GOOSE DOWN or SYNTHETIC?

So how do you make sure you’ve selected the best sleeping bag for your needs? There are pros and cons to most options available in sleeping bags. Goose down is very warm and lightweight to carry. It can be easily compressed for travel and will quickly regain its form when shaken out. It is by far the better choice for backpackers who intend to carry the bag with them for extended trips because of its lighter weight and smaller packing. However, goose down is more expensive and it losses its insulating properties when wet – a major consideration when sleeping outdoors or traveling in inclement weather.

Synthetic filled bags are cheaper than goose down and retain their warmth even in wet conditions. They dry faster than down and is a good choice if traveling by boat or sleeping outdoors on the ground. However, synthetic bags are heavier and larger which can be a major downside if you are hiking long distances.

For the average family camper, synthetic bags are the least expensive and least affected by wet conditions. And if you are traveling by car to a campground the size and weight of a synthetic bag should not be an issue.

RECTANGLE, TAPERED or MUMMY BAG?

As with the insulating materials, the shape of bag you choose will depend on your specific needs with pros and cons for each type.

Rectangle bags are most similar to bed sleeping and most familiar to the average user. They permit room for movement and you can easily zip two bags together for shared sleeping. However, rectangle bags are the biggest and not the best option for carrying on extended hikes.

Tapered bags are somewhat narrower towards the feet area of the bag. This shape provides less freedom of movement but more warmth because of the restricted space.

Mummy bags are the smallest and lightest to carry. They are very snug to the body (as the name suggests) with a hood that can be fitted around the head to conserve the greatest amount of body heat. While the average user may find the mummy bag uncomfortable to sleep in because of the restriction, they are the best choice for cold weather camping and long hikes because of their warmth and small size.

WHICH TEMPERATURE RATING?

Sleeping bags will list the coldest temperature for which they are suitable. If you are camping in the summer or colder months you will need to choose a bag accordingly. Also take into consideration if you are normally cold or hot when sleeping and make adjustments.

In most cases it is recommended to choose a warmer bag since you can always open the bag for venting if you get too warm. Also consider temperature ratings are based on using a sleeping pad under the bag which conserves body heat from being lost to the ground.

ADDITIONS?

If you camp out frequently, you may want to consider a liner for your bag which will increase its warmth and can be washed separately, saving your sleeping bag from extra wear and tear.

You can also purchase sleeping bag covers. These covers can substitute for a warm weather sleeping bag and can extend a light weight bag into a cold weather bag by increasing the warmth. They can also provide extra protection from wet conditions and are a good choice for protecting goose down sleeping bags.

How comfortable you are when you sleep will drastically affect your enjoyment of a camping or hiking trip. Saving a few dollars at the expense of a good nights sleep will not seem like a good idea when you are tired and cold.

Wesley Slade owns and operates the popular outdoor site, WWW.Slades.Biz. He writes about hunting, camping and outdoor gear.

Today for me, roughing it is when the chemical toilet in the Bluebird backs up. Or Heaven forbid, the Onan won’t crank! But for many years, my camping trips were the total other extreme – going out and sleeping under the stars (if the weather agrees, otherwise, it’s sleeping in the midst of a rainstorm) and foraging for my food.

In my opinion, the best way assure a fun filled family camping trip is to plan ahead. Talk it over as a family, plan what each family member is going to want and need to make this camping trip both a real family adventure and a pleasurable experience.

One of the things you will want to decide is where you are going to camp. Especially for family trips, I would recommend an established camp ground. You will have the security of knowing that the area is well maintained and as safe as possible. Things such as snake bites or wandering wild life can really put a dampener on a family camping adventure. In choosing the camp ground, you will also want to look into what kind of activities, if any, are offered by the campground or are offered in the vicinity. Internet searches are excellent for gathering such information.

Once you have chosen the ideal location, you will then want to begin to plan what to take with you. You need to choose the tent that will be right for your family. Shop around; see what is offered and what the best features are. Some tents offer ease in setting up, which is a big plus for some of us, while others require tent stakes and ropes.

If you plan to use sleeping bags, an adult size sleeping bag does not necessarily mean one size fits all. Do you want some sort of mattresses under the sleeping bags or do you plan on sleeping right on the floor of the tent? Tents and other outdoor gear needs are discussed at the site listed at the end of this article.

