Camping out is one of the easiest ways to cut costs while traveling. Both private and public campgrounds are often cheaper than any paying option, and hikers, cyclist, and bikers could find free out of the way places to camp that provide privacy, solitude, and a distinctive view of the world at night.
The biggest concern for more campers is selecting the most appropriate shelter. Tents, bivy sacks, tarps, and mosquito nets, can all make great shelters depending on weather conditions; sometimes a light sleeping bag tossed out on the ground is all the intrepid adventurer needs to get a good night's sleep. The main thing is to find the best option for you, your journey and the way you choose to travel.
Below are a few camp shelter options to take into account:
Bare Ground: there is nothing simple - and very little more enjoyable than finding a nice spot on a clear evening, throwing down a sleeping bag and sacking out under the stars. On a clear moonless night you will be amazed at how quiet and peaceful the world becomes after dark and amazed at the sheer magnitude of the night time sky. With not tent to create or tear down, bare ground camping is really as easy since it gets. Roll out Outdoor team building and leadership development , crawl inside, and drift off with the complete wide world as your bedroom. Under the right circumstances it generally does not get any better. BENEFITS: a complete new appreciation of the world after dark, ease of set-up and tear down. DRAWBACKS: completely exposed to the elements
Tarps: The next phase up from bare ground (or step down based on your perspective) may be the tarp. Favored by many experienced adventurers, tarps offer an infinite selection of setups and will be modified to suit almost any situation. On clear nights the tarp can become a ground sheet or a windbreak should breezes kick up, and properly rigged tarps can provide comfortable shelter from a few of the worst storms. The main element here is that the tarp must be rigged up properly or it will be virtually worthless. If you opt to use a tarp as most of your shelter make certain you are well versed in how to arrange it in all forms of weather, terrain, and lighting conditions. BENEFITS: lightweight, versatile DRAWBACKS: could be difficult to create unless the user has experience.
Mosquito nets: Bugs can be quite a real bother in some climates. On muggy nights whenever a tent or bivy is too hot, a straightforward mosquito net could be the perfect thing to keep the bugs off of you while still allowing a lot of airflow to have a good night's sleep. Whenever choosing a mosquito net, make certain you find one that could be clipped to a tree branch or other stationary object to help keep the net from your skin. Bugs can still bite and sting through the mesh; mosquito nets only work when the fabric isn't touching your directly. BENEFITS: Easy to setup, bug free sleeping DRAWBACKS: a number of them just lay flat along with you and the bug can just bite through the mesh.
Bivy Sacks: Bivy sacks are among the best camp shelters. Basically a weatherproof liner that slips over your sleeping bag, they are quick to set up, mostly water and bug proof, low profile, and lightweight. If you opt to have a look at a bivy sack, be sure you get one with a dome that slips on the head so you don't have the fabric lying in your face all night. BENEFITS: lightweight, quick setup, mostly weather and bug proof, low profile. DRAWBACKS: vapor barrier can get lead to a damp sleeping bag, can feel crowded, bad for long days of going out waiting for weather to clear, no place to stow your gear.
Hammocks: Many travelers swear by their hammocks. They're super lightweight, offer a variety of configurations, very low profile (prefect for stealth camping) plus they keep you off of the ground. Because they hang suspended from trees (or other stationary objects) hammocks are less inclined to be observed than other shelters - people tend to look where they expect to see things - and their elevated vantage point also makes them impervious to flooding during a storm. Many camping hammocks come with optional mosquito nets for warm, dry nights and weatherproof rain-flies for use during fowl weather. The additional options do take some experience to set up and stake out properly but after a few run-throughs most campers should be able to handle it. BENEFITS: lightweight, off the bottom, moderately easy to create, multiple configurations. DRAWBACKS: can be uncomfortable if you aren't used to them, you've gotta have something to hang it off from.
Tents: Tents will be the traditional choice for camping overnight, and modern tents are the best option for most campers - particularly those who plan to spend the majority of their nights in paid campgrounds. Modern tents tend to be free-standing designs with simple two or three pole setups. The typical tent could be setup in under ten minutes the 1st time you remove it of the bag, after a few trial runs you can probably have your camp set up and be snug and warm inside in five. Whatever your style of travel, there is probably a tent tailor made to your specific needs. From ultra light single person tents to heavy duty mountaineering base camps that can withstand gale force winds, there exists a tent for each situation. Most good camping stores can also help you find the right tent for you depending on where and when you will end up traveling. BENEFITS: can be found in a variety of sizes, perfect for hanging out in camp all day long, a lot of room to store gear, warm and if properly maintained dry in even the worst of storms DRAWBACKS: bulky, can take time to setup, need a clear little bit of ground, highly visible.
Finding a place to sleep at night where you will be will feel comfortable, and secure is among the most important considerations for the independent traveler. If you plans include camping, take some time and try out a range of options, speak to experienced campers and pick the shelter that works best for the style, your journey, as well as your experience level. There's something magical about carrying your shelter with you wherever you go, no matter what your choice, your days will be slightly brighter understanding that home is a close a clear patch of ground or a couple of trees within an out of the way corner of the planet.