week, but we know its not for everyone.
Here are some reasons camping might not be up your alley:
1. You hate waking up to birdsong
Bush parks are full of nasty, noisy birds who all want to sing and wake you up at dawn. Mount Remarkable National Park is the sort of place youd really want to keep away from, with 117 species of birds. You can lie in your tent at the Mambray Creek Campground, and instead of just hearing burnouts and leaf blowers and your neighbours having a barney, all you can hear is birds like kookaburras, magpies, rosellas, bronzewings, rufous whistlers, lorikeets, honeyeaters, galahs and cockatoos all at the same time.
Parks have lots of animals too, so if you dont like seeing Australian native animals like koalas, kangaroos, emus, goannas, wombats and echidnas wandering past your tent, youd probably better just stay out of national park campgrounds completely.
2. Relaxing isnt your thing
When you go camping, theres nothing to do but relax outdoors. Seriously, all there is to do is go bushwalking, four-wheel driving, fishing, birdwatching, snorkelling, beachcombing, lie on the beach, or just sit in front of your tent with a cup of tea and a book.
3. You dont really like stars
4. Beautiful views just dont appeal
6. You dont like fresh air
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Camping For Beginners Step : Picking Your Campsite
Every campsite is different and we arent about to dictate what type of campsite you should be staying at but we can point you towards our favourites! The sites we pick to feature on Cool Camping are pretty varied but they are all places that our travel experts have flashed a big thumbs up to. We tend to prefer independent camping and glamping sites where personal touches are more highly prized than professional sheen. We like campsites with owners who are championing their local area and the environment and we love places that celebrate the great outdoors. With all that in mind, Cool Camping sites still offer huge variety. There are campsites on the coast, in the country and in woodland and they range from basic campsites where its tents only to glamping sites where luxury camping accommodation can mean anything from bell tents to whimsical treehouses. In choosing your campsite, think about whats most important to you whether thats a sea view, fancy facilities or whether campfires are allowed and read carefully to make the site you choose fits the bill. Our search facility includes handy filters for the things people look for most to make finding your perfect pitch easier.
Find The Right Spot For When You Need To Go
Go and find a good place for a bathroom you will use it either the same evening or in the morning, better prepare.
Make a hole about 20 cm deep, well away from any water source. Mark it somehow or remember something unique about this place so you find it easily when you need it.
Make sure to dispose the feces inside and cover it well with soil, so no animals would get to it. Leave no trace is a very important set of rules learn and follow them!
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Electronics And Usb Chargers
Escaping to nature doesnt necessarily mean escaping the responsibilities of life back home, and there are a number of reasons why going off the grid completely is impractical for most people these days.
In order to keep your electronics charged so you can stay connected, remember to take all the necessary charging equipment including USB cables and plugs.
How To Build A Campfire
Camping is a great way to get outside with family and friends or even by yourself. You can go camping in many state and national parks, at private campgrounds, in the backcountry or even in your own backyard.
Most campsites include a picnic table, a place to park your car and a spot to pitch your tent. Many also have shared bathrooms and running water.
Part of the joy of camping is needing very little gear to exist outdoors. But its also nice to have a comfortable, convenient and homey campsite. If its your first time camping, it might be best to borrow or rent some of these things. As you become a more experienced camper, you may find that part of the fun is figuring out what to bring along to meet your needs.
While youre packing, use this handy camping checklist to make sure you dont forget anything important and make sure to stock up on the things you need. This is a comprehensive list, and we don’t expect you to bring along every item though we won’t judge you if you do!
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Where Can I Go Camping With My Dog
Many campgrounds list their pet policy on their websites, but always call individual locations to double-check breed and behavior guidelines. Each hiking trail, beach and national or state park also has its own policies regarding pets, so be sure to check before heading out. Whether it is the mountains, coast or an urban hotspot, as long as you are abiding by all local and campground regulations, you can take your dog camping in many different places.
What Kinds Of Safety Precautions Do I Need To Take When Camping
Camping is inherently a little risky, but its not as dangerous as it seems. Most camping trips are fun and uneventful, but you should always be prepared in case something bad should happen. Too many tragedies have arisen from individuals taking unnecessary risks and being utterly unprepared for even the most basic of mishaps.
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First Aid Kit + Bug Bite Thing
You never know whats going to happen while youre outdoors, so be sure to bring along a first-aid kit. We recently got this very complete first aid kit to have for any emergencies. Well leave it in our car for any time we need it.
The only addition we made to the kit is the Bug Bite Thing. We know some people who swear by it and cant wait to have it handy for our next bug bites.
Pro Tip: After buying a kit, just refill what you use rather than buying a new one again.
You Will Learn A Lot More About Camping
Group camping usually means theres one person who is an all-star at putting up a tent, another who is great at starting a fire, and someone else who acts as a human compass.
Camping solo means you have to be all of those things at the same time and, though challenging, it will really push you and help you to expand your knowledge of camping.
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Solo Camping Gear Tips: Sleeping Bag
The next big thing is a good sleeping bag. That, of course, depends on the season, weather and your own needs.
