Security considerations for backcountry camping are not everyday discussions among outdoor enthusiasts. This is because, to most of us, it is a weekend getaway at public grounds. It is more than this to some of those, however.
To some people, camping trips are for honing their survival skills more, so they take their locations far further than normal. In addition to this, backcountry campers want to enjoy the unrivaled peace & solitariness offered by the cacophony of huge mahoganies deep into the forest.
Surely, these are reasons worthy of going on backcountry camping, but there’s a catch of flame: it can be dangerous!
Top 3 Security Considerations for Backcountry Camping
Regardless of how noble nature appears, it comes with a lot of problems. Expect dangerous surprises every now & then.
Let’s equip you better by looking at what these factors are.
High Ground or Low Ground
This has to be the first factor whenever you’re setting up camp. And as long as your site is not prone to the risk of flash flooding, it’s entirely your choice to make. Tactically speaking, higher grounds are a better choice, especially if you may have to defend your valuables from two-legged animals.
You can figure out if an area has experienced flash floods before if you know the right places to look. Apparently, a dry was not so dry at a time, so choosing to camp in one or even any nearby area can be dangerous. Avoid camping close to other places like rock outcroppings or overhangs as your campsite can be easily flooded.
Food Security
Animals can perceive your meals’ aroma, which is why campgrounds are emphasizing coolers these days. Bears particularly can track your sweet smelling foods, and when they do, expect them to do a lot of tent tearing, cooler wrecking & vehicle damage, in fact. To make things worse, a bear may add you to its menu if you happen upon it grazing on your buffet. Even if it doesn’t eat you at the moment, there’s a great possibility that you’ll be injured.
It can be frustrating to hear that even raccoons can ruin your trip, so being able to secure your food is necessary. Metal food lockers are a good place to start.
Pest Control
In the backcountry, expect a lot of crawling & flying insects. Now, these pests do not only irritate the skin, but they also carry deadly viruses you can easily contract. Protecting yourself from them is, therefore, a must. You can start with the use of smoke to disperse them when gathered.
Breezes can help to control pests too, so ensure your campsite is not situated at a place where the airflow is blocked by rock walls or heavy foliage.
Go with your firearms too. Healthier to take off the game’s head than have yours scratched off.
Concluding the Security Considerations for Backcountry Camping
There may be other security considerations for backcountry camping, but the three above are most important. Figure out ways to handle them before hitting the wild. I strongly advise having your favorite rifles at hand.
