5 Tips for Camping In Hot Weather
If you live in the Pacific Northwest, get ready for a hot one this weekend! Temperatures are expected to hit record highs across much of the area, encouraging many to head for the hills or to bodies of water in search of cooler temps. Perfect! Before you head out though, read these tips for keeping safe and cool through this heat wave.
1.) Ice Ice Baby
It’s pretty obvious that you need to fill that cooler with ice before you go, but there are a few ways to do it that’ll keep your food and beverages cool all weekend long
Freeze a couple of gallons of water before you go. You might need to empty a little of the water out before you throw ‘em in the freezer (remember, ice expands as it freezes). Once the jugs are frozen solid they act as ice blocks that take longer to melt than cubes. The benefit of using these jugs over ice blocks that you buy at the store is that you can pour off any ice-cold water right into your glass rather than onto the ground when you drain it out of the cooler.
Bring a second cooler filled with just ice. This way you can use the extra ice for drinks, ice packs, or for backup ice if your cooler can’t handle the heat.
2.) Insulation is your friend
Most of the time when we think about insulation, we think about blankets, jackets, and other items to help keep us warm. Well, insulation is great for keeping things cool too!
Get yourself a couple of insulated thermoses to keep your water cold once you’ve poured it.
Place cans in an insulated can cooler to keep them cold longer.
Try to limit the number of times you open the cooler (every time you open it you let more hot air in and cold air out).
Consider covering your cooler in light-colored blankets. They’ll reflect sunlight and add another layer of insulation to your cooler. Make sure you do this before the cooler has a chance to get hot on the outside though, otherwise it’ll defeat the purpose.
3.) Seek Out Shade
Did you know that the air temperature reported on that handy weather app is actually measured in the shade. This is so that it is not picking up any effects from solar radiation. The air temperature in the sun is technically the same as that in the shade, but it feels 10 to 15 degrees hotter because of the sun’s radiant energy.
Place your cooler in a spot that will stay shady all day long.
Set up your tent and/or vehicle in the shade as well. For vehicle windows, use sun shades in the windows whenever possible.
Bring a canopy even when skies are blue…it’ll make shade for you if there aren’t a lot of trees around.
4.) Drink Lots of Water.
When the weather is hot, our bodies try to regulate our internal temperature by producing sweat, which evaporates and helps cool the skin. Look at you Body, doing exactly the right thing! Help your body out by replenishing the water that you lost and then some. If you’re thirsty, you’ve waited too long. Definitely drink water at that point, but do so slowly so that your body has a chance to absorb it.
Keep a water bottle with you and sip on it all day long. If you’re one to forget about drinking water, schedule several water breaks throughout the day.
Limit or avoid beverages that dehydrate you. Drinks like coffee and alcoholic beverages can actually dehydrate you. If you’re enjoying a few drinks throughout the day make sure to alternate in water as well.
Add electrolytes to your water. When added to water, electrolyte tabs or powders can help your body absorb fluids and replenish important minerals that you have lost by sweating. They taste great too! My personal favorite brand is Nuun, which has several different options based on your needs.
Remember that fruit contains water too. Think about it, it’s Calle WATERmelon. Berries, other melons, kiwis, and citrus fruits have a lot of water in them as well.
5.) Be Fire Safe
Having a campfire is one of my favorite things about camping, but it’s not always safe to do so. Before heading out, check in with local agencies about fire restrictions in the area. Often times in the summer campfires and even charcoal grills are not allowed due to fire danger. Make sure that you know the rules and have alternative ways to cook if needed.
If you are able to have a camp fire, start by making sure that the surrounding ares is clear of any burnable material. When you’re done with campfire time, make sure that you have plenty of water handy to thoroughly douse the fire. It’s also helpful to have a shovel nearby to mix the water in. California’s readyforwildfire.org is a great resource and shows exactly how to properly extinguish a campfire.
If you are towing a trailer, make sure that your tow chains are not dragging on the ground. Dragging chains can cause sparks. In the right conditions (aka hot and dry) the smallest spark can cause a wildfire.
Avoid driving over grasses. The underside of your car is HOT! if you’re traveling off the beaten path to find that perfect spot, make sure that you are not accidentally starting wildfires in your wake by staying on existing roads.