Staying in a wild spot located miles away from the city sounds like a romantic adventure to many of us. We know that it is going to be quite different from living in an apartment with central heating, water supply, bathroom, and other amenities. In many ways, living in a camping tent can be tough, especially for a novice. There are things you should be prepared for, as living in a wild spot takes quite a bit of getting used to.
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Prepare for living in a tent
When prepping for your trip to a wild place, you should bear in mind several things to consider, to name a few:
- Type of tent
- Type of area
- Supply of food and water
- Wildlife
- Storing your food
- Availability of emergency services
The success and quality of your outdoor experience will depend on how seriously you are going to take these factors and how hard you are going to work to achieve your goal. Your first step in that direction should be choosing the right type of tent.
Choosing the right type of tent
A tent is going to be your living place for several days protecting you against the discomforts of outdoor life – rain, snow, wind, cold, critters, etc. It takes quite a bit of quality and integrity for a product to withstand the rigors of nature. It is recommended to purchase a shelter with a canopy made of high-quality fabric and a reliable frame that can handle it for several days. Today, there is a broad selection of camper-friendly quick-setup shelters that are good for seasonal camping.
When considering the size of your tent, think twice how many campers you are going to take along. If you are traveling alone or with a friend, a small-to medium-size tent will be okay. Also, take into consideration your preferred camping style: whether you are car-camping or backpacking. In the former case, you can take a bigger one; in the latter case, you’d better choose a lightweight product, so you can get far into the wilderness and/or uphill with the stuff behind your back.
If you are heading for a campground, you can take a large tent with an E-port and enjoy life in a wild place with a bit of home comfort. If you are planning to camp out for a couple of days or so in winter, get a shelter with sufficient insulation and maybe a stove area.
RBM Tents: All-Season Tent with Stove Jack for 1-3 persons.
This tent is tailored to satisfy a variety of preferences. It features a two-layer canopy and an umbrella-type frame.
The two-layer structure of the canopy ensures effective insulation: the layer of air between the layers won’t let warmth escape from the inside in winter and will keep the interior cool in summer. The outer layer is made of Oxford 300 PU 4000, an advanced water-resistant material; the inner layer is made of Oxford 210 PU 2000, a similar yet a bit lighter material.
The umbrella-type frame is quite easy to put up, and it is made of the lightweight AA7075 aluminum. You won’t have a lot of difficulty carrying this shelter to your chosen location.
The canopy features a stove jack – a flue pipe hole in the canopy equipped with a heat-resistant ring. The stove area has fire-resistant mats, and there are vent holes that keep the place ventilated and prevent carbon monoxide from building up inside.
The tent can handle 3 persons in sleeping bags (if used without cots and a stove). Given the advantages described above, it is a perfect option for campers, fishermen, hunters, recreation fans, etc., who are used to living away from their city homes for a long time.
Choose your camping area
There is a good number of things to consider when it comes to choosing the right type of location for your stay. Many campers (mostly car campers) appreciate campgrounds and/or national parks, which are located in beautiful country areas and partially retain the advantages of city life. There you can combine the enjoyment of marveling at divine landscapes and breathing crystal clean air with an access to goodies like wi-fi, electricity, water supply, bathroom, etc.
Campgrounds, campsites, and national parks do their uttermost to create a peaceful and convenient environment for campers. They do provide a lot of home-style amenities, but usually not for free. Many campers do not want to pay and therefore find wild camping a more attractive option.
However, living in a wild place implies that whatever action you take is your personal responsibility. You are traveling to a place where there is no infrastructure, amenities, warning signs, etc. In this case, you must fully research the area before you start and find out as much as possible about its specifics: animals, vegetation, type of terrain, climate, etc. The following must-do things arise from living in such a place.
Choose a location with a source of water
Please ensure there is a source of fresh water close to your camping area, like a stream, river, or lake. You need water to cook and keep yourself clean. If you are planning to use water from a river or stream for cooking, buy a high-quality filter. Filters do not guarantee full removal of bacteria, so please boil your water thoroughly before cooking.
It is possible to use rainwater for cooking and other purposes. To collect rainwater, use a piece of tarp and bucket. Rainwater is usually clean and free from unwanted chemicals and bacteria (unless you are camping in a highly polluted area). However, you never know for sure when rain will come (if it ever will). Counting on rain alone as a source of water does not sound like a clever idea. This seems less of a problem in winter if there is a lot of snow around for you to melt.
Store your food properly
If you are traveling to a wild place for a few days, please take care of food for yourself and your companions. This requires caution because:
- Food may spoil without a cooler
- It may attract animals (bears, elk, cougars, etc.)
Before you go, choose the type of food that will keep you ticking throughout your stay and won’t go bad (unless you are traveling on a frosty winter day when the whole place is a fridge). There are coolers for camping, which pretty much solves the problem. Browse the websites from renowned and reputable cooler makers and invest in the best product you can afford.
If you are traveling wild, your food may attract animals, which can smell it from a very long distance. Do not store food in your tent! Bears have a very keen nose, so they can smell even canned food. Please store your food in animal-proof aluminum boxes at least 10 ft away from your tent or lock them in your vehicle.
Take fire precautions when cooking. Place your grill safely away from your tent. Put a tarp awning over your cooking area to protect it against rain. If you are cooking inside on a tent stove, ventilate the place. Do not go to bed without completely putting out the fire!
Prepare yourself for emergencies
Living away from home is not always safe. If you are traveling wild, you must be aware that bad things do happen when you least expect them. Be sure to include a first-aid kit in your traveling pack.
Always choose a place that is not too far away from a settlement or highway, so you can ask someone for help. Take along a map, compass, download a GPS application, and keep your phone charged all the time (use your car battery and/or power banks). If you are going to a place where mobile phone networks do not work well, buy a satellite phone. Make a list of emergency service contacts that are available in your area and be ready to call at any time.
FAQ
🏕 Is living in a tent different from living in an apartment?
Yes, very. You are going to live in a shelter that does not have concrete or brick walls, which is less secure against intruders and does not provide amenities like central heating, water and electricity supply, bathroom, etc.
📦 What are the most important things to consider when I’m getting ready for a long camping trip?
These are type of your shelter: it should provide enough space and be strong and reliable enough to protect you against bad weather. Other factors are type of area, wildlife, sources of water, storage of food and cooking, and availability of emergency services.
💡 Should I choose a campground or travel wild?
It is up to you. Both options have pros and cons. Campgrounds provide a bit of infrastructure with access to electricity, water supply, bathroom, etc., but they are not free.
