by baldy

Created on: July 27, 2008   Last Updated: September 05, 2008

PREPARING FOR MOUNTAIN CAMPING

The novice, under-experienced camper may turn to thoughts of mountain air perfumed with wildflowers in the great outdoors when he or she is asked to give advice on preparing for a camping trip in the mountains. They may very well begin to recount charming stories of their family's prior camping adventures, with tangential anecdotes of flip flops and toilet paper sticks. Politely excuse yourself and seek the advice of experienced professionals.

Rely on professionals, and not on well-meaning friends. A camping trip in the mountains is a serious undertaking and, in order to be enjoyed with the fewest number of misadventures, you should consult reputable sources.

Well established hiking clubs, national and states' parks rangers, and emergency rescue personnel all agree that the most reliable manner in which to prepare for a mountain camping trip is to gain a broad measure of personal experience by camping with friends or family at safe, organized, and well managed campgrounds.

Begin with the closest, most family-friendly county or state parks in your region. If there exists a "Kampgrounds of America" campground close by, then try there. They will provide the greatest number of amenities to soften the edge should you discover that your first weekend camping excursion was one huge, soot-in-the-scrambled-eggs mistake.

Experience is the finest teacher.

An individual who is new to the practice of camping will never know beforehand how they will ultimately react to the fitful waking up several times the very first night because of the high-pitched, wing-ed buzzing in their left ear a millisecond prior to the bite or to the temperature that had dropped many degrees lower than expected or to the friends with whom they've never previously spent the night- snoring and farting and climbing in and out of the tent or RV in order to relieve themselves. And what was that noise outside?

Yes, the fact is that you will be better served by easing your way into camping life before attempting mountain camping..

So, now you've found that you love camping! Not so fast, Kemosabe. This first trip was a catered banquet compared to the real thing, as a purist might say. Now it's time to try something which entails a bit more effort.

Make a reservation for yourself and a friend at that park again, but this time plan on bringing a backpack and a three person tent, carrying everything you'll require for hiking an hour up the trail to some nice spot near a trail marker

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