Did you know that 77 million Americans go camping every year?
Some are seasoned pros who could survive in the woods for weeks on end. Others, perhaps for the very first time, decide it would be fun to go camping with friends.
The problem? They have no idea how to prepare, leaving them prone to common camping mistakes.
Read on to learn more about some important dos and don’ts of camping.
5 Common Camping Mistakes
1. Arriving Too Late
Rookie mistake #1: Arriving at the campsite too late.
It’s understandable that you want to clock out on Friday and get a headstart on the weekend, but think about the logistics. Are you prepared to find the campsite, set up your tent, unload your gear, and cook dinner—in the dark?
It’s not impossible, but it’s not ideal either. Plan your departure earlier in the day so you have plenty of time to set up and relax before the sun goes down.
2. Forgetting to Check the Forecast
You don’t have the luxury of four walls and a roof when you’re sleeping out in Mother Nature.
Even if you think you know what to expect weather-wise, be sure to check the forecast details before you leave. A thunderstorm, a heatwave, or high winds can make your camping trip miserable—or downright dangerous.
Make sure you’ve brought plenty of layers and a warm sleeping bag too, as the nighttime is often much colder than rookie campers anticipate.
3. Improperly Storing Food
You don’t want to tempt any critters (especially bears) into your campsite with the smell of grits and grillades.
Never, ever leave food sitting out, especially if you’re going for a hike or going to sleep! Keep all food, drinks, and cooking utensils stored in your car or a cooler with animal-proof locks.
And perhaps our most important safety tip of all: Never store food inside your tent or around your sleeping area.
4. Underestimating the Darkness
You’ve got a few headlamps and your cell phone flashlight. That should be enough illumination, right?
Think again. The wilderness is darker than you can imagine, so the more light sources you pack, the better off you’ll be.
There’s an endless variety of camping lanterns out there, from LED to propane to gas-powered. There’s also headlamps, string lights, and good old-fashioned flashlights. Trust us—this is one area you don’t want to skimp on when you’re packing.
5. Failing to Test Your Equipment
Last up on our list of common camping mistakes is setting off without doing a trial run of your equipment.
Nothing is worse than arriving at a campsite and realizing you have no idea how to set up your tent. Even worse, it could be missing a vital component!
You also don’t want to be 5 miles into a hike before you discover your flashlight batteries are dead or your propane tank is empty. There’s not likely to be a Walmart nearby, so make sure you double-check and triple-check everything before you leave.
Be a Happy Camper: Don’t Make These Common Camping Mistakes!
Before you pack up and head out on your next camping trip, refer back to this list to make sure you didn’t overlook anything.
Did you check the forecast and test your equipment? Do you have enough lighting and proper food storage options? Will you arrive with plenty of daylight left to set up?
If you answered yes, congratulations! You’ve avoided the most common camping mistakes.
Feeling inspired after reading this article? Be sure to browse the rest of our site for more great travel advice.
The post 5 Common Camping Mistakes and How to Avoid Them appeared first on Travel Experta – Family Travel Blog.
By: Marina Villatoro
Title: 5 Common Camping Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Sourced From: feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheTravelExperta/~3/cJmWYD-a9Cg/5-common-camping-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them.html
Published Date: Thu, 03 Sep 2020 21:44:51 +0000