Travel Light

Don’t bring tons of food for your three-day trip… and who needs loads of raincoats in the middle of summer. Pack accordingly for your journey and check the weather forecast to make sure your travels aren’t weighed down by being overprepared. Don’t forget to always bring some spare tent pegs and duct tape in case you need to make emergency repairs.

Check the Forecast

This sounds like an obvious one… but many people book their getaway long before they travel and expect the weather to be perfect for them. If you’re living in the UK, you’ll know the weather doesn’t always go according to plan – so keep updated on the predictions and pack accordingly.

You Don’t Have to Rough It

Sure, bringing loads of camping furniture and hand warmers might not be quite in the Hollywood spirit, but if you’re planning on a relaxing getaway surrounded by nature… then feel free to pack inflatable airbeds and camping chairs to make your experience more enjoyable.

So those were 3 super quick tips to help you get the most out of your camping experience. Which ones will you use? Let us know by using the #Wandelen on across our social media platforms!

The post 3 Quick Tips to Make Your Camping Experience More Enjoyable appeared first on Wandelen-Outdoor.com.

It’s an excellent opportunity to experience nature, reflect, and enjoy your own company in a quiet and natural setting. You don’t need to worry about other people’s schedules or “be on” during your trip; it’s one of the most relaxing experiences that you can enjoy alone.

However, there are a number of things to consider when you’ve never been solo camping before, so listed before are some tips and things to remember before your solo camping trip.

Tips For First Time Solo Campers

There are many things you can do to prepare for your first solo camping trip, and it is essential that you prepare and make sure you’re ready. However, don’t let the fear of going solo camping stop you from enjoying the process, do your best and slowly test your solo camping skills.

Build Up To Solo Camping

Solo camping is a great experience, but diving right into a solo camping trip with no previous camping experience can be a mistake. If you’re interested in camping and building up to solo camping, start with going with friends or try booking a camping trip with a company that will take you out the first few times.

It’s important to make sure you understand the basics of camping, test out your gear, and have help close by if there are issues.

Once you’ve got a little experience, you’ll be ready to push forward with a solo camping trip, knowing that you have everything you need and the expertise to deal with any issues.

Learn Camping Skills

Learn the skills you’ll need for solo camping before throwing yourself into a dangerous or uncomfortable situation. Before you head out by yourself, get somebody to teach you or practice camping skills with others around. Once you’ve comfortable, you’re set for a solo camping trip.

You should practice and learn at least the following skills:

• Navigation with a compass
• Pitch your tent or create your sleeping environment
• Build a fire
• Options for creating or finding clean water
• How to set up your campsite.
• How to handle wildlife, including things like bears.
• Learn to read weather forecasts so you don’t go out in storms.
• Take an outdoor first-aid course to address any injuries you might sustain

Talk to guides or friends who go camping to see what else you should know, including information on the local areas in which you plan to solo camp. You might pick up some hints or tips from others.

Document Your Trip

Before you ever go for your first solo camping trip, you need to learn how to document where you’re going and who you should be telling that to. At a minimum, you should be telling family or friends where you’re going, when you’re expected to return and any other information that could help if you don’t come back on time.

You can also document all this information and leave it on the counter at your house; you can also check in with rangers or other workers in the location you will be camping.

Your goal is to make it as easy as possible for people to find you if there is a problem.

Emergency Equipment

You should also be looking for an emergency device that can help rescuers pinpoint your location. This is extremely important if you plan to hike or leave your campsite at all.

Whether you’re an experienced hiker or don’t plan to do much, you never know what will happen or how the weather can change on you. So keep the device on you at all times when you leave your campsite, especially when you go hiking.

A cell phone won’t cut it as the reception could be poor, so a dedicated emergency beacon or satellite phone would be required.

So, ensuring that you document and tell your plans to people and have a way to communicate your location will be essential to keeping you safe if anything happens while you’re solo camping.

Pack Light But Essentially

The key to a fun and comfortable solo camping trip is picking the right gear to keep you safe, comfortable, and happy. You need to consider what is essential and how you can make things lighter for yourself.

You will be hiking all of your equipment to your campsite by yourself and will need to set everything up by yourself. So weight and understanding all of your equipment will be important.

Essential items would be, but aren’t limited to:

Shelter

You have a few options for your shelter; you can pick a tent, live under the stars, or bring a tarp. Your bedding and preferences will determine the best option; however, colder environments would do better with a tent.

The other big factor will be how heavy your shelter is; a tarp is exceptionally light, but you can get 1-2 person tents that are less than 5 lbs and even as light as 2-3 lbs.

Having a tent adds weight but also allows you to feel safer and store all of your items inside the tent. You should make sure that you can set your tent up at home before you go into the wild.

Bedding

Bedding and shelter go hand in hand; if you’re going for a tent, getting a sleeping bag and a mat for comfort would be a good idea. The tent + sleeping bag + mat will be the heaviest option but potentially the most comfortable for your solo camping trip.

