10 Things To Avoid On Camping Trips

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As you’ve probably figured out based on Friday’s Ice Breaker post and yesterday’s 3 Thumbs Up! post, I am camping this weekend.  I’ve been camping for as long as I can remember with my family and with friends.  Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that should be avoided while you’re camping.  Hopefully, you’ll find this list informative (and somewhat humorous):

1.  Skunks.  They may look like black cats with white stripes, but they’ll cause quite a stink if you get in their way.  I’ve never been sprayed by a skunk, but I’ve been in camp when skunks decided to visit.

2.  Thunderstorms.  Some times you can’t avoid rain and heavy storms, but you should stay away from thunderstorms if you can help it.  I’ve endured several soaking storms on past camping trips.

3.  Bears.  This falls in line with item 1 above.  Keep your food locked up and your trash secured to avoid an unplanned meeting with a bear.

4.  Poison Ivy.  Itch.  Itch.  Scratch.  Scratch.  Need I say more?

5.  Lack of warm clothing.  The nights can get pretty cold if you don’t have the right gear.

6.  Getting lost.  Did you bring your compass and your map?  They might come in handy.

7.  Loud camping neighbors.  I’ve experienced this a couple of times.  Loud camping neighbors can ruin a great camping trip.

8.  Lack of facilities.  I like to rough it, but I’ve learned to enjoy a hot shower as I matured.

9.  Snakes.  I hate snakes.

10.  Rocks and fire.  Rocks under the sleeping bag and hot embers on the sleeping bag can ruin a good nights sleep.

I hope that you find this list helpful.  What else would you add to this list?

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  • http://deuceology.wordpress.com Larry Carter

    I can’t think of anything to add.  I remember camping one time and sleeping in the back of my truck.  A storm came up so quick, I barely had time to climb in to keep from getting soaked.

  • http://www.tnealtarver.wordpress.com TNeal

    … embers on the sleeping bag … that begs for an explanation!

    I prefer avoiding smoke when toasting marshmallows (although it seems to know where I’m standing and find me every time). I also prefer to avoid the ground when I sleep (cots and/or air mattresses are wonderful things).

  • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

    Haha, thunderstorms… I would have to add RAIN, in general.

    My wife, a couple of friends, and I took at trip to Maine last summer/spring and found this one out. It was just after the hurricane season and it was rainy. The goal was to go backpacking but we got less than a day in because of the heavy rains. Within a few hours we were drenched to the bone. Not a lot of fun camping like that.