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Camping in a Thunderstorm
Although you try to keep tabs of the weather forecast, you find that this particular day, you’ve simply watched the weather by looking at the sky. And although the sky was relatively clear at dawn when you fished, you noticed that by lunchtime it had gotten cloudy and, in the afternoon, downright dark.
In this situation, a thunderstorm might be headed your way. But you’ve got an entire campsite built for relatively mild weather, and no where in particular to go for the evening. What exactly can you do? In this article, you’ll learn how to weather a thunderstorm effectively when you’re camping with your family.
Lightning
First things first: the most crucial issue will be safety, and this means avoiding lightning as best as possible. Being outside during a thunderstorm can be downright dangerous, so you’ll want to pay attention to these tips.
First, seek shelter as quickly as possible. If this means abandoning your campsite, you should still do it. Put out your fire with a bucket of water (you should always keep one handy just in case) and find a place where you’ll be protected from lightning.If this is impossible, you’ll want to follow a few rules of thumb. First of all, avoid being the tallest object in the area – get low to the ground by squatting, not lying down. Make sure that you don’t squat under the tallest tree, either.
Make sure you also avoid wires and fence lines, and other metal objects that can move electricity from one area to another.
In order to gauge where lightning is, keep track of the time between a flash and the sound of thunder – five seconds usually means roughly a mile. This information won’t be of much use, as you should try to seek shelter anyway.
Your Campsite
If your campsite is on a hill or comprises the tallest objects around, you shouldn’t try to stick around or seek shelter in your tents. All tents will do is shelter you from rain; it’s better to be stuck in the rain then it is to be exposed to a greater chance of getting hit by lightning.
If you can, get into a vehicle – the metallic frame disperses much of the electric current of a lightning blast. If there is no other shelter, getting into your car is one of your best options; it shelters you from rain and helps protect against lightning.
Most importantly, the best way to camp in a thunderstorm is to stay prepared. Bring a radio or GPS watch that will help you forecast the weather; if you know a thunderstorm might be coming hours in advance, you’ll be able to make necessary changes and adapt. If you get stuck in one, however, you might potentially be in harm’s way.
Photo Credits: nebelkerze
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The Three Most Important Elements of Camping
When we hear the essential rules of survival, it usually doesn’t dawn on us to relate them to the experience of camping. After all, camping is simply a relaxing excursion into the woods, not a battle between man and nature. But when you’re planning a camping trip, it couldn’t hurt to look at the rules of survival: not only can they help you out should you ever run into trouble, but they can make life in the outdoors much more comfortable. Without further ado, here are the three most important elements of camping.
1: Shelter. The first rule of survival is to build a competent shelter as quickly as possible. When it comes to camping, this can often be easily handled – you simply bring your tent along with you. But if you understand what makes a comfortable shelter comfortable, you’ll enhance your camping experience. You’ll want to keep your tent dry, insulated from the cold, and bug-free. If you can build a good bed outdoors (using something like an air mattress), you’ll get a higher quality of sleep and won’t wake up with bumps and bruises on your back.
2: Clean water. Water is essential for hydration; without it, we would die in a few days. For most people who are camping, hydration isn’t always the issue, as you can pick up a few bottles of water from a local gas station. But even if you’re simply on vacation, having access to clean water will keep you feeling fresh and energized. Make sure you have access to water for washing your hands, showering, cleaning, and of course, drinking.
3: Food. With your shelter and water needs taken care of, you don’t want to camp on an empty stomach. In the wild, you could survive for a relatively long time without food, but without a supply of good, nutritious food, you won’t feel good by the end of the first day camping. That’s why you’ll want to pack a cooler full of good foods: vegetables, fruits, and nuts make great nutritious snacks, while meat will help fill your belly for the main course. Even if you’re living in the wild, that’s no reason to feel wild.One great camping tip related to food: have a giant breakfast. It will help fill you up with plenty of energy for fishing, swimming, and hiking, and you won’t feel as drained throughout the day.
