-
How to Have a Comfortable Night’s Sleep When You’re Camping
Even when a morning is sunny and beautiful out over your campsite, one thing that can make everything seem dark and dull is the quality of sleep you had: if you slept on the hard ground, your back and neck might be killing you all day! One of the best prescriptions for a great vacation is having a great sleep every night. If you’re camping, you’re going to need to know how to bring your bed with you as best as you can. Here are some tips for doing exactly that.
Put a lot between you and the ground. It’s not enough to simply have a sleeping bag – a sleeping bag is for keeping you warm, and not much else. You’re going to want to put a lot between your back and the ground, particularly something stable and soft, if possible. Air mattresses (along with a quick inflating gadget) can be invaluable for having a great night’s sleep. Cots that hang high off of the ground can also be comfortable, making sure you don’t touch the ground. Do your best to find a solution that keeps your back off the ground but also travels well, such as a folding cot or an inflatable air mattress.
Choose your sleeping bag for insulation, not comfort. You’ll find that a sleeping bag does best when it traps as much body heat as possible; not necessarily when it feels the best over your body. To get a good night’s sleep, you’ll want to be comfortable, but you can easily use a more comfortable blanket to buffer between yourself and the sleeping bags. Most sleeping bags are not uncomfortable, so this won’t be a major problem: just remember to keep inside your sleeping bag because its purpose is insulation and heat-trapping.Bring a pillow from home. Consider your pillow one of your luxury items: it doesn’t pack very well, but it is important enough to make that kind of sacrifice. A large, fluffy but firm pillow will help you to rest your neck and head comfortably, allowing you to feel comfortable enough the following day so that you can hike, swim, and do all of the things associated with camping.
Make sure you’re insulated from moisture. If you’ve brought a camper, this is an easy consideration. If you’re in a tent, however, you’ll want to make sure that everything is secure. You’ll want to keep the outside world as sealed off as possible so that your tent can be warm, soft, and dry. Make sure you’re protected from rain during the night and that everything is properly zipped up.
Photo Credits: lbshopgirl
-
How To Get Ready For Your Hiking Trip
Hiking is one of the most popular ways for people to exercise, because it combines beautiful scenery with the easiest cardio there is, walking. Hiking can require some extra equipment and attentiveness from the hiker however. So what equipment and preparations should one make for their hiking trip? Follow the tips given in this article and your hiking trip will be a success.
Get The Right Gear
It’s essential that you bring the right equipment no matter what kind of hiking trip you’re going on. Hiking boots are very important for helping you navigate the rough terrain that is often experienced during a hiking trip, and will often help to keep your feet more comfortable through the entire experience. Depending on the type of hiking trip you’re going on, make sure that you bring a backpack with the appropriate amount of any outside resources you may need on your trip. This includes food, water, or any medication, especially if you’re hiking overnight. Also keep in mind that it may be convenient to store your tent and sleeping bags inside of a backpack.
Get Exercise Before Going
Before going hiking it’s a good idea to exercise so that you’re not overwhelmed by the difficulty of your day. This can be accomplished by simple cardio activity such as walking or riding your bike a few times a week. Due to the naturally rough terrain that you experience on a hiking trip, it’s recommended that you exercise on an inclined surface so that you can adjust to the type of exercises you will be doing. Remember to never over-exert yourself however as that’s counterproductive and that you may only hurt yourself.
Map Out The Trails
It’s very important that before you going hiking that you know where it’s that you’re going exactly and the distance you will be traveling. If you’re hiking with a limited time, you may not want to take the longest trail as you may not be able to return in time. Likewise, make sure that if you do choose the longest trail you’ve properly conditioned your body to last such as long journey. Make sure that you always bring a way for you to determine your current location while hiking, whether that is a compass or a GPS system.
Most importantly, remember to have fun because hiking should not feel like a chore. It’s always a good idea to stop and enjoy the scenery and to not worry so much about the technical aspects of camping. If you follow these simple tips you’re on your way to a hiking experience that you won’t soon forget.
Photo Credits: Bassel Safadi
-
Making Your Camping Bed (And Sleeping In It, Too)
It’s no secret that one of the purported miseries of camping – as espoused by the willfully-sheltered folk who happily name themselves “indoor types” – is that sleeping on the ground is no fun. In fact, it can be downright painful. The experienced camper, however, knows that sleeping on the ground would be like eating a camping diet solely comprised of almonds and hot dogs: with a little preparation it’s not necessary. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how you can make your camping bed and actually want to sleep in it, too.
But once you’ve decided to bring a device like a cot or an airmattress, that isn’t the whole story. A bed should keep you warm, insulated, and dry. If your airmattress has a leak in it, don’t be surprised to wake up in the morning with your back on the ground. If your cot isn’t adequately insulated, you may find yourself wishing to be in your bed back home.
First, understand your options. An airmattress will keep you off the ground, but so will a cot, a futon, a foam pad, and even something home-made. So many people think about sleeping on the ground outdoors that they forget it takes very little action in order to rectify the problem: simply buy something for your bed that you can bring with you.That’s why you’ll still want to bring that camping staple so many enjoy: the sleeping bag. Most sleeping bags come with zippers that allow them to fold out like blankets. You can use this feature to spread out the sleeping bag like a blanket on your airmattress or cot.
Why not just use a regular blanket? Regular blankets work well, but they’re not designed for the outdoors. Sleeping blankets usually have lining on the outside that keeps them dry, sealed off from insects, and insulating well against the cold. You’d be surprised how much heat you can still trap with a sleeping blanket that’s been folded out.
Once you have your gear ready, simply bring a comfortable pillow or two from home. If you really want to stay luxurious, you can even bring sheets; it will feel like you’re still in your bedroom. Make sure to keep your pillow and sheets in a safe, dry place (such as the back of your car, if it’s nearby); exposing them to the elements can mean bugs, sticks, and moisture. Make sure to put together your bed after you’ve set up your tent: when bedtime arrives, you’ll be ready to slip in the covers right away, just like at home.
Photo Credits: Felipe Skroski
