If you plan to stay at a campsite for an extended period, these efforts can make your outdoor life significantly more comfortable. The process of improving your temporary home can be quite engaging. Here are a few ideas to get you started..
Setting Up a Sleeping Area
An air mattress is a great sleeping solution, but it has one drawback: it quickly absorbs moisture from the ground, especially under a tarp shelter. A damp mattress is not only unpleasant but can also develop mold over time. The solution is simple—build a raised platform.
How to make an improvised bed:
1. Find two sturdy logs about 1 meter long. Place them parallel to each other at a distance roughly 15-20 cm longer than your mattress at each end.
2. Lay several straight, sturdy branches (about arm-thickness) across the logs. For stability, you can carve small notches in the logs to keep the branches from shifting.
3. Place your mattress on top of this grid. Now you'll sleep dry, without contact with the cold, damp ground.
Building a Camp Table
A table in camp makes life much easier. For a short stay, a tree stump can suffice, but for a longer camp, you can build a proper table.
A simple method for soft ground: dig two parallel trenches, piling the excavated soil along their outer edges to form backrests. The space between the trenches becomes your table.
A more substantial table with benches can be assembled from branches found in the forest. Use the straightest poles you can find, trim them to equal length, and join them using notches and reliable knots (such as a slip knot or a highwayman's hitch).
Crafting Chairs
A chair is indispensable on damp ground. It takes about 15 minutes to make one. The frame is built from three sturdy forked branches (Y-shaped sticks) assembled into an "A" shape. Once the frame is ready, shorter branches are lashed across it to form the seat and back.
Providing Camp Lighting
In the forest, especially in dense foliage, night brings absolute, pitch-black darkness. A campfire provides ambient light, but for a directed beam, a reliable flashlight is essential. Ordinary candles can also be very useful.
How to use candles safely and effectively:
* To prevent a candle from falling, drive a knife blade-up into a tree, drip some melted wax onto it, and secure the candle on the knife.
* Important tip: Don't throw away candle stubs and drippings. Melt them in an open tin can with a piece of string as a wick. Once solidified, you'll have a new candle—a backup light source.
* Wind protection: Create a "perpetual" lantern from a glass bottle. Heat a wire in the fire until red-hot (use gloves!), wrap it around the bottle where you want it to break, and immediately plunge the bottle into cold water—the glass will crack cleanly along the line. Place a secured candle on the ground and cover it with the bottomless bottle. This lantern can withstand even strong wind.
Creating a Camp Washbasin
If someone in your group has a small basin or bowl, you can quickly build a stand for it. Construct a tripod from three poles, tying them together with a slip knot about 30 cm from the top. The top will hold the basin, while the bottom forms the legs. If you don't have a basin, simply stretch a piece of tarp or heavy-duty plastic over this frame—you'll have an excellent improvised washbasin.
These simple contraptions will not only make your life in nature more comfortable but also more interesting, transforming a basic bivouac into a cozy temporary home.
Next guide: How to Properly Build and Maintain a Fire While Camping Previous guide: How to Tie Knots and Make Rope Gear While Hiking You can view the full list here: Survival Guides for the Mountains
