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nuijnoob
what kind of tools should i bring, food... what kind of clothes n shoes should i wear? any other things that i should be aware of... like danger animals, insects, poisonous plants... or something else... more information would be better, as much as possible...
Answer
Tent camping in the jungles of Central America and Mexico may provide one with the freedom to "set up camp" anywhere a whim may lead. This is true to a certain extent. But, there are certain considerations which must be exercised to facilitate an enjoyable experience.
My main motivation for writing this article is the huge volume of mail I receive requesting information on "how to camp in the jungle safely and comefortably." My several years of camping and expeditioning in the jungles of Mexico and Central America, has given me by trial and error, learned practices from the local indians, and invention brought about by need, some invaluable tips on keeping safe, dry and happy, in this environment of highly active microbes, insects, reptiles and tropical precipitation.
Where to set up camp:
Tenting is generaly safe to do in most 'national parks', biosphere reserves, and protected areas -- at most times of the year throughout Latin America. I usually recommend not camping near streams or rivers, which may be prone to flash flooding after a rain - rain which may be falling unknown to you in another valley far from your location. The most common mishap while jungle camping, usually ending in the death of the camping party, is the flash flood. One should endeavor to camp at least 25-feet above rivers and streams -- if possible. Setting up camp along beaches in or near an urban center may be a dangerous idea. Avoid this practice if at all possible. Beach camping near urban centers will make you an easy, high profile, and vulnerable target for the criminal. There are always cheap accommodations to be found at around $2-$5 per night. I've generally found that camping in remote areas of Central America near small villages, to be a much safer practice. When camping outside National Parks and Biosphere Reserves, try and track down the owner of the land you are contemplating setting up camp on - if at all possible. And, ask permission!
Biting insects and snakes:
I've found that poisonous snakes encounters are not that common while camping/tenting in Central America & Mexico. The fer-de-lance is just one of many many pit vipers (poisonous snakes) found on the jungle floor, and, in the trees. The general rule for setting up a jungle camp is: In areas where no clearing is provided for set-up, clear the camping area of low growth with a machete. Always use a hiking staff to probe unseen areas under thick growth for snakes before cutting. The best situation is setting up on a raised platform, off the jungle floor. Remember, many species of poisonous snakes are remarkably small. Some coral snakes are merely a foot long, and, thinner than a small finger; they could indeed slither through a minute opening in the zipper closure of your tent. If platforms are not available, check the forest floor carefully for ant trails and anthills. Avoid camping on or near an ant metropolis. Brushing away ant trails will simply empower these little survivors to bridge the gap again. When planning a camping foray into a protected area reserve, find out where the designated camping areas are before you clear any potentially near-extinct flora.
Do all your bathroom business before getting into your tent for the evening. Avoid drinking fluids in large quantities before sleeping -- which will cause you to exit the tent at night to urinate. Getting bitten by malaria infected mosquitoes is exponentially proportional to the quantity of times you exit your tent at night. And remember, snakes such as the fer-de-lance, or "barba-amarilla" in local lingo, are most active at night. Avoid walking around in the jungle at night if at all possible. Or, if you must work in this situation, purchase "snake chaps" before doing so. When walking in the jungle, watch where you place every footstep. When stopped in the jungle, you may look up into the trees. When walking, concentrate on where you place each footstep, not on looking up into the trees! The most common place for a poisonous snake to bite you is on the foot or ankle. Be careful when climbing over logs blocking the trail. Some species of poisonous snakes may be found in higher numbers living along river banks. Ask the local people if there is a snake problem in the general area. Its also a good idea to hire a local to accompany you into the jungle. It probably won't cost you much and his/her information and guidance may prove to be invaluable.
Antivenon. Yes or no?
One member of your camping group must have at least two "Sawyer venom extraction kits." Learn how to use the kits before venturing into the jungle; especially when you may be many hours or days away from emergency medical facilities. You may be able to purchase the snake antivenon from several sources in Costa Rica (ie. Instituto Picado); just the administration of the "horse syrum" snake antivenon itself may cause the bite victim to fall into shock and die of alergic reaction. You need to be a trained medical specialist to administer snake antivenon. A sheep syrum based antivenon is currently being worked on, which is far less likely to induce shock and death to its recipient. But this is still far from being available commercially.
Keeping your food from being eaten by critters:
The most efficient way to keep your food safe from rodents and insects, is to keep everything edible inside sealed containers -- such as the Nalgene plastic bottle. If you have just a few crumbs inside your pack, (inside your tent) a rat will certainly snif it out and chew through the wall of the tent, and the pack's cloth to get at the crumbs. You can be absolutely certain of that. Practice good housekeeping in the jungle. Keep all food outside your living quarters in sealed bottles. Hang all sealed foods from a tree limb inside a food net. Avoid eating in your tent. Store your washed pots and pans in the hanging food net as well. For cooking and drinking water, you'll have to filter then purify. I use the "Katadyne" filter, because it has proven over the years, to be the most reliable. Period. You can't afford to fool with your health in the jungle. A new Katadyne "Pocket Filter" will clean 50,000 liters of water on one ceramic filter. There are no filters made that will trap the dreaded virus. Only chemical add-on attachments to some water filters will accomplish this. After filtering the water, add one drop of chlorine (or equivalent POLAR-PURE) per liter, to kill the viruses.
Some of the viruses which may be found in the Central American water (fresh and saltwater) include: hepatitis-A, Polio, and worse. These are incurable diseases once they are contracted.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recommended equipment:
Tents:
Use a tent which is very well factory seam sealed including the fly - if possible. Make shure there are NO small holes around the zipper closure of your tent. A nasty, vicious biting ant called "sanpopos" crawl out of the ground during heavy rains, and have been known to get inside poorly sealed tents. Getting bitten by one of thes
Tent camping in the jungles of Central America and Mexico may provide one with the freedom to "set up camp" anywhere a whim may lead. This is true to a certain extent. But, there are certain considerations which must be exercised to facilitate an enjoyable experience.