Many solo campers opt for a hammock and either sleep under the stars or put a tarp overhead to keep light rain away.

You could also look for bivy sacks, which are essentially sleeping bags with weatherproofing around them. They give you the warmth and comfort of a sleeping bag without needing a tent. It’s minimalistic but an alternative to hammocks.

Cooking

While solo camping, you don’t want to rely only on cold snacks; being able to heat some real food will help keep you warm and a lot happier by having something good in your stomach.

A basic gas cooker with a single pot is all you need; just make sure that you bring enough gas or limit your use.

Lighting

Having a headlamp and some other lighting can be helpful if you need to maneuver around at night or check on anything that you may hear or want to see when it gets darker. Headlamps are great because it keeps your hands free when you’re alone solo camping.

Shovel

Having a shovel or entrenching tool may add some extra weight to your pack, but it’s extremely helpful when you’re digging a bathroom, and the right entrenching tool can even be used as a toilet seat when you’re done.

Now you be all set for a whole load of adventures! Let us know how you get on by using #Wandelen in your posts…

The post <a></a>Beginners Guide To Solo Camping In The US appeared first on Wandelen-Outdoor.com.

But don’t worry, today we’re going through two major mistakes to avoid on your next getaway…

So, you’re taking loads of items… surely you need a big bag right? Well, you’re going to be doing lots of travelling, from walking to train stations, moving camp and hiking around new locations…

New campers immediately jump into buying a 65-litre backpack… but here’s the thing, carrying that around is just going to make you miserable. As you become more experienced, you’ll learn you don’t need to carry as much with you on your travels.

30 – 45 litre backpacks are your best bet!

Another massive mistake is people tend to over pack things… believing they will need so many items on their travels. From over doing food to bringing every last raincoat with them…

Research your travel location, particularly the climate and nearby shops for essentials. This will help you to reduce your items to ensure you only pack the vital items

Awesome, you’ve taken note of these simple tips! Apply them before you set off on your next adventure and let us know how you got on…

The post Packing: Mistakes To Avoid! appeared first on Wandelen-Outdoor.com.

Every beginner hiker should take note, it’s your responsibility to abide by these rules and share them with others.

• Prepare for you adventure – Before stepping into the outdoors, research the rules of the campsite you will be staying at. Stick to visiting in smaller groups and check the weather forecast to ensure your journey will be safe to travel.

• Keep to the trails – unless you’re wild camping, in which case you should be pretty knowledge on these rules already, you will want to stick to established trails which are safe. Not only camping spots previously used safe, but they also protect nature from being harmed by visitors.

• Dispose of rubbish correctly – When getting rid of waste, find the appropriate bins on your campsite. Take everything with you that you bring – including items like orange peels which are not native to the surroundings and could harm animals

• Be cautious when starting campfires – where possible use pre-existing campfire pits or use a cooking stove. This is particularly important during dry season.

• Leave what you find – Keep nature the way it is, avoiding taking home rocks and flowers to preserve nature.

• Treat others they way you want to be treated – We all love this hobby, so let’s make sure we all can enjoy it by being kind to others and follow trial etiquette. Being considerate when playing music is particularly important.

• Respect nature and wildlife – Keep your dog on a lead where needed to avoid them interactive with wildlife, also avoid  getting too close to animals when on your hikes whilst camping.

Know you’re all set for your adventure – good luck and remember to have fun! Let us know how you get on in our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wandelenoutdoor

The post The Countryside Code Every Beginner Camper Needs To Know appeared first on Wandelen-Outdoor.com.

Campsite Camping

This is the most accessible form of camping to beginners, providing a safe space for new comers to try out their skills and get accustomed to the hobby. It’s also by far the most popular form, being found across most countries and frequently offering preassembled tents. They are a great introduction for getting into the outdoors community, as you can get acquainted with fellow campers nearby, sharing dinners and making friends along the way.

The only downside is they cost to stay at and rarely have an “adventure” feel… being so close to developed areas and full of people.

Pros:

• Safe space
• Great Community
• Accessible

Cons:

• Cost
• No Adventure feel

Wild Camping

Slightly more of a challenge than campsite camping… going wild offers you a real sense of adventure. Far away from developed areas, it’s you vs nature…. Being self sufficient with no nearby showers and water taps. You can truly appreciate the beauty of the world far away from the distractions of the everyday.

The only downside is the legality of wild camping is sometimes a grey area.

Pros:

• Adventure feel
• Challenge
• Beauty Spots

Cons:

• More experienced campers
• Not always legal

Garden Camping

Interested in stepping into the hobby but not ready to take the full leap? Take your tent and spend the night outdoors in the garden. You can practice setting it up as well as cooking outdoors – best of all it’s free and if it gets too cold… your house is just next door to fall back on.

