# Practical Tips for Camping **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 30, 2010, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073 "2010-06-30T15:17:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073/81 "2010-07-20T01:16:31Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > If you are in bear country, bring a condom. Noted. šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073/82 "2010-07-20T05:15:31Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > If you are in bear country, bring a condom. Ummm, what? ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073/83 "2010-07-20T13:15:47Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > If you are in bear country, bring a condom. If you are in bare country, bring a condom. ---
**Author:** ![Wallenstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5a626/32.png) [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073/84 "2010-07-20T14:19:27Z")
Campfire ashes with a bit of water work just like soap for cleaning oil and grease from your pans. Wood ash contains lye which when mixed with fats creates soap. Chuck a handful of ashes with a splash or two of water, rub in well then dispose of the sludge. Wipe out with a handful of grass then a quick rinse and youā€™ll have spotless pans. For lighting use large plastic milk bottles, inverted and with an ā€œxā€ cut in the lid. Shove a candle in and tie to a treeā€¦ you get a lovely diffuse glow and it weighs next to nothing. Example [here](http://www.ravenlore.co.uk/assets/images/Bottlelamp.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073/85 "2010-07-20T14:55:07Z")
paint tent stakes bright orange. ropes should be bright reflective colors. yes to LED headlamps. take a radio with weather band receiver. cookstoves are better and safer for cooking. campfire should not be near tree roots and vegetation should be cleared back many feet. when extinguishing all embers should be uncovered to the air. donā€™t leave until you can hold you hand a few inches away from the ashes and not feel heat. take a camera in case you see a yeti or bigfoot. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073/86 "2010-07-20T15:07:43Z")
> [@Wallenstein](#): > > ā€¦ > > For lighting use large plastic milk bottles, inverted and with an ā€œxā€ cut in the lid. Shove a candle in and tie to a treeā€¦ you get a lovely diffuse glow and it weighs next to nothingā€¦ Drink the milk first, right? ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073/87 "2010-07-20T15:32:27Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > Drink the milk first, right? You could, but that would mess up the lava lamp effect. ---
**Author:** ![Shadowfyre](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfyre/32/9972_2.png) [@Shadowfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shadowfyre)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073/88 "2010-07-20T16:43:04Z")
I donā€™t do much backpack camping, Iā€™m too old and rickety. I usually stay in campgrounds and such. I just got back from camping at a Jellystone Park. Kinda like a KOA, it has two pools and a water slide. I can bring the kitchen sink on that one, because I can park right at the campsite and keep a bunch of stuff in the car. My kids are scouts and weā€™re heading out to the reservation tomorrow. No water or electric hookups or anything like that, and we canā€™t drive on their trails, so I have to lug everything in and back out. I have a garden wagon that has big inflatable wheels much like [this one.](http://premiercarts.com/images/New/SMB_24x48FoldDownSides.JPG) We only use air mattresses because cots are too heavy and bulky and my hips canā€™t take the hard ground. Gotta have doormats to keep the sandy soil out of the tent. Iā€™ve also found solar landscaping lamps for about $4 each at the big box stores. I put them next to all my tie out line steaks so others in camp can see where my lines are and hopefully not trip. They also make finding the tent on the way back from the outhouse at 3am much easier. ---
**Author:** ![KRC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/45deac/32.png) [@KRC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KRC)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073/89 "2010-07-20T22:18:51Z")
Unless you are a strong swimmer, during the rainy season do not set up camp in a dry creekbed or even a narrow canyon. Flash floods are not your friends. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073/90 "2010-07-20T23:02:08Z")
Always set up your tent the very first thing as soon as you arrive at your campsite. Donā€™t relax. Donā€™t play. Donā€™t go for a nature walk. Donā€™t make dinner. Pitching a tent in the dark/rain is REALLY miserable. (Not to mention dangerous in certain situations.) Even when I was backpacking and cared about weight, I found it was often very useful to have a pair of needle-nose vice grips. Itā€™s easier to carry water in your stomach than in a bottle. No food in the tent ā€“ ever. No boots in the tent unless itā€™s REALLY cold. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073/91 "2010-07-20T23:10:47Z")
