Wilderdess Camping Tips and Advice

Camping in the wilderness can be a rewarding experience for the outdoor enthusiast. Also referred to as backpack camping, primitive camping, backwoods camping, and rustic camping, this is an activity that allows you to experience all that nature has to offer. Beautiful vistas and natural environments abound when you are in the wilderness. No camp grounds, no RVs, no "parking lot" camp setting, and no smoldering fires from other campers. The point of this article is to provide you with some of the most important wilderness camping tips and advice I have picked-up from my personal experiences.

Getting Started

When planning on camping in the wilderness it is important to know as much about the area you intend to visit as possible. Knowing ahead of time what type of weather conditions, terrain, and wildlife you may encounter is vital. Make certain someone else knows of your hiking plans and knows when you plan to return. That way, if you run into trouble, someone will know if you haven't returned and where to look for you. If you plan to visit a wilderness park you should check in at the nearest ranger station for any instructions and to cover any fees associated with rustic camping.

Backpack Tips

You will most likely be carrying all of your gear so a good quality, properly adjusted, backpack is a good place to start. Camping backpacks are available in many different sizes and types, but the best one for your camping excursion is the one that fits correctly.

• Load your backpack in the reverse order of what you think you'll be needing: you would want your rain gear on top and things like your campstove further down. This way you don't have to empty out your pack to get something you will likely need while on the trail. Also, you will want to pack the heavier items so they are nearest your back or on your waist belt. This way the heavy items don't get leverage on you making you feel like you want to tip over backwards.
  
• When you put on your backpack, bend over at the waist and bounce your pack up high on your shoulder and tighten down the shoulder straps and close the sternum strap. While you are still bent over, close your hip belt and tighten it down. When you stand upright you should feel the weight of your backpack transfer mainly to your hips. If your pack has adjustment straps for your shoulders make certain they are adjusted so the pack is as tight to your back and shoulders as possible.
  
• Make certain to have a rain cover for your backpack handy in one of the outer pockets. A word of caution: don't put the rain cover on your backpack unless you expect rain - you don't what to expose it to twigs and branches that may puncture it unnecessarily. Keep a large plastic garbage bag in one of the outer pockets so you can throw it down on the ground to set your backpack on when you stop for a rest or arrive at your campsite. You can also use a corner of it to sit on. This will keep you and your pack clean and the dampness of the ground from comming up and making things wet.

Camp Clothing Tips

From your base layer to your boots, camp appropriate clothing suitable for any condition you may encounter is very important.

• Wear layers of clothing to match the weather conditions. You should have a quickdry wicking base layer to start. Then, depending on the time of year and conditions, you can add (if needed) a fleece or wool layer followed by a waterproof breathable layer.
  
• It's important to choose your outer-layer, or rainwear, that is a waterproof AND breathable maqterial. Many articles of rainwear is simply a waterproof coated fabric that doesn't breath. If this is what you choose you'll soon find that the amount of sweat you will produce when moving around will leave you as wet as if you had just went out in the rain with nothing on.
  
• You might also like to have the type of pants that convert into shorts. As you hike with a backpack on you will find that you become quite warm with all the exertion. You need to be able to keep from getting over-heated and sweaty while you hike, but can easily add more clothes when you stop to keep from getting chilled. Remember : the time to add more clothes is BEFORE you get chilled. Having to get warmed back up once you are cold is much harder than if you just stayed warm to begin with.
  

• You will definately want a good quality ,heavy soled hiking boot. Your feet are vitaly important and are your only way out of the wilderness.
  
• I would also recommend getting boots that are lined with a waterproof breathable membrane. Wet feet lead to blisters which are bad news and need to be avoided.
  
• Get the best boots you can afford and break them in well before you intend to head into the wilderness. Try putting on your boots and loaded backpack and going for a short walk everyday. Doing this, you can break in your boots and experiment with packing your backpack in different configurations. Plus it will help get you in shape and toughen up areas like your shoulders and hips that tend to get sore on longer hikes.

Tent and Shelter Tips

You will need some type of shelter while out in the wilderness. Whether it be a tent, bivy sack, or hammock, your choice will depend much on the time of year and terrain you plan on hiking.

