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How to Choose a Tent
Camping Tips
How to Put Up a Tent : How to Raise a Tent
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What you need to know: Camping World Truck Series edition
22 February 2012, 10:08 pm
The 2012 Camping World Truck Series kicks off Friday night at Daytona, and there are a bunch of familiar faces in new places. The Truck Series schedule features 22 races -- down from 25 in 2011 -- and includes a … Continue reading →
Council rejects limit on camping in city parks
22 February 2012, 5:44 am
LAS CRUCES — Two weeks after Occupy Las Cruces protesters packed up and moved out of Albert Johnson Park, where they had been camping for more than 100 days, the Las Cruces City Council rejected a proposed amendment that would have prohibited similar long-term stays in the future.
County expands ban on camping on its property
21 February 2012, 11:40 pm
Mecklenburg commissioners banned unauthorized camping on county-owned property on Tuesday, in part to prevent expected protesters at the Democratic National Convention from setting up tents during the four-day event in September .
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How to Choose a Tent
Now that you have decided to try camping, the first step is to buy a tent. But, as in many other purchases, it must also be balanced and thoughtful and, above all, must take into account several factors. Here is a short guide to help you in your choice.
- How many people will sleep in the tent? This is automatically the first choice you have to do. There are booths for various shapes and sizes, each with their pros and cons. In the case of larger groups - for example, four or more people - has yet to choose between buying a large tent or two small. Have different tents have obvious benefits in terms of privacy (one for the couple and one for children), but this will necessarily lead to an increase in the cost of campsites. Not only have to pay two tents, but in the case of wells organized in a park, you have to pay an extra space - one may not be sufficient to accommodate two tents, car and still remain space for circulation. Moreover, there are family tents with separate cubicles: a single tent with several "divisions", not only ideal for families but also for groups of friends. There are two, three and even four cubicles, each able to accommodate two people easily. Attention also to the space that will occupy the tent in his luggage.
- Always ask to see the tent assembled. Most shops have only a few models assembled, and the rest are only visible in photos or thumbnails. While this is understandable, it would require a warehouse to display all the tents, base your choice just a picture or a thumbnail can be a mistake, even though there will specify the measurements. Just to see the tent is assembled it will have a real sense of its dimensions and perfect, and may also test the available space. Is not always possible to do it, but it does not cost to ask the employee - even for you to see if the assembling process is easy.
- Take into account the height of the tent. Admittedly, most people uses the tent just to sleep, then it makes little difference whether it is high or low. But a tent with a considerable height - for example, five feet at its highest point - will benefit not only about the notions of space you have (less claustrophobic), but also because there will always be times when you need to get up . This is not the most important issue and should not be an issue round at your choice, but it's something you may consider.
- The ventilation of the tent is critical. This will always be a trade-off: a tent should always be prepared to allow ventilation. Usually there are some parts in the net (more often than not be on top) that allow air circulation. If no, the air will be quickly hushed up, and the temperature will rise significantly. On the other hand, a much more airy tent, will create colder environment, even in peak summer nights can be cool. Even so, it might be better to guard against it by other ways (a warmer sleeping bag, blankets and / or thicker pajamas) than opt for a more closed tent. The cold has always solution, with the heat that statement's not true!
- Pay close attention to stakes. To secure the tent to the ground will use small stakes in steel. As a rule already carries a tent stakes sufficient, but not always the best quality. You will be amazed at the ease with which spies bend when confronted with a more rigid ground. Review the stakes, test them and, if they bend easily, the ideal would be to buy additional stakes. It always takes more stakes than those required for the tent.
- Many tents include a small forward. This is an intermediate area between the cell interior and the main opening. This will be a good option to store small items such as kitchen utensils or pieces of clothing or footwear. This area serves as a small pantry, which could be enormously useful. However, remember that when you leave you should not leave valuables in the tent. Whether in advanced, either on the inside.
- Also note the material with which the tent is made. Most are made in waterproof and easy to wash, but make sure when buying one (specially the cheaper ones).
