Tips to Cut Down Weight, Cost and Confusion:

• Browse second hand book shops for used maps– The roads and towns will have changed over the years but the footpaths will still be where the map says they are, especially in the National Parks.  (Younger back-packers will need to know that PH means Public House and PC means Public Convenience!)
• Remove the covers carefully by sliding a knife under the glued part– Leave the covers at home.
• Number the maps in the order you are going to use them- On each map, mark the spot where you plan to exit and the number of the next map (if it’s double-sided, use two numbers). On the next map, mark the point of entry and the number of the map you’ve just completed.  It’s much better to have done this at home than to find yourself on a windy hillside ‘lost’ between two maps.
• Don’t rely on linear maps which chop a designated trail into sections and fit them all on one sheet– If you stray outside the printed boundaries, you will have no way of locating your position.
• For each map, take a stamped envelope addressed to your home– When you’ve finished with the map, you can post it.  As they begin to plop through the family letterbox, everyone will know you’re still alive and well.  I like to write ‘Wish you were here’ on the back!

Hopefully these tips to organize your maps when backpacking will help you out on your trip! Good luck and have fun!

Author: Kay Ellis

Edited By: CampTrip.com

Every avid camper knows about those secret, free campsites. I am sure you know what I am talking about. When my girlfriend and I traveled through Australia we got a thrill out of spotting a nice free campsite somewhere. With a campervan it was easy to just ‘hide’ somewhere in a parking lot or some national park. Some states in Australia provide free overnight rest stops along the national highway. We thought these were great and obviously saved us a bit of money. It’s just a great feeling, being out there alone and camping in the ‘wild’.

Different countries have different regulations on camping. Gone are the times where you could just pitch up a tent, park your R.V. or Campervan in a place that is not a designated campground. With the increasing popularity of camping, governments and local authorities are clamping down and restricting camping areas. Many countries ask for permits or even completely banning so called “freedom camping”. On our travels through Europe we are discovering that campsites are sometimes even more expensive than youth hostels. What is going on here?

Banning Wild Camping

The reason for banning free or ‘wild’ camping are obvious: irresponsible campers who leave waste and do not consider their impact on the environment. Is it fair for local authorities to cover the cost of running and maintaining a free camping park? Would it benefit the local community, not just through more tourism, but also by encouraging and educating young people about respecting our environment?

What do you Think?

Does this mean everyone has to pay? Should camping be free? Should governments provide free camping sites? Have you got some great free campsite stories? Have you been caught camping in the wild? Let us know your stories and what you think. Please add your comments in the comment box below.

Backpacking in Glencoe Scotland: Full of  History and Beauty

One such backpacking trip I traveled up to Glencoe in Scotland, UK. On the first night I camped by a stream near to the scene of the battle where the MacDonalds were slaughtered by the Campbells who were helping the English. It was the most beautiful place I have ever camped and the next day I decided to walk up to Lost Valley. This was the place to which the surviving clansmen ran after the ambush. The walk up to it is not too difficult. The Lost Valley is totally hidden from view until you creep over the top. Before you is this wonderful valley filled with the silence of nature, existing for thousands of years without the need of man. I stayed the night in the Lost Valley and it was a clear one, the sky was full of stars as I had a few nips of whiskey to drink to the memory of the lost on that day.

I have since taken friends up there who have all loved the place too, but even though I did enjoy the company, that time backpacking and camping alone in the Lost Valley was an experience I will never forget.

Author: Graham Walker

Edited By: CampTrip.com

Discarded Past, Hopes of a Brighter Future

My most memorable camping experience from my Youth Corps days was that of the time we were camped out on the USA border, near the border of Mexico. Our mission was to clean up trash and belongings left behind by the many Mexican citizens who had passed through the desert border area. Throughout the heat of the day we collected people’s lives: backpacks filled with coin purses, children’s toys, jugs upon jugs of water and horchata and piles of clothes. Basically, whatever was too much of a burden to be carried on their long journeys, people left behind for us to find.

