Summer is fast approaching, and that can only mean one thing—more outdoorsy things to do.
Sure, the pandemic is still a thing, but if you’re smart about it, it won’t be a problem at all. Take camping, for instance—miles away from any outside human contact, and if you’re there as a single household, bam, you get to enjoy summer with people and Ms. Corona can’t do anything about it!
Instead, however, you will have to worry about things like mosquitoes and the occasional bear wandering to your campsite. Or, you can also, you know, not worry because Bored Panda created a handy dandy list of some of the most essential tips, tricks, hacks, and general know-how about camping.
Check out the list below, vote and comment on the submissions you enjoyed the most, and while you’re at it, why not share some of your camping wisdom with other soon-to-be camping Pandas!
This post may include affiliate links.
In Norway camp fires are prohibited between 15 April and 15 September.
I never trust my AT-AT on ice, no matter the thickness. I’m more comfortable with a Tauntaun for that
Camping tip, you will definitely need more than one headlamp.
I have a 3rd degree burn scar on my foot from stepping in a pile of embers that someone covered with sand. It took almost a year, multiple surgeries, and a lot of pain to heal. DO NOT leave embers anywhere. Always put them out with water.
Beware: depending on the kind of food this can work wonderfully (meat, bread, soup, butter, sturdy vegetables such as peas/cauliflower/beans, grated cheese, etc), acceptable (fresh fruit like berries) or terrible (fresh fruit such as apples/oranges, leafy vegetables, hard cheeses such as Gouda/Emmentaler)
Did not know that about catnip. You might keep the mosquitoes away, and end up with 3 cats on your lap lol
You can minimize your risk of falling on the ice. The Penguin walk helps remind us how to walk on ice.
Keep your weight forward and on your front foot
Keep your arms out by your side to help you balance
Walk flat footed and take short shuffling steps
Wear footwear that provides traction
Step down, not out from curbs
Keep your knees slightly bent
Walk on snow or grass if possible
This is why I stay inside—I don’t need knots to check out a library book.
Cotton doesn't wick moisture away from your skin. It will feel 100 times more wet than any manmade fiber. Bamboo is much better. But the best of them all is wool, because it will still be warm even if you have fallen into a (partly) frozen river.
Load More Replies...
cotton is the greatest thing to wear at home, but the worst to wear while hiking or camping
Cotton on the hills kills. It makes moisture stick to your body and this then goes cold in bad weather.
Not good, I only can wear cotton or linen or my skin get's irritated. O.o
You can wear cotton. It kind of depends on where, why and how. The season, the weather, the overall climate etcetera will determin what material is best on your body.
In mountaineering, cotton fabric is known as the cloth of death.
In Search and Rescue we say "Cotton kills". When wet it retains no heat, threatening your body temp. There are a lot of manmade materials now that hold heat when wet, wick moisture away, and/or are water proof. And there is wool but it's not a very practical material when you count in dry cleaning costs, weight and bulk. Can't stash a pair of long wool pants in a backpack very easily. Especially when every ounce counts.
And then maybe offer alternatives for those of us who are allergic to wool.
Load More Replies...
under Brown Recluse, "Only 10% of bites result in anything more than a small red mark" should be the first point, not the last.
Just say NO to introducing unnecessary elements into your camping environment!
They forgot THE thing: shake your shoes and clothes before putting them on... The only camping trip i had was in Moreton Island, Australia.
I'm just going to add this because it apparently needs to be said: Clean up after yourself! Leave no trace. If you need to use the bathroom and there's no facilities, dig a cat hole and bury it.
Bring Newspaper, and a change of shoes and socks. If your first pair of shoes get wet, put on your backup and stuff the wet pair with newspaper and they will be bone dry in a matter of hours!
Leave your shoes in the bottom of your sleeping bag. they will be warm when you put them on in the morning.
And it will keep any creepy crawlies out of your shoes too!
