No matter what the season, camping can be a wondrous experience and a welcome relief from the cramped confines of city life. With the proper preparation and camping gear, hikes and overnight stays in the outdoors can rejuvenate the mind and body. Unfortunately, poor planning can result in accidents, exposure, and injuries. To get the most out of your camping experience, follow these simple guidelines:

* Expect the unexpected. Before you depart, give some thought to worst-case scenarios and how you would deal with those emergencies. For example, discuss with your traveling companions the options for an encounter with a bear, or what to do if one of you gets lost.

* Communicate. Email copies of your itinerary to family members and post on one your refrigerator. Be sure to sign in and out when using a campground, and sign in and out with a ranger prior to starting a wilderness hike. Should something go amiss, your movements can more easily be tracked. Consider purchasing two-way radios for you and your traveling companions to use on your trip. If someone does get lost, they’ll have a way to communicate.

* Bring the right camping gear. Don’t let sudden weather changes catch you off-guard. Waterproof backpacks and tents, as well as cold weather sleeping bags, will minimize your exposure and ensure a pleasant camping experience.

* Pack the right clothes. The right camping gear includes the right clothing. Layer clothes for optimum comfort, so you can add or remove layers as the temperature changes. Be sure to pack a lightweight, waterproof jacket and pants.

* Know where you’re going. Getting lost in the wilderness is frightening and potentially deadly. Make sure you have detailed maps of the area, including a topographical map, and consider taking along a GPS system and two-way radios. Also pack a whistle, so you can signal if necessary.

* Beware of the critters. Insect bites and stings can ruin a great trip. Use DEET-based insect repellent, and re-apply as needed. At the end of each day, check for ticks - especially behind the ears, under the arms, and in the groin area - as they are carriers of Lyme disease. When selecting a site to stow your camping gear, stay away from the berry bushes, a prime foraging area for bears.

* Practice fire safety. Fire is always a potential hazard. Keep your campfire as small as is feasible. If possible, utilize a fire pit that others have previously used. Make sure the pit has a ring of rocks around it, and never build a fire pit where there are overhanging branches. Keep a bucket of water near the fire, and have someone station near a burning fire at all times to keep watch over it.

With the right camping gear and preparation, your getaway is sure to be a success!

I just love a good hike, or climb out in the mountains or wilderness. Not to suggest that I’m an extreme sports junky, how ever I sure do love getting away for a weekend out of the city. Nothing like relaxing in the wilderness for a fun and eventful weekend camping get away. Hikes through wilderness trails, sitting by the fire all night telling stories. I just love falling asleep to the light of the moon, and the sound of crickets. Have you taken any adventures that sound like this lately? If you’re not a regular camper then it’s important that you have the proper outdoor camping equipment. Of course there’s the standards sleeping bags and tents, but you want to make sure there aren’t any necessities you might be forgetting to ensure your weekend is one to remember.

While the Internet and camping might not seem like the go hand in hand, when it comes to trying to locate the lowest cost outdoor camping equipment it’s the easiest place to start. So give yourself some time, and jump online, use your favorite search engine to locate a few stores. All your favorite offline companies such as R.E.I. Have online stores where you can browse product lines, and items available.

Now what about ensuring you’re getting the best price? Well let’s check out a different site. Are you familiar with comparative shopping sites? Try Bizrate.com it’s a well known product comparison site. This will allow you to compare similar products at several online stores, and select the best possible price.

You’re going to want a good sleeping bag, not something that is for arctic camping but will handle the cold none the less. Ideally some form of utensils if you’re planning on cooking and eating your meals onsite, and don’t forget about a quality weather proof tent. While most tents won’t handle monsoon season you can get one that will keep out the morning dew and a few evening rain showers.

Shopping offline for your camping equipment is also a great way to start. Getting to touch and feel what items you’re considering purchasing gives you a better idea of exactly what things are made of and their size. Shopping in store doesn’t mean you can look for a better price online once you know what it is you’re looking for. Many consumers follow this practice not just with camping gear, but also electronics, and just about everything else.

I’ve spotted fantastic tents, or bags in store before, only to find them up to 30% less on the Internet when I got home. So remember take your time, make a list, and shop for the best deal when it comes to outdoor camping equipment. It’s important you buy the right equipment now, it’ll be worth it when you have a nice warm sleep under the stars.

Choosing the right camping gear is an essential part of every camping trip. Without the right gear, you’re camping adventure is likely going to be a struggle. It won’t matter if the weather is good or bad, if you’re camping in your backyard or the back-country, the right gear is essential to having a good time. But right doesn’t have to mean expensive. It simply means right for the task at hand.

Camping is synonymous with the outdoors and that means you will be contending with Mother Nature. And every camper knows that Mother Nature is not to be trifled with. Besides your intended destination, planning for the weather you are likely to experience will be your biggest planning challenge. Here are a few planning tips to help jump-start your next trip:

1. If you plan and prepare for the worst possible weather you may run into, any other weather you encounter will be a walk in the park. If you’re planning a winter trip, then you’ll have to consider that you may be isolated or immobilized for an extended period of time if the weather really sets in;

2. Plan and prepare for your specific destination. If it’s a state park on a local lake, an isolated creek few miles down a fire-road or on top of a mountain, every location presents specific challenges. For example, you may or may not have to plan for bringing along something as basic as your own drinking water;

3. Once you’ve thoroughly thought about the above-mentioned points, then and only then consider what you’ll need for clothing. Pay particular attention if you’re going to be working hard. Controlling moisture loss and evaporative cooling (fancy words for sweating) can be a real challenge, especially in cold climates. Pay particular attention to layering your clothes. When working hard, you can stay comfortable by peeling off layers as you heat up and putting them back on as you cool down;

4. The mode of transport to and from your final destination will have a huge impact on what you can bring. If you’re driving right up to your camp-site, you can bring as much as gear as you can fit into your vehicle. If you have to walk, well that’s a totally different situation; and

5. Never ever forget to inform someone who is not on the trip with you of your plans and whereabouts. This is undoubtedly the most important safety precaution you can take. If something unexpected happens, someone will already be briefed and prepared to take action.

