Making the Most of Fall Camping  

You don't need to be putting your outdoor gear away just because it is fall! There are many benefits to camping when the leaves change color, the crowds leave the park and the temperature starts to drop. Most insects have died off or have reduced their activity. Less people mean that perfect campsite is going to be easier to find. Crisp air and crystal clear skies make Fall the favorite season of many.

However fall camping doesn't come without risks. Being prepared and educated will help you have a great time as temperatures continue to drop and the days get shorter. 

Here are ten common pitfalls to camping in the fall and how to avoid them.

Don't get caught in the snow. In most mountainous areas of the United States at least a light dusting of snow has fallen above 7,000 feet. If you are going to be camping at altitude be very aware of the weather forecast. A chance of rain where you live may mean dangerous conditions at higher elevations. 

Don't get left shivering. Make sure that your sleeping bag is temperature appropriate for the conditions. If you don't have a mummy style sleeping bag, sleep with a hat on - 50% of body heat is lost through your head. Use a sleeping pad to keep the chill of the ground away, foam based pads will provide better insulation than an air mattress.

Cooking time. Try to keep your meals simple. Remember colder temperatures mean longer cooking times. You're going to consume more fuel and energy trying to get a pot of water to boil or cooking complex meals.

Watch the weight. Keep in mind that warmer clothing is going to mean added weight which means more stress on your body. Don't go crazy packing for every emergency, but be prepared for what nature has to offer and cut back on how far you can travel in a day.

Watch for bears. Keeping a clean campsite, whether you are in the frontcountry or the backcountry is critical this time of the year. Bears can spend as much as 20 hours a day foraging for food during these last few weeks of fall.

Watch for bees. In areas where there has been a hard frost bee activity should be limited. If the area you plan to go camping in is still having warm sunny afternoons, be very careful around bees. Just like bears they too know winter is coming and are more aggressive during this time of the year.

Be ready for the wind. Fall brings strong cold fronts across the United States. Behind these cold fronts strong winds wrap around powerful Canadian highs pressure areas bringing cold temperatures, crystal clear skies and a lot of wind. Make sure you stake your tent securely!

Stay dry. Don't underestimate the power of hypothermia. If the air temperature plus the water temperature is less than 120 degrees combined, getting wet can put you at risk for getting hypothermia. If the combined temperature is less than 100 degrees, you can be at grave risk. With daytime highs reaching only into the 50's and 60's in most parts of the country, treat getting wet as an emergency. 

Don't end up in the dark. Remember that as we get deeper into fall not only will the weather get cooler and more unpredictable, the days are getting shorter. Give yourself enough time to arrive at your campsite during daylight hours so you don't end up hiking in the dark.

If the weather sours don't panic. Attempting to hike out during a snowstorm or a dense fog can have tragic results.  If you followed rule number two about being prepared for the cold, you are probably better off riding out the storm. Just make sure that you follow rule number eight and don't get wet. Also make sure you don't let snow accumulate on your tent so the weight doesn't collapse it.

Be safe, be smart, and be prepared.