> [@KRC](#): > > Unless you are a strong swimmer, during the rainy season do not set up camp in a dry creekbed or even a narrow canyon. > > Flash floods are not your friends. [Walk . . . Walk . . . Wakwayowkastic](http://my.tbaytel.net/culpeper/WalkWalkWakwayowkastic.html) > [@](#): > > **9 July** Bright and warm morning. The rest of the team sleeps while Iā€™m up early practising being a crocodile, sunning on a shoal. In the evening we nose up to a caribou. To a croc, this seems like good auspices for a tent site. > > **10 July** Last night Mike almost floated away in his tent when the river rose a couple of inches. If he had practised with me, he would have been prepared. ---
**Author:** ![Ms.Hazel\_Ice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Ms.Hazel\_Ice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms.Hazel_Ice)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073/92 "2010-07-21T01:44:49Z")
Iā€™m not sure what kind of camping you are doing, but in my five years of tenting at rock festivals, Iā€™ve found the following to be true: 1. Pack a few glow sticks for each night that you plan on camping. You might crack a few duds. Glow sticks can be suspended from the center of the tent and be helpful for navigating in and out of the tent late at night when surrounded by three other humans. Theyā€™re also a nifty back up if your flashlight dies out. 2. If you have the room, consider packing an extra tarp. Putting one under the tent can help with moisture, especially in the form of rain. 3. Take off your shoes before entering the tent to reduce the inevitable beach that youā€™ll be removing at the end of the week. 4. Relax and enjoy the outdoors, but remember to respect your surroundingsā€“do your best to leave it the way you found it. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073/93 "2010-07-21T02:18:03Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > Always set up your tent the very first thing as soon as you arrive at your campsite. Donā€™t relax. Donā€™t play. Donā€™t go for a nature walk. Donā€™t make dinner. Pitching a tent in the dark/rain is REALLY miserable. (Not to mention dangerous in certain situations.) Yes. A thousand times yes. Plus, it gives you a place to finally do a little unpacking and make it seem like that 35 lbs you were schlepping around was worth it! > [@](#): > > No boots in the tent unless itā€™s REALLY cold. Uh, nope. Always keep your boots in the tent, especially at night. Not only do they stay warm, it keeps the critters out, and (worst case scenario) prevents the raccoons from stealing them. Could you imagine waking up to find either shredded or missing boots?! ---
**Author:** ![Wallenstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5a626/32.png) [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073/94 "2010-07-21T07:52:57Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Yes. A thousand times yes. Plus, it gives you a place to finally do a little unpacking and make it seem like that 35 lbs you were schlepping around was worth it! > Uh, nope. Always keep your boots in the tent, especially at night. Not only do they stay warm, it keeps the critters out, and (worst case scenario) prevents the raccoons from stealing them. Could you imagine waking up to find either shredded or missing boots?! Yup, a plastic shopping bag weighs nothing - shove your boots inside to prevent mud, and tuck them in the corner of the tent. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073/95 "2010-07-21T11:41:10Z")
To say nothing of rain or even dew. You need to go to great lengths to ensure your feet are dry on a hiking trip. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073/96 "2010-07-21T13:23:45Z")
Moisture wicking socks are awesome for that purpose. But I definitely keep the boots in the tent (or car, if possible). ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073/97 "2010-07-21T14:13:54Z")
> [@Ms.Hazel\_Ice](#): > > 1. If you have the room, consider packing an extra tarp. Putting one under the tent can help with moisture, especially in the form of rain. Just saw this. If you only have one tarp, you should be putting it under the tent in the first place. The rain cover is for when it looks like rain. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073/98 "2010-07-21T14:31:43Z")
Innie or outie? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073/99 "2010-07-25T17:36:44Z")
The Top Gear car review TV show has some practical tips on car-camping: [http://www.56.com/u79/v\_NTM2MjgwNjA.html](http://www.56.com/u79/v_NTM2MjgwNjA.html) (the car camping segments are at 18:40 and 45:57). ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073/100 "2010-07-25T19:01:58Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > The Top Gear car review TV show has some practical tips on car-camping: [ę‚Øč®æ问ēš„锵面äøå­˜åœØ - 56.com](http://www.56.com/u79/v_NTM2MjgwNjA.html) (the car camping segments are at 18:40 and 45:57). Wow! I canā€™t wait to use some of those ideas! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-tips-for-camping/545073.md?page=6)