Ensuring A Comfortable And Safe Refuge While Camping

An essential outdoor piece of equipment, your outdoor camping experience is largely dependent on the tent quality of your choice. Which is why a large selection of it are available for you to select from.

The first and simplest way so as narrow your tent choices is to decide the tent dimension that you require.

Tents are constructed to house a specific number of individuals. So that a solo backpacker will be looking for a tent that is smaller much different from family campers that require a bigger and roomier tent.

Almost all tents are labeled with description and their capacity which indicates how many individuals the tent can hold.

So that if you really do not intent on having a collection of tents in different capacity or sizes, it is wise that you establish the largest number of individuals you believe will sleep altogether in the tent.

If you normally backpack with a companion but this summer is going solo, then it is wise purchase a “two-person” tent.

Basically, there are four tent components namely the poles, tent body, rain fly and the tarp which is some kind of footprint or ground cloth to extend your tent’s floor life.

Apart from these basic components, here are some guidelines in choosing the best tent for you:

1.    Consider your needs.  Know your particular camping requirements, such as where do you mostly go camping, at what season, would be backpacking? And how many are you.  All these can give you a clear idea of what type of tent you will need.

2.    Set your budget.  When you allocate a budget before you go looking for a tent, most likely, you will not overspend.

3.    Tent weight and size.  How many individuals will be sleeping in the tent? The size of your tent will not really matter should you go “car camping”; however, if you intend of going backpacking, then consider a “light-weight” tent.

4.    Tent features. Today, there tent manufacturers offering a lot of features for their tents.

Mesh panels allow the breeze go in your tent at the same time keep the mosquitoes and bugs out, “shock-corded” tent poles allow speedy setup, waterproof and flame resistant for safety, a rain fly for added rain protection, etc.

Make certain you choose the tent that best caters to your all your basic requirements.

5.    Make certain that you select a durable fabric tent.  It will cost you more money however definitely this is an area certainly worth spending extra money.

6.    Select the proper tent color.  Inspect how the color of the tent transmits light well unto its interior.  Certain colors generate a brighter interior, whereas others create a cave-like and dreary ambience.

Light colors, take note are best during summer camping since they tend to be cooler whereas dark colors are able to absorb in solar energy so that they are great during camping in cold weather.

7.    Check the tent’s coating.  Remember that you must see a waterproof and shiny coating inside the floor and rain fly. If this is not visible or you can not feel this on the tent’s fabric, than it is not thick enough so to withstand heavy use.

8.    Know that your tent needs when camping in the summer is very much different compared to camping in the snow.

Almost all tents available in the market have weather ratings.  Make sure that you purchase a tent specifically made for a particular weather condition or season that you will be out camping.

9.    Tent manufacturers.  Various tent manufacturers have their unique design and name. Some are identified to make inexpensive tents, while others are well recognized to make high quality but expensive tents.

Popular tent makers are Coleman, Wenger, Eddie Bauer and Greatland Tents. Choose a tent manufacturer that has been trusted for years.

In the forest or wilderness especially, the wrong camping equipment if not kill you, will really send you down packing to a motel and regret having planned camping.

For that well-planned and enjoyable camping vacation, take your time when you purchase your tent.

Remember, it will be your home for a few days.  Having the right tent will keep you comfortable and warm especially on rainy and cold nights.

With all the hustle and bustle of school and work, a camping trip is a fantastic way for families to bond.  The fond memories of spending time at the campfire, exchanging stories, sharing laughter and joyfully singing.

The concern of having to budget the trip comes up while planning the trip.  The number of people to go, choice between a camper or a tent, the size and type of tent to be used, to buy or not to buy and the list goes on!

Choosing the right camping gear is called for to avoid ruining the whole trip.

An average sized adult will be comfortable with a 30 square feet area.  This would mean that the ideal size for two persons is a ten by ten foot tent.  Setting up a tent larger than that would pose a problem to the campers because it is heavier load and finding a level spot would be quite a task.  Non-rusting zippers, nylon-tape-reinforced seams are a must to find in a tent.  Usually, a three-season tent suffices for campers use since not all campers deal with snow.

