Tour and Travel

Posts Tagged ‘Camping’

For those who love camping, Dartmoor offers a wonderfully windswept retreat to explore, hike and enjoy. The Dartmoor National Park is one of the smallest in the UK, covering 954 square kilometres (368 square miles) and is mostly moorland with tors, which are granite hilltops, peat bogs, rivers, a few remote villages and the prison at Princetown. Although there are 450 miles of footpaths and bridleways, Dartmoor is designated as ‘Access Land’ and although it is privately owned, the public has free access rights over it.

Wild Camping on Dartmoor

Although there are organized campsites on Dartmoor, wild camping on open land is acceptable on Dartmoor. Campers cannot pitch a tent on farmland, moorland which is enclosed by walls, on archaeological sites or within 100 metres of a road. Otherwise you are free to backpack, tramp the moors and sleep beneath the stars as you please.

Things to do on Dartmoor

The most common pastime on Dartmoor is hill walking and visitors should be well prepared with proper hiking boats for the rough, sometimes wet terrain.

Clothing, maps, a compass and emergency supplies should be carried, as the fog can descend, leaving hikers marooned.

Cycling both on the road and off-road is popular on mountain bikes. The Granite Way is a dedicated cycle path. For those making their own way, an off-road cycling map is recommended. There are many pre-planned cycle routes available on the Devon County Council website too.

The granite tors of Dartmoor are popular with climbers of all abilities, particularly around Haytor and Leigh Tor. The many rivers on Dartmoor provide not only a natural home for wildlife but also some great canoeing.

After heavy rains the swollen rivers can make for some exciting and challenging conditions. The River Dart has some excellent whitewater areas. Fishing is also popular on Dartmoor.

Dartmoor Letterboxes

One pursuit which is unique to Dartmoor is letterboxing. A little like Geocaching or treasure hunting, people have hidden ‘letterboxes’ all over Dartmoor. Guidebooks can be bought listing clues to letterbox locations and when discovered the letterboxes usually hold a visitor’s book for signing, and a rubber stamp which can be used to stamp the finder’s record book. The stamp and visitor’s book are then hidden again for the next seeker. Letterboxing adds an extra dimension to walking and camping on Dartmoor, especially for children as it captures their imagination and adds an element of excitement and purpose.

Many kids and adults alike enjoy going out on camping trips. Activities like this develop confidence and independence among young campers. Furthermore, these also create camaraderie and promote cooperation among the attendees.

People might think that after their first youth camps, they have tried everything about camping. Fortunately, there are other types of camping one can enjoy any time. Here are some kinds of camping that anyone can enjoy.

Wilderness camping is considered one of the most challenging.  There are no campsite reservations or campsite assistants that will be there for your needs. There is no bathroom close enough for you to use or a supermarket you can go to in case you forget to bring anything. That may sound too scary, but the best thing about wilderness camping is that you decide on your own sleeping arrangements! No reservations, no first-come-first-served policies.

Just choose which part of the wilderness you want to stay at, build your tent, and fend for yourself.

You can also try recreational vehicle camping (RV Camping) if the first type is too tough and risky for you. Recreational vehicle camping is beneficial because it gives you the freedom to travel anywhere without worrying about tent rental. Most RVs include a living room, bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom. It’s definitely a piece of your home out in the wild. The thing is, though, is that you don’t get to experience nature like other campers do as you may be tempted to simply stay inside the comfortable RV.

If RV camping is too comfortable for you, you can always try tent camping.

This is middle ground between these three types of camping, but may require tent rental. With this, you don’t have to worry about grizzlies attacking you at any moment or you will not be tempted to sleep all day. Some camps have facilities for showers and restrooms, and there are many activities you can do, such as swimming.

There are many kinds of camping you can try, some do not require tent rental and some do. You merely have to carefully plan your weekend off and the things you have to bring. Most importantly, you have to know what type of camping you aim to experience.

 

When we speak of camping, first thing to strike our mind is loads of fun, but in actuality, many people go for camping for just relaxing along with little fun activities. When it comes to relaxing especially on camping, where it is impossible to have big cozy sofas, one should consider buying a camping chair which suffices all the comfort requirements you have.

Camping chairs of different types are available and one of the most preferred is the folding camping chairs and the reasons are obvious, they are durable, lightweight and are easy to carry while traveling. They are comfortable and one can carry and place them anywhere they want to sit and relax in camping sight. However, other options are also there when going in to select camping chairs.

