Pitch perfect: how to pitch a tent for the most comfortable camping experience
Any fool can pitch a tent badly, but pitching one well is a combination of skill and art form, as well as good observation. We run down our top tips. (image credit: Decathlon)
If it’s a new one (lucky you), pitch it at home, borrow a garden for 20 minutes or find a local open space. Get to know how it works with plenty of time. (image credit: Kelty)
Make sure you’ve got a mini tent-care-kit. A pole repair sleeve (a metal tube), some spare cord, a few cable ties and duct tape will work as a temporary fix. (image credit: The Gear Loop)
Aim for a sheltered spot, but not too low down near water, avoid very boggy ground and be mindful of where the sun rises. (image credit: Unsplash)
Tunnel tents want to be end-on to winds, or they’ll just get blown flat, while more geodesic designs need to be angled so the gale doesn’t blow through it. (image credit: Unsplash)
The more level the site, the better night’s sleep you’ll have. If things are desperate, pointing your head uphill is preferable. (image credit: Unsplash)
Go over the ground as carefully as possible, removing anything sharp and any small pebbles. These will only dig into you when sleeping. (image credit: Unsplash)
The most important thing about camping in any situation is to make sure that your bedding and inside of the tent starts out as dry as possible. (image credit: Unsplash)
Your sleeping mat and sleeping bag need time to relax, the mat to self-inflate, and the sleeping bag to re-loft, especially if it is a down bag. (image credit: Unsplash)
Sleeping on a full stomach is much more pleasurable, but it’s also very warming too, as your body generates heat from the food and the digestive process (image credit: Primus)
Having a pillow will make a massive difference, and even if you’re wild camping, there are lightweight pillows that can be stuffed with spare clothes. (image credit: Unsplash)
#}