adminEscaping for a weekend adventure in nature is one of the best ways to relieve the stress of city life, which is why it is increasingly necessary to break the routine healthily. Camping is an activity that can offer you one of the best experiences to connect with yourself and improve your mental well being.
Suppose you’re already thinking about taking up a tent and going to the call of nature. In that case, you’ll need a vehicle with a free and flexible spirit like yours, one that can take you on any road no matter how complicated it seems, an off-roader, a MINI Countryman.
We’ll give you a few tips on how to do it safely and make the most of your wilderness experience; whether it’s your first time or you’ve done it before, here you can find out more about this excellent practice.
Where is the best place to camp?
There are two options for choosing a place to go camping:
Places specially set up for camping.
Places where the camper improvises and sets up independently.
For the first option, you may already have in mind the place where you will go. Because it is a known camping area or you saw the landscape in a photo or image. But before starting the trip, it is necessary to do some research about the place; some permits or reservations may be required, so you will need to contact the administrators to make an appointment. These sites are usually fully serviced and offer security for visitors.
On the other hand, if you’re more of an adventure-seeker, you’re more likely to choose the latter option. However, you must have more experience to venture out on your own, as well as taking into account the following tips:
We recommend that you inform a family member or friend where you will be and for how long so that you can go with the assurance that someone knows where you are in case of an emergency. It would be best if you did some research about the area to anticipate any unforeseen events about the climate. The fauna that inhabits the region and even how safe the place is; will tell you if it is a good idea to camp in the chosen site or it will be better to look for another landscape, and it will even help you to know what you need to bring for the trip.
Keep in mind that some nature reserves don’t have good phone signal reception, and although you’re less likely to be looking for something that reminds you of the city, it’s a good idea to find out where to go. In case you need to make an emergency call.
The following note can help you choose an excellent venue.
The right camping gear makes all the difference.
You may have an austere trip in mind without a lot of technology at hand to connect with you in that moment of survival, but that doesn’t mean you have to go through hardship, especially with comfort, or at least necessities and emergency preparedness. Make a list of everything you will need, and this can be divided into primary and secondary necessities. The basics will be the most basic. Sort them by category and think about whether you would need anything else:
Shelter:
Camping tent suitable for the number of people camping, sleeping bag (preferably single, extra blanket in case the cold is too high, mat or rug to place under sleeping bags.
Food:
Take sufficient supplies of food and water, even a little extra for any inconvenience and that are easy to prepare or ready to eat, as well as balanced nutritional inputs.
Tools:
Lighter and certain cooking utensils also add up. A multi-purpose tool can be a great help, such as the famous Swiss Army Knives, for example. Other functional options can be ropes, torches, sledgehammers, etc.
First aid kit:
This is what we want to use the least, but if you need it due to an accident, you’ll probably be glad you took it with you. Consider alcohol, bandages, gauze, hydrogen peroxide, as well as certain basic medicines such as painkillers, or, if it is your case, take the ones the doctor prescribed so as not to interrupt your treatment.
Personal hygiene:
You may not be going to clean yourself in the same way, but you will want to do it in some way, so don’t forget to bring soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste, toilet paper, a mirror, etc.
Tip: it’s an experience to connect with nature, but not too much either; many animals in the area are still wild, and it’s not certain that they will always act friendly; they are at home and will do anything to defend themselves.
Now it’s time to settle in!
When setting up camp, there are a few considerations: whether you are sharing the area with another group or whether yours is the only camp. The first thing to do is to define the site where you will set up, considering the following points to locate your strategic point:
Analyse the space and what you have nearby. Avoid choosing a site near dry trees, as branches could fall on the tent at any moment; also, it is advisable to set up on the flattest ground possible, without forgetting to clean it a little before setting up the tent.
Define the places to set up, the campfire, a makeshift toilet, how far away you will park, and any other places such as a clothesline or hammock.
Depending on the weather, a campfire may be necessary during the night, but consider the wind direction when making a campfire, or you may accidentally smoke your tent or a neighbour’s tent. Find enough firewood to keep it going for only as long as necessary and keep an eye on it. Build a circle of stones as an outline to help keep it isolated from other materials and prevent an accidental fire. To extinguish it, it is best to use earth.
Finally and most importantly
Forget the hustle and bustle of fast-paced city life and contemplate the beautiful blue sky by day. The stunning starry night fill your lungs with fresh air, contemplate the countless variety of flora and fauna of the place and, if you dare, hug a tree to feel even more connected to the environment as well as your thoughts.
We’re sure this will be an experience you’ll enjoy exploiting the potential of your MINI Countryman, one that will test you and leave a positive impression on you. We remind you that these sites should be cared for and preserved; avoid leaving litter or burning embers.