Camping Stoves and Fires

Not having every comfort of home is part of the camping experience - and a very pleasurable part, as you test your hardiness while enjoying the outdoors. But even primitive man had fire, both for cooking and for providing needed heat on those chilly nights.

Some campsites don't allow fires in pits, some don't allow them at all. That leaves campers with the necessity to supply their own method for cooking and heating. Modern technology to the rescue! Today you can find cooking stoves and heaters that do a great job of satisfying those two needs.

Though they are usually called propane stoves or Colemans, there are several different types of fuel used and many manufacturers. Stoves typically burn either propane, butane or white gas ('Coleman fuel'), though some still use kerosene or even unleaded gasoline. The latter two shouldn't be anyone's first choice. They produce odors that are unpleasant and even unsafe, particularly when used for cooking.

[nms:coleman stoves,4,0,30]

Propane and butane are roughly equivalent, though the former is probably a little more common these days. Coleman fuel burns cleanly and produces the most heat, though propane stoves can become plenty hot. If you must use unleaded gasoline, avoid spilling any on your skin and restrict its use to boiling water, except in emergencies.

Duel fuel stoves are available that allow you to have two different types in twin containers. But they can also be used as a repository for twice as much of the same fuel. They're more expensive to use, since Coleman fuel is higher than gasoline. But it burns much more cleanly.

Propane will burn the most cleanly of all, but propane prices have been rising for the past few years. Also, they don't produce quite as much heat as liquid fuels. Propane in a container is liquid, but only because it's under high pressure. At room temperature it's a gas.

Fuel cannisters come in several sizes - 5 gallon, 10 gallon and up. For most camping, you won't want anything larger than the 10 gallon container. They're about 10 inches high and 10 inches in diameter. Larger containers are unwieldy, unless they're attached to your RV via a hose and connector.

[nms:camping stove,4,0,50,camping]

There are several sizes to choose from and you may want to consider having more than one. A smaller one is lighter and easier to pack for those short trips, larger ones are handy for cooking for multiple people in the shortest time.

Two-burner stoves are common and convenient. They allow you to cook for two people or, more often, two different foods - such as meat and vegetables, or pasta and sauce. There are special cooking pots that can be stacked on top of one another to allow even more choices. You can boil potatoes in water on the top pot, for example.

Even two-burner stoves, however, come in different sizes. Larger grills are great for making eggs, hamburgers, pancake and other foods that require a little space to prepare. Remember, though, that the larger pot - especially if filled with water, will require more gas to heat it.

There are smaller stoves, just for backpacking. They fit well in a backpack, but are designed to prepare only very small meals, which might be just fine for one person.

Many commercial campsites provide cooking facilities, but most State and National parks don't. Plan your trip to ensure that you have a stove if you need one.

Packing the Necessities for Camping

Campers are always faced with a dilemma. Either you bring the entire house or you invariably find that the one thing you need was left at home. There's no perfect way out of this, but a little thought will help improve your odds. Bring what you really need, without overflowing your vehicle or breaking your back.

If you're planning on tent camping, you'll need the tent, of course. But that can mean poles, stakes, ropes and other items as well, along with any tools you need to assemble it. Reduce your headaches by investigating in a self-assembling tent. That type has all the major components needed to keep the tent sturdy and upright as part of one integrated unit.

You'll find it easy to assemble (the name is only a slight exaggeration) and much easier to pack, unpack and haul to the campsite. Look for one made from waterproof material and that has sturdy seams.

[nms:flashlight,4,0,100,camping]

Something to sleep on is essential. Sleeping on the ground may look adventurous in old Western films, but it's hard on the back. That will reduce your enjoyment of camping and make hiking the next day difficult. There are a hundred different kind of inflatables, sleeping bags and other options. If you bring an inflatable or air mattress, make sure it's self-inflating. Make sure your sleeping bag is waterproof and made with good insulating material with a durable shell.

Unless you want to subsist solely on pre-packaged, ready-to-eat food, you'll want to bring something to cook with. Keep items to a minimum - a multi-purpose pan, a lightweight camping stove, a few utensils. You don't want to spend all your time packing, unpacking, cleaning and so forth. If you bring disposable utensils, make sure they're sturdy enough to handle the type of food you prepare and eat.

A first aid kit is a must. A splint can be improvised from available material, but you'll need bandages (both wrap around and stick on band-aids). A disinfectant and/or anti-bacterial cream or spray is essential. A minor cut or scrape can become deadly out in the wilderness, but is trivial if treated properly. Aspirin is a great all-around drug, but ibuprofen or acetominophen are good substitutes for those with sensitive stomachs.

Bug bite spray or cream can prevent a minor irritant from becoming a major annoyance or worse. Some moleskin is a good idea for treating blisters, too. Scissors or a multi-purpose, Swiss Army-style knife can be really handy. Resist the temptation to bring a hundred different tools, though. Some cleansing towelettes can be great for hygiene and first aid.

