Travel Blog


Purchasing Camping Gear

September 7th, 2011 ernie Posted in Camping 2 Comments »

Purchasing camping gear is really a personal thing. This post was prompted by an experience I had while purchasing camping gear as a wedding gift for my daughter and her new husband. They are the couple who have everything for the house and so on, so we wanted to find something that they would appreciate and use.  They like camping and had been borrowing other people’s tents and camping Purchasing Camping Gearequipment when they went away for a weekend of camping.

This was going to be a wedding gift, which is a sort of odd gift when you think about it, but then what else do you get for someone who already has everything they need for the house and the yard.

Purchasing Camping Gear and Tents

We went to a number of stores looking for tents mainly. But also some of the basic stuff like pots and pans and gear to pack it all in. We found the best gear to be at stores such as Mountain Equipment co-op and other outdoor sports kinds of stores, however it is very expensive and we were limited in what we could purchase for what we wanted to spend. We ended up finding a nice 4 person tent on sale at one of these types of stores after a bit of negotiation.

Did Not Fit Their Requirements

We presented our gifts and our kids were really excited about receiving the tents especially since that meant they did not need to borrow a tent any longer. My son-in-law, who has had more experience camping than I have, politely let us know that the tent really was not large enough. After all we purchased a 4 person tent so why would that not be large enough?

For those of you who may not know, a 4 person tent is just large enough for 4 people to sleep snugly and no room for any gear, clothing, backpacks and the rest of the gear you normally have at a camp site. So off we go to try to exchange the tent we purchased for another one.

Exchange and Comparison Shopping

Well there was no problem returning the tent, and getting our money back, however the prices for larger tents were more than we wanted to pay. We decided to head off to Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart and Zellors. These are all department stores here in Canada, however Wal-Mart of course is world wide.

The prices and selection were better for the larger tents and we were able  to buy a tent for around the same money that actually sleeps 8, with windows and with a canopy covering the opening. What a deal, they were happy and I was too since I got a better deal for the same money and a bigger tent!

Always Comparison Shop

This is a rather long story to really say that it pays to shop around no matter what the product, including tents and camping gear. Shop around and unless you are a really a fanatic about the gear you use, buying from stores such as Wal-Mart is just fine, since you will save a lot of money!

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Sleeping Comfortably While Camping

August 21st, 2011 ernie Posted in Camping 1 Comment »

You can forget a lot of things when you go on a camping trip. But one of the Sleeping Comfortably While Campingthings that everyone needs in order to enjoy their camping outdoors is a good nights sleep. Sleeping Comfortably While Camping is one of the most important aspects of camping. If you do not get a good nights sleep, the rest of the trip can be more difficult.

Being dry, being warm and something soft to sleep on are several of the key requirements for a great camping trip. Canadian Tire as do other stores, sells a number of tents, sleeping bags and air beds for the average camper and their families. They have a great selection of camping gear and hiking gear that the average person will need.

Sleeping Comfortably While Camping

If you are buying a tent , make sure that it is big enough to handle all of your needs. There is everything wrong with a small tent that is just large enough for your sleeping and unable to hold your other gear. If you have to run to the car or truck every time you need something, it is not a comfortable thing to have to do in the middle of the night or when it is raining.

Your tent should be large enough to house you and your sleeping partners as well as your gear and even a small area to sit and read if you want to do that during a rainy day or evening. Remember to never keep your food in your tent unless you want nocturnal visitors checking in for a visit and some lunch or dinner.

Canadian tire has a tent selector tool to assist consumers to select the right kind of tent for their use. It is pretty basic, however it does cover the basic camping issues – size or number of people to accommodate in the tent; ease of set up and take down and level of water resistance. Note the more water resistant, the heavier the tent will be, especially noticeable if you have to carry it any distance.

Sleeping Comfortably While Camping – Sleeping bags

They need to be warm enough for cool nights yet not so hot that you swelter in them. You may have several bags that are used for various times. Spring and fall are often cooler so you need a warm sleeping bag, while in the summer you need some thing lighter.