At night, we took turns cooking food from the rations our company had provided for us. Most days I was too tired to have much of an appetite. I remember craving salty food and lots of water. We shared stories around a campfire and retired to bed early. The long, hot days made for deep, contented sleep. Some of the best sleep of my life I had in that tent in the desert. The only thing that kept me from falling into slumber was the fear of the area we were in. As it was a popular border crossing zone, heavily trafficked, especially at night when the desert was not so cruel, I could often hear the footsteps of people scurrying along outside, making their way across vast land in the hopes of a better future. I prayed I would not receive any nighttime visitors and focused instead on the howl of the distant coyotes.

Author: Mallroy Porshnev

Edited By: CampTrip.com

Perfection is Bliss

You could arrive at the campsite and find the perfect spot. It’s quiet, the neighbors are not exactly next-door, and the toilet is far away enough not to smell, but close enough for a midnight sortie. You could get everything set up, the tent, the hammock, the barbeque. It would look pretty good. You could even go to bed, have a good night’s sleep and not even realize anything is wrong. But what’s that incredible itching all over your body?

That would be insect bites.

But Nothing Can Be Perfect, Right?

“How is that possible”, you think to yourself? Ok, it’s summertime, but no one else is complaining about flies, and we haven’t heard any other reports. And then you realize. You know that nice looking spot which was almost too good to be true? Yep, it’s right next to an irrigated field. You served up a delicious meal to those mosquitoes, and the neighbors were too far away to get bothered.

Well, you could do that; but I would advise against it!

My Tip to Prevent Mosquitoes/Insects From Feasting On You

Keep as far away as possible from Standing Water (water that is not constantly moving or sits for long lengths of time)

Do not set your camp up near:

• Lakes
• Swamps
• Ditches
• Irrigated Fields
• Marsh Areas
• Woodland Pools

You’ll want to keep away from wet or damp areas with pools of water, this is where mosquitoes lay their eggs and hatch. Still pools of  water are basically a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The closer you are to their breeding ground the more likely you are to be bitten. Rivers, so long as the water is flowing and moving is not such a worry but will likely be home to some mosquitoes.

So, there’s my tip to prevent mosquitoes. If your not keen on being eaten alive by wee little blood suckers I advise you stay far far away from standing/still water. This may not prevent them from staying away entirely while you are camping, but it will sure give you one hell of a fighting chance.

So the next time you want to donate blood you can voluntarily go to the blood-bank not the marshy campsite.

If you have some more tips or advice on how to keep the mosquitoes/bugs away we would love to hear from you! Please share your expertise in the comment box below.

Author: RJ Mackin

Edited By: CampTrip.com

What You Need to Prepare Omelettes at Home:

• Eggs
• Cheese

Use Veggies and Ingredients such as:

• Mushrooms
• Green Peppers
• Onions
• Salt and Pepper

*or whatever you like to put in your omelettes.

Directions for Prepping Your Camping Omelettes:

1. Get some plastic sandwich-sized zipper bags
2. Label each sandwich bag with the person’s name in permanent marker so that you know whose omelette is whose.
3. Then, depending on who is eating the omelette, drop in the desired number of eggs into each bag.
4. Add in each person’s choice of veggies and cheese and seasoning of choice.
5. Zip shut.

I like to store these in a Tupperware container and then set in a cooler.  When it is time to eat, you have already done all the prep work!!!

It makes the morning breakfast pretty easy and the kids find it fun to prep their camping omelettes and eat it camping.

Here are some more Camping Recipes to try on your next camping trip.  If you have some great recipes for camping, please share them in the comment box below. We would love to hear them!

Author: Kimberly Hurd Horst

Edited By: CampTrip.com

Hiking in Pakistan

When my family and I go on our much-awaited hiking expeditions, I am in charge of encircling various hiking routes on the topographical map. Murree and the surrounding gallies in Pakistan play host to a vast number of exciting hiking tracks, but not all of them are as safe as they sound. Hence, authentic maps and various telephone calls to tourism offices and camping friends can be very helpful. Camping the night at a location may or may not need a permit, depending upon the place. I usually check out the legalities before choosing a suitable area.

Here are some great general Tips When Hiking to help you prepare for your next hiking expedition.

