First things first

[Pattree]

Just been re-reading The Forest by S E White (1908); something that I do on a regular basis.. It’s very basic because that’s what they had. It’s a great way of keeping things simple.

He describes month long hikes in the “virgin“ Canadian forests. On arriving at his chosen camping site, lays about him with axe and knife for everything from tent pegs, through bedding to fuel.

It got me thinking:

So you’ve arrived at a suitable site for the night:

What are the first few things you do?

 

[shaggystu]

It depends on the weather/time of day; if it's fine and there's light then I'll get my sit mat out and chill for a bit. If it's inclement/late then I'll put up my shelter first, and then I'll get my sit mat out and chill for a bit.

 

[hughtrimble]

First for me is getting the tarp up. Too many times convinced no rain will come and yet it does. Then firewood collection.

 

[TeeDee]

So you’ve arrived at a suitable site for the night:

What are the first few things you do?

Quick close vicinity recce of the area to see if there is anything potentially better in the area ( as a camping location ), any water, any potential issues , check overhead - just a general lookie-loo.

 

[Pattree]

Me too @TeeDee - my question is really, once that decision is made and you stop: what follows.

From about 4.30 I’d have been looking out for somewhere to sleep. It may or may not have been where I prepared my meal.

Sometimes I’d be waiting for dark before setting up sleeping arrangements.

But once you’ve decided on the site:

Chill?
Read?
Forage?
Fire?
Fire/stove and food?
Shelter?
Play mouthorgan?
Check out wildlife?
Take photos?
Get on line?

Something else?

What are the priorities?

 

[HorseGuy]

What are the priorities?

1. Water
2. Shelter
3. Food

 

[shaggystu]

Me too @TeeDee - my question is really, once that decision is made and you stop: what follows.

From about 4.30 I’d have been looking out for somewhere to sleep. It may or may not have been where I prepared my meal.

Sometimes I’d be waiting for dark before setting up sleeping arrangements.

But once you’ve decided on the site:

Chill?
Read?
Forage?
Fire?
Fire/stove and food?
Shelter?
Play mouthorgan?
Check out wildlife?
Take photos?
Get on line?

Something else?

What are the priorities?

That's a beautifully elegant way to illustrate STOP. Not everything has to include "break contact" does it.

Plonk your bottom down,
Leave your worries behind,
'Ave a
Nap.

 

[Pattree]

1. Water
2. Shelter
3. Food

I think many here would agree but it’s not what I usually do. I don’t have a set routine. (who’d have thought? )

I would very probably make myself a hot drink first. That’s an outside activity in all except the worst of weathers. For me it’s also very relaxing.

The tent isn’t a given, it’s an early decision. I might not put it up at all.
Not just when travelling. I’ve arrived at organised camps late or hot and bothered, made a cocoa and just crashed in my sleeping bag and mat.

Sometimes, if I arrived early I’d lay out the bivi bag then just wander around taking a look at what was about. I’d pick up a few extra sticks for the KK, it doesn’t take many.
Then if the weather changes, the tent is still a decision: Put up tent and pull bivi into it or just burrow into bivi and leave the tent alone..

At some point I might briefly play a flute but that isn’t a priority and depends on location.

 

[ijohnson]

I want to say get a brew on, and that would be my first instinct, but sometimes it's sensible to pitch the tent/tarp/hammock first.

 

[TeeDee]

What are the priorities?

I don't think you meant Priorities , I think I get an idea of the person you are but I don't think "Priorities" are at the top of the list.

If I'm camping for pleasure - I think I'm far more varied in what I do and the way i do it , I may have spotted something that has tickled my interest or maybe I've just arrived for a sunset and its more a situation of getting the Tarp up before dusk - or maybe not!

Maybe there are some interesting tracks I want to check out
Maybe I want to sit and chill
Maybe I'm gasping for a brew.

I think the biggest influencer would be what the weather looks like its going to do in the next hour and if that encourages me to push forward or relax.

I'm not sure if I've ever found wet gear being an advantage ( although I'm sure DS would disagree )

I'm guessing the main reason a lot of us want to camp is to mentally/emotionally ' be present ' so maybe doing what we FEEL we want to do in the moment as opposed to what we THINK we should be doing in the moment is the leading guide?

IE not over think what we should be doing , but rather just let ourselves do it?

 

[Umbra88]

Having arrived at a chosen and known location I would take a look at the sky, smell the air and if all is pleasant, cook up some food. As the water starts to boil I’ll set up a tarp, hang the hammock and I’m ruffle the sleeping bag

Food eaten, dishes clean, I’ll stoke up a small fire while opening a pale ale and after a toast to the gods… let the evening take me wherever it wants. Whittle some, stare out at the view some or perhaps read a book some.

If I arrive at a destination that’s not planned and usually late on, it’s hammock up, eat food, sleep some until it’s time to keep moving.

Sometime there’s a place that you find that really connects you to nature, these places I get little to nothing done!

 

[MrEd]

Tarp up first then brew on

 

[Chris]

Bluetooth speaker on, fire up the disposable BBQ and then work out where I want to chuck my empty beer cans.

…

In the old days it was ‘my weapon, my feet, myself’ - sort out essential tools, sort out your feet so they keep working and then get a brew on and some food.

Now it’d be shelter and clothing (get dry/cool depending on the weather), brew on and sort my feet/any cuts and grazes whilst the water’s getting to a boil.

 

[Falstaff]

Dump gear, sort immediate temperature/clothing need if necessary, get brew on while sussing shelter position/issues/options.
The order depends upon time, light and permissive situation; get shelter & kit sorted ready, food, personal admin.
Chill and review the day and plan/route for tomorrow. Enjoy life, watch any wildlife/weather, or scare it away trying my harmonica. Have another brew if it's not too late, (if its late then not, or will have to get up during the night.)

 

[Springchicken]

Tarp up, adjust clothing, source water, gather firewood, light fire and, while the kettle's on for a brew/food, arrange my sleeping stuff.