Going Camping In The Fall? Here’s How To Prepare For It
Gone are the days when camping was just reserved for the summer months. Now people love to go adventuring all year round, and the fall is a particularly popular time. Depending on where you go, the fall is truly spectacular, and if it’s nature you want to get close to, camping at this time of year is sure to tick all the boxes. However, there are some things you will need to think about, so in order to help you prepare for camping in the fall, here are some things to look out for.
Planning
The first thing you need to do if you want to go camping in the fall is to find the perfect location and then plan for it. Once you know where you are going, you can search out campsites and see if any of them offer reduced fees for being off-season. Make sure the one you want to go to is actually open; some sites close during the fall and winter because business is much slower.
Your Sleeping Bag
When you’re choosing the right sleeping bag, it’s best to buy one that will keep you warm in temperatures lower than you’re expecting – it’s far better to be prepared this way than to be caught out and cold. If you have a tendency to get very cold at night, you could even bring two sleeping bags to ensure you keep as warm as possible. Mummy-type sleeping bags are the best as they cling much tighter and they have a hood.
Your Tent
Picking the right tent really can be the difference between a great fall camping trip and a terrible one. Go for a three-season tent that will definitely keep the moisture out. Make sure you have a tarp or footprint to put underneath it. You might want to bring an extra tarp just to make sure no rain or general dampness will get in.
The Weather Can Change Quickly
Before you set off on your camping trip, make sure you’ve researched what the weather is going to be like where you’re going. Climate change has meant that seasons change more quickly, and the weather can be sunny one moment and pouring down with rain the next. Look back over at least five years’ worth of weather reports for the time of year you are anticipating going camping and see what happened in the past. You might not be able to predict the weather exactly due to its changeable nature, but you will be able to get a fair idea of roughly what it will be like – you can then pack accordingly.
Snack Before Bed
If the weather really does drop at night where you have chosen to set up camp, there are some tricks to remember to keep you warmer during the night. Eat a snack before you get into your sleeping bag, and your body will stay warmer because of the extra calories it is burning; these 8 easy homemade granola bar recipes are ideal. You could also do some light warm-up exercises before crawling into your sleeping bag so that you’ve already got some body warmth. Don’t get too carried away, though; if you work out until you’re sweating then your sleeping bag will become damp and uncomfortable. Finally, remember to use the bathroom before you settle in for the night. It’s better to go even if you don’t think you need to than to wake in the night and have to leave the warmth of your sleeping bag.
How To Deal With Winds
If it is going to be more than usually windy, you won’t be protected too much when you’re in your tent or even if you’re staying in a motorhome. Trees can blow over easily if you are at a higher elevation as the roots aren’t as deep, for example. The best thing to do if the winds are higher than you feel comfortable with is to find shelter in a solid structure. It’s not always possible, but if you spot one when you’re driving or hiking to your camping spot, then make a note of where it was so that you can find it again if you need it.
How To Deal With Heavy Rain
Heavy rain can be another big problem in the fall, so you should always be prepared for it. A downpour happening miles away from you might not worry you, but it could send gallons of water heading right for you. This is why it’s essential that you understand the terrain of where you are staying. A CB radio is useful in a situation that means you are cut off from safety. Plus, you should always make sure someone knows where you are heading and when you intend to return so that if you don’t come back when you are meant to, help can come to find you. Make sure your backpack has a rain cover, or line it with a garbage bag.
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