Introduction
Low impact camping is leaving a place with no sign to suggest that you have been there. Yes you may have flattened some grass but that will recover within a short time.
In general
Deciding on the best place to camp
Reusable over Disposable
Eco-Friendly Clean Up
Pack it in, Pack it Out
Leave No Trace
Visual impact
Respect Wildlife
Clean up more than your share and help educate others about low-impact ethics. Keep it up, and future generations will be able to enjoy all of the nature we have.
I remember when I first went to buy sleeping bags for a family camping trip I was rather confused by different prices, sizes, thicknesses etc. All I knew was I wanted everyone to have a good camping experience and not be cold in the night. So slightly unsure, we bought something middle of the range…
Since then I’ve become a bit of a sleeping bag geek. I studied specifications, slept in bags that said they would be comfortable at -5 in which I shivered at +5 degrees. I’ve learnt how to make the most of shoulder baffles and drawstring toggles and to this day still struggle to use a pillow effectively in cold weather – a camping pillow that is. I’ve learnt that what you wear in your sleeping bag can make a big difference to a night’s sleep.
I’ve camped next to my car in mid-summer which means you can have your big pillow from home, a generous inflatable airbed and not have to worry about keeping warm in the night, you may even have to unzip your sleeping bag because you get too hot!
Camping in other seasons can be a bit less predictable and if you are travelling light you will have to plan ahead and make sure you have the right sleeping bag (and other kit) for the expected conditions. It is always better to plan to be if anything too warm because you don’t want to be in a position where you are too cold and from experience I can tell you that the specification on sleeping bags is only an guide as to what temperatures they are designed for.
Some people get cold feet at night – even under the quilt at home – so a hot water bottle can be useful for comfort and also consider some light exercises before you get in your sleeping bag to generate some body heat. Thick socks and a woolly hat are essential on all but the warmest nights.
Although this article is titled ‘Sleeping Bags’ the term ‘Sleep System’ covers more broadly the other elements that together allow for a good night’s sleep. The main components are the insulation under your sleeping bag (airbed, roll mat etc.) and the insulation worn as clothing. You may also choose to use a sleeping bag liner (easy to wash and adds some insulation) or a bivvy bag waterproof outer cover, which again adds some insulation.
The two main types of filling that sleeping bags are made from are man-made (eg. polyester) and down (duck/goose feathers). Down bags are excellent insulators that pack down small and light but don’t perform well when wet and should be stored hung up. Man-made material bags are usually lower in price, can be stored all year round in their stuff sack and maintain their insulation properties when wet. But for a comfortable night’s sleep you want to make sure your tent has plenty of ventilation to prevent a build-up of condensation. If necessary bags should be hung out to air during the day if camping for more than a couple of nights.
Both type of sleeping bags come in different fill weights so you can get a lightweight down bag meant for summer use or a man-made filling bag designed for winter use – which would be much bigger and heavier. The shape of the bag can also make a difference to the size, weight and insulation properties. The mummy style bag is more efficient at keeping heat in and less heavy/bulky than a rectangular bag.
There are many different types of lighting for camping and particularly in wilder places where you may be faced with pitch black darkness. You should always make sure you have multiple sources of light and spare batteries (of the right type!). Below are some of the most commonly used camping lights:
1) Head torch – hands free and always pointing where you turn you head to – blinding when you look directly at someone!
2) Hand torch – the classic point anywhere light, can be a little awkward when you need to use both hands for something like tying a shoelace.
3) Hanging lantern – ideal for when you need general lighting and keeps your hands available
4) Ground light – good for seeing where obstacles are like guy lines and pegs without illuminating a big area
5) Keyring – very handy for occasional use as the battery life is limited
6) Campfire – traditional natural lighting with limited directional control 🙂
7) Glow stick – useful in an emergency but not very eco friendly and you can’t switch them off
Most forms of lighting now use LEDs in place of battery sapping bulbs, this allows for smaller batteries and reduced overall size. The down side to standard LEDs is that they do not focus light over a long distance. Some of the newer, high power, surface mounted LEDs (known as SMDs) can overcome this issue while still using far less energy than bulbs.
Ideas for easy camping meals – using as little cooking kit as possibleyou can make some easy to prepare meals with the minimum need for washing up afterwards, the following need only one pan/frying pan:
