Going off the trail can be very fun but you need to know how to handle yourself to be safe. These tips can really help you out for your next trip.
Always seek shelter before it is too dark to assess your surroundings. When night falls, making food, finding wood, and pitching your tent can be very difficult. This is particularly the case for city slickers who are unaccustomed to darkness. Avoid this hazard completely, by finding adequate shelter long before the sun goes down.
Check the weather updates for the camping site that you choose to go to. There are numerous websites that can provide you with this information. When you know what the weather will be like, you can bring the proper gear and clothes.
The lint from your dryer’s lint filter will help you start a campfire. Start collecting the lint about a month prior to your trip from the filter in your dryer. Keep a used grocery bag on your laundry room door to collect the lint. Using this for your kindling will save you time looking for it, and it will work even better than any kindling that you do find.
Look into pillows made specifically for camping. Your standard pillow that you have at home will not be comfortable if the conditions become humid. These pillows will also retain water from the air during humid conditions, so they can mildew. Pillows specifically designed for camping have a barrier to stop this behavior.
Safeguard your food from the local wildlife. All of your foods should be tightly wrapped and not place near your tent. Some foods shouldn’t be brought at all. Doing so is going to decrease the likeliness of a random attack.
Are you the proud owner of your first tent and a beginner at the art of camping? Before you go out and start on your trip, practice setting up your tent. This will help ensure that your trip goes smoothly, for a more enjoyable trip when you understand your tent. Practicing how to pitch a tent will also ensure you can quickly set up your tent when you arrive at your campsite.
Charge your cellular phone to maximum capacity before you leave on your trip. You should also seriously consider bringing a spare battery for your cell phone in case the main battery dies. A cell phone is a great emergency device; make certain it will keep working.
First aid and survival kits are essential to bring while camping. These items can literally save your life, or to a lesser extent, prevent you from returning from your trip before you are ready to do so. You can keep a potentially serious injury from getting worse until you can get help for the injured person.
Camping is something that can relax you, or you may find yourself enduring a trip that isn’t so great. How your camping experience turns out is down to one key factor: preparation. When you try to consider all the issues that may arise, you can enjoy your trip with piece of mind.
When camping, pack carefully and wisely. Make a list of what you’ll need and check it off as you get things packed. If you are planning to camp in an area away from first aid access, then this will be especially necessary.
Be sure to create your shelter before it gets dark. Tent building in the dark is a major obstacle to confront. You need to make a fire or use a flashlight. It is basically easier to get your campsite set up before it gets dark and you are not fumbling around in the dark.
Make sure to pack some duct tape for your camping trip. You might have a nice tent, but tears can still happen. Your tent can easily be repaired with some duct tape, which will keep you nice and dry in your damaged tent.
Don’t forget waterproof matches in a camping survival kit. Even though they are water proof, you still want to have them sealed off from liquid. Matches can be made waterproof by simply placing them in either nail polish or paraffin for a quick dip. Easy-to-find 35mm film canisters and plastic medicine bottles make handy cases for matches.
Clean up your campsite before going home. You will want to bring trash bags for cleaning up all refuse. Pack up any leftover food and take it with you. The only things you should really be leaving behind at your campsite are your footprints.
Take along lots of beverages and food when you go camping. If there are bears in your area, store your supplies far away from your sleeping zone. Burn your garbage so the food smells don’t attract any bears.
If your trip is going to pull you down to a nearby stream, lake, or moving river, handle your “business” downstream; no one wants that to float by their fishing pole! This ensures that water flowing through your camp remains uncontaminated by your additions. Also make sure you alleviate yourself at least 100 yards away from your site.
Snake proof your campsite if you’re going to camp near a snake infested area. Avoid thick bushes, deep brush, woodpiles and rock piles. Check everything you have on you to ensure a snake isn’t hiding in your clothing or bags. Keep your tent sealed, and pack the edges with sand or earth to prevent a snake from crawling under it when you’re asleep.
When you are properly prepared you can truly enjoy the great outdoors without stress. Using the advice presented here will give you the confidence to set out on your own safe and relaxing camping adventures.