Campgrounds

Views: 0

July 17, 2010 by Jonsky

“Frontcountry is composed of outdoor areas that are easily accessible by vehicle and mostly visited by day users. Developed campgrounds are also included in the frontcountry arena. Frontcountry locations tend to be more crowded and attract a wider range of visitor than backcountry.” – LeaveNoTraceDude

A backcountry is basically undeveloped wilderness.

Check out the full post at TrailSpace.

What’s your definition of backcountry?

August 13, 2009 by Jonsky

As it is written, the state law allows persons with valid handgun carry permits to possess handguns in all parks, natural areas, campgrounds and similar public places. Local governments wishing to keep guns out of their parks have until Sept. 1 to opt out.

Read more..

May 27, 2009 by Jonsky

2009 is the year of camping revival some might say and they could be right. With reports flying everywhere about how big and trendy camping is, stores are having a hard time keeping up with demand for camping gear.

There are two types of camping. Wild camping is camping in the outdoors away from civilization and there won’t be any of the facilities in an organized campground. It’s also referred to as technical camping and you’re limited to what you have in your backpack.

The other type of camping is called family camping and backpacking is optional. It’s easier than technical camping and the campgrounds are usually close to lakes and rivers.

The difference between family camping and wild camping is not just about the level of difficulty and location. In wild camping, it is ideal that you have small and lightweight camping equipment. In family camping, people usually arrive in their vehicles so they can pretty much carry everything under the sun. Family campers can also use whatever they have at home as camping gear.

However, they do have at least one thing in common; tents, sleeping bags and camping cookware e.g. camp stoves are the most expensive things they need to have. And because the lighter and smaller the equipment the more expensive it is, wild campers have a bigger bill when they first start out.

For family camping, the biggest considerations for a tent are space and comfort. First it has to at least accomodate the number of people to share the tent with plus one more. In general, the more space the better the comfort.

Cabin tents have nearly vertical walls and high ceilings and often comes with bug-proof netting, large rain flies, ventilation windows and even separate rooms. This type of tent has the best headroom compared to any other type of tent.

Dome tents are smaller but they still have a good amount of headroom. They’re easier to set up and often less expensive than cabin tents. Dome tents also fare better in wind and rain because they have a low profile.

Both types of tents are heavy and bulky and therefore not ideal for backpacking. Solo hikers either go for bivvies, 1 person tents or 2 person tents if they want comfort. Dome tents are less popular with backpackers because they tend to be too heavy.

As for sleeping bags, rectangular ones are more popular with family campers because they have more room to move about in. You can also zip them together to form a double bag.

Technical campers almost always prefer mummy sleeping bags because they’re lighter in general and does a better job in keeping you warm especially if there’s a hood. There are two types of insulation in sleeping bags; down and synthetic. Down sleeping bags are lighter and more effective but it can get too hot if the temperature is not cool enough. Synthetic sleeping bags are heavier and less effective in retaining heat but they keep their insulation properties even when wet and when they do get wet, they dry very easily.

A camping mat is one of the essential camping gear because even if your sleeping bag is effective, you still lose a lot of heat to the cold ground. Family campers like to use inflatable air mattresses along with battery powered pumps. Camping cots are also a popular option.

Backpackers on the other hand love to use self-inflating pads like Therm-a-Rest. They’re lighter and packs very small.

As for camping cookware, family campers can pretty much use whatever they have at home. They often carry coolers filled with their favorite food and drinks. An open fire is better suited for barbeques but it’s still much more easier and practical to use camp stoves for general cooking instead.

Wild campers have to be careful with their camping cookware so as not to carry too much and be a burden. Non-stick pans and pots are essential for easy cleaning. Propane stoves are popular with new wild campers because they’re very easy to use.

January 29, 2009 by Jonsky

What is Freedom Camping?

It’s camping at places not designated for camping, where there are no camping facilities, no campgrounds, no motor parks, etc.  Camping in this sense includes camping in a tent, sleeping bag, bus, caravan and campervan. Location can either be in remote areas or public places like car parks, beaches, shopping mall precints, road sides, basically anywhere that’s possible to safely pitch a tent or park a vehicle.

In New Zealand, freedom camping is popular with both Domestic and International travellers throughout the year. People do it for different reasons. Some for the freedom of being independent and to ‘get away from it all’, some to save money on accommodation, some for fun and some because there are no camping grounds or holiday parks around.

Why crack down on Freedom Campers?

There are a number of reasons why New Zealand’s, Nelson City Council is considering cracking down on freedom campers at the Lions Playground at Tahunanui Beach and at the Trafalgar Centre.

Many are irresponsible, using bushes as toilets and throwing rubbish everywhere. They are also an eye-sore for local inhabitants.  Most times about a dozen or so campervans are parked at the Tahunanui Beach carpark in the morning.

Locals are certainly not happy and want freedom campers kicked out.

In Tasman district, residents claim that freedom campers are abusing the district’s hospitality. Tasman District Council’s policy is that “overnight camping may only be carried out in mobile vehicles fitted with a minimum three-day capacity toilet and greywater storage facility”. In most cases camping is allowed as long as there are no signs forbidding it and for no more than two nights in a month at any one place.

The problem is that, this policy is often ignored and difficult to enfore. However, according to regulatory manager Jean Hodson, the policy was primarily educational, and in such a big district, with so many places to camp, the problem of freedom camping would exist whether or not the council allowed camping outside camp grounds.