• A simple tent alternative is a hammock set up with a bug net and rain tarp. This option is very lightweight and comfortable, but, if you plan on camping in an area where trees to pitch it to will be scarce, then it wouldn't be such a good choice. A bivy sack is very light but doesn't leave much in the way of luxury and room to relax. As with rain gear, if you choose a bivy sack make sure to get a waterproof / breathable one or you'll wake up in the morning with a damp sleeping bag. Your body puts off water vapor as you sleep and if it can't escape then your sleeping bag will end up damp.
  
• When choosing a tent, look for one with aluminum poles instead of fiberglass. They are lighter in weight and more durable.
  
• Tents are rated as to how many "men" will fit inside. Keep in mind that if a tent is rated as a two man tent, then two people will BARELY be able to fit. You will be packed in like sardines. You will find one person will be much more comfortable in a two man tent and two people in a three man tent and so on.
  
• Look for a tent that has at least one vestibule. A vestibule is an area outside the body of the tent under the rainfly where you can leave your backpack and boots. You don't want to bring your backpack and boots inside your tent as then you have to worry about bringing in dirt and bugs.
  
• Many tents come with a "footprint". A footprint is a waterproof, heavy gauge piece of fabric that goes under your tent to protect it from sharp objects and keeps it clean. Many times you can use it to pitch a light weight rain shelter using the rainfly, poles and footprint. If your tent doesn't come with a footprint, then cut a piece of heavy gauge plastic to fit under your tent. Make sure to cut it no bigger than the area covered by the tent and rainfly. You don't want rain to collect between your tent bottom and the plastic if it rains. You can also cut the plastic to include a flap by the door that folds underneath the tent when you don't need it. The flap can be unfolded so you can stand on it to put on your boots when you get out of the tent.
  
• When pitching your tent, make sure you have a flat area that is as smooth as possible. If you can't find a truly flat area make sure to pitch your tent so your head is uphill from your feet. Try laying on the spot on which you intend to pitch your tent before you set it up to see how it feels. You don't want to spend all night fighting from rolling downhill. Or worse yet, sleep with your head downhill. The headache you will wake up with will make sure you don't do that again.
  
• Once you know how you want to orient your tent, clear any debris from the area. Also look above you to make sure nothing is likely to fall on your tent such as a dead tree limb.
  
• Don't camp too near the foot or game trails. I did one time and almost had a deer in my tent in the middle of the night.
• Make sure your campsite will stay high and dry should it rain for an extended time.
  
• Now this is IMPORTANT: do not bring any food into your tent. This includes gum, candy, and even tooth paste or deoderant. Basically, anything that has any type of scent should not be in your tent. This is especially important in bear country, but even a raccoon can easily destroy your tent looking for a treat. Any food or scented items should be kept in their own pack and hoisted up into the trees out of the way and inaccessible to animals. Also, don't do any cooking or eating in or near your tent. Food discipline is very important. Keep your camp clean, organized and free of food scraps. This will avoid any bad circumstances with the local wildlife.
  
• Another item that is handy to have if weight isn't too much of a concern is a rain tarp. It is nice to have an area to get out of the rain without being cooped up inside your tent. You can set it up if you arrive to your campsite in the rain and then use the area underneath to put your tent together and set it just off to the side of the tarp area. Then you have an area to take off your boots, store your gear and also take off your trail clothes before you enter your tent.
  
• Taking off your trail clothes before you get in your tent is VERY important. This way, if you have picked up insects or have brushed up against poison ivy while you were hiking, you won't bring it in the tent with you. Also, once you have stripped down to your skivvies do a quick tick check. Just run your hands over yourself paying special attention to your head, behind your ears, armpits, around your crotch area and underwear lines. These are areas that ticks like to attack; just feel for any suspicious bumps. You don't want to bring these in your tent either.
  
• Make sure to always keep your backpack and tent zipped and snapped closed. You don't want to invite the creepy crawlies in and if you leave things open believe me they will come in.

One last piece of camping advice: Always be aware of your surroundings.