Come spring, when the sun is shining, you’re spontaneously heading out with your tent for the first time this year. But upon arrival at the campsite or bivouac area, you discover a pole is broken, your outer tent is missing, and your air mattress has a leak.
To avoid this scenario, preparation for the camping season is key. Spring is the ideal time to dust off your camping gear, take stock, and repair or replace faulty equipment.
Make an Inventory
Organising your gear in spring ensures you won’t face any unpleasant surprises. Bring your equipment down from the attic, out of the cellar, or the garage, and take stock of your tents, sleeping bags and mats, cooking gear, backpacks, freeze-dried food, and water filters.
Count tent poles and pegs, check if your first aid kit still has enough plasters and aspirin, and whether your repair kit includes patches and tape. What about sunscreen, insect repellent, or fuel for your gas stove?
Think about what you’ll need and what items you might want to purchase in preparation before the camping season begins. This is also the ideal time to make packing lists for different camping trips (on foot, by bike, or by car).
Inspect Your Gear
You’d much rather discover a hole in the tent or a broken zip at home than while huddling under canvas during a downpour. Systematically check your tent, sleeping bags and mats, stove, and all other equipment:
- Set up your tent in the garden. This will help you get back into the swing of setting it up and allow you to check if anything is missing. Are there any tears in the tent or groundsheet or the mesh parts? Are the seams still watertight? Are any pegs missing? Do poles show signs of cracking? Are guy lines still taut, or are they starting to fray? Many brands allow you to buy pegs or guy lines separately.
- Inflate any air mattresses and leave them overnight. Check for air leaks.
- Check sleeping bags for broken or stuck zips.
- Check that your stove still works and whether it needs maintenance.
- (Rechargeable) batteries lose their charge if left unused for extended periods. Check if the batteries in your gadgets are leaking or rusting, and charge them for your first camping trip of the year.
- Also, get out specific camping clothing – think raincoats and trousers, hiking socks, boots – and see if any need repairs. This is also a great time to donate any clothing you no longer need to a charity shop.
- Test your pocket knife to check if it’s sharp enough.
Tip: don’t wait until the last minute! Start preparations at least a week before your first trip, giving yourself enough time to repair or replace items if necessary.
Clean Your Gear
Ideally, you’ve already cleaned your sleeping bags and tent at the end of last year’s camping season. If so, you’re already two steps ahead of those who didn’t. If not, now’s your chance.
- Clean your tent with water, a cloth, and a bit of mild soap if needed. This can easily remove any mould spots. Once again, ideally, you should clean your tent after each use to avoid premature wear. Let it dry completely afterwards.
- Air out sleeping bags by hanging them inside out overnight. You can remove sweat stains from your sleeping bag by soaking it inside out in lukewarm water. For stubborn stains, you can use a washing machine, but read the manufacturer’s instructions and use a specialised detergent if necessary. Only do this if absolutely necessary; down sleeping bags, in particular, lose their insulating ability if washed (too often).
- Thoroughly clean cooking gear, including pots and pans.
Repair Your Tent and Other Gear
- Stiff zips can run smoothly again with a silicone spray. Just avoid getting it on the tent fabric.
- Repair any tears in your tent fabric or groundsheet with repair patches or tape, depending on the size. You can easily apply waterproof patches, available at any outdoor shop.
- A broken pole doesn’t have to mean the end of your tent. Replace only the damaged segment rather than the entire pole. Spare parts are often included with a tent, or you can buy them. You can also replace the elastic cord.
Re-Waterproof Your Tent
When should you re-waterproof your tent? If rainwater beads nicely on the fabric, your tent is still ready for action. Once this effect starts to fade, it’s time to use a waterproofing treatment—a special spray or a liquid applied with a brush. Pitch the tent, clean it, and follow the instructions on the waterproofing product. Don’t forget the seams: they’re the most vulnerable part and deserve extra thorough treatment.
Physical Preparation for Camping Season
Is your gear in top shape? Now, it’s your turn! Consider a training plan to get your body fit for long hikes with a (heavy) backpack. Or maybe you could take a course to learn a new skill—such as bushcraft, first aid, or navigation.
This article first appeared on Pasar.