7 Mistakes While Tent Camping | For Beginners

[@cameronf3343]

All my youth I wanted to go tent camping more than anything. Never did because my mom never wanted to and my dad had lots of bad experiences doing it as a kid, and then I graduated and things just kinda got in the way. But I’m getting to the point I can work in more free time, and I’m lookin forward to trying it out now that I’m an adult and can’t be told no. This is great to watch

[@DanLoos-m1p]

Same here. Here’s to solo camping!

[@Northstar2000]

That means you are gay

[@simonwright9916]

As a relative newbie, one big mistake we did was to put the (white) light on inside the tent before zipping up the door. Within seconds, the tent filled with bugs that annoyed us for the remainder of the night!

[@littlecampfires]

Ooof - that’s a rough one. Hope it didn’t spoil your trip!

[@mrjeff2396]

Ok, this is fairly easy. Two nonflammable metal containers of differing sizes. Larger can has a shallow base of plain water. The second can sits inside the larger and contains a small amount of dried sage. Burn it! You don’t need a whole forest of it for it to be effective. Proper ventilation and fire awareness is a requirement! Remember, only you can prevent a . . .

[@adf9216]

1. Not testing your tent. 0:32 2. Messing up sleep system 1:32 3. Dressing badly 2:47 4. Underestimating night temps. 4:10 5.overpacking 4:40 6. Not checking facilities 5:45 7. Forgetting kitchen stuff 6:30

[@parisristic3326]

thank you.

[@coachrobwille4176]

8. Forgetting the Beer :)

[@GuitarLessonCharts]

@@coachrobwille4176 9. Not organized.

[@pricelesss5253]

Love u for this... I got to skip thru parts I don't need n go to the ones I did

[@JasonDeline]

Awesome. How is this not in the video description?

[@RadagastBrown420]

Don't over pack but don't forget all those little extras that give you the creature comforts. It's a delicate balance.

[@jerryprice5484]

I've been tent camping since 1957 and my wife since 1972 and your video really nails it, most excellent advice. Let me also add that as far as sleeping bags go, often times you can get by with a medium or light duty bag by taking a fleece liner that beefs up your bag when it's cold and can be used as a light duty bag when it gets warm out.

[@littlecampfires]

Hey Jerry - thanks for chiming in, appreciate the kind words. And good tip on the liner, that’s a nice addition.

[@jerryprice5484]

@@littlecampfires Thanks, but when you've been tent camping as long as I have you learn a few things. I've been watching a lot of these videos on KZbin and I'm glad to see folks like you offering sound advice to all the newcomers. In our journey's we've met a lot of first time campers so we always try to steer them right. I always tell them the two things you don't want to skimp on is a good tent and an air mattress. Nothing sours a person on camping more than a leaky tent or a deflated air mattress. Everything else you can go cheap on but not a tent or mattress.

[@ivandenisovichshukhov]

I prefer a field jacket liner. Much better insulation properties. Dries out quick, also.

[@tlsnana9539]

So true. I think I’ve been camping nearly as long as you. I think I’d also point out to “newbies” that the air mattress will make you comfortable but it will be same temp as air . . . make sure your bedside is a bit insulated for that, too. Camping has changed so much since early camping days . . . Embracing my chronological impairment, now I have a list that I go through each time.

[@cailin5309]

I’m a pretty experienced camper, and even me.. I bought a new tent once & didn’t set it up before leaving & when I set it up at the site I ripped the rain fly lol .. so of course it rained hard that night 😑 everyone makes mistakes even the best of us. Just get out there & have fun. It’s all part of the experience

[@carmenmartinez2882]

I never ever lend my gear, several times it came back damaged even a tent came with a hole on the floor and I don’t know if people decide to eat snacks inside, I never do because most of the time I camp in bear country. Only if they’re camping with me I can bring an extra tent for them. I must admit I do over pack but there’s been many times in my 40+ years of extensive camping that saved my…… Since I car/tent camp I have some room to spare and I go for 2-3 weeks at a time, you can’t predict weather etc for that long. Great advice, specially about staying warm, layering etc. And folks please don’t forget to make sure the fire is completely out before going to bed or leaving the campsite even just for a hike.

[@Test-UCKC]

I have a huge problem of overpacking, bringing all the things I don't use and forgetting the minute practical things I could actually use. Thanks for the tips, I'll definitely put this all into consideration from now on.

[@ronfletcher8969]

me lol

[@idc0133]

Make a list of things you need before packing and keep it. After the trip, cross out the things you did bring but did not use.

