PORTABLEWASHINGMACHINE
We’ve established that camping
is dirty business, especially
whenyou can’t easilythrow a
grubby t-shirt and shorts in
the wash. Avoid slippinginto
grime-covered duds each day
by constructinga DIY washing
machine contraption – all you’ll
need is a big-arse bucket with
a lid; somethingdrill-like to
make some holes;and a (brand
new) toilet plunger. Simply
createaholein themiddleofthe
bucket lid that’s large enough
to squeeze the plunger’s handle
through, then poke a few more
holes in the plunger itself for
some extra agitation. Whack
your clothes in and fill the bucket
halfway with soapand water;
close the lid nice and tight; and
pump the plunger up and down
for several minutes. Voilà –you’ll
smell fresh as a daisy. (Almost.)
MAKE-IT-YOURSELFCAMP
STOVEIf chuckinga hunk of
meat straight onto a campfire
isn’t your thing, you could build
a makeshiftgrill for only a few
bucks. Take a wire coolingrack
and a deep foil bakingpan – the
kind you might use for carting
around a homemade lasagne –
thenpopthe first on the second
with some charcoal in thegap.
Light the charcoal and whack
your dinner on the rack. It’ll
bejust like a home-cooked
barbecue meal, onlywith more
stars overhead and MacGyver-
like problem-solvingflair.
(Worth noting: you’ll probably
need some extra kindlingto
get your flames burningbright.
Stray corn chips will do the
trick,as will leftover lint from
your clothes dryer –just stuff it
into a cardboard toiletpaper roll
for a homemade fire starter.)OUTDOORSTORAGE
SOLUTIONSCampsites tend
to descend into chaos fairly
quickly – a lone thonghere;
some forks over there; apacket
of matches sittingout in the
rain. It’s not too hard to keep
thingsorganised, though, if you’d
prefer to have your bits and bobs
atarm’sreach. Investinoneof
those wardrobe shoe organisers- the hangingtype that has a
bunch ofpockets to slide your
footwear into–and useitas a
handy supply cupboard instead.
(Excellent for things like cutlery,
washingup liquid, and first-aid
provisions.) TicTac containers
makegreat spice holders, too,
as do seven-daypillboxes.
When in doubt, turn togood ol’
Tupperware for keepingsupplies
dry and in oneplace – especially
roundplastic tubs toprotect
toiletpaper from the elements.
DIYLANTERNCan’t find
where you dropped your
marshmallowsin the bush?
Need some light in your tent to
play cards into the night? Good
news: you can put together a
surprisingly effective makeshift
lantern withjust a smallish
torch and large-ish bottle
ofH 20 .Theinstructionsare
pretty dangeasy: take a clear
plastic bottle, like the ones
that hold soft drink or milk;
fill it to the brim with water;
seal it with the lid;shine
your torch through the side.
(Even better ifyou have one
of those strap-on head lamps
handy– it can be secured to
the bottle for ease of moving
around.)The water will start
toglow like a lava lamp minus
the psychedelicgoo, making
nocturnalgoings-on a whole
lot easier onyour eyes.DrropthedecibelsCampgrounds often designate quiet hours so
thaat everyone can get a good amount of zzz’s. Respect the rules
and switch off your tunes when that time rolls around. Keep to
awwhisper and be wary of sound travelling (especially during
‘nighttime activities’ – unsurprisingly, tent walls are very thin).
SharetheshowersFound a campsite with shower facilities?
ky you! Just don’t hog them every time you go in for a scrub.
Cammping over the warmer months leaves everyone dusty, sticky
andd covered in muck, so avoid super-long bathing sessions,
ecially when there’s a line forming outside the shower block.
LeaavenotraceAside from the eyesore and wafting stench, leaving
rubbish out attracts critters who are foraging for a feed. Do your
part in keeping the campsite clean by storing garbage in a sealedt
container, then disposing of it appropriately when you get the
channce. (Note: plastic garbage bags are not-so-greatfor the
environment, and can be torn open by astray claw or tooth in ajiffy.)
Mindyourweesandpoosd Look – no one wants to step in a soggy
patch of grass and wonder how the moisture came to be. If there
aretoilets at your campsite, use them! If not, dig a hole as fart
from everyone’s sleeping quarters as possible, then bury the m
evideence when you’re done. It’s just basic hygiene.StickktothepathsMaking friends while camping can be mighty
fun,bbut you’re best off waiting for an invitation before you think
about traipsing into someone else’s space. For many, getting
outdooors is about peace, quiet and a little privacy, and taking a
shortcut through their campsite on the way to the beach disrupts
thatsserenity. Follow the trails marked out for foot traffic instead,
orfindd another way to get where you’re going.
Bekinnd,alwaysThe easiest way to avoid beinga dickhead
campeer? Look out for your fellow outdoorsy types, and lend
ahand if needs be. Share your supplies; help pitch their tent;d
andgenerally give off a polite and neighbourly vibe. Whoge
knows? You may wind up with a new camping family.the great outdoors