While it's not always easy to find a flat area on a mountainside campsite, most camping experts will tell you it pays to look for one (with some shade) before setting up camp. It's difficult to pitch a tent on a slope, and even more difficult sleeping on a slant. (If there's no other choice, make sure you pitch the tent so that you will be sleeping with your head above your legs.)
 A flat open area is of course a great spot for a campfire, even if you plan to cook on a portable stove. (Never attempt to cook inside the tent, even if the weather turns cold and rainy.) For one, an open area is the safest spot for a campfire; a flat area means no one gathering around the fire, leaning up into the fire or looking down into the flames. Kindling, small wads of newspaper, and matches are the best way to start a campfire. Make sure the wood you burn is dry. Damp wood will spark and could start an unwanted and dangerous fire elsewhere.
And speaking of flames, your campsite should be close to water. Not necessarily for drinking, but certainly for washing and dousing the campfire when you're finished with it. You can't rely on stomping or smothering the flames, and you certainly don't want to walk halfway across the park to a water source.
Set up your cooking fire so that it is well clear of the tent and other gear. And police the area so that the fire is not too close to overhanging branches or ground cover, which could catch fire if a wind comes up. Naturally, you will want to make sure that the fire, no matter how secure it may seem, is never left unattended. Wind and wildlife can start a blaze that can have disastrous results.
Another way to insure against a fire hazard is to keep the entire campsite clean and free of litter. Clean the area after every meal, storing waste in waterproof plastic bags that you will dispose of at park-selected sites. If you can, keep bagged trash in your locked vehicle until you can drop them off in the proper receptacles. This will prevent wildlife from invading the campsite and getting at the waste.
Of course, you know to keep all perishable foods on ice, opening the chest as infrequently as possible. Dry goods and other non-perishables should be kept in sealed containers that will hold in odors and keep wildlife away, and also prevent rain from spoiling the contents. As an added precaution, try to store all foodstuffs off the ground whenever possible.
No matter how dry the weather is expected to be, it's always smart to expect some dampness. Even a light, misty rain over time can soak through camping gear, so be sure to air out your sleeping bags, ground cloths and bedding every day. Watch for the start of mildew, and treat affected areas with an anti-mildew spray.
A neat, well-policed campsite goes a long way to insure a great camping experience.
|  |