The Dreaded Packing

I have developed a sound system that ensures this is done in the most organized manner. I make certain that I take the following items:

1. A Tent and Complementing Necessities such as pegs, guy ropes, groundsheets, flysheets, mallets, screwdrivers, sleeping bags, blankets, air beds, roll mats, pillows, duct tape, spare rope, hammocks, mosquito nets etc.
2. Toiletries such as soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, towels, toilet paper, wet wipes, hand sanitizers, sun cream, tweezers etc.
3. Clothing which includes warm and cool clothes, waterproofs, umbrellas, raincoats, rain boots, walking shoes, beachwear, sun hats, woolen hats, gloves etc.
4. First Aid Kit and complementing necessities such as antiseptic, bandages, paracetamol, insect repellant etc.
5. Entertainment such as camera, binoculars, toys, books, games, CDs, a radio, spare batteries, a guitar etc.
6. Maps, compass, cell phone, GPS etc.
7. Miscellaneous Items such as matches, a lighter, bin bags, backpack, foldaway chairs/ tables, scissors, pens, paper, safety pins, a sewing kit etc.

Here is a complete Camping Checklist you can use as a reference when packing.

Your Tent

The size of the tent depends upon whether you choose to stay at campsites or explore nature through “wild” camping. It also depends upon the number of people in your party. “Wild” camping requires a small, light- weight tent if you are hiking on foot. Those moving in cars or staying at campsites may not bother themselves with tent sizes. I suggest bigger parties and campers with children acquire bigger tents which are high enough to stand in.

You must also remember that large tents need more time to set up.

Dark blue or green tents are generally preferred because they effectively block light after dawn. Here are some more great articles for choosing the right camping tent for you: Types of Camping Tents, Camp Tent Features, How To: Choose a Camping Tent

Camp Cooking

As much as I love camping, cooking in the wild is a totally different experience. It is exhilarating and I find it highly stimulating. As is obvious, preparing food out ‘there’ needs a whole pack of equipment, too. My old camp cooking box is usually full to the brim with the following equipment:

1. Aluminium Utensils such as plates, cutlery, pots, pans, aluminium foil packets etc.
2. Paper or Plastic Disposable Plates, knives, forks, spoons etc.
3. Frozen Food This does save time and is easy to carry but may be costly.
4. Food Items such as cereals, salt, pepper, ketchup, dried mix herbs, long-life milk and juice, dried pasta, noodles and rice, jars of sauces, sugar, coffee, tea bags, drinking chocolate, etc.
5. Dish Washing Items such as washing-up bowl, dish cloth, sponge, tea towels, washing-up liquid, etc.
6. Miscellaneous Items Pan lids, long-handled spoons and forks, skewers, pot holders, napkins, paper towels, kettle, coffee pot, tin opener, bottle opener, coolers with ice, oven gloves, insulated plastic mugs with lids, grates for grilling, olive/ vegetable/ sunflower oil, thermos flask, refrigerated cooler, etc.

A balanced diet is high up on Mom’s list which is why I try to pack food from every level of the food pyramid. Normally you can find edibles ranging from grilled fish to grilled tomatoes on our family’s loaded plates!

• Meat juices quickly contaminate ice in coolers; wash your hands to avoid food poisoning. A separate cooler may also be used to cool drinks. It is important to note that drips from meat must be avoided at all costs.
• River or lake water is unhealthy and should be boiled before use, even for washing.

Here are some excellent and easy Camping Recipes to try on your next camping trip.

As the sun starts to descend, a slight chill promptly engulfs the hillside. This is approximately the time my brothers, Raza and Rahim, start griping about the campfire. Campfires, like camping sites, may or may not need a permit. Starting one can be a pleasant task for the entire family.

• A couple of us collect fallen branches, twigs, leaves, paper, small sticks, large pieces of wood, etc.
• The rest of us make a fire ring and ignite the fuel till we sight a blaze.
• It is dangerous to start a fire in windy conditions or near trees, bushes, overhanging branches or spare firewood. If you are unsure of how to make a campfire be sure to read the article How To: Build a Campfire.
• Avoid lighter fluids and do not throw plastic, glass or aluminium cans or foil into the fire because this makes the place difficult to clean up later.
• If Dad cooks over the fire instead of using a grate, I always observe him wrapping pots and pans in tin foil to keep their bottoms clean which makes for a practical camping tip.

Singing around the campfire is an old family tradition. We usually start this convention with the latest Bollywood song and trek back into history till we reach the 50’s! Our camping spot is very rarely a peaceful one at night. Once we made such hoopla over an old flick that neighboring campers edged in to take a closer look and ended singing into the night with us!

