| Well, here we are, we have the tent, we have the site, | | | | 5. Is weight a consideration - am I backpacking or four |
| so what can possibly go wrong? I assume you have | | | | wheel driving? This should play a part in your choice. |
| chosen your tent after educated research, and I | | | | 6. Make sure you do your research well before you |
| assume you have chosen your site with all of the | | | | settle on the tent for you and your family. Don't go |
| prerequisites in place. If not - fear not, here are a few | | | | cheap if you are serious. Make sure you go for quality, |
| tips. | | | | but quality at good value for money. |
| The first thing is actually choosing a tent I suppose. | | | | OK. As I have said before, we have the tent and we |
| You need to consider several points before you slide | | | | have selected the site we like. Wonderful views and |
| that credit card into the machine, or rifle through your | | | | the sun is shining. But what if it rains? Are you well |
| wallet for the cash. | | | | protected from being flooded out - and what about |
| 1. Are you looking for a long term tent, or short term. In | | | | the creepy crawlies? |
| other words, do you want this to last for extended | | | | 1. Do not camp in a flood zone. I know this sounds |
| use, or is it for a quick one or two trips. Money is the | | | | obvious but, ask the locals. Is this a flash flood zone? In |
| key here and you will find that you can buy tents of | | | | which case make sure you don't camp too close to |
| similar construction but manufactured for different | | | | the inviting 'stream'. |
| lifetimes. | | | | 2. Do not camp below a cliff face (no matter how |
| 2. Will this be a family tent or just a quick pop-up for | | | | small), without investigating what is up there. Ask |
| two in case on emergencies? You really need to | | | | yourself, is my campsite likely to become the base of |
| consider this point. You don't have to sacrifice quality | | | | a waterfall in heavy rain? |
| here, but you do have to consider the welfare of the | | | | 3. Make sure you have a good 'footprint'. Protect your |
| occupants and thus the size. Bear in mind that most | | | | tent base from perforation from rocks and the like by |
| four man tents will sleep four men, but only if they | | | | laying down a good groundsheet first (a high quality |
| sleep cheek to jowl! When my wife and I chose our | | | | tarpaulin will be good), and make sure it lies inside the |
| first tent we opted for a five man tent and found that | | | | boundaries of your tent base to prevent pooling in |
| we were comfortable - five men would not have | | | | case of rain. |
| been! | | | | 4. This really goes with tent selection, but make sure |
| 3. Where will I camp? Is this easy going camping on | | | | you have adequate ventilation and insect screens and |
| grass or soft ground, or will I maybe explore more | | | | that you are not camped in an area infested with |
| rugged terrains. This is a deciding factor in your choice | | | | mosquitoes for example. |
| of tent. Make sure you select one that is going to last | | | | 5. Try to camp on a flat level surface, and preferably |
| the distance and not have the groundsheet wear | | | | on a slight slope running from your head to your feet. |
| through after just a couple of trips. | | | | This should minimise any flooding issues in case of rain. |
| 4. Am I a fine weather camper, or do I like to (growl) | | | | This just about covers the essentials, but I am sure |
| rough it now and then? Staying dry is a major | | | | there are other considerations that you will likely pick |
| consideration. Make sure that your sleeping area has a | | | | up as your camping journey continues. There is a quiet |
| built in groundsheet and that it comes at least 100mm | | | | joy in learning from experience! |
| or 4 inches up from the floor. Also make sure that the | | | | No matter what manner you choose to camp in - tent, |
| fly will cope with inclement weather and offer proper | | | | caravan, RV, or campertrailer, you should check out |
| protection. Don't forget to consider the children who | | | | my web site below for more tips, tricks, and |
| may be confined to sleeping in the annex! | | | | destinations. |