It’s not hard to argue that the most important piece of gear you’re going bring along is your shelter. We can go for weeks without food, and for days without water. Without adequate shelter, however, we can be done for in hours. When we think of shelter, most people automatically think of something that goes over their head. But adequate shelter begins with what you wear. So if you’re going camping, and you want to be comfortable and safe, pay particular attention to what you’ll be wearing.

And when buying clothing, don’t try to scrimp and save a few dollars. You could literally be gambling with your life. It will likely never never come to that but, for example, it’s easy to get a bad sun-burn and have a great trip ruined because of it.

Here are some to consider when purchasing outdoor clothing for camping:

1. Get to know the specific technical details of the garment you might be buying. Things like breathability, wind and water proofing, abrasion and UV A/B resistance are all important;

2. Know how quickly it will dry if it gets wet and, if wet, if it will retain any heat;

3. Look carefully at buttons, zippers and other closures. They are often cumbersome, unreliable and too hard to work; and

4. The more pockets, the better!

If you find something you like and it seems out of your price range, don’t despair. A little research will usually land a rock-bottom price. For example, you can wait for it to go on sale or you can ask that the store price-match a cheaper price from another store or from on online retailer. A favorite tactic among the hard-core campers is asking if there is a similar article that has a cosmetic flaw. Cosmetically flawed articles are usually sold at huge savings from full retail.

Camping is one of America’s most enduring past-times. With advances in materials and technology, you can find the right gear at the right price for any adventure. Spend a little extra time planning and you’ll have memories that will last you and your camping companions a life-time!

Winter is a good time to reach for your camping gear and lay it out in the garage or on your living room rug. Why? To check it over and make sure it’s ready once the weather improves.

To make your camping equipment last as long as possible, and to improve your own comfort and safety when camping, you need to give it a service regularly, just like you do for your car.

Sleeping bags should be hung out in the sun and aired. Then examine them. If they need cleaning, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the label. Most bags can be hand-washed, very gently. Some need to be dry-cleaned. Be careful of fumes from the dry cleaning process, they will kill you if you sleep in a freshly dry-cleaned bag. So hang it out on a line for a day to air thoroughly. Then you can pack it away for later use.

Your sleeping bags should also be checked over for faulty zippers or tears in the fabric. Small tears can be repaired with a needle and thread.

If the bag’s zip is jammed, you may be able to free it by gently pushing or pulling. And if it moves a little roughly, just get an ordinary white household candle and rub the wax on the teeth of the zipper to lubricate it. Then grab the zip and carefully zip it closed and open a few times to be sure it is working smoothly.

If a zipper is broken, replacing it will be expensive and can probably only be done at the factory that made the bag. It is worth while if the sleeping bag cost you several hundred dollars, but otherwise, it might be time to throw the sleep sack out or use it as a throw-over quilt for visitors who sleep over … if they aren’t too fussy, that is. You could always give it to the dog, couldn’t you? It won’t complain.

Your camping tent also needs to be taken out of the bag and checked over for rips and tears. If you do sew on a patch, remember the needle is making small holes that water can get through. So apply a sealant (bought from the camping store) to waterproof the area, or make do by rubbing with a wax candle. That’s much cheaper and works fine, too.

Double-check the tent for any sign of mold or mildew, as these organisms will slowly try to digest the fabric, and the enzymes they secrete will weaken it badly. You can use a nail brush or an old toothbrush and a little diluted bleach to scrub away mold, but it will probably bleach the tent too. The best thing is to look after the tent properly in the first place, and never, ever, store it away when it’s wet. If you have to break camp in the rain, you should open up the tent at home and dry it out thoroughly.

Check your tent pegs and guy lines (the ropes that keep it anchored and steady the tent). Count them and make sure any missing pegs or ropes are replaced now, before you repack the camp tent.

You’ll also want to go over the items in your camp kitchen. Make sure the pans and kettles are clean and rust-free. Cast-iron cookware should have a thin layer of protective grease anyhow. It gets baked on while cooking, so don’t wash them with detergent or you’ll have to season the pans again. This is especially applicable to Dutch Ovens.

Check your camping stove for damage, and make sure the fuel bottles are refilled before you need them. If you need to take spare parts for the stove (such as pricking needles for a pump operated kerosene or dual fuel cooker) make sure they’re in the tool kit. Don’t forget a box of matches and / or a little gas cigarette lighter to start the cookers or as fire with, and never forget the can opener. A small first-aid kit, including band aids, insect repellant and headache tablets is a must as well. Most small wounds just need washing in soap and water, but a tube of antiseptic cream is still a good idea, too.

If you have battery-operated appliances in your camping kit such as flashlights or battery lanterns, even portable radios, take out the dry cell batteries so they don’t leak as they run down and destroy the equipment.

Lastly check your camping and outdoors clothing to be sure it is serviceable. Cleaned, mended and packed away ready for next use. That way your camping gear won’t let you down, and you’ll get maximum enjoyment on your next camping trip.