10 Tips For Camping In Hot Weather
When you go camping, you must be prepared for the weather. The weather forecast and common sense can only get you so far in terms of not only having a good time, but staying safe. When you camp in hot weather, you must take a lot of things into account. For example, you must know what to wear, what to avoid wearing, what to drink, and how to protect yourself from sudden changes in temperature.
It is fairly common to go camping in hot weather. Most people don't think anything of it, but you must be careful as you will be exerting yourself considerably in the heat. You must be sure to plan ahead and take the weather seriously, even if it seems nice. You should have a simple and effective checklist before you set off into the great outdoors.
Some things you should take into account before you set off to go camping include the kinds of daily temperatures you can expect, what you will wear, how you can keep cool, what not to wear, and keeping yourself hydrated.
Light colored garments are useful for camping, but the impact of color is vastly exaggerated. Scientific studies have demonstrated that the fabric matters far, far more than the color. You should choose fabrics that breathe. Cotton is very breathable and can be a good choice for hot weather. However, be aware that cotton will tend to be sticky and retain water rather than wick it away when wet. High-tech fabrics designed for camping or athletic activity are not only comfortable but they will keep you cool by wicking away moisture from your body so that it will evaporate and cool you.
Your preparation should reflect what you intend to do. Camping is a fairly broad category and can describe an entire range of activities. For the more dedicated, hardcore campers, survival camping is the way to go. It typically means you're setting off into the wilderness with very little beyond your hiking boots and the clothes on your back. At the other end of the spectrum, recreational vehicle campers basically travel inside their own mobile hotel room. These recreational vehicles (RVs) come fully equipped with just about every possible amenity: their own electricity, heat, and patio furniture, and in some cases, satellite TV.
If you are going to be active in hot weather, you must take this into consideration. Campers often camp as part of some larger recreational plan, which usually involves activities like hiking, hill walking, climbing, canoeing, mountain biking, swimming, and fishing. In tandem with camping, hiking can either be done as an extended backpacking journey, or as a series of day hikes radiating from a central campsite.
Campers come in all ages, abilities, and degrees of ruggedness. You must take your experience and fitness into account when you go camping. The bottom line is that if you are truly interested in camping, you must find the level of the pastime that suits you, and prepare for the weather.