[@penguinvic9892]

@@idc0133 Your advice is basically sound and quite good. However, I always took a small shoulder bag filled with amusements, most of which I would usually never used. Why take these then? Because on the times I got stranded somewhere while travelling (floods / civil unrest / mechanical problems etc.), I was sure glad I’d packed that paperback I wasn’t planning to read and that chess set I wasn ‘t planning to use, and 😂my old “number invaders” game on my calculator, etc. A good way to approach the problem, say, with car camping, is to think what would you take on a motorcycle? After that packing camping gear into even a small car doesn’t seem an issue.

[@maryrentscher2316]

Loved the ‘over prepare a bit’ for cold at night. Sooo many times I thought we’d never use the extra warm things I brought and they ended up saving our butts from some very uncomfortable nights! Also… always raingear!

[@tlsnana9539]

And always sweats and a ski cap. 😏

[@francoisnguyen6623]

I haven’t gone camping in years. Since I was a teen. This these tips are helpful refresher.

[@jsavannah]

Tonight I told a friend that I want to set up my new tent once before I leave home. He scoffed at me. Thanks for affirming I was thinking correctly. He almost talked me out of it.

[@vamboroolz1612]

Its crucial to pre test a new tent. Anything thats missing, broken or damaged you are better knowing at home. Can be a disaster to find out something like that in the wilds. Another tip with your tent is to completely clean it inside and out when you get back home. Small bits of grit and dirt can reek havoc and put holes in your tent when rolling it up to pack it.

[@jsavannah]

@@vamboroolz1612 Makes sense. I did clean it up pretty good while breaking it down and packing it up.

[@ijuswannacwatsgoinon]

Oh yes definitely pre-setup is a must and very smart idea. Only 2nd time using my tent and I had no idea how to set it up. Three hours later and my camp neighbor stepped over to help out. Set it up in 2 seconds! LOL We were almost there but so glad he helped out.

[@4486xxdawson]

i got a tent once and the first thing i did when i got home was set it up , good thing i did , it was a return item and it was missing the tent and a pole was broken , just the fly and poles and pegs in the bag , that would have been a bad camp trip if i didnt do a pre set up .....if you fail to plan ,,,,then plan to fail .......

[@bolt4694]

First big mistake. Forgetting to bring that powerful boom box with a good selection of heavy metal and rap CDs. This will help make you popular with your camping neighbors.

[@konstantinbogus5078]

Quite the best video i've seen for the amateurs. Watching that after finding out my brand new tent misses the stakes (which should have been included)

[@robertsherrow3627]

Good stuff. Avid camper and like the list. Regarding cooler temps at night, as a Midwesterner I was shocked to discover how cold it could get at night in higher elevations out West in the summer and was ill-prepared the first outing at 8,000 feet. While temps may be in mid to upper 80s during the day, they can fall to the low forties (or lower) at night and my summer-weight sleeping bag just wasn’t cutting it. Now I carry a toasty cold-weather bag on my sojourns out west and very happy with the investment.

[@littlecampfires]

Ah, yes. I’ve done some camping out west myself, including at the Rocky Mountains. Temps definitely can drop a lot at night, and agree that a hearty sleeping bag can pay off. Thanks for the comment!

[@rg1809]

Had to postpone starting out on a two week trip in Yellowstone on August first. It was snowing.

[@lindatisue733]

An emergency mylar blanket is super useful. Light weight doesn't take up space, of course can be used as a blanket but also a can be used as a tarp. If the wind kicks up use it between the rain fly and tent body conserve some heat, got a leak use it as an ersatz rain fly, need to take a leak wrap it around you to keep your bum warm. Pocket hand warmers are great if you are camping in cool weather, just put them in your sleeping bag. Even if it's warm a little heat can be soothing for achey ankles and feet.

[@MTB_FANATIC99]

If you're camping in the freezing cold you can also put rocks on a fire and then put them inside your sleeping bag just don't have them burning up cuz it won't feel good let them cool down for a while before you put them in there

[@denisephil7967]

I have my list of important things that have to be taken and then pack the rest...then I weight the whole thing and if is tooooo much, I start to cut the unnecessary. I lent my tent to a friend told to pack everything right how she find it, then in a last minute trip(got few days free) i grab the tent and pack...just to get to camp and the pole were not there!!!!! What a nightmare...with string, rope, some twigs...I put that thing up and god was mercy...no rain! Always check your gear. Thanks for this video...just find you and subs.