Dad extinguishes the campfire completely before we snuggle in to sleep by pouring water over the coals and mixing them in some earth. The purpose behind this strategy is to not let coals re-kindle underneath.

Settling in for the Night

To illuminate and heat the tent at night, we make use of torches, head lamps, camping lanterns, portable heaters and our good old hot water bottles.

Keeping Safe

I admit that I take pleasure in hiking and camping, but the state of my country is also a source of nervousness and tension. Gone are the days when a simple padlock on the tent would drive wrong- doers away. Since the past couple of years we have brought an end to wild camping and now spend nights only at guarded camp sites, pitching our tent close to another family. Each of us has a watch, whistle, cell phone, flash light and a knife with us at all times. Dad keeps the car locked and we avoid bringing valuables with us. Money and costly items are stashed out of sight.

Despite these hindrances, I still love camping in Muree, Pakistan. The natural beauty of Pakistan has always lured me away from urban areas and into the mesmerizing wild. And every time I look around, the magnificence takes my breath away…

Author: Aimen Shahzad

Edited By: CampTrip.com

You’re On The Menu

Wherever you camp in the world, living under canvas inevitably attracts uninvited guests of the flying variety. Mosquitoes, flies, gnats are frequent tent invaders who come seeking succulent foodstuff to eat; or they’re aiming to hide out in the sleeping pods to feast on you at night. Flies are the ultimate unhygienic – and generally disgusting – members of the insect world. Even the most passionate campers can get agitated by the monotonous late-night hum of a hidden winged ambush, just waiting for you to fall asleep so it can attack.

We Put the Theory to the Test

An idea evolved to discourage these unwelcome visitors. The idea came from knowing that taking garlic capsules repels mosquitoes. It is suggested that they do not like the smell in the pores of the skin or the taste of it in the blood. So this year, in early September, we tested the theory to see if garlic is an insect repellant.

We placed a handful of garlic cloves in two little net bags (the type used in washing machines with detergent tablets) and hung them at the entrance of the tent. We broke a couple of the cloves in half, hoping to release an increased level of odour. The smell did not permeate the tent at all and we were able to continue our holiday unperturbed by any garlic aromas. At first we were quite cynical and still saw flying things arrive on our table. However, after the first day, we saw a significant reduction in the amount of flies and mosquitoes in the tent.

Garlic is an Insect Repellant

Garlic is not going to rid you completely of all your flying invaders, but it does seem to discourage a good number of them from making their way into your indoor space. Keep those bloodsuckers at bay naturally.

Author: Michelle Minniss

Edited By: CampTrip.com

Come the end of the week and its… “Do I have to come in? I like it out here”. We point out that he has school starting on Monday and he needs to get up on time. “But I will”, he says. Okay, we sigh, but ONLY if you get up on time (thinking all along “like that will happen”).

Monday morning – up with the lark. Tuesday, also.  In fact, to cut a long story short, it is now January 2011… and he is still there!

They May Turn Into a Permanent Garden Fixture

Now aged 14 (15 in February) he has been camping in the backyard and slept through 4 winters with temperatures down to -12C, and summers too. He has also gone through three tents in that time, and countless airbeds – as well as appearing on local and national TV and radio. We remain confident that we will coax him back in, eventually, as it would be good to have the end of the garden back – his bed is still there!

The Benefits of Having a Child Garden Gnome

On the other hand, he does indeed get up on time – every day – goes to bed at a reasonable hour, too; we do not have to complain about his room being untidy…

And as for his health… well, from our experience if you have a slightly sickly child prone to getting every cold and flu germ that circulates within 100 miles then the lesson is simple. Stick them in a tent in the garden for six months (or more) – it will do them no end of good. Graham did not miss a single day of school through illness in his first year – he even won an award for it!

