Stay Cool while Camping in the Summer with these Camp Hacks!

[@censusgary]

Here in south Texas, heat is much more of a survival threat than cold (about 98% of the time). You can also hang that canvas sheet by the grommets in daytime, to create some shade. If you wet it and hang it up in the breeze, it will even provide some evaporative cooling. Speaking of evaporative cooling, don’t forget a bandana. You can wet it, wring it out, and tie it around your head or neck. It provides a surprising amount of cooling. A small towel can serve the same purpose.

[@mendyviola]

Evaporative cooling doesn’t work so well when the humidity is also very high. Also a southern Texan here. You also have to have a breeze for it to work. It isn’t always there. Shade, fewer cloths, looser clothes, and cool water are vital.

[@censusgary]

@@mendyviola My grandparents, in west Texas, had an evaporative straw bale cooler with a “squirrel cage” fan blowing air. It worked very well in the low humidity there. It would have been much less effective, yet better than nothing, in the more humid parts of Texas.

[@carlbullers4486]

Awesome video, as always! Heres my tip for summer camp fires: dig a pit. Less heat radiates to the sides, but more heat goes straight up. It makes sitting near or cooking much more comfortable. Keep up the great job!!!!

[@pmcmva]

good idea

[@MrFmiller]

I carry a small 4 ounce spray bottle. I use it to give myself an occasional light misting. It also helps conserve water. I only put clean water in it and use it to clean and rinse my face, hands, dinnerware and everything else. It regulates usage and only takes a surprisingly small amount to get the job done. For cooling it is refreshing and only uses a teaspoon for a large effect.

[@texmex8220]

in my neck of the woods a good shade system is ESSENTIAL were talking 103 with 60% humidity and no cloud cover on a bad day. Large tarps roughly head height above the ground does wonders, almost 10 degrees cooler

[@whoever6458]

I"m from California and I have another tip to add, especially if there are other people who get heat illnesses easily. So I was out at my fort and I knew it was going to get into the dangerous heat levels for my body. I'm near a stream so I always had the option of literally submersing myself in the stream. What I did was to dig down maybe 6 inches into the soil and I took the raised bed that I had made but which wasn't all that comfortable and substituted it for a couple of wooden planks that I hand-split from log into plank and put them down into the hole I dug. I laid down to see if it was comfortable and it was so cool and comfortable that I took a little nap. This wasn't the kind of "nap" where you pass out from heat stroke because I've had that happen too, but it was a remarkably restful nap. Before I even had the bed laid down in the hole I dug, I sat in there and it had to have been at least 10 F cooler there so I would HIGHLY recommend digging down a little bit for your sleeping area. Definitely make sure to dig in the morning before it gets hot though. That's what I did because there's no way I would have survived digging in the heat of the day. Hope this helps someone to not only survive but to be relatively comfortable doing it!

[@rosarubea99]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. You're the coolest!

[@campsiteministries]

In early 2002 I built, and lived in a primitive camp from February until the middle of November. My shelter was an A-frame debris shelter,(the first one that I'd ever built). We ended up having a terrible drought and heat wave that year in the Mid-Atlantic states. With my debris shelter I found that the same overhead cover of leaves that insulated me from cold during the winter months provided great protection from the heat during the summer when I also incorporated a dirt floor. During the hottest part of the summer that year the temperature inside my shelter would average about 10° - 15° cooler than it was outside. With nothing more than a tarp and some light bedding underneath me I was more than comfortable enough. During the colder months I would put down a layer of leaves,( one foot thick, compressed), or make a browse-bed out of two contractor grade trash bags duct-taped together. Alot of bushcrafting involves being able to identify and utilize resources.

[@davidturner7040]

Finally! I'm in South Texas we wait til winter to camp too hot all year

[@AquaTech225]

Louisiana to if not the heat the humidity

[@KalpeshPatel78]

Tie a wet napkin / cloth on your wrists. It will cool your body down by a few degrees. Having colder stuff like curd, onions etc will reduce your core body temperature too.

[@johnfuller6338]

Go to hardware store get 2 plugs 1 male n 1 female, approx 5500 kilometers of he electric cord, put together go to appliance store purchase 15,00 b.t.u. a.c. unit put together mount in tent back window, no sweating just comfort.

[@kennyfoster655]

Only 5500 kilometers? Lol

[@SonsOfLorgar]

Umm... the amps at the end of that 5500km cable will be so low it wouldn't turn the AC pump even if you hooked the other end directly onto a 400kV main transfer line directly out of a running powerplant...

[@murphragous]

@@SonsOfLorgar I bet youre fun at parties!