Canadian Tire has many different kinds of sleeping bags for cold conditions as well as for warm summer nights that will appeal to many people at prices that  you can afford. Always air out your sleeping bag after every use so that is fresh for the next nights comfort. A damp bag or a smelly one can ruin just about anyone’s sleep including that of your partners who are sleeping in the same tent with you.

Sleeping Comfortably While Camping – Sleeping Pads and Air Beds

Weight is always an issue especially if your are back packing or canoeing, however comfort at night on a soft bed is also important to get a good nights sleep. Sleeping pads are sized for the individual. They will provide a small cushion to provide some additional comfort instead of lying directly on the ground. Sleepers also avoid dealing with sharp sticks and stones that you might have missed when you cleared the area before pitching your tent. They are typically small enough and light enough to be easily carried over some distance.

Air beds on the other hand provide a more luxurious sleeping arrangement. They provide a cushion of air between you and the ground. No sharp objects are going to bother you at night! They are heavier and they require equipment to pump them up. It takes more time to set up camp as well as pack things up in the morning when it is time to leave.

In later posts we will cover other products that you may need to make your camping trip a success and enjoyable for everyone.

 

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Camping Checklists

August 7th, 2011 ernie Posted in Camping 1 Comment »

Camping ChecklistsA  checklist is essential as part of your preparation for camping if your camp experience is to be enjoyed with your family or just a group of friends. Each year, many families go camping and summer camp brings new adventures, new friends, new skills and new experiences. The single most important thing that will ensure the success of your camping experience is be prepared. Weather can change, food can get spoiled or you can have an accident. If you are prepared, then you are ready for just about any eventuality.

It’s the responsibility of every good parent or guardian to see that the family  has everything they need. That doesn’t mean that you have to pack all of their bags far from it. There are several reasons for your kids to prepare themselves.

  • They need to know what to pack so that nothing is forgotten.
  • Know how to pack so nothing is damaged or soiled.
  • They needs to learn to pack so everything is logically placed and can be found quickly and easily.
  • They need to learn how to prepare so that when they are old enough to take their own families they will know how to prepare for a great camping experience

The easiest way to know what to bring to camp is to create a  camping checklist. A laminated checklist can be used to pack  bags at home and to take with you to make sure it all comes back.

Camping Checklists

 

Are unsure what needs to be on the camp checklist. For example it’s always a good idea to ask a veteran camper what to bring along. Be systematic about your approach to creating your list. We have created a list here. However give some thought about the camp you are going to and how what additional things you may need at your camp site.

  • Large backpack for main items
  • Small backpack for day trips

Clothing:

  • Underclothes
  • Socks – if you have thick hiking socks include these or consider wearing two pairs on a long hike.
  • Shorts
  • Jeans
  • Lightweight jacket, preferably a pack away type,
  • Sweat shirt or sweat suit in case the evenings turn cool,
  • Athletic/training shoes
  • Hiking boots
  • Sandals
  • Rain gear
  • Swimwear – two pairs if you are doing water activities.
  • Towels – minimum of three

Hygiene:

  • Ziploc of washing powder or tablet soap for laundry
  • 15 ft nylon rope for clothes line
  • Laundry bag for dirty clothes
  • Toilet paper
  • Disinfectant spray freshens tents and deters spiders
  • Mothballs deter little critters
  • Toiletries bag including: Soap, Shampoo, Face cloth,
  • Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Deodorant.

