Camping may determine your safety in the mountains. A
party camped in exposed conditions. One tent after another got damaged in
the tremendous gale until only two tents were left standing, producing a
situation of considerable danger. If one of the two remaining tents had damaged,
the party would have been faced with either a retreat in the dark over difficult
ground or a night spent huddled under what fabric of the tents was left.
Safety Precautions in Camping
Choose a sheltered site, especially in winter or bad
weather, and pitch your tent with door to leeward. Check your site
thoroughly, for shelter in mountains is often illusory and a poor shelter
will increase buffeting and create turbulence in really bad weather.
Do not camp high up in the mountains unless you have
a really good mountain tent.
Avoid ground where rain or flood water may
accumulate: this can happen surprisingly quickly with heavy rain.
Bear in mind the risk of fire and be careful with
cooking stoves, candles and cigarette ends.
However cold or wet you may be, cook yourself a hot,
sustaining meal once you have put on dry clothes. Endeavor to dry out your
wet clothing as much as possible and then wear it during the journey the
next day. keep spare clothing dry as long as possible.
