We spent the Thanksgiving holiday camping in Utah with our oldest son, Josh and his girlfriend, Paige. They’re a young couple who loves climbing, hiking and spending time out-of-doors. As we hiked together and watched them prepare meals, I felt like we were in #GoOutside master class. Here’s a few of the lessons we learned by observing their camping style.
Flip-flops. After a long day of hiking, give your feet a break and if the weather allows, put on your flip-flops. Changing footwear gives your hiking boots a chance to air out.
Lantern. One of the best ways to light up your campsite in the evening is with a solar powered lantern. With a bright enough light you can still cook outside, even on evenings where the sun sets before dinnertime.
Campsite Selection. End the day where you want to start your next hike. If you pick a campsite as close as possible to the next trailhead, you don’t waste any daylight on travel time.
First on the Trail. If you arrive at the trailhead before eight a.m., chances are you might be the first group on the trail. An early morning start creates a more personal experience on high traffic trails.
Puffy Coat Club. Camping is an outside activity, so put on your puffy coat — the one that makes you look like a stand in for the Michelin Man, pull up a chair and spend some time in the brisk night air. If the temperature drops below freezing, then look through your gear for a deck of cards, declare it a game night and hang out in the heated van.
Pork Gravy. Even if your diet trends toward the vegan/vegetarian end of the spectrum, canned pork gravy makes instant mashed potatoes palatable.
Camp Dish Duty. Camp dish duty can be completed in under five minutes if you remove the food remnants with paper towels and then rinse the dishes with hot water.
The Way Home. If you’re on an out-and-back hike and you come to a fork in the trail, create an arrow out of sticks to point your way home. Your brain might need the helping hint after a 10-mile hike.
Backpack Access. If you want to pull an item out of your daypack and not fall behind on a group hike, just swing your pack around to the front and wear like a baby carrier. In this position you can access your zippers and pull out an extra layer, grab a snack or put on some chapstick. This technique is only applicable on wide trails where you are sure of your footing.
Elevation. If your knees hurt, give yourself a rest day by picking a flat hike — little to no elevation gain or loss.
We had a memorable week with Josh and Paige and both of us loved all the tips and tricks we picked up. I do have to admit, I’m more of a triple wash and double rinse dish doer, but I’m still learning.