Please remember, that women need much warmer sleeping bags! Also get a sleeping bag with a safe margin of comfort temperature.
If you know the temperature might drop to 8°C, dont bring a sleeping bag with 8°C comfort for women but take one with 0°- 5°C. Remember that those indicators are just suggestions when we are tired, when its damp out there we feel the ambient temperature quite differently.
When I hiked in Scotland last year I had a synthetic sleeping bag which was supposed to be a 5°C comfort for women. I was cold so many times!
And Im pretty sure the temps did not fall below 5°C! But I was exhausted, it was often damp and windy. All of it influences the way we feel.
A couple of months ago I got myself a custom-made down sleeping bag with 800g of best quality 850cuin geese down
This should keep me warm/comfortable at least to -10°C. I hiked with it in Catalonia in February and I felt great. One day the temperature dropped around 0°C, but most of the time it was above 5°C.
Only once I felt too warm, I am really happy I got the 800g version, as I was shocked how much condensation there was on the sleeping bag each morning!
Hope For The Best But Plan For The Worst
We hate to sound pessimistic, but you do not want to go into the wilderness alone without an escape plan.
Should something go wrong, know the best way for you to get out, and the nearby areas you can go to for help, if needed.
While many people build up the thought of solo camping to be something that is impossible, and only doable for highly expert campers, as you can see from the above, it is possible. As long as you are prepared, theres no reason you cant head out and be one with nature on your own.
Camping solo is one of the most wonderful experiences you can have, and will connect you with yourself and nature in ways you never thought youd be able to do.
So what are you waiting for? Find a campground near you and start planning your adventure today!
Leslie, a.k.a. Copy Girl, is a copywriter who gets butterflies from telling stories through words.
Her voice comes from a place filled with passion, dreams, and lots of sugar. Cake over steak is her go-to motto.
With over 10 years of experience in crafting words, and years of embarking on travels that have taken this Montana girl to some incredible places, Leslie love the adventures of both body and mind her writing takes her on.
Everywhere she goes, she takes this advice with her:
Hold on to your divine blush, your innate rosy magic, or end up brown. Tom Robbins, Jitterbug Perfume
To see what Leslies up to in the writing world, visit her website here.
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You Will Be Free Of Stress
Camping with others can sometimes bring along with it stress stress in making sure everyone is having fun, stress in rounding everyone up for activities, stress in disagreements, and more.
When youre camping on your own, you will have no stress. Leave behind thoughts of life back home , and allow yourself to do what you came here to do relax.
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I Want to Go Mountains quote.
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Our awesome camper tee shirts with camping graphics, camp quotes and sayings makes an excellent birthday or Christmas gift for outdoor, hiking, camping, kayaking and adventure lovers. Perfect present for camp season opening! If you looking for a camp shirt, camp t-shirt, camper tshirt, camper tee, camping long sleeve, camping apparel, camping clothes, funny camping, camping gift, campfire/bonfire tees or birthday gifts for guys and girls who love camping – here is a good one! Share with your friends!
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Making Your Camp: Research The Terrain
Is it even possible to camp there?
If you plan on hiking in boggy and muddy areas, finding somewhat dry and flat surface to pitch your tent might be close to impossible.
Even worse, if you hike in a very rugged, mountainous area what if there are no flat spots at all? Check it well ahead of time! It might be that you have to choose a different tent one that is free-standing might be a better idea for a very rocky terrain with no soft soil to ground the pegs.
On some trails, the only option is staying at designated campsites or shelters, forcing you to walk much farther than you want.
Bring Out Your Inner Child
Perhaps its the fact that as a child everything was an adventure. So when I get adventuring as an adult theres a lovely reminiscence of childhood memories that puts an extra spring in my step. It also brings out a need to play games constantly, and I start to see things in a simpler, more child-like way. I once spent a whole evening comparing the dying embers of the campfire to the chubby stubs of cheesy Wotsits, only to turn on the flashlight and see nothing but grey ashes! Camping with kids is guaranteed to get my imagination running wild and its easy to while the hours away stalking the baddies in the woods with my niece.
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Learn Basic Camping Skills
Most of your success with leave no trace is going to be by learning a few basic camping skills. Were not suggesting you learn how to hunt and kill your own meat, forage for root vegetables, or make a fire by rubbing sticks. But spend a few minutes checking out YouTube and learn how to build a basic fire, how to make a fire ring, the best spot and direction to set your tent. Thirty minutes of tutorials will make you more confident, more thoughtful, and better prepared to spend a night in the woods.
Reasons You Need To Go Camping This Summer
General, Maps and Guides, Seasonal, Summer, Trip Ideas // Written by ktruelove
When was the last time you slept under the stars or made smores around a crackling campfire? This area is known for its variety of campgrounds and outdoor recreational activities, including the scenic, historical Lincoln State Park and the enormous Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort.
Whether its doing it the old-fashioned way in a tent, in a brand new 50-foot RV, or renting one of our adorable, modern cabins, here are 10 reasons you need to get outdoors this summer:
This blog post has been updated from May 2016.
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