Advice For Camping in the Backyard Long Term:

1. You do not need a super high quality tent. Really. Chances are that your garden will be fairly well sheltered, so all we have used (for the last two tents) has been a Gelert Tornado  – which is a simple 3-person, two-wall tent. It’s fine in almost all conditions except maybe heavy snow (see below). Each one lasts about 18 months in continual use (rather more than the manufacturers say).
2. A good double air bed, with a spare, is essential – and can be bought cheaply in autumn sales. These are better than cushions etc., because…
3. It is remarkable how much condensation builds up (and then pools) on the floor over a period of a few months. We spent ages trying to find where the leaks were before working out that it was created simply from breathing.
4. Old airbeds make great floor insulation – which does significantly reduce the condensation problem, so don’t throw them out.
5. Things will get damp as a result, so regularly changing things and not taking into the tent anything very valuable is a good idea.
6. A phone is a must. He may not be far away, but if it does snow and the front of the tent collapses as a result you do need to be alerted to the need of digging him out.
7. The local press, and even TV and radio, will be very interested (for some reason). Be prepared. In retrospect some media training would probably be a good idea…
8. Camping in the backyard and sleeping in a tent all year has no affect on any enthusiasm to go on camping holidays in the summer, or weekends away with the scouts!
9. The tent will only ever get a hole when it is dark – but Gaffa tape is wonderful!
10. Care needs to be taken when cutting the lawn. Tent pegs and guy ropes do not get on well with lawn mowers!

So – if you want a healthy, independent, media-savvy teenager who gets up on time every morning then it’s simple. Rent out his room and put him outside in a tent every night. It really works!

Author: John Birch

Edited By: CampTrip.com

Getting Close to Nature May Get You Closer to the Unnatural

I’m telling you, the county national park campsite we reserved for this weekend outside Portland, Oregon was the absolute worst campsite we’ve ever seen. We got site 13, unlucky number right? Right. Very unlucky indeed. Site 13 is one of 31 sites at this campground that was smack dab in the middle of 30 back- country, toothless campers on hiatus from the backwoods. The sites were so close together you could watch your neighbor sleep from your tent. To make matters worse, when we checked in, the large motumbo woman with the raspy voice and lisp from missing teeth, told us ‘not to be afraid of the bunnies’.  They are domesticated…well, somewhat.  They love it here. In fact, the store across the street even sells packages of bunny food; but, of course, they are happy to eat anything we give them. My heart sank. How were we going to quietly set up camp and chill while our 3 dogs were murdering the camp-friendly bunnies one by one?

Our Escape from “The Escape”

Instead, we opted to head to the beach for a few hours and forget about the nasty little national park campsite we had awaiting us. We took a little snoozer on the beach while the dogs, tied on long tethers to a large piece of driftwood, tried to dig to China in the sand and had contests on who could mark on the driftwood the most. Then, after a long walk down the beach, we went for a drive. On a whim we drove by our favorite little motel about 2 miles away where we found new owners and after a bit of chat with them, discovered to our delight they had 3 empty campsites behind the motel, complete with grass, wood, fire pit, bathrooms and showers – and no bunnies. Without hesitation we paid for the site and began setting up camp – to heck with the other joint! We tethered the dogs and let them roam the grass and chew on the firewood. We did end up getting one neighbor camper family next to us – definitely from the backwoods and missing a few teeth – which was ok. But they were friendly enough and kept their distance. Funny thing was, we only had a two-man hiker tent – not big enough for 2 humans and 3 big dogs. We had borrowed our friend’s two-man tent so we set up both tents next to each other and split up at night, each of us with a dog or two.

Camping Can Be In Your Own Backyard

When we arrived back in town, it was unusually hot and muggy, unlike the cool breeziness from the beach. Well, why not extend the fun? So we set up the tent in the backyard, complete with a fire, beer and music. We fell asleep late with the dogs resting peacefully just outside the tent. A few hours late into the night I woke up to raindrops falling through the tent skylight. We scrambled to put the cover on and went back to sleep only to wake up a couple hours later in the blistering, suffocating sun. Our bodies and sleeping bags were drenched in sweat. So much for the leisurely morning we had planned with a fire, coffee and breakfast in the backyard. We scooped up our gear and fled for the inside of the house where we turned on the A/C and sat in front of the fans to cool off.

Gotta Love Camping!

