All You Need Are The Bare Necessities On Your Next Camping Holiday
Going on a camping trip to the rustic, often remote reaches of Americana is the perfect salve to the dramas and the traumas of city living. While many campsites don’t require hiking much further than your automobile, they do provide you with seclusion and adventure of hiking to more remote campsites. However, remote camping locations do pose campers with a major problem – it isn’t easy to hike or walk around with a heavy load of gear and belongings on your back. So if you want to lessen your load and make your next camping trip more convenient, consider these fast and furious tips.
The first thing to do is research – of course you would need to do this, but you should focus on whether the campsite has shower rooms with running water. This is atypical in remote parts of town. But sometimes, there would be water – be wary of this water as it is often unsuitable for drinking and wound/scrape maintenance. Most of us are prepared enough to bring a good amount of bottled water, but purification tablets can also help us prepare for the unexpected.
As the date of your hike approaches, gather around the tube and wait for the weather report to come – prepare accordingly for the trip based on the report. Because weather forecasts may or may not be accurate, you would be best advised to prepare for unexpected weather quirks by bringing lightweight rain gear, like a rain-proof jacket or poncho.
Bring an appropriate sleeping bag for the climate and conditions of your camping location. If it’s a warm weather destination then a lightweight sleeping bag can be cheap and easy to find. Likewise, you should ensure the easy weight of your sleeping bag for colder climates, but be sure it is well insulated and resistant to water damage.
For the camping itself, use a lightweight, yet durable tent to ensure optimum protection. Large tents are, to be honest, overrated – stay within the boundaries of the “less is more” axiom when shopping for tents. In remote campsites you can change your clothes and keep your belongings outside your tent. You may also consider purchasing a tent that is self-assembly and requires very little time and effort to set up and take down.
You cannot do either without a simple, yet complete first aid kit. Make sure you have various sized bandages and disinfecting spray or ointment. Also carry some antihistamines and pain relieving medication. Have some small scissors or a Swiss Army knife and some tweezers which come in handy when dressing wounds and doing a multitude of tasks.
Eventually, you will have a backpack fully loaded with the essentials – no less than 20 pounds but no heavier than 40 pounds either. Especially for huskier campers, this might seem like as light as a pillow, but if you have a long, arduous sojourn awaiting, be warned as after a few hours, such “light” load may be feeling at least twice as heavy.
Going on a camping holiday in a remote part of town may give you the privacy and amusement you need amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, but you would need to hike with your equipment in tow. Pack wisely and only bring the essentials.
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