One of the fun parts of the type of exploration and backcountry-oriented travel that DirtRoadTrip is all about for me is that you can share it with your significant other (Spouse/GF/BF/Match.com date?).
Becca, my fiance, has been joining me on camping trips since the very beginning and through some trial and error, we’ve learned what works well for us. Of course, what works for us might not be for everyone, but we’ve had a blast getting out there and spending some quality time in the great outdoors! For folks looking to enter the bold new world of couples camping, Becca and I have come up with some pointers that have helped us (or that we wish we didn’t have to figure out the hard way).
Becca At the Helm in George Washington National Forest
So here are some of our general tips:
1) Ease into it! Before we started doing trips, Becca had never been on a “true” couples camping trip. The closest she had come to camping was a black widow-infested tent structure at a poorly managed Girl Scout camp in 2nd grade — yep, not really a great first experience. Fast forward to our first camping adventure. Given Becca’s inexperience (but, to her credit, enthusiasm), we were careful to not bite off more than we could chew (no cross-country journeys or even dispersed camping to start). Our first camping trip was nothing extraordinary; we did a single overnight trip in a State Park campground (Shenandoah River State Park). The site had a tent pad, fire ring, and picnic table, and was within easy walking distance of a bathroom. Hardly roughing it. But it was still exciting, and most importantly, Becca was comfortable and felt safe and prepared. Someone’s shoe may have caught fire (oops), but we had a great time and were ready to graduate to slightly more primitive camping and getting farther away from home. Even now, most of the trips Becca and I do together aren’t about doing the most extreme trails or camping in super remote places; it is about getting out, seeing new things, and enjoying nature. We’re not out to prove anything.
Our first Camping Adventure! (and yes, that’s Huckleberry)
2) Pack Appropriately. Make sure you’ve got the basics for the trip to be comfortable (don’t forget the TP!). For me, I started out with a decent tent, really warm sleeping bags, some thick sleeping pads, camp chairs, and some headlamps. Besides that and a packed cooler that’s all we needed. Also, make sure you can set your stuff up; there is nothing worse than spending hours fumbling around trying to assemble a campsite for the very first time while your significant other waits in the truck. From Becca’s perspective, she lets me geek out over the gear – she just makes sure to pack whatever she needs to prevent that “forest child” look. A few face cleansing cloths and dry shampoo and we’re good to go!
Graduating to Dispersed Camping
3) Listen! Not rocket science here. Becca has been really clear about she does and does not want to do on trips. Things she does like: scenic landscapes, small towns, photography, enjoying a good campsite. She is less enthused about bouncing around on difficult trails for 8-10 hours a day, being in the rain and mud, being the only girl on a group trip, only talking about trucks around the campfire. Based on this, Becca chooses what trips she wants to do, and we work together to plan trips that have something to offer for both of us.
Enjoying Maine in the Summer of 2011 – Plenty for both of us to enjoy on this trip!
4) Find other friends to go with! While we’ve had many great trips with just the two of us, some of the most fun has been going with groups of friends, especially groups with other couples. It’s been a good way for us to make new friends and explore/discover things we might not have done our own. It has also given Becca a chance to see how other people travel and set up camp, which all serve as fodder as we plan our own adventures.
Chilly Photo Op West of Harrisonburg in November 2013 (Snowed that night! Just a little bit.)
5) Know the limits. Yeah, that mountaintop camping trip in January a few years back wasn’t a good idea. The views were beautiful, but the wind was whipping and we couldn’t stay warm and toasty. As a result, we ended up driving down the mountain at midnight and just heading home, 2 hours away. And yeah, those hooligans driving near our primitive camp site at 2 AM in West Virginia and yelling drunken gibberish didn’t necessarily make Becca feel all warm and fuzzy. Given our experiences so far, the best advice I can give is to be realistic about the conditions and what you’re setting out to do. Remember that if she ain’t happy, no one is going to be happy!
This is a really good article. I teach outdoor skills at camp schools and you’ve hit the important facts right on. On the other hand My woman and I are both hardcore backpackers, so doing just car camping with our trailer is really a snap. BTW, she teaches a class called women’s issues at camp too.
I’m so glad you liked the article, and your woman definitely sounds like a keeper! It is so much more fun, whether backpacking or doing car/truck based exploration to share it with your SO. The class sounds interesting – might lighten the intimidation/misconception factor for some ladies to get out and camp.