- Do not forget the sleeping bag. This is a purchase that you can make at the same time as the tent. Always have a sleeping bag per person, however some allow the connection between them, creating a makeshift sleeping bag for couples. Usually the sleeping bags adapt quite well to temperature, being cooler or warmer when needed. For use in summer, warm clothing should be sufficient for the night and do not need any other method (or sheets or blankets). There in several sizes, and most important is to make sure it is compatible with their height: 18in to add more height to get the ideal length of your sleeping bag. Thus will have more space and avoid feeling like a strait-body forces worldwide. If you have never slept in, it is possible that the first few nights the odd and even wake during the night because she feels trapped, but will always be a matter of habit. Ideally, even use it at home a few nights before leaving, to get used to the temperature and feeling of closure. Once you get used to the comfort it projects, will want to sleep in every night!
Camping Tips
Camping is not an extreme and difficult activity for the adventurous. Actually, it's something as simple as it comes, choose the location, assemble the tent and go! Everything else will come with practice and experience. Still, there are some tips that you may take into account that will facilitate your life.
- Make sure everything is working before leaving home. Inspect all tools, if possible mount the tent or review all its components.
- If you bring a cooler or a small refrigerator will probably have to buy ice frequently over the several days. Thus, when leaving home, instead of putting loose ice cubes in the refrigerator, freeze bottles of water half a liter. You see that will last much longer.
- Camping does not mean giving up the comfort, much less sleep on the floor. There are air cushions, at very affordable prices and various sizes - single and double - that will let you sleep as comfortably as if you were in your own bed. In addition, they do not occupy much space.
- For the "kitchen" use lightweight disposable items: cups, cutlery, plastic plates. And remember, recycle!
- Always take stakes (small steel pegs that secure the tent to the ground) very strong and in excess. If your tent requires 10 stakes, take at least 20.
- The best time to assemble or disassemble the tent is always early morning or late afternoon. Avoid the hours of greatest heat (between 11am and 4pm).
- Pay attention to the shade. You will probably reach the campsite in the middle or late afternoon. The instinct will lead you to choose a location with plenty of shade. But in the morning, does the shadow will still be on that site? Realize what are the areas that are most likely to be housed throughout the day, or at least which ones will be housed in the morning. Remember that the sun rises very early and can be quite annoying to wake up the tent directly exposed to the heat!
- Most parks have lighting columns generally very softly, so as not to disturb the night. Still, try not to get a site that leads with a direct focus of one of them. Remember this detail to assemble the tent, the more likely it is to do with the lights still off, and eventually only notice it when it is installed.
- Pay attention to the type and soil quality: before you try to install it, sticking a few stakes and seeing if unable you to mount the tent on that site. There are some areas where it is virtually impossible to do it! Inspect also the soil for ant colonies and other insects.
- A rule of thumb: more trees mean more insects. Fewer trees mean less shade and more heat. The solution will always find a compromise and reconcile it with your own personal preferences.
- When choosing the space where you will mount the tent consider also the proximity to the common areas: showers, sinks, bars, cafes, swimming pool, supermarkets, etc.. Staying close to them may be more practical, but will also endanger your home. Crowded areas quite obviously are less calm and noisier. Find a intermediary location, without being too isolated, but without being right next to those spaces.
- Note the distance and the location of the electricity boxes. You can always use a long power cord, but you do not want to leave your wires across the park from end to end.
- Note also the proximity to the garbage bins or containers. Good to be on hand, but not too close because of the smell.
- The same applies to public water sources: its proximity is very practical, but if they are too close, will also stay around puddles of water. Also, remember that water attracts insects!
- Improvise! That's part of the fun of camping. If you are missing something, put your imagination to work and try to find a solution without despair.
- When you leave the park, do not leave traces of your passage. The site where you camped must be exactly as it was before you were there, no trace, no garbage, etc..
As mentioned earlier, the most important advice of all turns out to be popular well-known adage: "practice makes perfect"! So hit the road and set out to adventure. You will see that in time all these tips are beginning to be instinctive, and not need to think specifically on them.