[@augustaverbian]

Never ever prioritize "how is the view from your tent" over the where your tent need to set. I was there, choosing tent location based on the expected view at sunrise, at the following morning I get wet by few hours of rain weather and almost got hypothermia, just because I set the camp on lower ground where all the water flooded my tent

[@littlecampfires]

Ouch - that sounds rough. Good lesson to learn though, as you said, it’s important to make sure you choose a tent spot wisely.

[@MisterSands]

Yeah comfort and safety trump's style and beauty everytime.

[@Starseed919]

#1 is crucial! We borrowed a tent to go camping and i decided to try to set it up before we went and am so glad I did! Let’s just say it would have been bad!!! Great vid!

[@judifreeland4600]

I’ve never been camping! This is helpful thanks

[@jaysbooshcraft3889]

Yep I have forgotten dish soap, a dish drying cloth and spatula too (seperate trips haha). In terms of the main camping gear I'm usually good but did once forget my super useful bandana because i last minute changed bags and it was in one of the pockets of the bag i didn't take. Great video, lot of truths I can vouch for. Remember one of my first camping trips with a friend, he didn't take a mat and bought one mid trip, he slept in multiple clothes in his sleeping bag but felt cold, with even cheap mat- problem solved.

[@mrjeff2396]

One of my favorites hints I give is to hit up Home Depot for the 24 in. x 10 ft. Double Reflective Insulation. It’s 1/4” thick and at $10 you can easily cut it to size. Duct tape 2x cut pieces together for comfortable winter camping! Very lightweight and rolls up to almost nothing!

[@donald-parker]

Good tips. Here are a couple more. Take a tuque. You lose a LOT of heat from your head. Sleeping with a tuque on makes a huge difference. For your whole body. And if you are car camping vs backpacking, those compressed foam mats that people buy for their kids playrooms are a great tent floor liner. Easy to cut to ensure a good custom fit, and they do add a bit of cushion that is more comfortable for walking/kneeling. The most important benefit is their insulation value. They do wonders to help keep you warm. And if you have rain and your tent leaks, the water tends to go underneath these pads so you stay high and dry.

[@williamdiment7439]

Excellent video, watched in preparation for my next camping trip after not having been for a while. Liked the comment about how cold nights can get even if its warm during the day - a pro move i remember myself making was bringing a heavy (ish) jacket to Moab in the spring of 2015 - It was 78-79 during the day, but got down to 38ish at night! Felt good to have that extra layer on - deserts can get colder than people think!

[@myfirstasmrvideo8463]

Another mistake and one thta can fatal is checking the area properly if you are camping in the woods be sure to check the trees around you are not damadged as the last thing you want is a tree or branches falling on top of your tent, also look out for animal tracks and things like fox holes it's not a good idea to set up next to fix holes or in areas that look as if they have a lot of wild life that comes through

[@MTB_FANATIC99]

I actually had this happen I was about 4 tent sites down at a state park in council bluffs Iowa called lake manawa and unexpected thunderstorm came through and snapped a big tree in half and it fell on this lady's and husband's camper and killed them both are one of them I can't remember exactly😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@hike2024]

Great info. What you said about the clothes is super important. I NEVER where jeans when I'm camping, and especially not for hiking. It can be a miserable experience for sure. Also, I threw out all of my cotton socks. I have found that spending a little extra money on quality hiking clothes is more than worth it. I enjoyed your video!

[@donnapurdy1546]

Ground tarp under tent is a must.

[@activouno]

I just found out that, my tent leaked underneath for not using an underneath tent tarp

[@expressivepets1]

Where can you buy one? Just a blue tarp works okay?

[@davidbeard2748]

Not really. I have never done that. And I haven't had a wet floor, in the rain.

[@WatcherofYouTubez]

Good video thanks mate, I am going alone for the first time soon so this was useful. I’ve only camped once before and definitely underestimated how cold it would be at night

[@emilyfalcone1858]

Should have watched this before my last trip to the snow. I was so concerned with dressing warm enough it didn't even occur to me how wet I'd get. Leather boots, cotton socks, cotton jeanes, all soaked and frozen solid before I even got the tent up!

[@nomomomo5422]

Might add that when camping /cooking at very high altitudes your normal BBQ charcoal won't get hot enough to boil water. Bring white gas and small burner.

[@wallacebell4311]

Always make a checklist and life will be easier at the camp site!

[@Everything_Andy]

What you can do if you don't pack proper warm clothes for night Temps you can always pack a extra blanket that's fleece or for safety or as a backup blanket for those just in case situations. And so it does have its time and place but having a few items that you can consider a what if situation then if you think you don't need it then you realize you did then you will be happy. So I just started planning the first trip for us(significant other and myself) in May when places start opening up here in the northeast and so having a fleece blanket as a base layer on top of a fitted sheet on the queen sheet you would be suprised how much warmer you would be with just that add on. Also we would be using 30⁰ sleeping bags and would for most situations and have a back up of a plane light blanket or a very light throw blanket for those just in case situations.

[@mikgus]

Yes! have done all of them and will probably do them again

[@rg1809]

1, Underestimating calorie requirements. 2. Take camp clothes. Getting out of the day's hiking clothes makes a huge improvement on the trip 3 Don't buy cookware from a camping store. 4. Spend 15 minutes in the morning taking care of your feet. Moleskin is wonderful. 5. Skip the underwear. 6. Tell people where you are going. 7. Break in the hiking boots before the trip.

[@jenmurphy7777]

@owlhuman8312 Always overpriced and the cheapest quality. Do a bit of research before you invest in quality pieces.

[@elysiumfire4230]

To be honest knowing what you need for a camping trip is pretty much predicated on the trip you plan to do, and one should only pack what you need for it. There are the basics of what you need, but again, the trip you plan to take should inform you what you need. As an over-generalised rule, the basics are... a) Tent b) Ground sheet to go under the tent's inner ground sheet c) Some form of sleeping mat or air bed that actually fits inside the inner tent correctly d) Sleeping bag appropriate for the time of year and environment temperature you are going to be in e) Gas stove (and gas) for cooking, with light utensils f) X2 torches (flashlights), one of which can flash if an emergency should arise g) Whistle h) A good Swiss army knife, incorporating a bottle opener ...clearly, you won't just pack all this up and fire off on your trip, you will plan it all before you even pack. Research the area you intend to visit, and list everything you will minimally need. Always let people know where you are going, and let them know you have arrived. Halfway through your visit, call to let people know you are okay, and just before you leave the place you visited, call again to let them know you are on the way home. If you have no one at home waiting for you, still call home and leave messages on your answer machine, you can delete then when you get home.

[@littlecampfires]

Solid advice!

[@augustaverbian]

At some place, gas stove may be compromised if you can find bunch of wood

[@rebelwithoutapplause5629]

Sage advice. Thank you 👍

[@abkayla1T]

I can agree on not dressing appropriately. I went camping this week and wore cotton and denim shorts. It was hot and humid and rained all in 1 day and it did not dry quick enough! Then i changed into more cotton and it rained again! I was cold and not comfortable. Next time i go I'm wearing moisture wicking clothes or something. Also my towel was cotton and didnt dry at all! Bringing different towels next time..

[@deeh5048]

Informative and concise; you’re a natural pro. Thank you!

[@littlecampfires]

Thanks - kind of you to say. Happy camping :)

[@judybage4083]

Best tip, always puts something underneath your air mattress or pad. Sleep in a hat and a fresh pair of socks. I love camping.

[@littlecampfires]

Hey Judy, yep, always good to have fresh socks for the sleeping bag, I don’t always use them at night, but they’re definitely nice to have if it gets cold. And on the pad thing. I think it depends on the particular pad/mattress you have. I don’t put anything under my air mattress, but I have a pretty nice Thermarest, which I know not everyone has. Anyway, just thought I’d throw in my 2 cents. Happy camping :)

[@judybage4083]

@@littlecampfires oh for sure depends on the mat but beginners rarely buy a thermarest, mine is a self inflating now but then I’ve gone through all types of sleeping equipment. These days I have a canvas bell tent and a cot, because I’m old now and need comfort. 🤣🤣

[@ijuswannacwatsgoinon]

@@judybage4083 LOL I was just saying that I need to move up to a cot now. At 45, the ground is no longer interesting, fun, or worthwhile. LOL I had a horrible "sleep" my last trip.

[@CiaofCleburne]

This is just anecdotal but I remember a family camping trip and this bird came into our camp somewhere just above our tents. It would sort of click, very loudly, and then let out two “CAW CAW’s”, over and over for a couple hours!! Talk about an obnoxious alarm! 😂😂😂 The joys of camping.

[@myfredo32]

Thank you for the video. I do feel like alot of these are general begginer camping stuff. Not tent camping

[@Sunflower-py3yh]

Omg... My daughter and I made 5 of these mistakes lol. Wish I would've seen this before we went. It was a lesson learned. We will spend a fortune for next year's camping trip 😀

[@littlecampfires]

Well at least you’re getting out there :) I recently published a full “camping for beginners” video on my channel also. You might find that helpful to watch before your next trip. Cheers!

[@marceld6061]

Not sure if it was mentioned below but the ratings on sleeping bags are for *survival* temperatures. You 'can' survive if it gets down to those temps. If you want to be *comfortable* find a bag with a lower rating than your expected evening temperatures. If you get too hot you can open the bag to cool off. Not much you can do if you are too cold.

[@camilaackerman]

Straight to the point... love it

[@MadsWorld34]

the first thing you said. about tents and leaking. brought back a nightmare of weekend. we went to a bike rally. got almost there and we noticed we lost our tent on the way so we hit walmart and bought a 4 person tent. about $50 i'm guessing. and went on our way. well first thing it must have been for 4 midgets. but it was only for 3 days. we can do it. plus we was just married so i didn't mind sleeping close with her. BUT after we got it put up it started raining. and with in 5 minutes we had 2 inches of water in the tent. it was leaking from every seam. she ended up sleeping in the truck and i put the tent on a hill and poked a hole in the lowest corner so the water could run out as fast as it came in. the next day that tent went back to walmart and i found a sporting store and bought $200 tent and some silicone spray for tents. so i say always spend the money for a nice tent

[@standingstonezseanroberts292]

Eagle and OA Brotherhood who as a leader teaches Camping, Cooking, Backpacking, and Wilderness Survival. I also do mountain Rescue.. Overall, your videos give solid advice - some is a bit extreme such as no jeans. - Jeans are fine, but when they get wet - take them off - There is so much to cover, one video could be made about clothing - Your biggest mistake is assuming everyone will be a three season or four season camper. Most will not. Beginner campers are usually young or new families, and they tend to be late spring, summer, and early fall. and use bigger tents. Oh - hope you have water for the monster fire ring - should be extinguished every night before turning in. Do a video on camping safety.

[@dkbt1]

Love this video! Very informative! Recently been bitten by the camping bug so really appreciate this advice.Best wishes from Scotland!

[@williamwestrope3001]

Don't forget to check fire danger and Public Use Restrictions. You can't cook on the fire if you are not allowed to have a fire.

[@arcanewyrm6295]

And in some areas, fires are ONLY permitted for cooking. Definitely check regulations for your destination before heading out.

[@carmenmartinez2882]

And remember fire restrictions can change suddenly from one day to another depending on conditions, always bring a canister stove even as a secondary one just in case, I love using Trangia or even Penny stove but they’re a no go under fire bans. MSR or similar, so small and a small canister will do without taking much space.

[@Happyticcer]

You are a legend… just saved me a load of aggro before my camping trip

[@garyb4929]

Nice little video, was curious about what you would list.

[@anthonymims7485]

Great video! Dude dressed like Toby Mac from DC Talk circa 1989👍🏾

[@littlecampfires]

Lol - I take that as a high compliment. Big DC Talk fan. Maybe next time I’ll break out a long Kevin Max jacket.

[@morty_watches_youtube]

thanks for the great video. i just can’t unhear this: “people tent to make mistakes” 😂

[@charlesh1735]

Never leave your tent open,in the day or night. You will get bugs inside the tent,even raccoons will come in and steel your chips while you are fishing! Never use lights inside the tent with the door open,you will have tons of mosquitoes in your tent. I personally never go into my tent until it’s time to go to sleep,I usually fish or cut up firewood to keep the fire going. Put your tent on a dry flat spot in the grass. Never put your tent on a hill,because if it rains you will get flooded out! Don’t put your tent on gravel either,because it can rip the bottom of your tent with all the weight from you and the air mattress. Don’t put your tent under a huge tree as well,if a storm comes through with high winds it will cause branches to fall and it could kill you if one falls on your tent. These are just some tips for keeping safe and dry while you are tent camping.

[@germanonbalkans]

nice video - i want to start out camping this year and from what i see you should have more followers :D gonna jump into the next one - what to pack now

[@Tyler_Mills26]

I've just had my first camping experience and let me tell you when I underestimated how cold it would get on a night man I thought my mum was joking when she told me to bring a woolly hat! xxx

[@MrPawPaw]

lol. This is why the wool blanket was invented. It’s with me on my campouts. If I don’t need it, nothing lost, but when I do, it’s toasty city.

[@MFAMarie]

Dan and I camped at Gulf Shores State Park at the OUTPOST it’s a mile and a half walk from the parking lot so that was a SURPRISE WE survived tho The outpost had plenty of mosquitoes and cockroaches lol

[@Skittl1321]

Most recent mistake: having a tent with windows up high. It was so hot and no airflow. This tent is not for summer camping. (I ended up sleeping a few hours in the hammock, but with a toddler and a preschooler we had to be inside the tent. Everyone was sleeping in just their underwear on top of their sleeping bags.) It was miserable and moist all night. Camping tips always seem to be for when it's cold.

[@littlecampfires]

Yeah, airflow is important when it’s hot for sure. That’s a good addition here that I missed.

[@MrPawPaw]

I don’t know which is worse. Being in a tent that’s too hot or too cold. You can remedy the cold but when it’s hot, it’s miserable and you’re stuck in the sauna. For us fair weather campers NEVER buy a 4 season tent. They are not for all 4 seasons, they are for the 4th season. The one with bitter cold and snow. You will die in those in the warmer weather. Most of the 3 season tents being made now have a lot of mesh which means good air circulation. Unless it’s raining, you can leave the fly off and watch the stars. Ofc everyone else will be able to watch you too.

[@321scully]

Much of this is common sense, in my experience keeping warm is very important, making sure you have a complete tent you can put up and knowing what facilities you will have on the camping site and a general knowledge of the area you will be camping in. There is much to consider but give it a go and sometimes you have to learn the hard way. However just enjoy it!

[@randysavage7351]

I’m algorithmically commenting. New sub. Great vid. Thank you.

[@CreatedByNoriElan]

Great video! Thank you for sharing.

[@Richard-st8ds]

I can see one straight away a Bright Orange Tent ? Always choose Green to blend into the Countryside

[@tbasparagi]

Brilliant tips! I put the link to it in my own upload's description👍

[@jumanjiwarlord]

There’s really no mistakes... just learning experiences. It’s just camping. Technically, homeless people do it every night. As long as ur enjoying urself, it’s allgood.

[@pottingsoil]

No, there are mistakes.

[@TheWtfnonamez]

Camped in bear country with no rope, so I had to sleep with food in the tent. Went to sleep after a hot day without knowing my altitude or the fact that technically I was in a desert. Temp went subzero in the night. Set up my tent after dark near a beautiful stretch of water. Drinking my morning coffee I saw the warning sign about alligators Didnt know there was a swamp nearby. Disturbed the grass, and within minutes got so many mosquito bites I was on antihistamines for a week. My breath froze on the inside of my tent during the night, with the ventilation closed. Almost suffocated. I love your positive attitude, but yes, there ARE mistakes to be made whilst you are camping. Ive made most of them it would appear.

[@suhtangwong]

Yeah, I'm used to it. But my new bridge is a lot more secure and stable than my previous pavement.

[@ijuswannacwatsgoinon]

@@TheWtfnonamez WOW! thank God you are here to tell the story! WOW what an adventure and HUGE learning experience.

[@TheWtfnonamez]

@@ijuswannacwatsgoinon Thank you mate. I went off the deep end and luckily learned my lessons without serious injury, but I would definitely recommend working up incrementally when it comes to camping. Start easy, and try progressively more ambitious camps. Yoloing is fine, but its not without its risks.

[@bienvenidovelasco6834]

Its the sense of adventure and enjoying nature

[@shanli766]

Cot Tents! portable, off the ground, comfy and private! ;)

[@cailin5309]

I always thought those things were stupid till I spent real significant time in the woods lol .. cot tents ARE awesome when it’s just you

[@Alaska_Gal]

You also need to make sure the sleeping pad has a proper R-value for the season. Definitely don’t want to go winter camping with a 2 R-value pad…

[@ithacacomments4811]

My favorite camping location is one mile from a Friendly's and a Target!

[@devinm524]

I've got a huge problem with over-packing I'm an avid solo camper and I am struggling to get my gear reduced to an acceptable level, its so bad that I am often struggling to make space for Firewood. side note: I've never enjoyed air pad's so I harkened back to the days my grandparents took us camping and brought along a foam pad (its incredible how well these do with heat retention) but man does it take up a ton of space

[@littlecampfires]

Ah, yeah. I’ve spent many nights on old foam pads also, especially when I was growing up.

[@littlecampfires]

And regarding overpacking. You might have tried this already, but if you’re not using a checklist, I’d try using a packing list and then trying to consolidate the list itself (rather than on the fly while you’re packing). That might help you reduce the overpacking.

