True Camping
‘Trending Camping Desire’ was about the possible difficulties of being outside for the purpose of camping. For the beginners it might turn out to be a regret, a great disappointment that can make you avoid trying it again. Yet, what if you learn some hints about it before starting? What to wear, what to carry or where to go? From a trained commando who used both martial equipment and non-martial? Who experienced all kind of outdoor adventure for years, even if he was in dire conditions? I can hear your ‘yes’. Then let’s start.
Camping equipment
First of all, you should have a backpack. A decent one or not, a backpack is the most necessary item a camper or outsider should have. To carry our equipment remaining dry and intact while traveling, preferably forty litres at least in order to be sufficient to contain all fundamental material we have to take with us. Water bottles, dry clothes and more. We will give some advice as to what to carry, further in the essay.
Tent
And second equipment for true camping, a tent. Not exceeding three kilos, you must take one with you. I used the term ‘must’’, because of emphasizing the importance of having one. If you don’t want to wake up with a creature wandering on your face, you must put a polyester door between you and outside world. Forget about survival TV documentaries that show you can beat nature by simply erecting a shelter. You can avoid being wet, yes, ( up to some point ) but you cannot avoid animals that can smell the different one, that can feel the warmth of you. They are the most curious things in this world. Believe me, you don’t want them to be near you, especially when you are in your weakest situation, sleeping.
Sleeping bag
Not depending on whether you are going winter camping, you should consider how to spend the night. Comparing to daytime, the night is a bit calmer, and each 100 meter the temperature falls 0,5 °C. So, gaining altitude will cause a colder night than below. With a simple tent and the best coat, you cannot endure cold no more than an hour. Either a blanket or a sleeping bag protects you from getting hypothermia. Using them, your body temperature can be prevented from a potential loss. Sleeping bags are produced to keep your temperature stable, as it was before placing yourself inside of it. Choosing a decent one for the season, you will have no problem during the night. Do not forget, for winter camps, that the blankets can only be supplementary items to provide some warmth in addition to your sleeping bag.
The backpack
Water. In case we cannot reach clean water source immediately, three litres of it, per person, must be carried in our backpack along with; a sleeping mat ( at least 10 mm and I don’t mention R-Values for now ), two pair of dry and clean socks, ( one pair for purification that I will write about in further essays ), clean and dry underwear and clothes ( for up and down ), a power-bank, a knife, a box of matches or a lighter, a metal pot to boil water, some parachute cord and food ( adding canned and sugar-containing products in case of emergency ). ‘The Ten Essentials’.
Where to settle
Recommended places are always reliable spots for the beginners. Tested, proved and ready to accommodate. But, what if you have no recommendation or you want to see other places? Simple. Before starting your camping journey, examine the map of the area you want to see, in order to detect the characteristic of that land. Water ways, valleys, clearings. You should keep away from those areas by the way. Water attracts animal, valleys were dangerous because of the threat of landslide or flood if you are in heavy-rain zone, clearings can be lethal due to flashes of lightning. Not too far away from water source, you have to find a proper spot to put your tent up, on ground that is not sloping. Let alone I have to say that there must not be any paw prints near you.
What to wear while camping
While going to the camping area or changing your last spot, you have to walk with a heavy backpack. This will cause you to perspire, making your clothes wet. In winter, too, you can sweat while walking. Moreover, some adventurers think that a pair of thermal underwear will keep them warm while walking in cold days, mistaking. Physical effort already produces heat. Additional clothes just cause a heat rash. There is no need to wear layer on layer. Especially in long trekking. Preferring breathable synthetic clothes and avoiding woolen ones ( because of their moisture problem ), lose less water and heat that you should be aware of.
