The Ultimate tips to avoid camping mistakes

Camping can be the best way to unplug, unwind, and connect yourself with nature. It is the best relaxing activity that can be ever done with family and friends, or sometimes solo, or sometimes with your pet. Though the outdoor camping trip can be a wonderful rewarding experience, there could be a few common camping mistakes that could be made, which can completely dampen and ruin the trip. Some of these mistakes can be completely out of our control, and sometimes these can be avoided if we pay a little more attention and plan well.

A relaxing camping experience depends a lot on proper planning and preparation. Whether you’re packing your camping gear or choosing the best site for your tent, the key is to plan ahead. An organized camping packing list can ensure that you don’t forget essential items.”

Here are a few camping mistakes that can be avoided by first time campers

Not properly preparing for weather:

When you explore into the wilderness for an outdoor camping trip, things can get a little unpredictable if you have not prepared for the sudden change in weather. Sometimes it may get too windy, or suddenly rain and at times, get too hot. So, if you aren’t prepared for the weather, then it may really dampen the trip experience. So, the best thing to do to avoid this is to check the weather forecast regularly till the last minute before you leave for the trip. Packing clothing and other camping gear for rain, that are very much needed to accommodate harsh weather conditions. Always see to it that the tent for camping is weatherproof and durable to keep you warm when it pours outside or when there is strong gusty wind.

Not assessing the Campground:

Not assessing the campground before venturing onto the adventure, may pose potential dangers which might not have been thought of. For example, choosing a campsite which is too close to a water source, might put you to the risk of the ground being too marshy or wet, and not able to pitch the tent properly. Sometimes having a water body nearby, can attract wildlife which might not be safe to campers. Sometimes, the terrain might be too rocky, and not to leveled to have a safe tenting ground. The campground might be at a low level at times, and without knowing if you happen to choose such places, then the water might collect there when it rains. If there are too many trees around, then if the night is windy, then the branches might fall off on the tent, and it might be too dangerous. So, all these factors should be carefully assessed and thought about carefully before you choose a site for your camp. Choose a camp site that is safe, that is at a reasonable distance from the water body, and a camp ground that is dry, and even with not too many trees above the area where you want to set up the tent.

Forgetting to Pack Essential Gear:

Without having the checklist in place, and without planning what might be needed, you might forget to pack some very essential things. Some things like a camping stove, first aid kit, fire starter, extra food and water, insect repellent, sunscreen, camping footwear and so many other essential camping gears might be missed. Some people tend to forget even the most important things like warm clothing or sleeping bags, which might really make your nights very miserable. So, come what may, having a Checklist in place, with all the essential things written on it, with careful thinking and planning is a must for campers. This will ensure that you do not forget things that are really needed and hence ensure safe and comfortable stay at the campsite.

Too much or too less packing:

There is always a possibility that you tend to over pack things that you don’t need, and make your backpack too heavy, or sometimes you might tend to overlook things, and forget things and pack too less thinking that you don’t need certain things. Both are not the right way to go about packing your camping gear. Sometimes, there may be a dire emergency like situation and certain camping gear like a tool box, first aid kit, extra food and clothing may be too essential to carry. So, in order to pack what is really needed, , a checklist should be definitely prepared with careful planning. This helps you pack things for all unexpected situations that might arise.

Not familiarizing with your camping gear:

When you venture into the wilderness, familiarizing yourself with the camping gear is an important task, else it will lead to stress, and sometimes might prove dangerous too. Without prior practice, you will struggle to set up the poles and secure stakes while setting up the tent, and might end up not setting up your tent as desired. Without practicing to actually cook on a camping stove, might pose challenges when you actually plan to cook your first meal while camping. Not understanding how to use the navigation maps and tools, might also leave you high and dry in unknown terrains. So, to avoid these, preparation is the key. Before setting out into the wilderness, it is just not enough to pack the camping gear, but reading manuals and watching the videos about how to operate and use them is equally essential. This preparedness gives you the confidence to be able to manage challenging tasks easily and enjoy the camping adventure.

Poor way of Food Storage:

Not storing food properly and food strewn all around the tent or campsite may attract wild animals, and it is definitely not safe for campers to have wild animals visiting the campsite in search of food. So, it is wise to store the food in proper airtight containers or bear hang kits which are made with the intention of hanging or storing food away from the animals. In addition, do not leave food or garbage lying all around the campsite which can attract wildlife and make it unsafe for the campers.

Disrespecting “Leave No Trace Principles”:

Leaving trash around, harming the vegetation while you are camping, and not following safety norms while lighting the campfire which creates fire hazards, and might pose a risk to the wildlife and vegetation. Leaving trash around may leave a very bad experience for future campers to come there to experience the serene nature. So, respecting and regarding nature as an outdoor enthusiast by packing all trash, cleaning the place where you have camped, is a good principle to follow to maintain the natural beauty of the area. Minimizing campfire impact is also a must. All these helping in following the “Leave No Trace” principle and also motivating other campers to do the same.

Misjudging Physical Limits:

Overestimating your physical abilities sometimes may lead to over exhaustion, may result in injuries, and you might end up not liking your camping experience. So, the key to having a successful outdoor trip is to not take up very challenging hikes and difficult terrains in the beginning, and get tired, but to take them up gradually, and step by step, and decide what suits your physical limits, so that you enjoy the trip.

Not Respecting Wildlife:

While you are out in the wilderness, you have to respect wildlife, and not feed wild animals, because they might end up posing a risk to your life, by harming you. At the same time, the food you feed them might not suit them too. So, the best thing is to observe wildlife from a safe distance, and follow camping guidelines, and stay safe.

Not Informing your loved ones about your Camping Plans:

Say, something goes wrong at the camping trip, and you have encountered some problems, then there has to be someone in your family or friends circle, who knows where you are, or when you are returning. This helps them to check on you, and then send rescue teams to locate you if you do not come back on time, or you send some SOS signals. So, one very priority task before you set out on a camping trip is to inform your loved ones about your whereabouts, and your estimated time of return from the trip.

So, making your camping experience a truly memorable one depends on you, and how well you have planned out everything, so that nothing goes wrong, and you aren’t at risk anytime. A checklist prepared well in advance, about the camping gear, Dos and Don’ts and other finer details written, are a very important way to avoid the mistakes, and have a great enriching trip.