Fishing Base

Camping Adventure

Dear fishing friend,

maybe you are familiar with this situation: you would like to equip yourself with the necessary gear for a camping adventure, but you lack the know-how and find the subject challenging at first.

Before you begin comparing products, you should decide what it is that you actually want from the equipment?

Someone, for example, who plans on taking a camping holiday once or twice a year, when the weather is good, and then only for one or two nights, might be more concerned with low weight equipment and does not necessarily need to buy expensive, sophisticated products.

For those, who want to spend more time 'under canvas', possibly spending one or two weeks experiencing the joys of camping, would be well advised to look for high quality items.

Let's start by taking a look at tentage:

An important characteristic when choosing a tent is the water-resistance. It is given, in many cases, as water column. The water-resistance of tent materials begins with a water column of 1,500 mm. Quality tentage can have a water column of up to 5,000 mm. To test the material, it is stretched over a special meter and water is poured onto the material. The water column value is obtained by noting the point at which water begins to seep through the material being tested.

One of the weak points where leaks can occur is the seams, especially at those points where the tent material is supported by poles. It is therefore important to check for taped seams.

Another important characteristic, is air circulation. For longer camping adventures, the tent should be fitted with a window. With both this and the main flap open, the air can circulate throughout the tent. Without good air circulation, condensation builds within the tent. This is the reason why many quality tents have a separate inner and outer tent.

The location and the duration of your stay is an important factor in determining the suitability of frame and support poles. For short term campers, a lighter construction is more than adequate and relatively inexpensive. All-weather campers, who plan on camping for longer periods, would be well advised to look for quality tents with sturdy frames and support poles. Of course, one can also expect that they weigh a little more.

With tents, size is important. Generally speaking, occasional campers, with sleeping mat and sleeping bag, require little space. Long term campers and anglers, with cot, camping accessories / angling equipment, etc. need to pay greater attention to the internal dimensions and might ask themselves some of the following questions:

It is important to pay close attention to the tent design/construction. The overall dimensions do not necessarily reflect the amount of space within.

To the basics belong, of course, sturdy tent pegs of varying lengths and long guy lines. As the conditions of the ground on which you pitch your tent is unknown, these accessories will ensure a stable tent construction. A woollen blanket, much like those used for protecting furniture during transport, placed under the tent, will provide added protection for tent, air bed/mattress and your feet from stony ground.

When choosing a sleeping bag, think once again of your personal needs. If you are planning short trips, one of the more affordable models is more than adequate. The sleeping bag insulation (filling) is one of the most important features:- down or synthetic fibres?

Down is lightweight and compresses well (reduced pack dimensions) but is sensitive to damp. Modern synthetic fibres are not so sensitive to damp, drying quickly and tend to be less expensive. The liner material is also of great importance. Cotton feels good on the skin but tends to stain easily and does not dry as quickly as, for example, nylon or polyester. Anglers, who need to react quickly to bite alarm signals also need to look for quick opening zippers.

To conclude, a few recommendations, tailored to the various demand specifications.

Spec 1: Irregular, fine weather camper.
Requirements: affordable, short term cover for 1 or 2 nights. Generally camping with good ground and wind conditions. Sleeping on an air bed or insulating roll mat. Prefers compact transport dimensions and low weight.

Spec 2: Irregular camper, spending more than 2 nights camping (in spring, summer and autumn).
Requirements: a tent that can withstand heavier downpours but not necessarily hailstorms. Sleeping on an air bed, insulating roll mat and, if need be, on a camping bed. Desires a medium-classed tent.

Spec 3: The experienced camper (or carp angler) who spends many days, perhaps weeks in the open, in all seasons.
Requirements: a tent that can be pitched in all manner of terrain and weather conditions. The tent should have enough space for a bed and plenty of equipment.

Accessories & Clothing:

We hope you have a lot of on your camping adventure.

Your Askari Team

PS:
To complement our main theme, Camping Adventure, we have an online article which deals with the care of tentage and other camping accessories. To take a look at this article, simply click on the following link: http://www.askari-fishing.co.uk/contents/fcamping.htm


- Back to overview -