[@joeday4498]

Another great tool. No new tools in the toolbox, but rather a new way to use the ones that are there! Thanks, Dan!

[@danielmatthews4262]

I live in South Florida... we use these techniques in December. Great vid.

[@wmluna381]

You sleep on the ground in Florida? No way am I doing that.

[@alivealive]

Nature cooling mat. This word save me right now.

[@MattP-BandB]

Super cool video...pun intended. Looking forward to seeing this upcoming survival shelter. Stay awesome Coalcracker

[@rangerdoc1029]

I do a Swedish rocket log in summer. Drill a hole 1/2 way down the center of a log, then a hole in the side for air. Wood cooking fire with almost no radiant heat being thrown out.

[@wmluna381]

Interesting. That's definitely good to know if you're using that method in the winter and it won't end up keeping you as warm as you think it would.

[@Inkling777]

If you're car camping, check out small fans powered by 18650 batteries. They'll run all night and you can charge them from the car the next day. The better ones run off either or both of two batteries and have an adjustable speed.

[@t-6273]

i love hammocks in the summer. I also use a twig stove for boiling water or cooking simple meals. No need for a large fire. Thanks for the tips.

[@Eezyriderr1]

FULL coverage, light colored, lightweight clothes during the day. I mean arms and legs covered. Trust me, I'm fat and I hate the heat. Full coverage works.

[@Eezyriderr1]

@UCN4xSJlP8bIABjiB40wA2CQ ...and those big bones are covered with a lot of fat!

[@censusgary]

Full coverage, and not tight-fitting. The Bedouins have the right idea here.

[@texmex8220]

@@censusgary I like to think the flowyness the garments have kinda act like fan with all the material flapping around lolz

[@helmiyoussef3741]

In desert we do the same

[@OzMan9989]

I use a small Goal Zero Fan tool usb fan on my usb recharger brick hanging in my tent. Works like a mutha! Like AC.

[@heidih2887]

Could also use the cotton "sheet" (via grommets and line) to create an area of shade! :D (either for around camp, or to help provide shade and cool someone suffering from heat exhaustion/heat stroke etc.) Love your multi-purpose items and information! :D

[@cvkealey]

Great info! I personally love hammock camping and typically use a simple nylon-backed fleece throw when temps are over 60 degrees or so at night. The fleece does a good job of wicking moisture away to keep me comfortable. Also, rather than cooking, I cold soak most meals (but still bring an alcohol stove for hot coffee).

[@MikeyBeyou]

I wanted to know if you have links to the items in the video? Thanks for the information.

[@RodneyFisk]

During the summer, cook on a rocket stove. They're very inexpensive, pack small, and produce a great deal of heat with very little fuel.

[@They_drew_first_blood]

I just bring canned food and eat it out of the can.

[@calebsamuel2214]

Man just found your channel like yesterday loving it great company and videos without breaking the bank

[@LGSkywalker82]

Cant wait for the shelter system Boss! Thanks Dan

[@EPGunman]

As always “cool” tips !!! Thanks Dan!!

[@Stoney_AKA_James]

I'm in the South, so it really gets hot AND humid, I typically camp in my Warbonnet XLC hammock all year long, but in spring/summer (8-10 months) I just use a queen sized sheet, or if cooler a poncho liner!

[@ThomasFMoser]

Hi Dan, great stuff again from you, thanks so much! Concerning sleeping directly on the ground, consider to use the "hip hole". Just hollow (a stick or small foldable shovel anyways in the gear) at the position of your hip a 2" deep kind of indentation into the ground/ - that's also a real game changer. Gun blanket on top and you are good to go... Best to you and best from Germany, stay safe, Tom

[@wmluna381]

That's a cool tip.

[@davidaustin4910]

Great suggestions I would imagine that having the breeze might also help keep the bugs down. OG coalcracker

[@Bullhornbeach]

Great tips Dan. I may have to look into some of that gear, Arkansas humidity and heat is well... hell! Gotta tell ya, in the past year I've really enjoyed your short-to-the-point videos. Keep it up brother!

[@user-mb4se6km5p]

Why are your videos like or dislike I like to see how many thumbs UPS people give I always give a thumbs up

[@pmcmva]

This was a great vid. SE VA resident here, and I've found myself prohibited from getting out there b/c of the heat and humidity this time of year. This video re-connected me to the idea of the hammock (with a bug net. LAWDY!!) this time of year. Time to use the "dam" convection in my favor. Thanks, Dan, from a fellow gym rat. 53y/o, 6'1, 250. Heat sucks.

