Seasonal (Bugs & Cold)

Think in terms of adding one item per season

You do not need to swap out an entire kit. One item that targets the season can change how comfortable you are. In summer the main troubles are insects, heat, and sudden rain or thunder. In winter they are ground chill, condensation and freezing. In spring and autumn, mornings and nights can be cold even when the day is warm. Work backwards from what is likely when you go.

Summer: choosing insect protection

Mosquitoes and gnats (buyo) increase near water, in grass and at dusk. Options include skin repellent, mosquito coils and battery-powered repellers, but wind changes their effect outdoors, so combine them rather than relying on one.

• Skin repellent: ingredients, age limits and usage limits are printed on the product, so read the directions
• Outdoor repellers: the effect differs upwind and downwind, so try different positions
• Clothing: long sleeves and long trousers to cover skin
• Tent: keep door openings short and close the mesh

Summer: fire, heat and weather

Do not burn a mosquito coil inside a tent. It can cause a fire or smoke. If you use one outside, keep it away from anything flammable and place it so wind cannot knock it over.

For heat, the basics are a tarp for shade, plenty of drinking water and rest. Never leave people or pets in a car. Where shade and water points are scarce, bring more shade and more water. When thunder or heavy rain is forecast, stay off riverbeds and low ground, and be ready to leave rather than stay on.

Winter: start by checking the mat

Ground chill happens when body heat drains into the ground. The insulation of the mat between you and the ground counts as much as the sleeping bag. A higher insulation rating (such as an R-value) is generally said to block more cold from the ground. When comparing manufacturers' figures, check that they were measured on the same basis.

A sleeping bag's rated temperature is a guide and can differ from the temperature at which you sleep comfortably, so choose with margin. If you use a hot-water bottle, take care to avoid low-temperature burns. Condensation inside a tent wets luggage and bedding in the morning, so plan time to dry things and do not pack them wet.

Winter: heating safety, roads and facilities

Never use gas, kerosene or charcoal as heating inside a tent or car. It risks carbon monoxide poisoning. If you need warmth, think first of methods that do not burn fuel: warm clothing, insulation and a hot-water bottle. An electric blanket needs a power supply as well.

Winter sunsets are early, and roads may be icy or snowed in. Some sites shut off water or close in winter. Before leaving, check the site's opening status and road information in the official notice.

Cautions specific to free and low-cost campsites

At sites with few facilities there may be no building nearby to retreat to from heat or cold. Toilets and taps can be frozen or out of service. High-altitude sites cool off at night even in summer, so check the altitude and forecast temperature of your destination and prepare for it.

Common mistakes

Four are common: no insect repellent in summer, a thick sleeping bag with a thin mat in winter, packing wet items home without allowing for condensation, and not checking the forecast. Decide seasonal gear from the forecast before you leave and the altitude of your destination.