Camping season is practically around the corner. How many people have gone camping before? I haven’t, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to try. Well, no, that’s not true. The whole idea of sleeping outdoors in the wilderness without a proper toilet is appalling but it’s something I want to experience at least once in my life. The closest I have ever come to camping is spending the night outdoors in Muzdalifah during Hajj, but that doesn’t really count does it?
Where are some good places to go camping? What would a person need to take with them in order to ‘survive’? Is it really as enjoyable as people claim it is?
make sure to go "camping" as light as possible. Out of excitement sometimes we tend to pack gear we don't really need and hiking with heavy back-pack truly sucks....the first rule is of course to pack-out what you pack-in :) Food - if you can get without cooking then you may not really need a stove, and extra utensils. If it's cold at nights, then stove could serve as a heater as well. If you are part of a group, then people are able to distribute load. For instance, a group of four people may need only one tent and one stove, and one set of utensils. You will still have to carry your own essentials such as a sleeping bag, a dry pair of clothing and socks - the one you can change into after reaching at the destination since the one put on will get all wet due to sweat. Leave the one you have on to dry in the meantime.
Make sure to have rain/water proof jacket/sweat-pants. Wrap the dry pair of clothing in a plastic bag before placing them in your back-pack, and be able to survive a night on your own in case, the rest of the party is devoured by a wild animal....j/k..the point is that you should be prepared for any 'enexpected' events. Hiking/mountaineering in alpines may be a lot more different in terms of preparation. It's a must to have your own pair of snow-shovel and probe in case of an avalanche, even if you are hiking in spring / early summer. Never leave home without them if you are venturing out in ''snow conditions". There are areas where you may need safety harness and climbing essentials, but again considering the weight factor, I would only carry them if absolutely necessary and as required by the terrain itself.
GPS is not required if you well aware of the terrain or part of a group in which someone can act as a guide, but definitely helps.
Make sure that the cellular's batteries are fully charged. Use head-lamps that are water resistant, and change the batteries if you are going on a long trip. Mosquito repellent is another thing which you will need to camp-out in summers. But, the golden rule is to pack what you absolutely need to survive in terms of food etc, and top it off with safety/survival and camping gear.
and places: Well the Rockies, and British Columbia.. :)
I have experience in staying at wilderness places..but not in camps..i have stayed in RVs, train compartment (part of a funky hostel), cabins etc. I do plan to stay in camps in the future InshAllah.
Abdullah has given you good instructions..and don't worry about the toilets, showers etc. because most of the camp sites do have toilets nearby. In ontario, camping rental spaces range between $18-$30. Besides, Alberta and BC..southern and northern ontario provincial and national parks, conservation areas and camping grounds do have some nice areas to stay at.For example, algonquin park, fanthom five park, point pelee,elora gorger conservation area etc. In the maritime provinces you can visit Bay of Fundy park and Cape Breton highlands.
and if you are visiting a place where they have grizzly bears...do put your food and toothpaste away from your camp..we had to put our toothpaste and food away miles away from the cabin as we were told that grizzly bears love the smell of toothpaste.
If you are planning to stay at camps while abroad..there's a camping tour of europe from trafalgar i think..that one always fascinated me with its description.
The closest I have ever come to camping is spending the night outdoors in Muzdalifah during Hajj, but that doesn’t really count does it?