Photo Credits: chanchan222
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Sleeping in Style on the Campsite
Anyone who has ever gone camping before knows that when dawn hits, there’s only one thought on your mind: the quality of your sleep. Sleeping uncomfortably on the ground can be torture throughout the night, not only causing you pain but taking away from precious hours of energy-replenishing sleep.
That’s why it’s important to plan for a good night’s sleep even before you head out into the woods, particularly if you plan on sleeping on a good-sized tent that will protect you from the elements and give you your own “room” outdoors.
First, if you plan on sleeping in style, you’ve got to have a good foundation for a comfortable night’s sleep. In other words, you absolutely have to have something buffering between your bones and the ground.
An air mattress is ideal for this kind of buffer: not only will it provide you with the same kind of comfort that you might get indoors, but they pack into smaller spaces when deflated, much like a sleeping bag.Of course, for those of you who have used an air mattress before, you might be rolling your eyes and saying “an air mattress? How will I ever fill it with air in time to get a good night’s sleep?” The answer? Go online to find the Coleman Quick Pump. Simply fill it with batteries and the air will flow automatically into your air mattress. Voila.
You can’t simply rest on an air mattress all night and expect a decent night’s sleep, however, particularly if you’re in a northern state. In the northern states, the temperature can drop unexpectedly even on summer nights.
It’s tempting to bring extra sheets and blankets, but this might add unnecessary bulk to your load. Instead, simply use a zip-able sleeping bag and unzip it over your mattress. You’ll receive the coverage of a normal blanket with the insulation of a sleeping bag.
As for pillows, this one is up to you. You can bring a pillow from home if you have the room for it, but some air mattresses will also come with inflatable pillows that will be easier to pack. If you’re someone who can’t live without their pillow made from Down, this might be an indulgence you won’t want to leave at home.
Remember to plan your entire camping experience ahead of time so that you have the equipment and know-how for some rustic fun without the discomforts of being outdoors.
Photo Credits: kysbydabeach
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Tips for Small-Lake Fishing
Let’s be honest: unless you live on the coast, you won’t be able to enjoy a grand sea every time you head out to fish. For some people, this is just fine by them, as they prefer inland lake fishing. But what if you can’t even find a large inland lake? Then it’s time to figure out some great tips and strategies for having a great outing even though you feel like you may be able to swim the length of the lake. Here are some tips to help you come back with plenty of fish.
First, a quick physics lesson. We live in space and time – and since your space is limited in a small lake, it will help to optimize your time. What is the best time to catch fish? If you have to wake up early in the morning, even a little before dawn, or wait until evening, do so if those are your best chances to catch small fish. If you can fish on a calm lake, you’ll have the advantage of finding undisturbed fish.
Some small lakes have rules that dictate how long people can run their motors on a high level. You’ll want to avoid these hours, as smaller lakes will be easier to disturb. During these hours, make sure that you have something else to do so that you don’t get antsy waiting to fish. If you can, try to get your fishing done early as opposed to later, as this will free up your time as the evening hours roll around.Next, be sure that you can optimize your bait. What does “optimizing your bait” mean? It’s just a fancy term that suggests you have the right bait for the right kind of fish. Ask some locals nearby what kind of fish you can expect to catch, and what the biggest kind of fish enjoy for bait. Then head to the bait shop. If you simply roll up to a lake with the same old bait, you can’t always be sure you’ll be bringing the right “stuff.” Sometimes, worms and leeches will work just fine, but it always helps to be sure, just in case.
After that, try to find out the behaviors of the fish you’re catching. If they flock to one area, be sure you put your boat in that area. Since there won’t be a lot of options in a small lake, it’s quite likely you can find out if there’s an ideal “spot” for fishing.
Remember that fishing requires preparation and patience – if you have neither, chances are you won’t come back with much. But if you have both, you can succeed, even on a small lake.
Photo Credits: Kamil Porembiński