Many campsites have a water supply, but the quality varies. Be prepared. Bring water bottles for drinking, cooking and emergency cleaning (wound treatment). You won't be able to haul enough to shower every day, but you might be able to bring enough to wash your hair once every few days. Water weighs about 8 lbs (3.6kg) per gallon (~4 liters), so plan ahead. You don't want to haul several hundred pounds of water anywhere.

A rechargeable flashlight (of the sort that can be plugged into the cigarette lighter or cell phone recharger in the car) can be a lifesaver. Even in non-emergency situations, it's about the most helpful thing you can have at night when you're a few feet from the campsite.

Think 'essential', minimize luxuries. If you want all the comforts of home, bring a big RV or just stay home.

Meeting Wildlife While Camping

Camping can be one of the best adventures you'll find. Fresh air, stunning mountains, spectacular trees and more are all around most campsites. But humans aren't the only species to be found among them. And not all the other ones are friendly.

Bears may look very cuddly on TV, but there are species that are dangerous and most people can not tell the difference between one and the next. Grizzlies, for example, are generally regarded as potentially life-threatening. An adult grizzly will eat a human. Telling the difference between them and Black Bears can be difficult.

As the name suggests, Black Bears tend to be dark. But a grizzly can vary from blond to black. Size is a possible clue, but it's tough to tell the difference sometimes between a full grown Black Bear (around 300-400 lbs and 5ft tall when standing) and a teen grizzly.

[nms:bear spray -parfume,4,0,5]

Full grown grizzlies are larger, around 500 lbs and 6ft tall when standing. Needless to say, when a bear is standing in front of you, you have other things to think about than identification.

There is one unmistakable sign - grizzlies have a hump on the back of the neck that Black Bears lack. But making it out especially when they are in motion toward you, can be hard. Black Bears have smaller, more triangular heads that can help identification.

Grizzlies have a more flattened face, with a depression between the eyes and their ears are rounded. Black Bears, by contrast have a snout and more pointed ears. If you're close enough to make out these details without binoculars, however, you are too close.

Wild cats often inhabit wilderness and camping areas, and they too can be dangerous, even lethal. Most will avoid contact with humans, but if hungry or pressed they can attack. A hungry cougar or puma will carry off a child if it hasn't had any other food source for a while.

Bobcats, though small, are surprisingly strong for their size and no one should test their skill against those razor sharp teeth and claws. Lynx are a similar species, having telltale hair tufts on their ears and blunt tails. Also small and shy (about the size of a large house cat and weighing 30 lbs), they can be fierce if they're protecting young.

Mountain lions still roam parts of the southwest in the US and don't always limit their hunting to sheep. If you bring the family dog along on a camping trip be especially cautious about letting it roam where it might encounter a wild cat. Many dogs won't back down and run away and they will always lose a fight with one.

Investigate which species are known to be in the area you intend to visit and take proper precautions when you're there. Keep food stored in odor tight containers before and after meals and keep trash stowed well away from the campsite.

Choosing the Right Camping Tent

Unlike previous generations, camping no longer always involves sleeping in a tent. RVs, commercial campgrounds and other options provide an alternative. But there's still nothing to complete that camping experience like sleeping in a tent.

Here are a few tips for picking one that gives you all the modern advantages, without the traditional hassles.

The basic purposes of a tent are to provide privacy and protection from the elements - wind, rain and (to some degree) cold. Any sturdy tent will satisfy the first, but to keep weather out requires more.

Windy conditions, common in wilderness areas where most campsites are found, can put a tent to the test. But thanks to modern materials, nylon fabric tents supported by fiberglass or aluminum poles are up to the job.

[nms:camping tents,4,0,100,camping]

There are two basic types, internal frame and external. The former are easier to put up, the latter are a little more sturdy and wind resistant.

In either case, it's helpful if they're in the right design, however. A zippable flap is a great benefit for keeping the wind out and there should be several places around the perimeter at the bottom to fasten the tent to the ground to minimize gaps.

Rain is one of the chief considerations. Being wet is not only not fun, it can be a serious health hazard if the temperature drops. Keeping dry is simple with a good tent, though. All are made these days with nylon, but not all nylon is the same quality. It should be thick and sturdy enough, and treated properly, to actually keep out a good rainstorm.

Campers should make liberal use of the can of sealant that is offered by many manufacturers. You set up the tent and then spray the seams to make them completely watertight. An air hole at the top of many models can help keep the interior from getting stuffy, but you'll want to have one with a closeable flap (either zipper, Velcro or other).

The floor should be equally waterproof, even sturdier and preferably conduct minimal cold or heat.

Tents are sold according to shape and size. However, a four-man tent is really only suitable for two adults, unless you want to be really cramped. A sleeping bag is about 2.5ft by 7 feet. That's 17.5 square feet. Double that to allow for stepping space and room for gear. Then double it again to accommodate another person. That's 70 square feet or about 7 feet by 10 feet. That's about the minimum.

Round tents, sometimes called 'dome' or 'geodesics' look cool and work well. They distribute stress over the surface very efficiently, making them strong, lightweight and easy to assemble and carry. But they are not quite as efficient when it comes to interior space. Sleeping bags are rectangular, as are people when they're sleeping. Let personal taste be your guide.

