Tent Camping Tips
The tent camping tips that follow are meant primarily for
those who are backpacking, although some of them will also apply
to a stay in a campground. These tips will be most useful for
those who like to travel light when backpacking.
1. Test That Tent!
Discovering that the roof leaks when you are two days away
from the nearest road and a freezing rain is falling is no fun
at all - and could be dangerous. Pitch your tent in the yard
and inspect it if you haven't used it before, or if has been
stored for a long time (creases can become leaky points). Use
a garden hose to test it for leaks, by spraying it up in the
air and letting the water fall on the tent.
2. Carefully Choose Your Campsite
Sleeping on rocks or hard dirt with roots projecting upwards
is not only uncomfortable, but also wears out the tent bottom.
Camping on the slightest slope will result in you sliding into
your camp mate or into a wall of nylon that may be wet with condensation
- even on nice nights. Choose the most level spot you can find,
and look to see that water will not pool there if it rains. Remove
rocks and sticks before pitching the tent.
3. Tight is Right
When the outer rain fly touches the tent roof or walls, condensation
will sometimes drip through, possibly soaking your sleeping bag.
To prevent this, tighten all the lines when setting up - especially
those on the rain fly. Pitching it tight will also prevent the
material from flapping in the wind as much - which could keep
you awake.
4. Light is Right
The shelter is often the heaviest thing you'll have when backpacking
and camping. To go lighter you can give up tent camping in favor
of using a tarp or bivy sack, or you can buy a lighter tent.
What if you really prefer tent camping, but you also want to
keep it cheap? You can still lighten the load using the following
suggestions.
Leave behind some of the tent stakes. Use just six, for example,
for the corners and end lines, and then use sticks you gather
on-site for the less-crucial lines - or tie off the lines to
trees or rocks.
Leave behind the ground cloth. Many backpackers use heavy
ground clothes to save the bottom of their tents, but there are
two problems with this approach. First, extra weight has to be
carried every time you're out. Second, if not placed properly,
a ground cloth can catch rain water and let it pool under the
tent. I prefer to go light and just let the bottom of the tent
wear out a little faster than normal.
A large nylon tarp may weigh less than your rain fly and do
the same job. In an area that will has trees to tie it too, you
can try the tarp and save a few ounces. You might even have it
extend far enough in front of the tent to provide a "porch."
A Couple More Tent Camping Tips
Carry repair materials with you, which should include at least
a bit of duct tape for quick patches. Know how to set up the
tent before you head out. Test to see if the tent is large enough
for the two or three of you that will be using it. Carry a small
piece of plastic for a front door mat - that way you won't have
to step out into the mud in the morning.
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