Medical/Health:

  • Prescription medicines
  • Non-prescription medicines (Headache pills, anti-acid, anti-itch creams, insect repellant and high SPF sunscreen)
  • Personal first aid kit

Night time:

  • Sleeping bag or blankets
  • Pillow
  • Ground sheet
  • Flashlight
  • Spare batteries and bulbs

Mealtime:

  • Water bottle or canteen
  • Mess tins
  • Utensils – knife, fork, spoon
  • Tin cup

Activity time:

  • Paper and pencils
  • Other activity paraphernalia – check with your patrol or troop leaders
  • Money for activity materials

Optional:

  • Money for  – souvenirs, snacks etc. (keep separate from activity money)
  • Compass
  • Watch – preferably analog to use as compass
  • Sunglasses
  • Long sleeved shirt
  • Camera
  • Spare film or spare memory card & batteries
  • Clear plastic bag for camera – for taking water photos
  • Prayer book or bible
  • Sketch book and pencils
  • Pocket knife – choose one that has several useful tools.
  • Waxed/water resistant string for emergency boot laces and a variety of other uses

Choose a backpack that is comfortable on the shoulders and has good lumbar support. The higher it sits up the back, the less strain there will be on the lower back. For example if you have a frame style backpack, so much the better. They are usually adjustable and most have sectional or removable packs. In addition the more side pockets that you have the easier it is to find without having to dig through the main pack.

Understand the terrain, weather, season and length of time that you will be at  camp.

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Camping in the Backyard

July 21st, 2011 ernie Posted in Camping 1 Comment »

camping in the backyardFor millions of families who may be deciding not to travel this year due to the high price of gasoline and increasing fees at camp sites there are other alternatives to entertain the kids and do something that is unique. That is camping in the backyard or camping at a friend’s place in the country. Many people do this every year and enjoy the outdoor experience with out spending a lot of money. In this post we will talk about some of the things you can do to make your outdoor camping in your backyard enjoyable. Here are a few issues that you need to be aware of should your teenage kids come to you with this camping proposal!

Camping in the Backyard with the Family

This can be an exciting thing to do for many young families, especially if you want to get your kids used to camping, but not be too far away from home and comfort. A lot of families will set up tents, camping gear etc and sleep in the tent. They may even have a campfire if you have the yard for it, or they may just barbecue supper on the family barbecue. The exciting part for the kids will be sleeping outside and listening to all of the night sounds that they may not hear if they were in their bedrooms. Camping in the backyard can be fun.

If you have a large yard, setting up camp at the back of the yard well away from the house really works well with the young kids, especially once it gets dark. This is a long way to go if they need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Flashlights and some of the more modern lanterns are a good thing to have especially for the younger crowd. Plan to have books, snacks and extra pillows to keep everyone comfortable.

After you have done this a few times, your kids will be ready to actually go camping in the forest at a park. The older kids may not find this so interesting and will try  it once perhaps, and then want to do the real thing. A friend of ours probably wishes he had done this. He packed his kids up early and came home because the kids just were not settling down, it was raining and he could not take it anymore.

Be Considerate of the Neighbors

If you live in suburbia and plan to set up a camp site on a warm summer night in the back yard, you will need to be considerate about the neighbors. If you have nice neighbors they may put up with a lot of noise for one night but not several nights. Lights out and sleep time by 11pm is a good rule to follow for everyone.

If you live on a larger lot, this may not be much of an issue, however many smaller yards end up being pretty close to the neighbors so you want to give this a lot of thought.

Also think about wildlife. If you are close to parks or rural areas, there is a good chance that the local wildlife could visit during the night. Take the appropriate precautions if this is a concern in your area.

Teenagers and Camping in Your Backyard

This is a potentially big issue to avoid if you can. The teens may be interested in camping in the backyard, and they definitely will not want their parents anywhere around. This is a potentially troublesome situation, since when you are asleep you can be sure that the teens will not be.

They may decide to go for a walk in the middle of the night and disappear from your yard in which case you have no idea were they are. They also may be visited by some of their friends which leads to all kinds of other issues.

If you decide to allow a camping night for your teens, lay down some ground rules. Let them know you will be doing bed checks at various times during the night. Whether you actually do these checks, does not matter as long as they think you might be checking up on them. This will be enough to deter most of them from any nocturnal excursions during the night.

Comments are welcome, especially on ideas that you have used regarding camping in your backyard.