How about lighting? You will probably want some sort of large battery or gas operated lantern for your tent. You should also supply each camper with their own flashlight, in case they get separated from other family members or for night trips to and from the bathroom facilities.

Food is another important factor. You’ll need to consider what you will be taking for food and what you will need in way of storage for it, such as an ice chest, etc.

Most camping areas have a cooking area. Do you want to bring your own grill or use the outside “cookers” which may mean waiting your turn?

Don’t forget to take the can opener if the food that you are taking with you will require one. One of the most frustrating things on a camping trip can be holding a can of beans in your hand and trying to figure how to get through the metal that is separating you and your family from your supper. Don’t forget cooking and eating utensils. Eating with your fingers can be fun with the right foods, but can also tend to get really messy.

Take extra clothing along. Since the weather is getting colder you just may be glad that you did. It’s much more comfortable to take off the extra clothing you brought versus wishing you had more to put on. Layered clothing is a great way to enjoy both cold crisp mornings and warm afternoons.

A first aid kit is important for any unfortunate minor injuries. Bring activities that can be enjoyed inside the tent as well as those for outside, such as books, games, just in case inclement weather drives you inside. Plan for things that could go wrong, and then be grateful when all goes well.

Think about asking other (possibly more camping experienced) family members or friends to go camping as a group. Sometimes this can lead to double the fun, or sometimes not. This is something that you will have to decide for yourself.

Above all, have a fun-filled family camping experience! Don’t forget the camera, you will want pictures…

Wesley Slade writes articles on camping, hunting and outdoor gear. For more of his articles on camping, hunting, and outdoor topics, please visit www.slades.biz.

• White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire and Maine. Spectacular foliage is a key fall attraction for visitors. The forest includes Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast, and a variety of wildlife, ranging from moose and black bears to peregrine falcons. Visit www.fs.fed.us/r9/white or call 603-528-8721.

• Superior National Forest, Minnesota. Nearly 2,000 lakes and streams offer unmatched canoeing, boating and fishing in northeastern Minnesota’s north woods. Trails for novice through advanced hikers meander through 3 million scenic acres and include access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Visit www.superiornationalforest.org or call 218-626-4300, ext. 2.

• Dakota Prairie Grasslands, North Dakota and South Dakota. Four separate grasslands, including the Maah Daah Hey Trail, offer rare views of wildlife and opportunities for hiking, canoeing, fishing, hunting and backpacking. These diverse sites range from tallgrass prairie on rolling hills to stark badlands. Visit www.fs.fed.us/r1/dakotaprairie or call 701-250-4443.

• Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, Colorado. Located on the western slope of the Colorado Rockies, these three forests offer some of the most spectacular scenery in the mountain range. Sites include Bridal Veil, the tallest waterfall in Colorado; Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flattop mountain; and Dry Mesa Dinosaur Quarry, home of the world’s largest dinosaur bone fossils. Visit www.fs.fed.us/r2/gmug or call 970-874-6600, ext. 6676.

• Custer National Forest, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. This ecologically diverse area includes elevation ranges of less than 1,000 feet up to the 12,799-foot Granite Peak in Montana. Other highlights include ancient sand dunes covered with grasslands, rugged badlands and fields of alpine wildflowers. Visit www.fs.fed.us/r1/custer or call 406-446-2103.

• Angeles National Forest, California. Not far from bustling Los Angeles, Angeles National Forest offers diverse topography, ranging from 10,000-foot mountain peaks to 1,200-foot canyon bottoms. Forest trails wind through 800 miles of rugged backcountry, scenic ridges and tree-lined canyons. Visit www.r5.fs.fed.us/angeles or call 626-574-5200.

• Willamette National Forest, Oregon. This 1.6 million-acre forest stretches 110 miles along the western slopes of the Cascades. Trails, roads, campgrounds and viewpoints allow visitors to enjoy the forest’s abundant rivers, streams and lakes. Seven major volcanic peaks are part of the Willamette, along with the forested Cascade Range of mountains. Visit www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette or call 541-465-6521.

Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com; e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com

This actually happened to 200 campers at a campground in Washington, some of whom claimed “It was our worse camping experience ever.” The man ridding the mower explained it all by saying, “this is the only time that there are no golfers around!” (Lucky for them, I’d say!)

