Sleep Tight

More times than not when we go camping it’s within ear shot of a vehicle, however there are those occasions where you are exclusively foot-powered and you are hiking deep into the bush. Even more uncommon is to become stranded and your skills and will to live keep you alive.

When you are setting up camp, it is important to consider your surroundings and what conditions you will face. Is it an area where water will come down if it rains? Are you near dead trees that will turn into a widow-maker if the wind picks up? Did you decide to camp by the water at low tide? Or the biggest one to consider: When night falls and cold sets in—how cold is this area going to be?

This is an often-forgotten or not-at-all-considered concept when deciding where to camp. Cold follows the path of least resistance, and always slinks its way down into valleys and low lying areas. When choosing a spot, consider the situation. Should you seek higher ground to get out of what will become fog-cover? Should you seek shelter in a cave or dugout? Are you in the desert or in the forest?

Do yourself a favor if you are going out into the wild and educate yourself on survival techniques. Not only will they benefit you in comfort, but they will also help you from putting yourself in a precarious situation—and if all is lost, you will have the knowledge stored and practiced to find your way to civilization.