5 Post Season Tips for Campers

Well it’s sad to say but I’m afraid that we’ve reached that time of year when we need to turn our thoughts to packing up the camping equipment for another year. That’s not to say that you can’t enjoy some great camping through the late fall and even throughout the winter; but that takes a special breed whose sanity I have always questioned – just kidding!

For the rest of us there are a few things to be done to ensure that your camping equipment is in prime condition for next season. Perhaps your equipment hasn’t been used for a few months or maybe you had to do a rush pack-up in the rain at the end of your last trip and never had time to pack and dry things properly.

Here are a few simple tips to help you deal with camping withdrawal and give you one last chance to fondle your equipment and ponder memories of last summer.

1. Open up your tent and be sure that it is clean and dry. Even modern day fabrics can be severely damaged if they are stored damp and dirty for an extended period of time…not to mention the unpleasant smell of mould and mildew that will greet you when you first set up your tent in the spring.

2. Wash or dryclean your sleeping bags. That way they will be fresh and ready to use next spring.

3. Take an inventory of your equipment. Things do tend to go missing and now is the time to replace any tent pegs, ropes, poles, etc. that decided to stay at the campsite.

4. If you were having trouble with any propane appliances, now is the time to get them fixed.

5. Be sure that all water containers are empty and dry. Giving them a quick rinse with a chlorine solution isn’t a bad idea.

Taking a few hours now to inspect, clean, and store your camping equipment will ensure many years of great camping and will help you avoid some frustration when you head off for that first camping trip next spring.

The SO…Camping Blog will be a bit intermittent over the winter months but will be updated as I find relevant or entertaining material to pass on Have a great winter and keep enjoying our great Southern Ontario Outdoors.

SD