[@devinm524]

​@@littlecampfires First off I want to thank you for responding I will be getting that firepit or one like it I am tired of having to wait to clean empty beer cans and debris out of fire rings before I can even think about starting a fire (we all should leave no trace) it's not a huge deal I bring garbage bags every time and I use the 1 1/2' diameter rubbermaid mini tub that I usually have firewood brought in as trash holder. it's not a massive deal it just get's low priority when I need to unload my tent, set it up, then get started on cooking and hammock time (right now it's a small REI emo but soon I'll be getting a free standing from either "Naturehike or Equip" I don't a checklist yet, I've been meaning to print one and probably laminate but I have everything so well organized (which is strange for me) I can list it all off in my head -The cooler takes up 1 1/2 sq ft -(2) bins that stack on each other that take up 2 sq ft, one is for my Cabellas Fishing Waders and Boots, the other has my cooking propane tanks/50 ft of rope/old mess kit/Stanley cookpot with tiny trail stove and fuel inside/headlamps/emergency firestarter+lighters/and emergency rain gear and the aforementioned 'Emo' hammock, folded rain pancho, large steel flashlight, and hiking gaiters (keeps cheat grass and snakes from getting to my ankles) -6gal water 'jug' plastic military style 6" x 16" -Lodge cast Iron skillets 5" x 14" -Foldable Coleman 2 burner stove 5" x 25" -Tackle box, Bucket with Telescopic (collapsible) spinner fishing rod (the bucket is a standard mop bucket for all the fish I don't catch and the tackle box takes up 10" x 20" -then in the center I have (2) of those 12" x 50" Rubbermaid bins like you have in your video, one contains my cooking items (plate, spatulas/wooden spoons, scissors, hot pads, paper towels, zip lock bags to keep the smell of leftover food from attracting bears, easy flip pancake pan I know this one is one of my problem spots but I make blueberry pancakes in the morning and its great, and tongs. The other (can be removed if I'm being honest) has my folding saw, water purifier, some dry bags, and emergency hand/toe warmers -underneath those 2 rubbermaid bins is where I keep a small 40" collapsed pressed aluminum workbench. I got it to help string up my hammock (entirely unnecessary though once I get a free standing hammock) but you try hanging a hammock around a large Pine Tree with sap all over it an a depression at the base it's tougher than it sounds. -then on top of those rubbermaid bins is my massively oversized 'bedroll' which I know I have to rid myself of, basically it's 2 large foam pads I picked up at the army/navy surplus store wrapped in a moving blanket (this is the thing that takes up almost 40% of the space in my vehicle and prevents me from seeing out the rear view window -then up in my cargo box on the roof I keep my main tent and a backup tent, my oversized folding chair which I will be retiring soon although its super comfortable and I got it cheap from a yard sale I'm tired of packing it away up there, my Mac folding collapsible table that goes into a bag like a camping char does, and my first aid kit I've decided I will be transitioning from the huge rolled up foam pads to a cot system like yours. and replacing my large camping chair, I know it would be a great reclamation to start, but I also know I want to then add a cot, a free standing hammock, and a mini firestove (that goes inside a tent vestibule) by pomoly.com AND I plan on removing my overhead cargo and fitting my 'Clam 2000' that I got from a yardsale on top of my roof rack for a roof tent I will probably be even worse off, Like I said I have a problem with overpacking and I know it, I've almost completely given up on the canoe Idea I once had... sorry for the wall of text, thanks again for hearing me out. Much appreciated!

[@leighleigh3624]

I do the same, my foam pads take up so much space in my car it’s almost embarrassing lol. I don’t care though, I’m so comfortable on my three inch thick memory foam mattress!

[@lemonpepperdry5818]

Ear plugs: I once unknowingly set up near a den of young coyotes. Starting around midnight they went nuts barking and howling every time their parent would bring them food, twice an hour until about 5AM. Another time, a couple truck loads of Boy Scouts showed up after sunset. They were as noisy as the coyotes.

[@mikec.8556]

Great video very informative. Very helpful to new campers.

[@sriontube]

my biggest mistake was not packing firewood and relying on stray wood from the campsites. Most of them are wet and we had a hard time burning them. No experience in firewood burning.

[@miketomlinson8050]

Camping "where you spend a fortune to live like a homeless person "

[@kevinisbell1867]

I was saying to my wife. I wonder if people from poor countries wonder why we leave our comfy house to go rough it in a tent.