Pros:

• Safe space
• Accessible

Cons:

• No community
• No Adventure feel

So now you’ve looked at the three main types of camping! Have you chosen how you’re going to start your adventure yet…

The post What Camping Form Is Right For You? appeared first on Wandelen-Outdoor.com.

1) Don’t Forget Cooking Utensils and Storage Containers

So this sounds like an obvious one… surely I won’t forget that. But unfortunately it’s often the little things we can look over until we really need them. Write yourself a checklist, including scissors, can/opener and severing spoons as well as plastic bags to store half used ingredients to ensure you’re covered for your whole trip. 

2) Make Meal Plans In Advance 

Don’t leave this to the late minute… especially if you plan on taking a group with you. Planning in advance lets you work out what equipment and ingredients you will need for your travels – and dealing with the hunger and inadequate meals will be harder with a large group of people. 

3) Be Prepared For Bad Weather 

Relying on just a barbecue or the simple campfire is risky… poor conditions will harm your experience. Setting up a tarp above your campfire or bringing a simple camping stove are effective ways to tackle poor weather conditions from ruining your meals. 

Now you’re all set! Remember, good luck and have fun!

The post 3 Simple Tips To Keep Your Food Great When Camping appeared first on Wandelen-Outdoor.com.

Whether you’re young or old, experienced or a rookie – we can all enjoy camping. Through this blog we’re going to learn about what type of camping is perfect for your needs.

Campsite Camping

This is the most accessible form of camping to beginners, providing a safe space for new comers to try out their skills and get accustomed to the hobby. It’s also by far the most popular form, being found across most countries and frequently offering preassembled tents. They are a great introduction for getting into the outdoors community, as you can get acquainted with fellow campers nearby, sharing dinners and making friends along the way.

The only downside is they cost to stay at and rarely have an “adventure” feel… being so close to developed areas and full of people.

Pros:

• Safe space
• Great Community
• Accessible

Cons:

• Cost
• No Adventure feel

Wild Camping

Slightly more of a challenge than campsite camping… going wild offers you a real sense of adventure. Far away from developed areas, it’s you vs nature…. Being self sufficient with no nearby showers and water taps. You can truly appreciate the beauty of the world far away from the distractions of the everyday.

The only downside is the legality of wild camping is sometimes a grey area.

Pros:

• Adventure feel
• Challenge
• Beauty Spots

Cons:

• More experienced campers
• Not always legal

Garden Camping

Interested in stepping into the hobby but not ready to take the full leap? Take your tent and spend the night outdoors in the garden. You can practice setting it up as well as cooking outdoors – best of all it’s free and if it gets too cold… your house is just next door to fall back on.

Pros:

• Safe space
• Accessible

Cons:

• No community
• No Adventure feel

So now you’ve looked at the three main types of camping! Have you chosen how you’re going to start your adventure yet…

The post The 3 Camping Forms appeared first on Wandelen-Outdoor.com.

November 16, 2021

Solo Camping 101 | 3 Tips For Your First Adventure

Going camping alone can be incredibly rewarding, as you connect with the outdoors and have new experiences you can tell your friends about when you return. However… setting of for your first time can be very daunting!

So we’ve put together a list of tips to help you navigate your journey to ensure you have a positive and safe time.

1. Practice, Practice, Practice

Jumping into this adventure might be a little difficult if you’re a complete novice. Even the best solo campers face challenges – so take some time to go camping with friends, practice setting up your tent and cooking outdoors as well as carrying weight on hikes to ensure that when it comes to the real thing, you can relax and have fun. 

Mastering skills like, navigating, building a fire, dealing with injuries and retrieving clean water are all vital to ensure your adventure runs smoothly. 

2. Don’t Be Put Of By The First Night

So you’ve taken the leap and dived in, well done!

You’re snuggled up in your tent and the sounds of nature lurk outside… your mind starts to race, you hear a monster creeping up on you… step by step… you dare to peak outside, only to find a hedgehog hobbling by. 

It’s important to learn to keep calm and put your mind at rest… after a few restless nights you will  start to feel at home in the outdoors. But it’s important you push yourself, give yourself several days to become familiar with your surroundings and begin to relax so that you’re not left with a negative experience after one night. 

Packing ear plugs can be a great way to drown out the sound and calm your anxiety – ‘if I can’t hear it, I’m not scared of it’

3. Keep Your Equipment Light And Take Precautions

So you’re used to camping in groups, sharing the weight of your group amongst yourselves? Well now it’s time to drop all those heavy items, you’re on your own. You won’t need as much… finding a small lightweight tent for one person it’s the perfect way to keep you enjoying your hike without getting bagged down by heavy equipment. 

Luckily for you, we’ve made one you can find here

When going out – we recommend you share your plans with someone, let them know what time you intend to come back and pick somewhere local for your first outing so you are familiar with your surroundings.  

You’ve made it through!! It’s time to pack your bags and embark on your first adventure. Good luck and have fun! Let us know on your Facebook group how you got on…

The post appeared first on Wandelen-Outdoor.com.