 

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Newlywed Camping

July 7th, 2011 ernie Posted in Camping 1 Comment »

Newlywed CampingThe subject of newlywed camping may seem like an unlikely subject for a blog post, however it is actually a common thing to do for many newly weds. This is a great way to get to know one another and experience the great outdoors together.  Camping also does not cost a lot. It allows people to get away and relax with nature without spending a ton of money. The reason that we thought that we would write about this subject is that this is something that my daughter and her new husband have been doing for two years now and it seems to be working for them, so I thought I would write about what I have observed as a father.

Having a Large Tent

The first thing is that you really must have a large enough tent to keep all of your stuff inside it, except for the food of course. You do not want any nocturnal visitors in the middle of the night. Having a large enough tent gives space for everyone and allows you to enjoy the entire experience without being so confined that you feel you need to get up as soon as you wake up.

They also have all of the gear they need in terms of sleeping bags for summer time use. Cooler for their food and of course utensils. They prefer to have a regular fire to cook things instead of one of those Coleman stoves that many people have. They are fair weather campers, so if it is going to rain they either do not go or they head home pretty quickly. If they camped in the rain, I guess a Coleman stove would be a good asset to also have as well.

Camping With Friends

It is getting tough for them to go camping with friends. There were several couples that went with them, each with their own tents and gear, however it is now time to have babies and camping with a new baby can be a bit difficult. I think that when the baby is a year old they are going to try camping one night to see how it goes. None of the other couples have gone camping yet with their kids.

Once the kids get older, I am sure they will be camping a lot, since this is such a fun pass time for the entire family.

Visiting the Camp Site

We have visited them several times at their camp sites. They usually only camp an hour away so it is a nice drive for us and we can still get home to our nice comfy beds for the night.

They have not progressed beyond hot dogs and hamburg for meals, toast and cereal for breakfast. I guess they will get there as they become more experienced campers. I hope so since I really do not want to always have hot dogs or hamburg when we visit.

Well that is all I have, I know they have fun and they will be camping some more in the near future as soon as their baby is old enough. If you have had experiences with camping with a new born, please add your comments. I know that I will be interested as will our readers.

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Sleeping Bags

June 21st, 2011 ernie Posted in Camping 1 Comment »

sleeping bagsThere are three components that contribute the most weight when it comes to back packing and hiking. They are the “big three;” the backpack, shelter and sleeping bag and that is assuming that you have managed your clothing down to the minimum.  Select an ultralight sleeping bag because an ultralight backpacking adds the least weight and believe me you will understand after you have carried a heavy sleeping bag around for several hours.. The days of five-pound summer bags are gone – at least for those of us who prefer to go light when hiking, camping or backpacking around the country.

One Pound Ultralight Sleeping Bags

There are many one-pound ultralight sleeping bags on the market now. One we looked at actually weighs 19 ounces with the stuff sack, however stuff sacks aren’t always necessary. You can be stuff the sleeping bag directly into your pack or put it  in a half-ounce bread bag. Down sleeping bags will keep you warm down to below freezing – warmer, in fact, than many four-pound bags.

Ultra light sleeping bags appear fragile, however if you baby it they will last for many years. They can be used from sea-level to 16,000 feet, in all types of weather, usually camping under a tarp. The zipper goes only half-way down, to save weight, and it’s a mummy bag, were even some of the larger guys will still feel comfortable in them.

Summer Bags vs. Winter Bags

Sleeping bags weighing around a pound are summer bags, rated down to 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. A quick check of the newest bags out there, though, shows that even one or two of the 0 degree bags are under three pounds now. These are down filled bags, of course, as down is still the lightest insulation for its weight. If you are allergic to feathers, you may want to consider synthetic filled bags to avoid sneezing all night and waking up with runny eyes.

Another big advantage of any down sleeping bag is it’s compressibility. Nothing packs smaller than down. However, a good synthetic bag is probably better than down if you are regularly getting it wet.