My main motivation for writing this article is the huge volume of mail I receive requesting information on "how to camp in the jungle safely and comefortably." My several years of camping and expeditioning in the jungles of Mexico and Central America, has given me by trial and error, learned practices from the local indians, and invention brought about by need, some invaluable tips on keeping safe, dry and happy, in this environment of highly active microbes, insects, reptiles and tropical precipitation.
Where to set up camp:
Tenting is generaly safe to do in most 'national parks', biosphere reserves, and protected areas -- at most times of the year throughout Latin America. I usually recommend not camping near streams or rivers, which may be prone to flash flooding after a rain - rain which may be falling unknown to you in another valley far from your location. The most common mishap while jungle camping, usually ending in the death of the camping party, is the flash flood. One should endeavor to camp at least 25-feet above rivers and streams -- if possible. Setting up camp along beaches in or near an urban center may be a dangerous idea. Avoid this practice if at all possible. Beach camping near urban centers will make you an easy, high profile, and vulnerable target for the criminal. There are always cheap accommodations to be found at around $2-$5 per night. I've generally found that camping in remote areas of Central America near small villages, to be a much safer practice. When camping outside National Parks and Biosphere Reserves, try and track down the owner of the land you are contemplating setting up camp on - if at all possible. And, ask permission!
Biting insects and snakes:
I've found that poisonous snakes encounters are not that common while camping/tenting in Central America & Mexico. The fer-de-lance is just one of many many pit vipers (poisonous snakes) found on the jungle floor, and, in the trees. The general rule for setting up a jungle camp is: In areas where no clearing is provided for set-up, clear the camping area of low growth with a machete. Always use a hiking staff to probe unseen areas under thick growth for snakes before cutting. The best situation is setting up on a raised platform, off the jungle floor. Remember, many species of poisonous snakes are remarkably small. Some coral snakes are merely a foot long, and, thinner than a small finger; they could indeed slither through a minute opening in the zipper closure of your tent. If platforms are not available, check the forest floor carefully for ant trails and anthills. Avoid camping on or near an ant metropolis. Brushing away ant trails will simply empower these little survivors to bridge the gap again. When planning a camping foray into a protected area reserve, find out where the designated camping areas are before you clear any potentially near-extinct flora.
Do all your bathroom business before getting into your tent for the evening. Avoid drinking fluids in large quantities before sleeping -- which will cause you to exit the tent at night to urinate. Getting bitten by malaria infected mosquitoes is exponentially proportional to the quantity of times you exit your tent at night. And remember, snakes such as the fer-de-lance, or "barba-amarilla" in local lingo, are most active at night. Avoid walking around in the jungle at night if at all possible. Or, if you must work in this situation, purchase "snake chaps" before doing so. When walking in the jungle, watch where you place every footstep. When stopped in the jungle, you may look up into the trees. When walking, concentrate on where you place each footstep, not on looking up into the trees! The most common place for a poisonous snake to bite you is on the foot or ankle. Be careful when climbing over logs blocking the trail. Some species of poisonous snakes may be found in higher numbers living along river banks. Ask the local people if there is a snake problem in the general area. Its also a good idea to hire a local to accompany you into the jungle. It probably won't cost you much and his/her information and guidance may prove to be invaluable.
Antivenon. Yes or no?
One member of your camping group must have at least two "Sawyer venom extraction kits." Learn how to use the kits before venturing into the jungle; especially when you may be many hours or days away from emergency medical facilities. You may be able to purchase the snake antivenon from several sources in Costa Rica (ie. Instituto Picado); just the administration of the "horse syrum" snake antivenon itself may cause the bite victim to fall into shock and die of alergic reaction. You need to be a trained medical specialist to administer snake antivenon. A sheep syrum based antivenon is currently being worked on, which is far less likely to induce shock and death to its recipient. But this is still far from being available commercially.
Keeping your food from being eaten by critters:
The most efficient way to keep your food safe from rodents and insects, is to keep everything edible inside sealed containers -- such as the Nalgene plastic bottle. If you have just a few crumbs inside your pack, (inside your tent) a rat will certainly snif it out and chew through the wall of the tent, and the pack's cloth to get at the crumbs. You can be absolutely certain of that. Practice good housekeeping in the jungle. Keep all food outside your living quarters in sealed bottles. Hang all sealed foods from a tree limb inside a food net. Avoid eating in your tent. Store your washed pots and pans in the hanging food net as well. For cooking and drinking water, you'll have to filter then purify. I use the "Katadyne" filter, because it has proven over the years, to be the most reliable. Period. You can't afford to fool with your health in the jungle. A new Katadyne "Pocket Filter" will clean 50,000 liters of water on one ceramic filter. There are no filters made that will trap the dreaded virus. Only chemical add-on attachments to some water filters will accomplish this. After filtering the water, add one drop of chlorine (or equivalent POLAR-PURE) per liter, to kill the viruses.
Some of the viruses which may be found in the Central American water (fresh and saltwater) include: hepatitis-A, Polio, and worse. These are incurable diseases once they are contracted.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recommended equipment:
Tents:
Use a tent which is very well factory seam sealed including the fly - if possible. Make shure there are NO small holes around the zipper closure of your tent. A nasty, vicious biting ant called "sanpopos" crawl out of the ground during heavy rains, and have been known to get inside poorly sealed tents. Getting bitten by one of thes
Title Post: any tips when going 4 camping, especially in the tropics? what if i get lost?
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Rating: 95% based on 9878 ratings. 4,5 user reviews.
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Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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