For years, my family and I have been camping every Fall and Summer. With a decade under my belt, I have discovered a few tricks to the trade. Although nature has infinite benefits including fresh air, exercise, family bonding, and fun – it is not without its annoyances. Bugs, lack of plumbing, and lumpy sleeping surfaces come to mind. However, one of the most irritating elements is the heat!
One of my favorite camping spots is Painted Canyon, a scenic rocky desert near Salton Sea in California. As any arid space, the heat can cause a number of problems, some which could potentially be very serious. In areas like this, it is important to stay cool. Here are some tips.
Tip #1 – Hydrate
The most important thing to have when camping is clean drinking water. Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, coma, and even death. Drinking water or juice is a great way to stay cool.
A great tip my grandfather taught me was to bring along a handkerchief. You should soak it with water and wrap it around your neck while hiking. The blood vessels near the skin expel heat and transfer the cooler temperatures from the wet hankie to the rest of your body.
Beyond just staying cool, it can help keep bugs off of you, serve as a tourniquet in case of emergency, or even just cover germy coughs.
Tip #2 – Get Light and Loose
Small changes in clothing can make the difference between comfort and scorching heat. Stick to light cotton fabrics to stay cool. I’ve found that wearing light, long sleeve shirts keeps me cooler if I’m in the sun versus short sleeves with my arms exposed.
When your skin gets direct sunlight, it starts to burn. The sleeves act as a buffer for the harsh UV rays. Also, by light clothing, I mean light colors. Opt for the yellow instead of brown. Dark colors absorb heat. You’ll feel like a roasted ham in black.
Some other tricks are to ditch the socks and shoes for sandals, and even go commando if you are daring! Less layers will allow heat to escape and for air to circulate. Just watch out for those desert updrafts.
Tip #3 – Come To the Dark Side
Stay in the shade! I see so many campers pitch their tent in open areas of the clearing, thinking they are getting a prime spot. When noon hits, their tent becomes an oven.
Get close to a large tree, rock, or other large item (even your car) and set your tent up under the shadow. It’s best if you can find a spot with large objects on either side of you so you can have constant shadow as the sun moves around you.
Tip #4 – Wade in the Water
Set up camp near a lake or river. You can cool down easily by taking a dip. Although very effective, this may not be a possibility for many campers.
Tip #5– Relax
When camping in hot areas, avoid exercise or activities that make you sweat. Keep your body temperature low by relaxing as much as possible. Before the sun rises and after it sets are better times to play soccer, go hiking and set up camp.
Tip #6 – Get a Fan
This is kind of cheating, but it’s the best way to stay cool. If you have a portable battery-operated fan, set it up and let it blow the hot air out of your tent. There are some really excellent fans on Amazon.com that you can fill with ice which blow cold air.
Although you don’t get the full camping experience with electronics, it’s a good idea to have a portable fan in your vehicle if the heat becomes unbearable, just in case.
– K.W.
Find local listings of businesses and services near you. Get driving directions, reviews and ratings, phone numbers, addresses and more on Local.com.