Synthetic Sleeping Bags

Several synthetic-fill sleeping bags now come close to down in their warmth-to-weight ratio. At least one summer bag, using Polar guard fill, weighs an even 16 ounces. That’s amazingly light for a synthetic bag. Again if you are allergic to feathers, definitely go with a synthetic ultra light bag.

Using Ultralight Sleeping Bags

Ultralight sleeping bags generally aren’t tough. The lighter the bag, the more fragile, but treat them gently, and they work fine. They will last  for many years, in snow and rain, if you baby these things, and they can last a long time.

Add your comments about specific bags or other thoughts you may have on sleeping bags in general. Spam comments will be auto deleted.

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Camping With the Kids

June 7th, 2011 ernie Posted in Camping 1 Comment »

Camping With the KidsAt the mention of the word ‘camping’,  children and even adults get excited and chomp at the bit to be off? For an urbanite, camping with the kids affords a change from the restrictions imposed by city life, it is chance to meet new friends and do something different from every day life. The out of doors fills you with a sense of freedom under the open skies and our imaginations take us back to the time of cowboys and Indians. Camping with the kids is all about doing without creature comforts and doesn’t seem to matter when adventure beckons. It is exciting for the kids and the adults as well!

Camping With the Kids – Keeping the Children Busy

The common worry is how to keep the children occupied. Can you get them away from their favorite TV channel or computer game? Children are adaptable and you will find that they bring a great deal of enjoyment to the outing with the right activities. With a little ingenuity, you can make it an experience they’ll never forget.

Children can never resist water. It doesn’t matter if the body of water is a small stream or a large lake, as long as you can find a convenient spot to paddle or swim in. They can spend hours splashing about, reveling in every minute of it. The pleasant change from the artificial pools of the city and the novelty of the natural surroundings add to their sense of excitement.

Always, check if the water is safe and always have an adult monitoring them while they are in the water. Don’t ever let the children swim without supervision, and if they must dive, make sure it is safe to do so first.

Camping With the Kids – Activities

Go For a Bike Ride or take a Hike

You can’t ask for a better way to take in the scenery than from a bike. Walking could be tough going and hot work as well. Another approach is to hit the bike trail with a map. Take stock of your bearings and ride together. Always take some water with you and even some snacks to make a little picnic out of your excursion. You don’t want anyone getting lost! Explore the surroundings in a leisurely manner.

Learn About the local Animals and Fauna

Prepare yourself by reading up on the fauna and flora of the region. Campsites usually have pamphlets on the birds and animals you are likely to spot. Have fun looking for them. Make a game of it. Set up a little competition with each other and total up the number of animals each one has seen. A prize at the end always helps to add to the interest. Compare the nocturnal fauna to the ones you’ve observed during the day. See that the children don’t get carried away and get too close to the animals.

Play Games

When you play games, don’t get so noisy as to disturb the quiet that the animals are used to and try not to disturb other campsites. Treat yourself to outdoor games. Find a clearing, without obstructions, (you don’t want accidents to spoil your holiday). Play good old tag or run races. Tug-of-war is another great idea.

The children’s love of going in search of things can be exploited with the game of scavenger hunt. This physical activity is a great way to help the kids get exercise. Instruct them to avoid plants like the sumac, oak and poison ivy, whose prickles are harmful.

Teach the Kids How to Navigate

An activity that can be included with the scavenger hunt is navigation. Show them how a compass works and give them a few tips on map reading as you go through the forest. It will stimulate their spirit of adventure.

Build a Campfire

Round off an exciting day with a campfire. This is entertainment and togetherness time! In the campfire’s warmth, sing and narrate stories. Some may have some eerie ones to narrate as well. Word games and riddles are fun too while toasting marshmallows and chomping on goodies like hot dogs.

Watch the Stars

Teach the children basic astronomy. There’s nothing more awe inspiring than to lie on the grass and gaze at the stars dotting that vast expanse of sky. Point out the planets and constellations you are familiar with. Wish on a shooting star and admire the grand firmament.

