When everything goes to plan, a great camping adventure can help recharge you and it can also make you feel as though you are ready to take on the world. A bad camping trip however can leave you feeling as though you are ready to give up on nature for good. If you want to help yourself then you need to make sure that you avoid these critical mistakes.
Bringing a Firestarter you Haven’t Tested
One of the main mistakes that people make is that they bring a firestarter that they are yet to test. If you are out camping then you need to make sure that you can always set a fire. If you can’t then you may find that you end up struggling to make the most out of your trip. Remember, waterproof matches are a must-have, and some of them can burn for up to 15 seconds, even in high wind. If you are concerned about running out of fuel then one way for you to work around this would be for you to bring a lighter with you and to always have a back-up plan. The last thing you should be doing is fully depending on your ignitor switch for your camping stove. Ignitors like this often fail so make sure that you avoid this if possible.
Relying on a Camping Mattress
Another mistake that people make is relying on a camping mattress. Cheap mattresses will be difficult for you to sleep on and on top of this, you may find that they are super difficult to blow up. If you want to help yourself here then make sure that you take an insulated camping mattress with you. If you can combine this with an insulated sleeping bag then you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to stay warm even in the coldest weather. Bringing a foam pad with you is also a good idea as this will help you to keep your body heat in, which is so important when you are out and on the go.
Storing Food Incorrectly
When you are out camping, you may find that storing food incorrectly is the best way for you to run out of it. Squirrels often target leftover snacks and they will not hesitate to make a hole in your tent to get to them. Food that is left out can also attract hungry bears, depending on where you are camping. Hanging dry food from sacks and then putting it on a tree branch is often the best way for you to make sure you don’t have issues. If you are camping in a national park then one thing you can do is make sure that you check the rules there. You will often find that some tell you to store your food in canisters, so make sure that you bring those along with you if possible.
Forgetting Backup Power
Planning on using your phone for power? What about navigation? Either way you do need to make sure that you have a headlamp that you can use. You can get one that you can charge in your car and the great thing about doing this is that you can always keep it in your car. You can then replace the batteries as they run out. Little things like this can be a real lifesaver when you are out and on the trail, so make sure that you keep this in mind.
Lack of Water Storage
If you bring a water filter with you when you are going camping then this is great, at the same time though, you have to remember that it will eventually run out. If you don’t take the time to refill it or if you know that it takes a long time to work and you don’t set it going then this will really make life hard for you. If you want to work around this then bring some solid water storage with you and also come up with solutions that help you to sterilize on the go. Remember you will probably need water to cook with as well, so take the time to plan out your trip so you can access multiple freshwater points along the way.
Thinking You’ll Sleep
Sleeping outdoors can be wild and it can also be anxiety-inducing. You may struggle to sleep because every noise you hear makes you worried that a bear is coming and it’s easy for things like this to get out of hand. Melatonin or any other sleep aid will help a lot here, so make sure that you always have some in your first-aid kit. If you don’t then you may find that you end up being super groggy and this is the last thing you need when you are dealing with an emergency. If you do not have a first aid kit in general then now is the time for you to change that, as you’ll be putting both yourself and everyone else at risk.
Not Taking a List
Another mistake that a lot of people make is that they pack without having a solid list. You need to be prepared when you go camping. If you don’t, then you may find that you end up showing at your site with six pairs of socks but no sleeping bag in sight. Reference an online list that someone might have made if you want to do something about this. You can then make sure that you are taking all of the right items and that you are not overpacking. If you do overpack then you may end up making your whole trip way harder than it needs to be, as you’ll be constantly juggling between bags that you just don’t need.
Not Setting up Your Tent Beforehand
Believe it or not, tents are not always simple to build. You need to know how to set them up beforehand, if you can. There aren’t many things that are more frustrating than arriving at your destination, only to find that a piece of your tent is missing. If you want to do something about this then make sure that you go through everything beforehand. Take into account changing weather conditions too. It’s wise to practice setting up your tent outside and in your home so you can make sure that you are not making your life harder than it has to be.
Forgetting Entertainment
You may think that when you are out and on the go, that you are going to have so many things to do. This is not true at all and at times you may even find yourself a little bored. When you have been on a very long hike, you need to be able to unwind and relax and sometimes that doesn’t just mean sleeping. Take the time to bring an iPad or tablet with you the next time you go on an adventure, so you can make sure that you always have something to do. This is a great way for you to make sure that you are never running out of things to do and that you always feel refreshed and recharged, ready for your next adventure. If you don’t want your tech to get broken then bring a sturdy case with you. This is the best way for you to make sure that you are never going to put your belongings in a bad position if you have to pack up in a hurry. Make sure you take a waterproof bag too, as this can make all the difference.