You wake to a crash in the middle of the night, followed by cries of pain from a fellow camper. You turn on your flashlight. You see branches and the torn roof of your tent. You shift the beam and see a foot and a waving arm. Your cell phone doesn't work, and the light rain that's been falling all day has turned your campsite to mud, miring your wheels. All this could have been prevented.
Site Survey
Before you pull into a potential campsite, look around. Precarious branches, poor drainage, fire hazards, wasp or hornet nests and anthills are all good reasons to move along and choose another site. Talk to park rangers and recent visitors to get an update on any conditions that might affect your enjoyment of the area. Do not discount risks that can be reduced or eliminated with a little effort. Even a small deadfall branch can cause serious injury, if it hits at just the right angle and speed. If there are no other sites available, request permission to remove any small branches that you can reach without climbing. Request another campsite if park officials cannot remove the more precarious, weighty branches.
Any signs that a wasp or hornet nest might be nearby should not be ignored. Choose another site, especially if you have pets or children with you. Although most people will be safe at 10 stings per pound of body weight, it only takes one sting to cause blood pressure to drop and the airway to close if someone is allergic to stinging insects. The Merck Online Medical Library states that three to four times more people die from bee stings than from snakebites.
Drainage and Parking
If the area is poorly drained, choose another site. If your gear is soaked, you can develop hypothermia, even at temperatures well above freezing. You have to lose body heat faster than it can be replaced by burning body fat or other means, until your core body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. If you park in a boggy spot and your vehicle is mired, you might not be able to leave in case of wildfire, your campsite floods or other extreme weather conditions arise. It is irresponsible to expect rescue when a few minutes of forethought could prevent problems.
Tripping and Impalement Hazards
If the site has none of the problems already mentioned, police the area for any tripping or impalement hazards. Pick up any rocks, sticks, broken glass or other debris that could cause you to stumble in the dark. Check for overhanging branches that are low enough to strike your head against in the dark. Mark them with fluorescent paint or tie them aside with a slip-knotted rope or bungee cords.
Fire Hazards
Clear a minimum of a three-feet wide zone around your fire ring, picking up any leaves, sticks or pine needles. Clean out any built-up ash, partially burned wood or charcoal by scooping it away with a hand shovel or other scooping tool. Save large chunks of charred wood to use as windbreaks for your fire.
Build your fire downwind and at least 10 to 15 feet in any direction, including overhead, from any vehicles, tents, trees or shrubs. Keep all accelerants as far from the fire pit as possible. Use only campground-approved accelerants such as charcoal lighter or lamp oil. Never use gasoline. For the bargain hunter, if you cut fireplace starter logs into chunks and roll them in newspaper, they make a safe starter that lights quickly and burns hot enough to light even unseasoned wood.
Food Storage
Even if your food is in a sealed container, keep it in the trunk of your car, not your cook tent or sleeping quarters. Although many campers recommend keeping food in a tree, breezes can still carry the scent of food along. While a bear might not reach your food, attracting one to your camp can have tragic results. Most vehicle trunks are nearly airtight. Any escaping scent is masked by gasoline fumes or engine exhaust.
The less fresh meat you have on hand, the better. Bears can smell meat and blood for up to 20 miles downwind, according to Appalachian Trail hiker Philip Werner. Buzzards have come from as far away as 15 miles for a free meal.
Member Comments