Central West Virginia's Guide To Life

ROUGHING IT:
The BASICS of TENT CAMPING
By Lisa Minney

9/07  The Tent: Your Camping Castle

Leisure time away from the demands of home and work is essential for long term health and survival. In West Virginia, we can all make regular, affordable escapes into some of the most beautiful country in the world. All you need is a tent and some gear.

Life is too complicated, and it seems there is never time to get away. But the simple pleasure of being in the outdoors can relieve the tension of modern living. Time alone with nature, sitting around the fire, hiking in the forest, splashing in the water, brings us back to our natural state.

Outdoor survival, and tent camping, may also seem complicated at first. Truly, tent camping is a process mastered by experience. But with the right gear, common sense, and the basic instincts that exist within each of us, even first-time tent campers can survive a weekend - or even a week or more - in the West Virginia hills and valleys.

Camping doesn’t have to be costly. Old pots and pans work well, and blankets and home-made quilts are often as cozy as any sleeping bag. Save on some gear by using what you have, so you can invest wisely in gear you don’t yet have.

As for affordability, campground rental fees are minimal compared to lodging alternatives. Most WV State Park campgrounds charge $20 or less per night. Hiking is free, usually swimming is free, and if you are lucky, and plan well, you may not even have to buy ice or firewood for those short weekend jaunts.

We’ll get to that later on though, because we need to start at the beginning, and the first thing you need for tent camping... is a tent.

Your tent is literally your home away from home. If the weather turns bad, your tent is your shelter from the elements. For privacy, and some storage of your gear, your tent is your nest. For daytime naps, and night-time dreams, your tent is your bed.

Before purchasing a tent, think about the number of people who will be sleeping in the tent. Think about the seasons and the environments the tent will experience. This will help you choose the style and size tent you need.

If you plan to camp while you backpack the Appalachian trail, for example, you will want a tent that fits lightly into your pack. A bivouac, or “bivvy” is nothing more than a raised cover for your sleeping bag, and is likely what you need.

If, however, you are planning to camp within reach of your car, you may want a tent of greater stature.

In terms of size, tent capacities listed on the tent boxes are relative. If you don’t want to be too crowded, subtract one from the number listed on the box.

As for style, you will likely be presented with three options: the A-Frame, the Family (or long-stay) Tent, and the Dome Tent.

The A-Frame is the pup tent we grown-ups remember from our youth. There’s not much head room, but you only need two light tent poles, and the sloped sides shed water well. The floor has lots of room for gear, but if you raise yourself up on an air mattress at night, you’ll be awfully close to the ceiling if you aren’t smack dab in the middle of the tent. Still, the A-frame is simplicity at its finest.

One the other hand, large family-size tents have up to nine poles or more, and can weigh up to 30 pounds. Four or five people can fit inside with most of their gear, but it usually takes three or four people to get the thing set up. If you are planning a long getaway, the large tents are worthwhile. But if you have to tote it to your camp site, or go camping alone, you may find this size tent is a bit too much.

Dome tents come in one shape, but many sizes. They offer floor space and head room, and provide good shelter against wind and rain. Dome tents are supported by flexible poles that are threaded through, or clipped onto, the tent. Pitching a dome tent for the first few times can be frustrating, especially if you haven’t threaded the poles through properly, but once you understand the process, and practice a little, set up becomes much easier.

Most likely, you’ll be fine with a three-season tent. Four season tents are available, but they are expensive. Unless you plan to camp in the snow, a four-season tent isn’t necessary.

Now that you have decided on the style and size tent you need, don’t skimp. Your tent is your camping castle, so you want good quality. Before you spend a penny, check your investment thoroughly.

Check the zippers on the tent you have chosen. Do they stick or drag? Think of how the zipper will perform when it is zipped open and shut a dozen times a day. A bad zipper now becomes a useless tent later.

Check the seams. No matter what the price or weather rating, the seams are the tent’s strength against the elements and continued use. Pull at the seams. How will they hold when the tent is stretched tight? How water tight do they look? Are there any threads unraveling?

Check the tent’s netting. Tents have to “breathe” or body heath and your breath will condensate on the inside walls. Is there enough netting to let air circulate well inside? Is the netting fine enough to keep small insects out? Is the netting solidly stitched at the edges where it might tent to fray? Like zippers, the netting is a feature prone to weakness.

When you invest in a tent, also invest in a ground sheet, a small hand broom, and extra water sealant to ensure a long life for your camping castle. The ground sheet will protect the tent’s floor, the broom will help keep it clean, and the water sealant should be applied -- especially to the seams-- every few seasons.

Always air dry your tent before you pack it, or you’ll have mold and mildew to deal with. Clean your tent with the hand broom when it is dry. Most dried mud and dirt will brush right off. If needed, use soapy water made with a mild detergent for problem areas, and when dry, apply the water sealant to the cleaned area.

The fall of the year is a good time to purchase a tent. At the end of the summer season, tents are often marked down. Don’t wait, in outdoor stores, the prices will go back up for Christmas. Besides, most WV campgrounds are open through October.

Even if you won’t get to use your tent this fall, buy it now and save some money. Spend winter thinking of next year’s getaways. Ask Santa for some gear later, and by spring, you’ll be ready to go.

Next Month: Sleeping Gear