Be Prepared for the Weather

Don’t let a sudden downpour dispirit you. Weather is unpredictable in some places more than in others. Take it in your stride and use the rain to your advantage. Take the opportunity of doing what you’ve always wanted to do—play in the rain. However, if there’s thunder and lightning, it’s better to stay indoors and away from metal poles and large trees..

 

Relax and Unwind

Above all, unwind. Give yourself up to nature. Enjoy the tranquility of your surroundings. How often do you get the opportunity? Feel the tension of the city leave you. Everyone should leave their cell phones, iPhones, smart phones and computers at home. Enjoy quality time with your family and the friends you’ve come with.

These are just a few suggestions of how to keep you and the children occupied when out camping. The possibilities are endless. With a little imagination, you can come up with many more ideas. Go out and have stupendous fun!

Send us your ideas for camping enjoyment by leaving a comment!

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Aspen Colorado Camping

May 21st, 2011 ernie Posted in Camping 1 Comment »

Aspen Colorado CampingAspen Colorado is just as well known for stupendous Aspen Colorado  camping as well as Aspen, Colorad0 is much more than just a skier’s paradise—there are many wonderful spots for camping. The  beauty of the mountains and forest  give it its well-deserved reputation and will delight even the most season camper.

People come from all over the world to ski in Aspen and then return in the summer to get a taste of this exciting and unique camping experience. With the mountain scenery, the camp sites and the hiking trails,  you’ll never get enough of Aspen Colorado.

When Do The Aspen Colorado Camping Grounds Open

Some campgrounds in Aspen, Colorado are beginning to open their gates for people in the early spring. Check with local camp authorities for specific dates.

Among them is the Aspen-Basalt Campground, an especially beautiful place that can offer much in the way of natural scenery to the visitor. It’s an Aspen, Colorado landmark that’s well-known as a great place for almost any kind of outdoor enthusiast or camper. People often speak of its fantastic offerings to all types of nature lovers. It has something for everyone, both young children as well as more seasoned individuals.

Aspen Basalt Camp Grounds

The Aspen-Basalt camping grounds are located in the Colorado Rockies. You’ll be within easy reach—200 feet—of the Roaring Fork River. It has its own private waterfront area, and you can take advantage of the great fishing opportunities that the River offers.

You’ll also not be far from some other big attractions in the area. Near the Aspen-Basalt campground, almost right next door, is the Cedar Brook Lake. You can also find the Elk Mountain towers nearby. Besides these attractions, there’s the Toner Creek stream, something you’ll probably see during your stay at the campground.

RV Facilities

It’s interesting to note that the Aspen-Basalt Campground, a famous campsite in Aspen, Colorado,provides excellent sites for RVs. You’ll get sites that are level and come with shade, and most of them are pull-throughs.

And another thing to keep in mind is that the campground has 50 amp service at 43 of their RV sites. They also have space for slide-outs, and they measure at least 45 ft. in length. This makes them a very comfortable campsite, the best in Aspen, Colorado.

Camp Ground Amenities

In the Aspen-Basalt Campground you can also find excellent quality restrooms, as well as a heated pool that’s open during the summer, a game room, a spa, payphones, a grocery store, a place to do laundry, and all sorts of other amenities.

This is what you should expect from this incredible Aspen, Colorado campground. Don’t forget either that you’ll be right beside some fishing as it’s located right in front of the Roaring Fork River.

If you prefer, there’s also the Frying Pan River, renowned for its big brown trout and rainbow trout. This river starts in Basalt and flows in from the Ruedi Reservoir, yet another place to enjoy great fishing.

Hiking at the Basalt Aspen Colorado Camp Ground

During your thrilling Aspen, Colorado camping trip, you’ll can also  take advantage of the cycling and hiking opportunities at Maroon Bell Peaks, a short distance  from the camping ground.

