TWO TYPES OF CAMPING

FRONTCOUNTRY CAMPING
- Is camping on planned campgrounds where it is close to a vehicle, with certain amenites and
emergency aid. This is just like camping on school grounds and on the local parks. Typically,
picnic tables are provided, location of tents is specified, and fire rings are designated. This may
also include travel-trailer camping.

BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING
- Is the opposite, where no amenites are readily available and motorized vehicles cannot reach
the camping site. It will require some physical exertion such as hiking or canoeing to travel to
thr location or to move from place to place.

CAMPING
Camping has been around for a long time. Native Americans used tents as shelters as did armies
who were on the move. But it was only around 100 years ago that camping was thought of as a
recreational activity.
o Thomas Hiram Holding is considered as the father of modern camping (Ryalls, A. &
Petrin, R.L., 2016).

o In the 1880s, he took a canoe and camping trip in Scotland.

o In 1908, He wrote the first Camper’s Handbook

o This led to him founding the ASSOCIATION OF CYCLE CAMPERS in 1901.

HOW DO WE PREPARE FOR CAMPING TRIP?

First Campsites was held on the Isle of Mann. It opened in the summer and had continuously
attracted people that by the end of 1800s, it was having 600 people per week. In 1932, the first
international camping was organized and the Federation Internationale de Camping et de
Caravanning (FICC) was founded.
BASIC PREPARATIONS

Preparations:
First thing is to identify the participants in the activity; their names, contact information, and
health information are needed. For EMERGENCY! Purposes, one should keep infos. Of the
participants.
The Date, Location and Itinerary are the next items to plan.

 Location will be a major consideration in the preparation as this becomes the basis for
other plans.
 Eco-Parks
 Camping resorts
 Few Islands open to the public
Camping in the backcountry is usually part of an organized climb or trek. Thus, it is normally
done with a mountaineering club or with trekking tour group. In these groups, orientation and
skills training are part of the pre-departure requirements of the participants. The itinerary is
planned as a group.

CLOTHES
-The first line of defense so that the body can maintain an appropriate core temperature.
When it is hot, the body must be able to rid itself of excess heat; otherwise, the core temperature
will start to rise and heat exhaustion or heat stroke may happen.

HYPOTHERMIA
-A condition where the body temperature is below 35 degree Celsius

HYPERTHERMIA
- It is when the body temperature is above 37.5 degree Celsius.
LAYER 1: BASE LAYER or SKIN LAYER
-This clothing next to the skin. Thus, if one is dressing to stay cool, the fabric should be
thin and does not block wind. In general, coton is best for warm and hot conditions. If you are
trying to stay warm, the fabric should allow your perspiration to pass through it but at the same
time prevent the wind from cooling your body down.
The recommended fabrics are synthetics, wool, or silk. Cotton is not recommended
material in this weather. Even if it is cold, our bodies still sweat when we hike.
Thermal undergarment may be used for cold temperature and wool undergarments for
even colder conditions.
LAYER 2: INSULATING LAYER
-It is worn over the base layer, helps you retain heat by trapping air close to your body.
Multiple layers are able to trap air as long as there is an outer layer that blocks out the wind.
Without the second layer, the air that the body has warmed up will be replaced by fresh cold air.
Natural fibers like wool and fleece are excellent insulators. In extreme cold and wet
situations, an insulated jacket is usually worn.
LAYER 3: WIND and/or RAIN-BARRIER LAYER
-The outer layer (shell) is your protection from wind, rain, or snow. It is the most
important layer during bad weather. If the wind and water penetrate the inner layers, you will
begin to feel cold.
-If there is poor ventilation, perfpiration cannot evaporate and instead condenses on the
inside of the shell.
FIT is also a consideration because it should be roomy enough to fit easily over other
layers and should not restrict your movement.
The most functional are those that are waterproof and breathable shells which use
laminated membranes (having layers of materials) such as Gore-Tex.
Water-resistant and Breathable shells
-usually made of tightly woven fabric like nylon which blocks wind and light rain.
Waterproof but non-Breathable shells
-can be used for rainy days but with light activity (fishing). These are made out of
polyurethane-coated nylon, which makes it waterproof and wind-proof.
Soft shells
-emphasize breathability of the fabric which adds comfort during aerobic activities.
Insulated shells
-such as fleece have a built-in layer of insulation, making it comfortable in cold and wet
conditions but not very versatile for layering in fluctuating temperatures.
SLEEPING BAG AND PAD
- Sleeping bag provides warmth and comfort for a good rest at night. The warmth of the
sleeping bag is determined by:
a. Kind of insuating material
- Down (soft feather from goose or duck) is warmer but is not waterproof.
-Polyester/synthetic is virtually waterproof but not so warm. It is heavier and bulker.
b. Loft
- refers to thickness of bag
-Thicker loft will provide more warmth.
c. The shape of the bag
- Mummy-shaped bags are better when trekking because they are lighter and warmer.
- Barrel-shaped bags are roomier at the midsection providing more comfort but they are
heavier.
- Rectangular-shaped bags are the roomiest, thus great for warmer weather, however,
they can be bulkier and heavier.

