A brief guide for a beginner camper

Have you always dreamt of an overnight hike in the forest but have not realised your dream because you are not quite sure of what a typical one-night hiking trip entails? Camping and hiking are great ways to spend time in nature and enjoy the outdoors, and they should not belong to dedicated forest experts only. However, you do need some knowledge, skills and the right kind of equipment for camping. When you have the basics in order, camping will be easy, comfortable and, of course, safer. A beginner camper is probably wondering what a day of hiking entails, besides the obvious pitching of a tent. We gathered a short itinerary of a typical overnight trip that will help you start planning your own trip.

We recommend taking your first overnight trip on a rainless day as rain will pose its own challenges. The best-case scenario is that you have an experienced friend to go with. If both of you are first-timers, always let someone know where you are going and when you should be back. Choose well-marked routes at, for example, nature reserves and national parks as they will also have other services, such as campfire sites with firewood, lean-to shelters and toilets.

You do not need to purchase all the gear for your first trip: borrow things from a friend or, if you think you will use something again, buy it second hand. In addition to an internal frame backpack and adequate outdoor clothing, a good set of gear will include at least a tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, headlamp, camp stove, fire-starting gear, dishes, toilet paper, toiletries, basic first aid kit (e.g. plasters and wound cleanser) and, of course, snacks. Plan snacks well, as there will be no cold storage. Do not forget smaller snacks, such as nuts or protein bars, which will give you energy quickly if you are about to tire too soon. In autumn, it will generally be cold enough to bring some milk for coffee, for example.