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COMMON MISTAKES THAT FIRST-TIME CAMPERS OFTEN MAKE – CAMPING

Camping can be a great and fun experience - but - if you're unprepared - it can go very wrong.

By Christopher HarveyPublished 3 years ago 5 min read
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COMMON MISTAKES THAT FIRST-TIME CAMPERS OFTEN MAKE – CAMPING
Photo by Scott Goodwill on Unsplash

Campsites and equipment vendors are experiencing incredibly high demand as regular campers join the crowd who pitch a tent for the first time. Camping can be a great and fun experience – but – if you’re unprepared – it can go very wrong. Today we will talk about some of the most common mistakes novice campers make – and how to avoid them.

By Cristofer Maximilian on Unsplash

DON’T PICK AN OLD TENT TO CAMP IN

There are so many different shapes, sizes, and types of tents that you can easily feel overwhelmed and buy something that doesn’t suit your needs.

For camping and festival trips, always choose a tent that is a bed or two larger than you need so you have enough space for people and things.

If you go wild camping or go on multi-day hikes that require you to carry your equipment, consider the weight and opt for a lighter model.

With an air tent that is set up by inflating instead of poles, camping trips can be made much more efficient. Large family tents can be set up in just ten minutes, and the Air “poles” are robust and reliable.

You don’t have to worry about emptying the tent. Air tents are also dismantled using the same pump to move the tent to be emptied, which can then simply be packed.

Recommended: CHECK OUT THESE 5 GREAT CAMPING TIPS

By Timothy Meinberg on Unsplash

NO EQUIPMENT CHECK BEFORE DEPARTURE

One of the most frustrating things a camper will encounter is arriving at their campsite only to find that their tent is missing parts or has a hole in their air mattress.

I can’t stress the importance of checking your gear a week before your trip – that includes new gear.

While it is rare, mistakes happen during the manufacturing/packaging process. It is better to be aware of missing tent poles/pegs or damage to the groundsheet beforehand. Devices that have been in the shed for a year or more may show mold growth or damage. Problems like this can be fixed by repairs or ordering new equipment before leaving, but when you are at the campsite you are in need.

By Pars Sahin on Unsplash

FAILURE TO DO A TEST PITCH IN ADVANCE

It’s not just “wear and tear” that can cause problems when setting up on your campsite. It is just as important to make sure you know how to set up the equipment. I recommend testing a full setup, including inflating sleep systems and moving furniture, in the weeks leading up to your trip.

As camping equipment is becoming high-tech, it is important that you know how it works and what attachments are required to keep it set up smoothly, for example, a manual foot pump is not enough for your airbed.

They’ll inflate your Airbeam tent and likely won’t even be compatible, so you’ll need to make sure you have the right tools to do the job. It is better that you know that everything is working as it should rather than go to the campsite and panic.

By Victor Larracuente on Unsplash

TRAVELING WITHOUT SPARE PARTS AND REPAIR KITS

Even if your equipment is in pristine condition when you arrive, accidents can happen. Always pack enough spare pegs and patch repair kits to avoid cracking them during the trip.

Even the highest quality devices can be harmed by the environment. A crack in your tent in wet, windy weather can be miserable or even the end of your trip. However, with a repair kit, you can fix things and move on. Without it, I wouldn’t go camping.

Also, bring more pegs than you need, as these can become bent and ineffective if hammered into hard ground.

By Martin Jernberg on Unsplash

USING THE WRONG SLEEPING BAG

Choosing a sleeping bag may seem easy, but that is one of the most common mistakes a beginner makes is using a sleeping bag that is unsuitable for the purpose.

Sleeping bags have comfort and seasonal ratings, although this may seem like jargon to new campers, it’s actually really important information.

A one-season sleeping bag is only suitable for warm summer nights, while a three to four-season sleeping bag is thicker and better for year-round camping, but might be too thick for hot summer nights. Each sleeping bag has a comfort rating or recommended use, which includes two temperatures such as -2 to 18 ° C. This means that you have to check that the forecast temperatures for your trip are not outside these temperatures.

By Chris Holder on Unsplash

SHOWING UP AT A CAMPSITE WITHOUT A RESERVATION

A little spontaneity can be adventurous, but campsites are currently experiencing an incredibly high demand for bookings. If you haven’t pre-booked a pitch, don’t expect to get one.

I recommend checking the details of your booking for more specific details.

All campsites have their own amenities and rules. Some pitches have electricity connections and some allow fires and others do not. Checking this information will tell you what to pack and what to leave at home.

By Tasos Mansour on Unsplash

NOT CHECKING THE WEATHER FORECAST

You will be surprised how many people go camping without checking the weather forecast for their trip.

If heavy rain is forecast, you need to make sure your tent and clothing are up to the conditions.

All tents are waterproof, known as the “water column” and measured in millimeters – the higher the number, the more rain it can withstand. I recommend choosing a tent with a water resistance of at least 3000mm in typical rainy weather. Better readings ensure that the tent stays dry even in heavy downpours

Also, use common sense in extreme weather conditions.

Sometimes we have to admit defeat when it comes to Mother Nature. If stormy winds are forecast, I strongly recommend reconsidering your plans as conditions can be uncertain.

By Kyle Glenn on Unsplash

FORGETTING THE “LITTLE THINGS”

Sure, your tents are in the trunk of your car, but did you think about packing the mallet to hammer your pegs into the ground?

Even experienced campers forget the less obvious things.

I recommend making a checklist so that you don’t rely on memory that day. If you forget something like a mallet, don’t try to sweat it out, and don’t be afraid to ask other campers. We are usually a friendly bunch and are often happy to help others and pass on our wisdom to the less experienced.

Thanks for reading!

Original post: https://ithinkitstimeoutdoors.website/common-mistakes-that-first-time-campers-often-make-camping/

Originally posted on me blog: https://ithinkitstimeoutdoors.website/

travel
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About the Creator

Christopher Harvey

I’m a long-time writer and musician. I love telling stories and writing poetry.

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