After picking out the tent, next comes the sleeping bag.  Of course, comfort and space is taken into consideration when deciding on which to buy.  There are the rectangular and the mummy shaped.  Rectangular shaped ones are spacious and is most comfortable.  For those that camp at a lower temperature area, the mummy shaped sleeping bag is used for more insulation.  It is important for zippers not to pinch or catch on the fabric. Buying an adult sized sleeping bag for children is recommended for those that camp out regularly.

A night out won’t be too good without a hearty meal.  The best stove to have is a standard-sized, two-burner stove.  Manufacturers offer stoves that can accommodate pot sizes.  Though there are stoves that are fueled by kerosene, unleaded gasoline, or butane, it is wise to choose from either “white gas” or propane.  The white gas or commonly known as the Coleman fuel gives off intense heat, making cooking time shorter and food is free of gas odor.  Spilling is of no problem with this type of fuel since it evaporates quickly and is completely odorless.  Propane-fueled stove is widely used mainly because of its user-friendly feature and availability.  Stove extras such as the stand, wind screen and stove starters are important.  Wind screen will be greatly appreciated during windy and stormy days.  Stove starters prevents burning the hands and stops the hassle of using matches.

Camping frustration because of substandard hiking gear is what everybody wants to avoid that is why spending a bit more to obtain quality goods is suggested.

Destination Suggestions (mountains, beaches, lakes, popular camping places)

Vacation time is probably the most awaited event of the year. Who would not want to finally have a break from the very hectic and stressful schedule most working people have year-round. Because vacation is done very seldom, most people exert all efforts to make it special as possible. Now the great cause of confusion is choosing where to go. The choices are so enormous that looking for a good destination might be as stressful as work it self. But you need not worry, here are some great destinations suggestions for you next vacation:

If you love the great outdoors and trekking mountains is your thing, then you might want to go to the Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Big Basin is the oldest state park in California and has been around since the year 1902. It is located just above the coastal town of Santa Cruz in Central California and is very well known to for being the home of the ancient coastal redwoods, which are among the oldest existing living things on earth.  The park comprises of about 18,000 acres of chapparal, mixed conifer and oak trees. Big basin is known for its dense forests surrounded by ferns canyons and hiking trails. The area is good for camping, backpacking, and trekking as well as bird watching. Wild animals thrive in the area and you could easily spot deer, raccoons and bob cats. There are plenty of waterfalls in Big Basin such as Berry Creek Falls, Golden Cascade Falls, and Silver Falls among many others. The climate can be sunny and warm especially in the ridge tops or foggy and damp in the areas near the ocean. It may take a long time to reach the park, but the trip is very much worth the wait.

If beaches are your thing, whether you want to bring your family or just go bask in the sun alone, Hilton Head Island is the place to go. This beautiful isle in South Carolina is composed of several beaches namely the Alder Lane Beach, Coligny Beach Park, Fish Haul Park, Driessen Beach Park, Burke’s Beach, Folly Field Beach park, and Islanders Beach Park. There are thousands of activities to do at Hilton Head. One can go watch the wild dolphins, bike all over the island, play a round of golf or a game of tennis. But if you would like to do the main thing – that is, swimming – the official swimming areas are at Islanders, Folly Field, Driessen, Coligny and Alder Beaches. Lifeguards are on duty during the beach going months. Vacationers usually come from the first of April to the end of September, the official beach season for Hilton Head Island.

If you do not like salty water but would still get wet, then you might want to go to a lake, and Branson, Missouri is the place to be. Branson prides itself of having three crystal clear lakes. Table Rock Lake has great water attractions like the Showboat Branson Belle that resembles a late 1800s paddlewheel boat. There is also the Branson’s American Star, a dinner and sightseeing yaght that is perfect for both night and day cruises. If you really want to get wet, you might want to try White Water, a large outdoor water park that opens from May to September.

If camping is your game, then Ohipyle State Park can be the right destination for you. It is located in the South Western mountains of Pennsylvania which is perfectly cool during summer and breathtaking during fall. Both hardcore and amateur campers can camp at Ohiopyle as there are provisions for both traditional and electric tents in different sites. This is a good place for animal sightings as mountain cats, white-tail deer, raccoons, and black bears live in the area. There are many fun activities to do at Ohiopyle. There are several hiking trails that are rich in breathtaking views of flora and fauna, lined with wild flowers like triulims. There are many bike trails as well for those who do not want to travel on foot, no need to bring bicycles as they can be rented in the nearby town for just about ten dollars. If you are more adventurous, you might want to try whitewater rafting. Rafts, kayaks, and other rafting equipment can be rented as well.

