Unless your name is Bear Grylls, you wonÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t be comfortable camping without the proper gear. Some problems can be solved with ingenuity and a bit of , but the best way to solve most camping challenges is to stop them before they start. Or, in the words of the Scouts Canada motto, Be Prepared.
Heading out on a summer adventure? Here are 9 common camping problems, and how to solve them.
1. ItÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s raining inside your tent
Your tent needs a separate fly to keep off the rain, and that fly needs to cover your whole tent Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” not a silly half-fly that leaves the bottom part of your tent exposed to the elements. When you set up this , or this thatÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s tall enough to stand up in, make sure to use tent pegs to secure the fly and keep it taught so water canÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t seep through your inner tent layer.
2. ThereÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s a fire ban and you need to eat
Fire bans are common along North AmericaÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s west coast, so check conditions before you go, and donÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t assume youÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™ll be able to cook over the campfire. (Even when itÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s wet, many wilderness experts advocate for fewer campfires to reduce carbon emissions and leave forests undisturbed). YouÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™ll love this for its quality cast-iron cooking grates, lightweight lid and fold-out side tables to keep your cooking tools organized.
3. Your feet are always cold
First, change your socks. Even if your socks donÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t feel damp, theyÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™re likely still holding cooling moisture Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” especially if youÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™re still wearing the ones you wore hiking. If your toes are ice blocks after water skiing or going for a swim, try a pair of Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” and throw a in for extra cosy comfort.
4. Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink
Drink safely from any fresh water stream or lake with this . Great for emergencies, hiking and overseas travel, and it doesnÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t taste like chemicals.
5. You want to read but your partner wants to sleep
In every relationship thereÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s one person who falls asleep immediately and one person who stays awake resenting them. YouÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™re camping out of cell service so canÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t scroll TikTok, which means itÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s the perfect time to crack that spy novel Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” except you canÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t turn on the campsite lantern and wake up your partner. Get yourself a ! Bright enough to read your book, but wonÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t disturb your partner.
6. Straining spaghetti always ends with dinner in the dirt
Spaghetti with tomato paste, ground beef, mushrooms and onions makes for a fantastic one-pot meal on a multi-day hike, but no one wants to hike with a strainer. So you try using the pot lid to hold the pasta in and get the water out, and wind up either burning your hand or spilling dinner in the dirt. Try this , with handy strainer holes in the light-weight lid, and a sturdy pot holder that easily transfers from the fry pan to the pot.
7. Your camping chair brokeÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¦ again
Not all camping chairs are created equal, and unfortunately, you often get what you pay for. Material can rip or weaken with sun exposure, and metal joints can bend or break. Our advice? Look around any beach or campground and make note of the most popular chairs Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” theyÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™re the ones that work, and itÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s very likely theyÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™re . Comfortable, low enough to use at outdoor concerts and high enough that you wonÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t get stuck, and folds into a backpack with extra storage.
8. YouÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™ll die without coffee
Camping coffee used to be a major struggle, but thankfully there are now many delicious choices for your morning cup of joe. Keep it simple with that actually tastes good, bring the or , and even enjoy Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” no electricity required!
9. YouÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™re lost, or your motherÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s worried you will be
For emergencies or just for peace of mind, carry a hand-held satellite communicator. With these devices you can quickly tell your mother, your boss or emergency services exactly where you are on the planet. There are a few brands, each with its own benefits. , and the all use GPS to allow you to share your location and send a request for help. Some models offer more in-depth messaging and route tracking, but all offer the same basic safety service.