[@stevecookson3201]

"Cooler than the other side of the pillow" - Stuart Scott

[@sixpointforge5573]

I like hammocks because it keeps your back cool but in august the temperature drops so it's too cold it's bery hard to find the right temperature

[@michaelharris4503]

Temps in Tucson dropped 5 degrees just watching this vid... 👍

[@willybee3056]

Broken Record here.. Other than in the swamp, or sand, or in peat ,, have you ever used a Dakota Fire Pit for cooking? The fire is so small, thumb and pencil size twigs are all you need. Do a search for dakota fire pit grate. And you will see what I mean. Tanx , and keep up the good work.

[@thomasbarron4423]

Man its hotter than satan's arm pit here in Arkansas on 9 Aug 2020. With the combination of heat and humidity mixed with fact we havent had rain in nearly a week, there just is no relief. My painters clothe plow point is facing south into the wind and it's like standing in front of an industrial dryer. Right now I'm praying it rains into my shelter. LOL

[@kylesmith9378]

When will this stuff be available again on your site?

[@mendyviola]

Low R value sleeping pad. No blankets, maybe a sheet, fewer and looser clothes, access to cool water to drench yourself with. No strenuous activity during the heat of the day. Some way to create a breeze if there isn’t a natural one (hand fan, powered fan if possible). Ditch the rain fly if you can to pro,one a breeze as much as possible. Add a tarp a few feet above the tent to keep put rain but at the same time promote whatever breeze you can get.

[@BushCrafts]

Do you have any suggestions about minimizing the risk of hyperthermia?

[@davidsawmandave8731]

Good info , always helps 👍, I use the little pills that u can buy on Amazon , when u add water to them they swell up and you unroll it into a cloth to wipe yourself down , u can carry a bunch of them , use them an my Appalachian trail section hikes , cheap and can get a BIG BAG FOR CHEAP , plus they are real strong , they don't disintegrate at all like toilet paper would

[@DemonChicken316]

What is the name of that hammock? It's the exact style I'm looking for, I'm not a huge fan of hammocks so I'm only gonna buy once 😂

[@geoffst-jean617]

C'mon guys if you can leave a comment you can tap that like button...

[@slamboy66]

I am in Mojave Desert Nevada and there aren't a lot of info vids on this topic .

[@viewsandreviews180]

Great information.

[@camerongarcia3128]

What do you recommend for people sleeping in their cars?

[@hoosierjeff8622]

Natures cooling mat 👍

[@davidsawmandave8731]

Love your videos ,wanna take a few classes, I live in Central Va. be closer for me

[@slickwillie3376]

I wonder if a homemade sleeping pad with inside channels stuffed with steel wool would work for comfort, being conductive...

[@robslagle]

Is your hammock thick enough or do you have it sprayed with permethrin?

[@michaelbrunner6654]

Love my chameleon, its my go to.

[@tarkusmjg]

What about bugs?

[@matijazg5455]

my experience: no sleeping pad, no good sleep. not only because of comfort and dampness, but because even in very hot weather, ground gets cold during the night. i usually like your videos and advice, but this one is very sketchy, especially for inexperienced ones. and i live in mediterranean country, not in the cold north.

[@darkbulb367]

Make your fire on the edge of camp, not central, downwind if possible.

[@chestpatch2012]

Tick mattress. Lol

[@MegaSpurs18]

What hammock is that?

[@wazoologist]

i just skip going out in summer in Western Australia, lots of flies, ticks, no water and temps of 110F+.

[@smokedbrisket3033]

we aren't quite that hot in SE Texas during the summer, usually not any hotter than about 95-98 during the day, but frequently only down to about 78 or 80 during our very humid nights. Between sweating and dew formation, almost impossible to stay dry at night.

[@chrisshepard495]

also a 4 season kit.

[@smd482000]

what the weight on the of the gum blanket/poncho

[@obiwanjacobi]

Ron Hood - first time I heard that...

[@tobynoe6149]

Mosquitoes can bite through a hammock. Or Kentucky mosquitos can anyway. Lol I know this through experience. Just put a sleep pad in the hammock and hop in. 😴

[@cillaloves2fish688]

Cool !!

[@trailtrashoutdoors8173]

Your so 😎 cool !

[@chrisshepard495]

make a kit based on a combative environment. imagine you're trying to stay hidden.

[@chadrogers4635]

There's no need in carrying gear you're not going to need or use. It just takes up room and it's extra weight. And check the weather before heading out.

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

👍

[@68thBC]

Canvas painters drop clothe from harbor freight

[@PabloP169]

Can you tell me why American and Canadian KZbinrs all seem to use the word "utilizing" instead of using "using", as this use is driving me up the wall? ie. Using utilizing too much.

[@leefiz]

If there is not wind in the forrest during summer yr theory doesn't work dude