If you always dreamed about the great outdoors and really want to get away from it all one weekend by planning a trip into the wilderness, you're probably doing some research to pick up some best practices, tips and tricks to make sure that your get away is safe and enjoyable. At the back of your mind you may be thinking about your comfortable bed at the end of each day and really focusing on the best place to set up your backcountry camp.
Don't forget that when you select a location for your backcountry camp you are going to be spending a lot of time there in comparison to your overall trip. If you think about it this way, you'll spend additional efforts to make sure that you have chosen the appropriate location. You will invariably be tired as dusk sets in and will not want to be racking your brain at that point, so make sure you have a clear picture before you set out.
Above all else you will need to pick a safe location for your backcountry camp. There are several things to look out for when making your decision. Make sure that you plan your day so that you are not fumbling around in the dark trying to find a place to set up. Depart early enough in the morning to enable you to enjoy your time and plan for your evening.
Don't just choose the first area of flat ground that you find for your backcountry camp. You must make sure that this location is safe, first and foremost from any falling objects. Look up and around you to see if there are any loose branches or danger from other falling objects which may become dislodged when you are sleeping.
Water is always your friend when in the great outdoors and many people choose to erect a backcountry camp near to running water as it can be very soothing when they are trying to sleep. In addition, you can use it for washing and for boiling. Don't forget that you should not set up a camp in a floodplain at any time, as even though it may not be raining where you are, sudden torrential storms far upstream can cause flash flooding at your location and many campers have found this to their cost in the past.
Before you set out you should have a good overall awareness about the inhabitants of the area. What kind of wild animals live there and could they be a threat to you, in particular mountain lions or bears? If you see evidence of large animals, footprints and so on then you should move on until you come to a more appropriate location for your backcountry camp.
Use some common sense when you are setting a fire to help you enjoy your overnight camp. Firstly you should be sure that there is a lot of loose wood so that you can build one efficiently, but do make sure that you do not set it near to any dense undergrowth which could catch fire and cause a big problem.
You will need a certain amount of gear and equipment to sustain you as you head out on a camping or hiking expedition. Most of the stuff inside your backpack you will need for your backcountry camp, so make sure that you plan correctly and include everything that you will need.
Don't forget that when you select a location for your backcountry camp you are going to be spending a lot of time there in comparison to your overall trip. If you think about it this way, you'll spend additional efforts to make sure that you have chosen the appropriate location. You will invariably be tired as dusk sets in and will not want to be racking your brain at that point, so make sure you have a clear picture before you set out.
Above all else you will need to pick a safe location for your backcountry camp. There are several things to look out for when making your decision. Make sure that you plan your day so that you are not fumbling around in the dark trying to find a place to set up. Depart early enough in the morning to enable you to enjoy your time and plan for your evening.
Don't just choose the first area of flat ground that you find for your backcountry camp. You must make sure that this location is safe, first and foremost from any falling objects. Look up and around you to see if there are any loose branches or danger from other falling objects which may become dislodged when you are sleeping.
Water is always your friend when in the great outdoors and many people choose to erect a backcountry camp near to running water as it can be very soothing when they are trying to sleep. In addition, you can use it for washing and for boiling. Don't forget that you should not set up a camp in a floodplain at any time, as even though it may not be raining where you are, sudden torrential storms far upstream can cause flash flooding at your location and many campers have found this to their cost in the past.
Before you set out you should have a good overall awareness about the inhabitants of the area. What kind of wild animals live there and could they be a threat to you, in particular mountain lions or bears? If you see evidence of large animals, footprints and so on then you should move on until you come to a more appropriate location for your backcountry camp.
Use some common sense when you are setting a fire to help you enjoy your overnight camp. Firstly you should be sure that there is a lot of loose wood so that you can build one efficiently, but do make sure that you do not set it near to any dense undergrowth which could catch fire and cause a big problem.
You will need a certain amount of gear and equipment to sustain you as you head out on a camping or hiking expedition. Most of the stuff inside your backpack you will need for your backcountry camp, so make sure that you plan correctly and include everything that you will need.
About the Author:
Your writer Steve Thibeault can provide you with a lot more information about a backcountry camp. Refer to www.survival-gear.com for all the information.