[@connectingseas7173]

😍

[@navajoson]

😂

[@stevobongo]

@@kevinisbell1867 my dad used to tell his dad 'i dont wanna live in a house! i wanna live in a tent! when he went camping :D . i dont blame him sometimes.

[@donnahaye6357]

heeheee

[@artfishingandeternity1431]

GOOD POINTS....SIMPLE

[@jimminshall7449]

Great video!

[@meralisbelardo3544]

love your fire pit, where you got it from?

[@littlecampfires]

Wal-Mart :)

[@outdooroutfitters3658]

Great info. Thank you for sharing

[@JonJon-gt3zw]

One time we forget the condiments mustard pepper salt seasoning that type of stuff.

[@cailin5309]

I hate that! .. PS: gas stations, fast food places.. grab you some ketchup/mustard/Mayo/Taco Bell hot sauces/Salad dressings/ whatever else packets & keep them in a ziplock with your camping stuff. Just in case 👍

[@GrantBakes]

Guilty of mistake #1. Went camping with a borrowed tent and ended up with no poles ☺️ fun times!

[@littlecampfires]

What’d you end up doing? Using sticks or something?

[@GrantBakes]

@@littlecampfires We jerry-rigged the tent to the branch of a tree using jumper cables. No big deal! haha

[@littlecampfires]

Lol - that’s just the kind of ingenuity the situation called for. Love it.

[@MarissaCollison]

Ours came back from being borrowed and burn holes in it. GRRRR.

[@randyholcombe4234]

NEVER loan a tent or sleeping bag. Almost guaranteed not to come back in the same condition.

[@ahmieabad3412]

thank you for the great tips!

[@NothernNate]

🤘 Good advice

[@merry4589]

I have done/witnessed literally every single one of these lol.

[@henrybarrientos3373]

Great work great video comrade... New to the channel just described it

[@yungmike3126]

Great job 👏🏿

[@adityarizki6683]

verygood reminder...thankyou

[@jessespanol9877]

Also those sleeping bag ratings are for survival not comfort lol. Learned that the hard way

[@twocross]

Bug spray for summer.

[@littlecampfires]

Yeah - good addition

[@MarissaCollison]

Vicks Vapo Rub works really good for the bugs here in Alaska. Also great for chapped skin and muscle rub.

[@JAHKABE]

You did a good job

[@joselavoy8591]

dude! ty! very good info!

[@gtgodbear6320]

Tip: buy a nice pool floaty to use as a blow-up mattress to keep you off the ground. Don't go cheap or you'll be laying on the ground when you wake up. Some people are susceptible to hypothermia when the Earth pulls all the heat out of their body. Like children. Just buy a patch kit just in case one gets punctured. You don't need to buy the big expensive blow-up mattresses. A quality pool floaty for each family member will save you money.

[@sarimsok83]

I’m a chef, so my camping is usually based around cooking lol. But I’m trying to keep it simple, and just being “primitive”.

[@Lucky0wl]

idk if NEED a pad is correct... it def helps but I've made due in the past

[@MrPawPaw]

When I was a teenager I never used anything. The ground was my bed. In my 30s those yoga type mats were nice. At 68, I NEED a blow up mattress and pillow. lol

[@Lucky0wl]

@@MrPawPaw I mean I definitely don’t get a good night sleep anymore without one lol

[@wsbowles]

Been camping for years and a buddy of mine still over packs. I keep telling him just say no.

[@devinm524]

your buddy and I are in the same boat, Redundancy isn't something we shy away from. also... ahh man did we forget the Oars for the boat?

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Great channel. Nice video! Well done. Mew follower here. Crow✌️

[@johnm1585]

Don't wear cotton jeans, okay got it. Will check out those links, thanks.

[@Outsidecampingvietnam]

I like your idea

[@muhammadalikakar6863]

is sleeping bag necessary for like 30 to 35 degrees

[@TLavonLawrence]

Much appreciated.

[@ronec2092]

Thank you.

[@gracievillarreal9641]

THANK YOU!

[@4486xxdawson]

lol dressing badly ,oh you meant for comfort ,lol i was going to say those pants are awesome , and the way they compliment that hat just leaves me speechless.......😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ClarkeIllmatical]

Question... Where do I find basic camping classes for adults.

[@littlecampfires]

I think REI might do them actually, you might also find my beginner camping video helpful. It's called Tent Camping for Beginners and covers most of the basics in about 10min.

[@ClarkeIllmatical]

@@littlecampfires thx for the light

[@peterhenare4389]

Straight off the BAT🏏 you got me.😅🤣😂🤣