Terrain: Slope vs. Flat Ground
Of course, sleeping on a perfectly flat surface is more pleasant. However, a slight slope has an important advantage: when it rains, water will run downhill, and you’ll avoid puddles around the tent. If you do camp on flat ground, make sure the soil absorbs moisture well. It’s easy to check: drive a tent peg into the ground. It should go in without much effort, but the soil shouldn’t be so wet that the peg sinks in.
• Avoid low-lying areas: cold air, fog, and hordes of mosquitoes collect there.
• Don’t pitch too high: on hilltops and ridges, the risk of a lightning strike during a thunderstorm increases.
Wind: Your Friend and Foe
Always determine the prevailing wind direction. Pitch the tent so that its end (where the entrance usually is) is turned away from the wind—this way it will become a reliable shelter.
• Don’t camp in an open area: gusty nighttime wind (especially toward morning) can easily tear off or break your tent.
• Look for the golden mean in the forest: leave enough open space around you for the sun to dry the ground and the air to circulate.
Resources: Water and Firewood
Camp life becomes much easier when two key resources are close at hand. Try to set up camp not far from a source of clean water and in a place where you can gather twigs and deadwood for a fire. Long trips for firewood and water are an activity that quickly loses its romance.
Safety First
Although nearby firewood is a plus, don’t pitch your tent under dead trees or under healthy trees with large dry branches. In strong wind or a thunderstorm, they can come down. The same rule applies to heavily leaning trees.
Other hazards:
• Inspect the slope: if you’re on a hill, make sure there are no large unstable boulders uphill from you.
• Keep your distance from water: set up camp well away from rivers and streams. A sudden downpour can sharply raise the water level and flood your campsite.
• Check your neighbors: wild animals generally avoid people, but still look around—see whether there are animal trails or burrows nearby.
Pitching the Tent Correctly
Once you’ve chosen the spot, it’s important to set it up properly.
1. Layout: Don’t pitch tents right next to each other. Personal space is valued even in nature. Decide in advance where the kitchen and firewood preparation area will be.
2. Preparing the site: after laying out the footprint or groundsheet, don’t rush with the pegs. First, thoroughly clear the ground underneath of stones, branches, and pinecones. What seems like a trifle during the day feels like a rock at night under your side. (Proven by the bitter experience of many hikers!)
3. Pitching: mark the spots for the tent corners so you can drive the first pegs correctly. After that, you can set the rest and tension the flysheet.
4. Quality check: a properly pitched tent is symmetrical, with evenly tensioned walls and no wrinkles. Make sure the inner tent doesn’t touch the outer flysheet—otherwise water will leak through at those points.
Have a great campsite and a pleasant rest!
Next guide: Природные убежища для ночлега в походе Previous guide: A Saw on a Camping Trip: How to Choose, Use, and Care for It
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