This proves one thing. It doesn’t matter how beautiful the campground is and how scenic the view is. If you’ve set up camp in the wrong location your trip could turn into a nightmare. Planning is critical when camping. Planning starts at home, before you’ve even left, and doesn’t stop until you make your weary way home again.

Part of your planning involves getting the very best camping site to meet your needs this weekend. That is the best way of ensuring a pleasurable experience for every member of your group. There are a variety of campgrounds, each offering different facilities, and a different kind of holiday. These are private parks, state park campgrounds and state or national forest campgrounds.

Most parks have a designated area for a campsite. Reservations can be made often for a fee which is highly recommended. Some campgrounds allow you to choose a site before making a commitment. Some even allow you to change your mind so if your chosen site turns out to be a nightmare, you check with the park managers for other available sites.

Here are a few tips for getting the best camping site this weekend:

• If you’ve arrived at an unfamiliar campground ask the campground hosts for a detailed map and have a quick drive or hike around and make a list of some possible campsite locations.
• Do not take a site that has camping items but no vehicle as it could belong to RV owners who aren’t on site for the day.
• Always arrive before dark. You can rest assured that the best campsites will be taken if you arrive late in the afternoon.
• Camp at least 200-300 feet away from water.
• Make sure there are trees where you can hang your garbage and food upwind outside of camp.
• Set up camp away from other campers and away from any trails.
• Avoid setting up camp in tall grassy locations as they are a wonderland for insects.
• Never camp at the bottom of cliffs with loose rocks.
• Become familiar with flora and avoid all areas with poison ivy.
• Get the best protection from lightning by camping near a dense grouping of trees, all the same height in a low area away from water.
• Make sure the site is large enough to meet all your needs. Think about what would happen to your site in the event of a storm.
• Consider the location of bathroom facilities (if applicable).
• Water is absolutely critical for camping. You will need it for washing, drinking and cooking so ensure that you have a water source nearby to your camp site.
• If rain is expected locate your campsite in a flood free area.
• Never modify an area by removing vegetation and rocks to create the perfect campsite. The perfect campsite is never created by man but has already been made by Mother Nature.
• Find an area free of tree roots and rocks. If you’ve found the perfect location but there’s a problem with small rocks gently rake them away to create a smooth level for sleeping. Never camp on a ridge. You are too exposed to severe wind and lightning conditions.
• Avoid sharing a site with campers who are not part of your group. There’s plenty of land to go around and every camper is entitled to some personal space.
• Look for a campsite that has some shelter from the sun. But if rain is expected never set up camp under trees. There’s the danger of lightning plus the fact that the trees will continue to rain on your site long after any rainfall has stopped.
• Keep insects at a minimum by setting up your campsite in a dry area not too close to water.
• Make sure that you set up camp where water naturally flows away from your site.
• Respect wildlife. Campers are venturing into the natural habitat of many animals. Don’t set up camp close to wildlife food sources or any animal trails. We are the animal’s guests. Treat your hosts with respect.
• Avoid parking too close to RV’s and noisy neighbors.
• If you have a large group consider a group campsite.
• In autumn and summer look for sheltered spots along shorelines and protected in bays.
• Trips located on islands and points in summer will offer calming cool breezes.
• Some sites have flat, cleared spots all ready for your tent so look out for these or ask your friends of great campsites they’d recommend.
• If you’re canoeing a good spot for loading and unloading your canoe is critical.
• Avoid camping where trees are leaning over your campsite.
• Avoid camping near big pine trees as they act like lightning rods when lightning strikes.
• Avoid sites around marshes etc as they are a breeding ground for insects like mosquitoes.
• Find a flat camp site to ensure no slipping and sliding downhill.
• Make sure there’s a convenient location for relaxing in your kitchen.
• Make sure there’s good drainage.
• Having a reasonable source of firewood in the vicinity is not a necessity but recommended.

Finding the best campsite possible is a crucial part of your camping experience. It is not the time to be impatient, tired, or hurried. A poor campsite will cause unlimited problems on your trip. With a little planning, patience and preparation your perfect campsite is waiting at a campground near you this weekend.

This is just some of the many super tips Karin Manning has included in her latest book, “The Ultimate Campfire Kitchen and Camping Guide”. (Her amateur weather forecasting tips will have you predicting the weather before you even leave home. They’re cool! Check them out at http://www.easy-family-camping-recipes.com