Safe Successful Camping Tips

Camping Tips

The secret to a successful camping trip is research and planning.  It is essential to research the area in which you wish to go camping.  An understanding of the area will allow you to prepare for the conditions you are likely to encounter.  For instance, if you are travelling to beachside areas, the ground is likely to be sandy and you will need a selection of suitable sand pegs.  However, in other areas the ground could be very hard, hence the need for strong short pegs.

Consider also the prevailing conditions.  Some coastal areas can be windier than inland areas, so the need for extra guy ropes, pegs, possible windbreaks etc. should be considered.  Research into what temperatures can be expected at night will determine what rating sleeping bag you will need.

A check list compiled several weeks prior to departure can save a lot of stress.

• Take the tent out of storage and check general condition, with particular attention paid to pegs, loops, zips and flyscreens.  This should be done 3 or 4 weeks prior to departure to allow adequate time to have any needed repairs done.
• Check the frame to ensure all parts are there.
• Cound and check pegs and guy ropes to ensure adequate supplies, bearing in mind what was previusly discussed regarding ground conditions.
• Cleand and test light the gas stove and lamp if they are to be used.  Ensure the stove  burns well and if going on an extended trip, consider taking spare gas jets.
• Make sure that you have ample supply of mantles to last the entire trip, bearing in mind that mantles are brittle and easily broken if travelling day in and day out.
• Check all o'rings and condition of stove hoses.  Should you be the least bit apprehensive about your gas  equipment, please take it to a reputable dealer and hae it checked.
• Air beds, camp beds and whatever other forms of sleeping equipment to be used should be inflated or assembled to ensure all functions well on the trip.
• Research of destination will indicate whether there is a need to take barbecues.  The availability of ice should be ascertained if travelling to remote areas.  If no ice is available, it may be necessary to invest in some form of portable refrigerator.
  

Arrival
To ensure a comfortable stay during your holiday, it is necessary to follow a few simple rules when setting up camp.

• Make sure the area you are to set the tent up on is free from sharp objects that are likely to damage the floor of the tent.
• Check that there are no ant's nests.
• Check that there are no overhanging branches that are likely to dislodge on a windy night.  This is especially dangerous around and under gum trees.
• Ensure that you are not erecting your tent in a natural waterway, not necessarily a river bed, but anywhere water could channel during heavy rains.
  

Erecting Your Tent

• Always, if possible, have the rear of the tent facing the prevailing conditions.
• Use the appropriate pegs for the ground condition.
• Always put guy ropes on tents - it may be calm when you erect the tent, but windy conditions can roll in quickly and catch you unaware.
• If you are at all concerned about water channelling towards your tent, especially if your tent is on a slight slope or at the base of a slope, dig a trench on the upside of your camp site to divert any run off away from the tent.
  

Departure

• If possible, wait until the tent is completely dry before dismantling, as this will alleviate the need to re-erect the tent at home.  Storing a tent in a wet or damp condition will result in mildew - effectively shortening the life of the tent.
• Check that all poles and pegs are dry to prevent the onset of rust.
• Before leaving the campsite, be sure that all the rubbish is disposed of correctly.