Check this camp site out for a wonderful get away for you and the family.

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Rafting & Camping Tents

April 14th, 2010 ernie Posted in Camping 1 Comment »

Rafting & Camping TentsRafting and camping go hand in hand with people who love to do outdoors activities. Many people will try rafting, going on half day trips or even full day trips. These are fun and exciting and the rafting companies will usually provide all of the gear you need along with a hearty lunch at lunchtime. These trips can be a lot of fun and if you go with close friends or family you will have many memories to enjoy together for years and years. Like the one in this picture which is actually a raft with a tent on it. Everyone gets to their tent by canoe.

Rafting & Camping Tents

Some rafting companies will also offer multi day trips involving rafting down a river trip, then breaking for the day at a suitable campsite to spend the night. Most will also provide all of the equipment you will need including tents, cots and all cooking facilities along with a hot cooked meal at the end of the day. Most people will bring their own sleeping bag that is clean and meets their personal needs. All of your gear will be transported by the company you are rafting with and have it at the site when you arrive for the evening. This is really the way to go and it makes it easy for everyone.

However some more experienced rafters and campers prefer to do it on their own. Transporting their own gear, choosing their own camping site and setting up their own tents, etc. They are well equipped with all of the Rafting & Camping Tents gear they need and have a lot of experience with rafting and camping.

What Tent to Chose for your Trip

One of the selections you must make in preparing for you rafting trip is the type and size of camping tent that you will be taking with you. Most campers will opt for a small tent due to size and weight issues. They want to minimize the size of the gear they carry. Also the weight of the gear particularly of there are portages along the rafting route. Carrying heavy tents is not a fun thing to do along with everything else they need to carry. Back packers know all about this. Since they carry all of their gear on their backs through the bush, climbing mountains and scaling ravines.

Choosing a tent is a very important to the overall success of your trip. Selecting a tent that is too small means that there may be no room to save stow your gear for the night. A tent too large is harder to pitch since you need a larger area to spread out your camp and you have lots of room to spread out inside the tent. A larger tent will be heavier as well to carry during portages.

Storing Your Food

One very important point to remember regardless of how large your tent is, store your food outside up a tree.  If there are animals around they will not hesitate to join you in your tent to get at your food items. Especially if there is meat involved. Bears have even been known to break into cars to get at items they think are food stuffs. A tent would not protect you or your food for even one second if a bear wants to have his supper!

Once you have decided on the size of tent, decide if you want windows, flaps, rain protection. Also a tent that can be set up in minutes vs. taking tens of minutes. This last point can be important if you are already wet and cold, if is raining and you are trying to get your tent set up.  A camping tent that sets up in minutes can make the difference between an enjoyable trip and an excellent trip. If you’re dry you have already won half the battle.

Rafting & Camping Tents – Easy to Fold

Camping tents also must be able to be easily folded down for packing and carrying. Make sure you know how to do it the same way. Pack and fold your tent back to the original size it was shipped in. You will not be able to pack it any smaller than the way it was shipped. But make sure you know how to pack it down to its original size for both carrying and portaging.

There are many items to consider when preparing for an over night rafting trip. We suggest that you go on a few trips with a recognized company first. Pick up all of the tricks of the trade first. Talk to the rafters to learn how they approach the trip. Learn some of the tricks they use to prepare and travel between campsites.

Feel free to leave your comments for our readers. Any suggestions you may have are welcome and appreciated.

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Camping Checklist

January 30th, 2010 ernie Posted in Camping 2 Comments »

Camping ChecklistExperienced campers will have a camping checklist of items that they know they will always want to bring along to ensure that their camping experience is enjoyable and safe. They take into account where they are going, how long they will be camping and how many people are coming with them when they assemble their camping checklist.

Camping at a state park in almost perfect conditions with facilities close by is much different from backpacking into the wilderness and camping for several days in the wild. Each requires different supplies and gear so plan your camping checklist accordingly.