Vacation can really be fun if you are in a great destination. So go and try these destinations out and have a fantastic vacation!!!

It is getting difficult to decide on the perfect parks to go camping.  Numerous National Forest Service campgrounds are in good locations but are not really attractive.  Most standard campsites or caravan parks are not memorable.  Whether free or not, it is best to pick a real special camping park.

A lot of good camping parks require early reservations.  You may need a short hike to the campsite.  Good camping parks have beautiful all around views, a fire ring instead of small pit, and a pit toilet or even a restroom.

The following are very good camping parks in North America:

1.    Philip Edward Isl. in Ontario across the border in Canada

2.    Marble Canyon in Arizona

3.    Cumberland Island in Georgia

4.    Allagash Wilderness in Maine

5.    Wood-Tikchik in Alaska

6.    Squaw Flat camping park, Canyonlands National Park in Utah

7.    Flat Tops in Colorado

8.    Strawberry Crater Wilderness, near the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

9.    Bachelor Cove, Lake Roosevelt near The Apache Trail in Arizona

10.    High Point in New Jersey

11.    White Tank camping park, Joshua Tree National Park in California

12.    Channel Islands in California

13.    Goosenecks camping park of the San Juan river, Mexican Hat

14.    Gooseberry Falls in Minnesota

15.    Apua Point in the Hawaiian islands

16.    Pipe Springs camping park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas

17.    On the lakeside of Lake Mead at Pearce Ferry in Arizona

18.    Rock Hound State Park in New Mexico

19.    Cottonwood Campground at Chinle

20.    Circus Circus RV and Caravan CampSite, Las Vegas, Nevada.

For a greater adventure on some of the most beautiful countrysides, why not also consider camping in Europe?

Remember, the old world enjoyed camping long before Americans did.  France and other countries offer camping holidays.  Some even offer bed and breakfast options.

Overall, European officially listed camping parks are broken down in three categories that will fit your wallet and taste.  There are luxury parks, moderate camping parks and lastly, basic parks where guests have to bring their own tents.

For luxury, there are companies that maintain camping parks all over Europe.  Some have good camping parks all over Italy, Spain, France, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium.  You can pick those that are off the beaten track in the French Riviera, the Swiss Alps, Tuscany, the Black Forest and Innsbruck.

The leading company is Eurocamp.  Many of its sites offer well-appointed accommodations, single- to six-sleeper tents called “caravillas”.

For moderately appointed camping sites and basic bare campgrounds, the abovementioned locations have numerous good camping parks.  Check the internet for self-drive camping parks in Europe.

So, hike the comfort and enjoyment level of your outdoor vacation by picking the best camping parks.

A great summer getaway with the family is spending days at a campsite, taking pleasure from Mother Nature: the scenery, the flowers and the wildlife. While being excited for the whole trip, it is most important to prepare for the best, and the worst, things that nature can give us.

The ultimate camper’s check list should be categorized into the following items: Personals, Camping Essentials, First Aid Kit, Clothing, Children and Baby Supplies, Sleeping, Kitchen Utensils and Equipments, Camping Fire and Before-Leaving-Home List.

1.    Personals would include grooming and hygiene kit such as shampoo, soap, insect repellant (which one cannot do without!), toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, deodorant, towels, toilet paper, lip balm, sun block, sun glasses and a trusty sewing kit.
2.    Camping Essentials would include driver’s license, money, ID card, map, compass, flashlights and battery packs, lantern, bulbs, water, rope, clothespin, clothesline, radio, canteen, clock, camera, lots of film, binoculars, lounge chair, foldable table, tent repair gear, pocket knife and a lighter.
3.    A good First Aid Kit should have the necessary medicines for fever, headaches, flu, allergy and stomach ulcer.  Antibiotics cream, antiseptic and band aids for wound.  Tweezers should also be there to take out splinters.  Pocket tissues are advisable.
4.    Clothing should include a cozy pairs of sweat pants and shirt, sweater, thermals, gloves, jacket, pants, underwear, socks of varying thickness, pajamas, swimsuit, t-shirts, tank tops, bandannas, hats, sandals, sneakers and hiking boots.
5.    Children and Baby Supplies depends on the child that will go camping.  Babies would need lots of baby food, milk, bottles, pacifier, diapers and baby wipes, bibs, spoons, high chair, blankets, play pen, stuffed toys, stroller, tub and books,  For bigger kids, games for rainy days and for traveling, toys, pencils, crayons, paper, bucket and shovel, Frisbees, kites and magazines are essential,
6.    Sleeping gear would include the tent, poles, mallet, ground cloth, sleeping bags, mattress, pillows, blankets, air pump, rope and stakes.
7.    Kitchen Utensils and Equipments would consist of food container, insulator for frozen food, pots and pans, stove, fuel, matches or lighter, disposable plates and utensils, bowls, mugs, coffee pot, thermos, aluminum foil, dish towel, spatula, tongs, bottle and can opener, knife, dish soap, sponge, trash bags, zip lock bags, table cloth and skewers for campfire barbecuing or marshmallow toasting.
8.    Camping Fire Checklist would include the kindling, matches, newspaper, fire extinguisher, shovel, ax, wood and the campfire permit.
9.    The Before-Leaving-Home List includes locking of all the doors and windows, turning off all the lights and appliances such as the computer, adjusting the thermostat, holding of all mails, watering of plants and making pet arrangements.

