7 Tips for Camping in the Mountains for Beginner Hikers
Camping is an activity that must be done by climbers to rest during the hike. It is usually done at certain posts that are commonly used as places to set up tents.
For friends who are climbing a mountain for the first time, it might be confusing about what needs to be done or even brought to ensure a smooth and comfortable journey during the hike. Especially when staying overnight to rest before continuing the climb. Here are 7 tips that friends can follow to be comfortable while camping in the mountains.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Climbing a mountain certainly requires more energy, so food consumption must be monitored. Unlike recreational activities using travel agents, climbing a mountain cannot stop at a restaurant to eat when hungry.
Not only bringing ready-to-eat food, such as bread, chocolate, and other snacks, when climbing a mountain, more carbohydrates are certainly needed. When resting and camping at a stopping point, this is where climbers can cook. Therefore, climbers must bring simple cooking equipment.
Usually, climbers will bring gas for a portable stove for cooking, a small aluminum pot that is easy to carry, and cooking ingredients such as cooking oil placed in small bottles and a few cups of rice adjusted to needs. The simplest dishes that can be made are rice and boiled noodles. However, it is not uncommon for climbers to bring fruits and vegetables to prepare healthy meals.
Keep Your Body Warm
Thick jackets, gloves, and socks are three essential clothing items that climbers must bring. Staying outdoors will certainly feel colder than sleeping in a room at home. In addition, the clothes worn and brought should also be long-sleeved and long pants to stay warmer.
Comfortable Sleeping Gear
A mat and sleeping bag are essential items to bring for climbers. Although tents usually have their own flooring, it is also advisable to bring a cloth that can serve as an extra base for more comfortable sleeping.
Keep Away from Insects
In the mountains, there are certainly more mosquitoes and insects. There is no electricity, so you cannot turn on an electric mosquito repellent, and it will be more troublesome to bring a spray or mosquito racket; the only mosquito repellent is anti-mosquito lotion. Bring it in sachets so that it is easier to store and does not take up space.
Water Only for Drinking
Climbers certainly cannot freely use the bathroom because there are no bathrooms in the mountains. Usually, climbers will relieve themselves at certain points and do not have enough water supply. Wet wipes are essential to bring in such situations. In fact, wet wipes can be used for personal cleaning, as bathing is a luxury when camping in the mountains.
Navigation Tools for Direction
Being in the forest and mountains certainly makes it difficult to determine direction. Observing the wind direction is not as easy as depicted in cartoons and movies. Therefore, bringing navigation tools such as a phone or compass will be very helpful. These navigation tools will assist friends in determining the direction to take towards the summit. For climbers who are Muslim, these navigation tools also help to determine the direction of Qibla for worship while camping.
Take Care with a First Aid Kit
Bringing personal medication is a must for climbers. Especially if the climber is aware that they have a condition that could flare up at any time, such as asthma. However, not only personal medication, but also first aid supplies for injuries must be brought. Because, during the climb or overnight at a resting post, unexpected incidents can occur, such as a member falling and getting injured and bleeding. Therefore, a first aid kit is very useful for helping injured or sick members.
These seven tips must be taken into account, friends, to ensure a comfortable overnight stay in the great outdoors. Don't forget to always pray and look out for each other during the climb. Teamwork is essential in conquering the mountains.
Author: Nisa Maulan Shofa