Load More Replies... My top tips: 1- carry socks pre-powdered with foot powder (NOT talc as it will chaff) in a plastic bag. No matter how miserable your hike is, fresh socks make it better. Then use the plastic bag to put the wet stinky socks in until you can dry them. 2- wear your undies with the flat side of the hemming stitches against your skin. This often means they are inside out, but after a few km"s you'll thank me.... oh and take sudacreme or zinc oxide cream (baby bum cream)- fixes chaffs, minor rashes, nettle stings, sun cream for your nose....
Repeat (cause it's important): Invest in a Res-Q-Link (don't get a SPOT, it needs a subscription to work) personal locator. They have water version also. The three hundred bucks could save your life and the people you are with. And you will have it for a lifetime
My brother carried one when he was hiking in the sierras. He got very sick and dehydrated about 2 days from his destination and had to be airlifted out.
Load More Replies...
Even better... SHAKE EVERYTHING that's sat for any length of time. Clothes, shoes, bedding, towels, papers, rope pile, etc. LOOK INSIDE everything before you reach into it. Even non-poisonous critters are gross when squished as you put on work gloves.
Another camping tip: NEVER PUT FLOUR IN FIRE!!! It will burn you and everything around you down.
also: stuff smells bad after camping because it's moist and bacteria grows in it. if you want to keeps this from happening, spread it out and let it air instead of stuffing it in a bag
What?!? Not a single mention of Duct Tape nor WD-40!?! TP tubes full of dryer lint for tinder! Extra tarps! Emergency whistles! Researching the area's wildlife and other dangers before departure... You know, the basics. Especially Duct Tape!!!
Maybe I just missed this, but: TAKE YOUR PHONE. If you're going to a place without bars, TAKE AN OLD-FASHIONED SATELLITE PHONE. When you put yourself out of contact, you're also out of contact of emergency services.
They forgot THE thing: shake your shoes and clothes before putting them on... The only camping trip i had was in Moreton Island, Australia.
I'm just going to add this because it apparently needs to be said: Clean up after yourself! Leave no trace. If you need to use the bathroom and there's no facilities, dig a cat hole and bury it.
Bring Newspaper, and a change of shoes and socks. If your first pair of shoes get wet, put on your backup and stuff the wet pair with newspaper and they will be bone dry in a matter of hours!
Leave your shoes in the bottom of your sleeping bag. they will be warm when you put them on in the morning.
And it will keep any creepy crawlies out of your shoes too!
Load More Replies... My top tips: 1- carry socks pre-powdered with foot powder (NOT talc as it will chaff) in a plastic bag. No matter how miserable your hike is, fresh socks make it better. Then use the plastic bag to put the wet stinky socks in until you can dry them. 2- wear your undies with the flat side of the hemming stitches against your skin. This often means they are inside out, but after a few km"s you'll thank me.... oh and take sudacreme or zinc oxide cream (baby bum cream)- fixes chaffs, minor rashes, nettle stings, sun cream for your nose....
Repeat (cause it's important): Invest in a Res-Q-Link (don't get a SPOT, it needs a subscription to work) personal locator. They have water version also. The three hundred bucks could save your life and the people you are with. And you will have it for a lifetime
My brother carried one when he was hiking in the sierras. He got very sick and dehydrated about 2 days from his destination and had to be airlifted out.
Load More Replies... Even better... SHAKE EVERYTHING that's sat for any length of time. Clothes, shoes, bedding, towels, papers, rope pile, etc. LOOK INSIDE everything before you reach into it. Even non-poisonous critters are gross when squished as you put on work gloves.
Another camping tip: NEVER PUT FLOUR IN FIRE!!! It will burn you and everything around you down.
also: stuff smells bad after camping because it's moist and bacteria grows in it. if you want to keeps this from happening, spread it out and let it air instead of stuffing it in a bag
What?!? Not a single mention of Duct Tape nor WD-40!?! TP tubes full of dryer lint for tinder! Extra tarps! Emergency whistles! Researching the area's wildlife and other dangers before departure... You know, the basics. Especially Duct Tape!!!
Maybe I just missed this, but: TAKE YOUR PHONE. If you're going to a place without bars, TAKE AN OLD-FASHIONED SATELLITE PHONE. When you put yourself out of contact, you're also out of contact of emergency services.