With these filled-up, the trip will surely be a blast!

“It’s just a bag”

That’s what most inexperienced campers say. Unknown to them, the choice of bag is no trivial matter to any serious camper. You will never appreciate how a good backpack can benefit your trek until you try going on a major one using an ill-fitting pack.

Take for example the experience of a trekker who went on a trip to the Appalachians in 1994. Instead of an exhilarating camp experience, he had to go home broken and bleeding from the weight of an ill-fitting pack damaging his hips. A decade later – with him a lot wiser and experienced – this hiker, accompanied by a better fitting pack, made 960 miles of terrain – a better and greater experience than having your trip cut short by inconveniences due to terrible equipment.

Now you know how important a good pack is, here are a few tips to help you choose a good pack for the journey that lies ahead of you.

1. Know what you need – hikers and campers vary sharply in camping preferences, some are very minimalist in nature and take only the bare essentials. Others take a lot more equipment on their trips. The amount and type of equipment you bring will definitely shape the decision you make towards what backpack you will need.

You can then do some simple computation on your space needs. Most capable sales representatives can give you the amount of space their bags offer. When doing this try using the measurement for the amount of equipment you take for the longest trip you expect to go on.

2. Is it comfortable – this is probably the most important consideration when choosing a backpack for camping. The goal of every good camping bag is to help campers carry the most amount of weight with the least amount of effort – and inconvenience for that matter.

Good packs distribute weight efficiently, allowing you maximum comfort when carrying the pack. To know how well a pack does this, you will have to test the pack itself. Most camp stores will have sand weights to place in the pack so that you can test how the pack holds up to the weight. You will have to carefully consider how comfortable these packs are before even considering them for purchase.

A rule of the thumb to remember is that the shoulder straps should carry about 30% of the weight, while the hips – being a lot more stable should carry about 70% of the weight. When testing the pack, make sure the shoulder straps are not uncomfortable or restrictive. Try moving around in them to see how much mobility the backpack gives you.

Most packs also have a sternum strap. These straps help stabilize the backpack. Sternum straps should be positioned below the collarbone to ensure comfort and stability.

The hipbelts on the other hand should not constrict your breathing, nor should they be too thick that they reduce your mobility too much.

Designs always vary and backpack companies are always heralding a ‘new and improved’ technology for campers to try out. The only way to really know if these new bags work is for you to try them out

3. Choose your frame – there are two types of frames to choose from – internal and external. Internal frames are slimmer and hug your body closer, making them ideal for hard trails since they are so maneuverable and do not restrain mobility. They are a bit harder to load though. External framed backpacks are great for beginners on easy trails since they are easier to pack. However, they are a bit stiffer and may restrict mobility. It’s the best type of backpack for children and beginners though.

4. Extras – when purchasing backpacks consider whether the pack is compatible with weather sheets to protect your pack against the elements. Also consider how attachments can be adapted for your pack. Most packs rings and snap-ons that allow for accessories to integrate with your pack.
Conclusion
In the end, a good pack is almost synonymous with a great trek. Choosing a good pack will definitely enhance your camping experience tenfold. Choose carefully, since your backpack will probably be your most trusted companion in all of your camping trips. Good luck hunting!