Our checklist is a general camping checklist and you will want to add or subtract to it based on the location , the length of time, and number of people. Always error on the side of caution and take more than you need. If you are long way from home, or a days walk from civilization and you are missing something, there is not much you can do about it. Of course you need to balance what you take vs. the weight and how far you care carrying your camping gear. A heavy pack feels like it weighs twice as much after a days hiking.

Camping Checklist

The following is our camping checklist of camping gear you may want to add to your camping checklist:

  • A light weight tent, lean-to or other shelter device
  • A light weight sleeping bag for warmth
  • A sleeping pad or air mattress is often placed underneath the sleeping bag for cushioning from stones and twigs as well as for insulation from the ground
  • A portable stove to prepare hot meals and/or drinks where campfires are forbidden or impractical
  • A lantern or flashlight, preferably the kind that do not need batteries
  • A hatchet, axe or saw for cutting firewood where allowed or constructing camp gadgets
  • Various types and sizes of ropes and tarp for stringing clothesline, sheltering dining areas, and other purposes.
  • Rain gear such as a light weight rain coat
  • A compass for direction finding
  • A GPS , however you need to be aware of battery issues
  • A chuck box to hold the many varied camp kitchen items for food preparation, consumption and cleanup.
  • Some campers may prepare food by cooking on a campfire, sometimes using such equipment as a Dutch oven.
  • Matches in a water proof container
  • Much of the remaining needed camping equipment is commonly available in the home, like dishes, pots and pans.
  • If you plan to hike into your camp site, you will need to consider light weight camping gear that does not take a lot of room as well.
  • Emergency rations should always be considered, especially if you are hiking into a site. Dried food is light weight, small and easy to carry.

First Aid

First aid should always be considered as part of your camping checklist and can be even more important if you are hiking on wilderness trails and planning to stay out overnight. Hikers need to be able to exist on their own and look after emergencies until they can get to a location to call for help or until someone finds them. Better to error on the side of caution:

  • Dressings (sterile, applied directly to wound): Pads
  • Sterile eye pads, Sterile gauze pads.
  • Bandages (sterility is not necessary, used to secure a dressing): Gauze Roller bandages – absorbent, breathable, and often elastic
  • Elastic bandages – used for sprains, and pressure bandages, Adhesive, elastic roller bandages,Triangular bandages
  • Gloves, disposable non-latex
  • Torch (also known as a flashlight)
  • Instant-acting chemical cold packs
  • Sterile eye wash (commonly saline) Sterile saline may also be used for cleaning wounds where clean tap water is not available.
  • Thermometer
  • Antiseptic/anesthetic ointment or spray
  • Anti-itch ointment (especially for outdoor kits)
  • Painkillers / fever reducers
  • Aloe vera gel – used for a wide variety of skin problems, including burns, sunburns, itching, and dry skin

Prepare for the Inevitable

Camping with the family can be a fun experience and it is an opportunity to bond with the kids and enjoy the outdoors. Unless you have camped in the wild before you cannot really appreciate what you are missing. At the same time it is not camping in your backyard or anywhere near modern facilities. You need to be prepared for the inevitable.

Camping at state parks is a nice way to start. Camp sites are all laid out and you usually have water and toilet facilities. Some will even have a small store were yu can purchase camp supplies that you forgot to bring with you. Many will be located near a lake or river so you can also enjoy swimming as well.

There is usually all types of wild life around. Depending on were you are camping, you may encounter rabbits, raccoons, deer and even bears. Regardless of were you are you should take some precautions to protect your belongings. Never store food in your tent. The bears will be joining you for a meal whether you like it or not. Also do not leave the food in your car. You do not want to be watching from your tent while a bears tears your car apart looking for food. And what do you do when he is finished?

Place your food in bundles and tie them to a tree limb far enough out on the limb so that they cannot get at the food. Always get rid of any garbage as well that might be attractive to bears around your camp site.

Please feel free to add comments about other items to bring while camping or safety issues that you feel we should include.

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