Camping pad is also essential as it serves as a cushion from the ground and most
importantly, as an insulator against the coldness of the ground.
TENTS
-gives protection from the rain, wind, and bugs. It also adds warmth, comfort, and a
sense of security. It comes in many shapes, styles, and sizes. It should be light and compact so it
will be easier to carry.
It is a must for a tent to have a waterproof floor, must protect you from mosquito, and must be
made from breathable material such as ripstop nylon or nylon taffeta.
TARPS
-also used as shelters in place of the tent. They ar elighter because no place are carried. It
can be set up in a variety of ways. However, using appropriate knots is important in setting up
tarp shelters.
COOKING AND EATING UTENSILS
-A small lightweight backpack stove is more efficient than open fire because temperature
can be controlled. It also lessens the threat of starting fires and most importantly it has less
impact on the environment as it will not leave fire residue.
Cooking pot can double as an eating utensil, if one wants to conserve on space. Bring
spoon, fork, and knife although these can also be combined in a camping swiss knife.
WHERE DO WE GET OUR WATER?
WATER
- is a day-to-day need. People use it for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and bathing. In the
frontcountry camping, water is usually either brought the camper or may be provided through
plumbing or pump.
However, it is advised that water from these sources should be purified first as a precautionary
measure.

METHOD/TREATMENT ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Filtering  Good job in filtering  Longer time.
 Filters are used up
quickly
Iodine Tablets  Easy to carry.  Discolor containers
 Treatment takes only  Taste unpleasant to
30 min. some
 Do not kill giardia
lamblia (internal
parasite)
Bleach Solution  Easy to carry  May taste unpleasant
 Treatment takes only to some
30 min.
Aquamira  Easy to carry  Has to mix two
 Treatment takes only solutions together and
30 min. waits for 5 mins.
 Slightly change taste before treating water
Boiling  Kills all harmful  Takes time from
organisms boiling to cooling
down
 Depending on
altitude, must be for
5-15 min.

WHAT KIND OF FOOD SHOULD WE BRING?

In frontcountry camping, almost any food may be bought because one can always bring a
chiller or an ice chest to keep food from spoiling.
COOKING is typically done with a portable stove or with the use of charcoal or wood if a
fire ring is present.
It will be different with backcountry camping as bringing an ice chest is out of the
question.
Food should be those that will not spoil and with consideration on the calorie content,
food preparation, and weight of the food item.
There are several freeze dried food as options which only require boiling water.
Pasta and rice are good sources of energy and can easily be boiled up in high altitude.
Sachets of tomato can be brought along with the pasta.
Cooked food that can last for days without refrigeration is another option such as adobo.
CANNED GOODS
- can also be brought but it needs to be repacked as tin cans can weigh more.

ZIPLOC BAGS
- the best way to repack and pack food. The bags allow food to be divided into portions and
sealed. You can label the pack for the different meals, so it will be easy to bring out what is just
needed.
Bring oil and condiments as well in small packed amounts so food will still taste heavenly
in camps.
Cooking is done on a one-burner stove and only a single pot should be brought along
with basic utensils.
The stove comes in different sizes and fuel requirements . Some stoves use white gas,
while others use the butane canister. It is advisable to try them in a camp.
Conserving fuel is also essential to minimize the weight of the backpack. Covering the pot
with a lid and lighting the stove only when you are ready to put the pot are two ways of
conserving fuel.
Food should be stored well. The smell of food will attract animals. This is giving an
opportunity for them to get your food and make yourself to animal attack.
One method of keeping food safe from animals looking for meal is by putting food sealed
in a bag and hang it on a branch of a tree (Bunting, 2006).