When you think about it, camping is a funny thing. It’s ironic that we leave our comfortable urban lives to eat hotdogs and chili, use smelly latrines, and sleep a few nights outside on the hard bumpy ground. That’s one way to look at it. Another would be that we temporarily trade in the comforts of home because we crave peace, slowed pace and a closeness to nature – our roots. Camping forces us to slow down, breath in fresh air, play games, talk to eachother and forget about the rat race. It may be hard working, prepping to go and quite a drive to get there, but once the tent is set up, the fire is going and the beers are opened, you know it was worth all that effort. I think from now on we are going to fore-go the national park campsite scene. They book for the whole season 9 months in advance of the summer. We may also fore-go the county campground scene as the impression it left on me is still digesting. I’m going to pull out my long lost book called ‘Free campsites in Oregon and Washington’ and start researching. We’ll see how that pans out. Either way it happens, it’s still camping, though we’ll without a doubt eventually encounter the toothless back-countrymen again. And that is ok, just as long as there are no bunnies.

Author: Sarah Guenther

Edited By: CampTrip.com

Camping in the North Woods of Wisconsin, USA

A Scary Scenario

I am honestly not afraid, yet. This is the seventeenth tornado I have been in since the age of 6 months; I am now 20. I know what they look like, what they sound like, and the best way to stay safe. But my brothers and sisters (and dog) have never seen a tornado, and they truly believe their lives are in my hands.

We are on a family camping trip, way up in the North Woods of Wisconsin, USA. My parents left my siblings and I to set up camp while they ran up the road to a local convenience store. Fifteen minutes after they left, the sky turned an eerie green. My brother asked me if it was about to rain, so that we could put the wood in the tent. I told him that it looked more like there might be a tornado. He started to get that panicky look across his face, his ten-year-old eyes getting bigger and brighter with fear as the rain started to pour. I knew what was about to happen, and when the park rangers drove past and told us to quickly get to shelter, I wasted no time in listening.

The Tornado Warning

My parents had taken the van, so I quickly gathered my siblings and the dog into my two-door Chrysler LeBaron convertible. I put up the roof and started down the trail, looking for the best type of shelter. I saw several cars heading towards the bathrooms and followed. As I drove past the sites, I saw people continuing to put up their tents, refusing to heed the rangers’ tornado warning.

Once we arrived, there were nearly fifty people pushing to get into the restrooms and escape the rain. I forced my way through, and shoved my siblings into the corner stall. I went back outside and tried to call my parents. No service. The wind was starting to pick up, and hail began raining down on the roof. I ducked inside again. My sisters were all crying; the dog was a wet mess.
Eventually, my parents arrived. The actual funnel cloud had touched down only a half mile away, ripping through parts of the campground.

Listen to Authorities, They are There for a Reason.

As the storm died down and my family was re-united, I realized the consequences could have been dire if I had not listened to the park rangers. I couldn’t help but remember the news story from only a few months ago, detailing the tragic deaths of people who had died when a campground flooded. They had refused to evacuate, and they paid dearly for it. The best advice I will ever give to anyone about camping is to be prepared, know what the weather looks like beforehand, and listen to the authorities when they tell you to evacuate or seek shelter. It could save your life.

Author: Arielle Cassiday

Edited By: CampTrip.com

A Nice Wet Sleep

We wanted to get our tent up quickly before it got any darker or colder.  So we hurriedly put up our tent, got our sleeping bags and snuggled in for the night.  Just in time, too, because no sooner had we gotten inside when it started pouring down rain.  Well, we had forgotten to bring a tarp for under the tent so we didn’t have any protection underneath from the rain.  Not long after we had all gone to sleep I noticed my sleeping bag felt wet.  I felt around and there was a small puddle of water sliding towards me. I woke my daughter and she said just move closer to her in the middle because water was coming in on the sides.  Well I tried this but it was not only wet but cold and I finally got up and grabbed my sleeping bag and slept in the car – sitting up, because there wasn’t much room in the car.

Prepare for Your Camping Trip

The next morning  we saw that, in our haste to set up camp, we had placed our tent under a huge tree which, of course, had continuously dropped water onto our tent all night.  We learned that night that next time we would need to prepare better before camping. To be more careful where we put our tent, not under a tree when it is raining, not to forget a tarp, and to try and give ourselves more time before dark to set up camp.  It was an eventful experience.

Here are some great tips on how to keep your camping trip warm and dry.

Author: Janet Piekarski

Edited By: CampTrip.com