Convenience

Thanks to all those who participated in the latest poll: What is not a necessary component of the perfect campsite?

Answer choices were:

• Safety
• Privacy
• Comfort
• Convenience

The correct answer is: Convenience.

Good campsites are found, not made. What makes the perfect campsite? Safety, privacy, and comfort never go out of style, and securing such amenities does not entail a major remodeling effort. We can bring our own lightweight furniture and conveniences along to eliminate the need to create them on-site. Camp stoves, mattresses, tables, chairs, lanterns—even solar showers—are readily available at reasonable prices, and they pack in and out with ease.

Leave your campsite clean and natural looking—naturalize it. In wildlands, we are visitors, but we are also hosts to those who follow. They will notice our hospitality, or lack of it. Litter, graffiti, tree damage, visible human and pet waste, unsightly fire rings and the like are senseless acts. By taking the time to pick up after ourselves and others, if necessary, we’ll all benefit.

Trees are often damaged near campsites. Take care not to break off branches while securing tent or clothes lines, and when suspending food or game carcasses. Don’t use wire or nails. Place a stuff sack or other material under ropes or where padding is necessary to protect bark. Likewise, place lanterns where they won’t singe bark. When traveling with stock, use high lines, portable fencing or hobbles to restrain the animals without tying them directly to trees. Trees shouldn’t be targets or storage sites for hatchets and knives.

Even in campsites, leave the area as natural as possible. Breaking off a tree branch for firewood creates an ugly scar and opens the tree to disease.