If you think that your hiking adventure might take enough time for the sun to come down, we recommend taking a tent with you. Staying in a tent in the mountains can be an unforgettable experience. It allows you to come into contact with nature, set off on the trail at dawn, and sometimes it is the only option if you want to get a healthy amount of sleep while far from any hotels.
By carrying your own home on your back, you become independent from the tourist infrastructure, you can plan your day as you wish, and go to sleep wherever you like. You just need to know how to ensure that you are comfortable and safe in your tent.
Many people would like to go camping, but have various concerns about it. What scares them away is the fear that it will be uncomfortable and that they will not fall asleep. Others might say that they will certainly be cold. There are also those who are afraid of wild animals that might sneak up on the tent at night.
However, you can’t get discouraged at the start. The most important thing when camping is a positive attitude!
In this article, we will provide you with tips on how to safely and comfortably spend the night in a tent.
Necessary Equipment: Tent, Sleeping Bag, and Mat
A good tent should protect you from rain, wind, and insects. It should be relatively light so that you can take it on long hiking or cycling trips. At the same time, it would be perfect if it had good water resistance and durability parameters. Cabin tents with screened porches are especially worth recommending, as they allow you to see what’s going on outside.
Remember that you might want to change your clothes in the tent or simply play cards with your companion. In this case, you should consider choosing a tall tent, in which you can easily sit down.
When choosing a sleeping bag, remember that it should provide you with thermal comfort appropriate to the camping conditions. Before traveling, choose a sleeping bag depending on the planned weather forecasts.
The sleeping mat is designed to isolate you from the cold ground when camping. It can be a thin mat or an air mattress. The thicker the insulation layer, the better your sleeping comfort. If you choose an air mattress, you must protect it from fire and sharp objects to not pierce it. In case of an accident, take patches and glue to seal holes in the mattress.
Choosing the Right Place
A place that you choose to pitch your tent will largely determine the comfort of your sleep. Remember that depending on which country you are traveling, you must check the legal regulations regarding places where you can set up a tent.
Look for a camping place with access to water, and as flat as possible. If you have the option to put up the tent only on sloping ground, set the tent so that the entrance is possible from the bottom, and when sleeping, put your head higher than your feet.
If you want to spend the night in the woods, find a place among trees that look healthy. Look around you for dry branches that could fall on your tent during strong winds. Also, try not to pitch a tent on the depression of the terrain because if it rains, you will wake up ankle-deep in water.
Before setting up the tent outdoor, remove the cones and stones from the ground. They can damage the tent floor and disturb you while sleeping.
Food Attracts Wild Animals
Your mere presence in the woods at night should not attract animals. Remember that in the vast majority of cases, they fear us more than we fear them. However, the most common reason why animals visit camping spots is because of food or leftovers.
Animals can be lured by smells coming from unwashed dishes or discarded leftovers from meals, so ideally, you should throw the food scraps away from the camp. A deer or a fox won’t be dangerous, but what if a bear smells your food? Remember that the animal may attack when frightened by your presence.
Also, make a habit of closing your tent when you are not in it. The mosquitoes might fly inside, but be careful, because depending on the area, there could even be a snake nested under a sleeping mat!
Conclusion
A tent will give you a roof over your head and a sense of security, separating you from the surroundings and protecting against rain and wind.
You can put up a tent almost anywhere. Besides, the self-supporting structures do not even require pegging. This is a great and cheap alternative to hotels that can provide you with the most beautiful views in the morning.