Be prepared to spend a little more to get a quality tent. Tent technology has developed to such a high state, it's preferable to spend a little more and get something that will endure.

Camping with the Seasons

One of the great things about camping is the opportunity to get out into the outdoors and enjoy the environment. One of the potential downsides in camping is getting out into the outdoors and enduring it.

Testing your hardiness is a fun part of camping, but being wet, cold and windblown is not. Planning ahead by getting a good weather report for your intended location is a good idea, but weather in wilderness areas can change rapidly. The change tends to be more extreme than in urban areas, as well. The temperature difference between daytime and nighttime is often greater in mountainous areas, where many campsites are located.

Bring along a clock of the type that has indoor/outdoor temperatures for in the tent and outside. Or, better still, get one of the more extensive weather stations. They report rainfall, air pressure (a good weather indicator), temperature, humidity and other factors that can affect your plans on the site. They're portable, powered by AA batteries and accurate.

[nms:weather station,4,0,50]

Summer camping is more common, but weather is still a factor. Daytime highs in many camping areas can reach the 90s or higher in July and August, then drop down to the 50s at night.

That daytime high is a concern for hikers, a common activity during camping. It creates a need for additional water and minerals (bring along a low-sugar sports drink). Be prepared to rest at least five minutes every hour. Dress in layers so you can take clothing off during the heat, but still be comfortable as the day cools off.

Don't go shirtless except in open areas, and sometimes not even then. Toxic plants, scrapes from bushes, trees and rocks can turn septic more readily outdoors. Excessive UV exposure is a greater problem in high altitude areas. Use sunscreen on exposed areas of skin and keep those areas to a minimum.

Winter camping is less common but a great delight for those who enjoy snow and colder temperatures. The chances for seeing wildlife can be greater since deer, moose and other creatures have to forage at lower altitudes to get adequate food. Bear sightings are less common, which is another advantage. It may sound cool to see a bear, and it can be. But they can be dangerous and grizzlies see people as food, not playmates.

Thermal socks and underwear, the type that wicks away sweat and still allows some air to pass slowly through the material, is a good item to take along. You'll be more comfortable and temperature control is important during colder weather. Frostbite is a real possibility and sometimes the damage it does to nerves and tissue is permanent.

Avoid walking on frozen lakes, ponds and streams during winter camping trips. The ice is often only a couple of inches thick (if that), and the crystalline structure of natural ice is riddled with asymmetries. That leads to cracking at random moments. Ice that was sturdy ten minutes earlier can fail to support you without warning. There's nothing quite so unpleasant, and potentially dangerous, as icy water against your skin.

Plan ahead for the season and the climate for your intended location and you'll find your trip that much more enjoyable.

Camping Etiquette – Being a Polite Camper

One of the prime attractions of camping is the opportunity to enjoy peace and quiet. Living in the big city is exciting and there is a never ending parade of things to do and see. But sometimes, it's great to get away from all the noise, the bustling and the crowds. At least, most people who go camping think so.

Unfortunately, there's a small minority that want to bring the city with them into the wilderness. Motorcycles, loud radios and just general rowdiness can sometimes spoil a peaceful campsite. For those who might be willing to listen, it's desirable to point out that the first rule of camping is: don't disturb your neighbor.

[nms:camping,4,0,100,camping]

The reason that's the first rule is because of the basic purpose of camping listed above: to get away from the noise and enjoy the quiet. For those who disagree or (more often) don't care, there are hopefully campsite officers. Anarchy has faded from campsites. If there are others who refuse to exhibit basic courtesy, you can call on a ranger (in a State or National Park) or a guard (in commercial campsites) to ask the spoilers to be quiet or leave.

But that needn't be your first move. A polite request to respect the rights of other campers is the first step. And, it's helpful to be willing to tolerate a certain amount of undesirable behavior for a short time. There's no need to inflame an unpleasant situation by being intolerant of minor disturbances. Sometimes sound carries better in campsites than you might expect.

Motorcycles, ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicle) and other fun but noisemaking vehicles should be ridden only in designated areas. People who enjoy them can flock together. They expect noise. People who want to hear only the chirping birds are entitled to equal enjoyment.

But there's no good reason to tolerate prolonged noise or threatening behavior. That's what the officers are there for, among other things.

The second rule of etiquette in camping is to leave little trace. The next person to come along will appreciate you putting out your fire completely. You should dump all trash in a receptacle or bring along plastic bags to take it with you to dump in the nearest one along the road. Leave no bottles, cans, food wrappers or other trash.

Take a wider view of what is trash and what isn't than you might in the city. Cigarette butts do not decay in the earth anywhere near as rapidly as you might think. Even small pieces of wood can take years to decay. If you have to eliminate in the woods, bury it under a pile of earth, especially if you've used toilet paper. That goes for any dog waste from pets you bring along, too.

Campsites are much more heavily populated today than they ever have been. If everyone pitches in and follows some simple, common sense rules of etiquette, they can be enjoyed by all for a long time to come.