If you plan to be around beach or water a lot, if you plan to go for fishing and all, you can consider buying a rust proof durable camping chair with a cooler, which can carry your drinks in controlled temperature, so that you can relax and enjoy your fishing extravaganza. Also, long camping chairs are available in which one can accommodate completely and might even want to sleep in it. Then there are inflatable chairs, rocking chairs, wooden chairs, multi functional chairs and so on, the list is endless as innovations adds a new type every other day.

Camping chairs with cup holder, arm rest, extra foot rest and plate holders are available as well and they can be a great option as well, if you want to try out something which is durable and enjoyable as well.

 

When it comes to camping trips, they should be relaxing adventures no matter what it is, a family trip, romantic rendezvous, or a trip seeking adventure in the back-century. There are fundamental things all people should know about and prepare for before going camping, whether it is a camping enthusiast or a novice. Those who are seasoned campers tend to be aware of the necessities, but those who many not camp as frequently or who are taking a small trip may overlook some of the basics.

First of all, know the territory! Be aware of the trail system (if applicable) and the precise location. Come equipped with a compass and if affordable, a GPS in case of an emergency. One should also have a radio to contact authorities in case of an emergency, particularly if camping in the back-country.

Also, be aware of the weather forecasts but prepare for sudden changes or unexpected storms, unbearable heat, etc.

Other necessities? First aid kits are essential! It’s important to have the basics and to plan for unexpected illnesses, even those as minute as a headache. Bring EXTRA water. People often under pack water because of its heaviness and space consumption; however, this is the LAST thing that should be compromised. Dehydration can be deadly. There can never be too much water, so keep this in mind. Secondly, be sure to bring enough non-perishable food, in the even fresh foods are damaged or spoiled. Be sure to discard of all food remains as to not attract wildlife or predators such as bears or mountain lions.

Be sure to bring enough layers and extra blankets or coverings.

Harsh and unexpected cold can be brutal.

Lastly, be aware of your surroundings. Bringing a basic camping guide is a wise effort to address other things that may be overlooked. Stay hydrated. Stay on trail. Remain aware of your surroundings and cautious of potential dangers. Stay in a pair or group at all times. Be sure to clean up all trash and leave no garbage behind. It’s important to leave nature as it was before you visited. And of course, enjoy yourself, your company, and the solace nature provides.

Camping is an excellent outdoor recreational activity. Basically for camping, the campers leave urban areas, their home district, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights in the great outdoors. Camping involves the use of a tent, cabin, caravan, motor home, a primitive structure, or no shelter at all (minimalistic). Camping is an awesome activity as well as it having some complexities. Therefore campers should acquire some basic tips and principal guidelines on camping. Here I have drawn some basic camping guidelines: Backpacking: The general principle of backpacking for camping is taking lighter weight items that would be at the bottom of a backpack and heavier items would be at the top, close to the body. The gear needed and how it’s packed will be dependent on the type of trip planned and the type of conditions a person plans to go in. Like, if you are planning to be scrambling or hiking off-trail on rough terrain or snow, you might want to pack the lower weight items to ensure the free movement against the center of gravity. However, while backpacking for a general camping don’t forget to take below mentioned things

Sleeping bag
Mattresses
Clothes depends on weather or temperature
Tents and tarps
Food, cooking utensils and fuel
Essential items ( sprays, repellant etc) for the protection from mosquito’s and insects
Personal items

Camping tips:

Don’t buy cheap camping equipment and tents just to save a few dollars, for such non stability or lower grade products you may be in bigger trouble if poor quality tents for example collapse when you’re hit by a sudden storm. So, it’s best to buy durable and high quality camping gear that you can rely on.
At the campsite, don’t leave food unattended for this may attract bears. Close encounters with bears and other wild creatures is one thing you want to avoid during camping trips. Be sure to put away any surplus food or food containers before you go away from the tent or before sleep.
Try not eating inside the tent. This is a precaution to avoid the small but horrible insects like ants that will follow trails of crumbs inside your tent and will possibly feast on your skin. To keep safe from snakes don’t forget to keep phenol in campsite.
You should protect yourself from mosquitoes and other harmful insects which are common residents in forest areas. These awful insects being as tiny as they are can cause different kinds of diseases like malaria and dengue. Be sure to pack sufficient insect repellent and to bring a tent with mesh screens to protect yourself from mosquito.
Never use or attempt to illuminate candles, cook or use gas lanterns inside your tent. This is awfully hazardous and may start a fire.
Select a safe and well known campsite. Don’t go for isolated areas that are very far from your region. There are many camping spots which are fully safe and secured and may have a security guard to keep you safe even at night. However if you’re the adventurous type and love to go camping in the middle of the forest or far from civilization, it is wise to take suggestion’s from fellow campers to choose such adventurous camping spots.