B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·

Skip to content
Sponsored Content

9 camping problems and how to solve them

Unless your name is Bear Grylls, you wonB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t be comfortable camping without the proper gear. Some problems can be solved with ingenuity and a bit of duct tape , but the best way to solve most camping challenges is to stop them before they start. Or, in the words of the Scouts Canada motto, Be Prepared.
33112497_web1_230606-Impress-BPD-AmazonAffiliateCamping-tent_1
Be prepared for your next camping trip with a quality tent - and a fly that properly protect you from the rain. Photo courtesy Amazon.ca

Unless your name is Bear Grylls, you wonB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t be comfortable camping without the proper gear. Some problems can be solved with ingenuity and a bit of , but the best way to solve most camping challenges is to stop them before they start. Or, in the words of the Scouts Canada motto, Be Prepared.

Heading out on a summer adventure? Here are 9 common camping problems, and how to solve them.

1. ItB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s raining inside your tent

Your tent needs a separate fly to keep off the rain, and that fly needs to cover your whole tent B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·” not a silly half-fly that leaves the bottom part of your tent exposed to the elements. When you set up this , or this thatB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s tall enough to stand up in, make sure to use tent pegs to secure the fly and keep it taught so water canB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t seep through your inner tent layer.

2. ThereB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s a fire ban and you need to eat

Fire bans are common along North AmericaB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s west coast, so check conditions before you go, and donB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t assume youB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ll be able to cook over the campfire. (Even when itB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s wet, many wilderness experts advocate for fewer campfires to reduce carbon emissions and leave forests undisturbed). YouB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ll love this for its quality cast-iron cooking grates, lightweight lid and fold-out side tables to keep your cooking tools organized.

3. Your feet are always cold

First, change your socks. Even if your socks donB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t feel damp, theyB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™re likely still holding cooling moisture B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·” especially if youB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™re still wearing the ones you wore hiking. If your toes are ice blocks after water skiing or going for a swim, try a pair of B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·” and throw a in for extra cosy comfort.

4. Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink

Drink safely from any fresh water stream or lake with this . Great for emergencies, hiking and overseas travel, and it doesnB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t taste like chemicals.

 

Drink safely from any fresh water stream or lake with this sterilizing straw. Photo courtesy Amazon.ca
Drink safely from any fresh water stream or lake with this sterilizing straw. Photo courtesy Amazon.ca

5. You want to read but your partner wants to sleep

In every relationship thereB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s one person who falls asleep immediately and one person who stays awake resenting them. YouB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™re camping out of cell service so canB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t scroll TikTok, which means itB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s the perfect time to crack that spy novel B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·” except you canB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t turn on the campsite lantern and wake up your partner. Get yourself a ! Bright enough to read your book, but wonB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t disturb your partner.

6. Straining spaghetti always ends with dinner in the dirt

Spaghetti with tomato paste, ground beef, mushrooms and onions makes for a fantastic one-pot meal on a multi-day hike, but no one wants to hike with a strainer. So you try using the pot lid to hold the pasta in and get the water out, and wind up either burning your hand or spilling dinner in the dirt. Try this , with handy strainer holes in the light-weight lid, and a sturdy pot holder that easily transfers from the fry pan to the pot.

7. Your camping chair brokeB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·¦ again

Not all camping chairs are created equal, and unfortunately, you often get what you pay for. Material can rip or weaken with sun exposure, and metal joints can bend or break. Our advice? Look around any beach or campground and make note of the most popular chairs B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·” theyB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™re the ones that work, and itB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s very likely theyB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™re . Comfortable, low enough to use at outdoor concerts and high enough that you wonB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t get stuck, and folds into a backpack with extra storage.

 

Look around any beach or campground and make note of the most popular chairs — they’re the ones that work, and it’s very likely they’re these ones. Photo courtesy Amazon.ca
Look around any beach or campground and make note of the most popular chairs B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·” theyB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™re the ones that work, and itB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s very likely theyB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™re these ones. Photo courtesy Amazon.ca

8. YouB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ll die without coffee

Camping coffee used to be a major struggle, but thankfully there are now many delicious choices for your morning cup of joe. Keep it simple with that actually tastes good, bring the or , and even enjoy B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·” no electricity required!

9. YouB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™re lost, or your motherB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s worried you will be

For emergencies or just for peace of mind, carry a hand-held satellite communicator. With these devices you can quickly tell your mother, your boss or emergency services exactly where you are on the planet. There are a few brands, each with its own benefits. , and the all use GPS to allow you to share your location and send a request for help. Some models offer more in-depth messaging and route tracking, but all offer the same basic safety service.




(or

B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·

) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }