Successful camping takes planning
Camping can be an enjoyable activity, as long as one goes prepared for anything. Logan Canyon offers campers many places to set up camp. The lower campgrounds open in mid-May, Tony Grave opens in mid-July and the rest open sometime in between.
“The ideal camping situation would be if you had someone else to carry your pack,” said Trevor Olson, a sales associate at Al’s Sporting Goods. “Protection meaning tents, fleece, sleeping bags and shelter are most important in camping.”
Going camping with a bunch of friends and being careful so no one gets hurt is another ideal situation, Olson said.
On the average, a person should carry in 6 to 8 pounds of food per day, one to two liters of water and a filter or iodine tablets, he said. Taking food that is light weight will also help. Dehydrated food is easy to eat right out of the bag and saves the camper from carrying and cleaning pots and pans.
“Having the right shoe and pack for the trip is also very important,” Olson said. “Socks are a key. Plan ahead, especially if you’re buying hiking boots. You’ll want a grace period of two to three months in advance to break in the boot. Make sure you get one that fits your foot. That way you will avoid a lot of problems.”
Different climates can make a big difference in the type of gear a person takes, Olson said. When camping in the winter, an air mattress can be used for insulation. Mattresses with high R-ratings keep in more heat, making for more comfortable sleeping, he said.
“When setting up your tent, make sure you don’t set it up where the water filters to,” Olson said. “If you’re going to be where there’s a lot of bugs, make sure to take bug spray.”