Do’s and don’ts: Camping commandments

The thermometer is saying good things about the weather and many of you will be tempted to head out into the desert and camp during the holidays. However, before you venture out, make sure you have read these rules, unless you want to learn them the hard way.

1 Thou shalt carry an ample supply of water

Water, water and more water. Get what you think will be enough, then double it. You never know what can happen; should your trip take a turn for the worse your first priority is to keep hydrated.

2 Thou shalt only travel in daytime

You should have your camp set up before the sun goes down. You need daylight to pick out a good, clean and safe camp site. Driving off road after dark is asking for trouble. It’s tough enough to pick out a safe route to traverse the dunes without getting stuck.

3 Thou shalt not leave the road with bad tyres

Check your tyres; your life may depend on it. Make sure the tyres are not cracked or damaged. When you get to the desert, deflate the tyres to 18psi. Inflate as soon as you get back on a hard surface as deflated tyres can easily slip off the rims, especially on sharp turns.Carry a pressure gauge and at least one air compressor.

4 Thou shalt not leave with only one 4x4

Use the buddy system. Should you get stuck, a friend with a tow rope is a life saver, even if all he can do is drive you back to civilisation. Learn to use a GPS, and how to get coordinates out of it.

5 Thou shalt always share your plans

Always tell people where you plan to go and when you should be expected back. In an emergency, the information you share with people will aid search parties in finding you faster.

6 Thou shalt not park over any vegetation

The heat from your car’s engine can set dry bushes on fire. Take care how you park; always park facing down a slight slope so you don’t get stuck. And never brake in the sand, all that does is plough the tyres deeper in the sand.

7 Thou shalt not camp behind a dune

Make sure people can see your camp from a distance. If you hide your camp behind a dune other off-roaders won’t see you.

8 Thou shalt not camp in a Wadi

A wadi is a canyon carved by rushing rain water. When it rains, wadis will fill up in a flash flood, sweeping away everything in its path. Keep an eye out for signs that say wadi or an arrow with wavy lines across it; it means the road ahead will be cut off by a wadi if it rains. Running wadis can be as powerful as raging rivers. And don’t think that it’s just water as they usually carry debris like rocks and trees, leaving large boulders in their wake. Even after the rains have passed be careful on the road as most will have suffered damage from a passing flood.

9 Thou shalT dress practically

Dress sensibly. If you’re going to the mountains, be sure to wear shoes with good tread. In winter, it’s very common for temperatures to reach single digits. Carry extra pairs of heavy socks. Don’t leave your sleeping bags or packs open; many insects including scorpions seek refuge anywhere warm.

10 Thou shalt not leave any garbage behind

Be clean, people. Don’t leave a mess behind. You should always leave a camp in the same or even better condition than how you found it. Even a little litter can have dire consequences. Go to www.xpress4me.com and search for keyword Death Valley.

Top tips: What to do if you get stuck

• Get your foot off the gas, you’ll only dig deeper if you don’t.
• Deflate the tyres, 14psi should be enough.
• Dig around the tyres and wedge rocks under them.
• Lighten the load and try shaking the car from side to side while you get someone to bury sand under the tyres.
• Put the car in low gear and try reversing out while steering side to side to loosen the sand around the front tyres.
• Step on the gas gently. If the car doesn’t move at all, get your foot off before you make it worse.
• Check the oil temperature. High temperature means you’re losing power. Let the engine cool down before trying again.

800 4430: Emergency number to call if nothing works

Must-haves the basic essentials

Get a feel for the kind of things you need to bear in mind when you decide to go camping.

Tents

A camping tent is an important investment. Check out Ace at Festival City for a wide range of brands. If you’re on a tight budget, try Carrefour where for as little as Dh70 you can get a tent that can accommodate six adults. Always consider going 1-2 sizes bigger than what you need.

Backpacks

Check out Sun & Sand Sports and Studio R for backpacks that are lightweight and durable. When you load your pack, build from the sleeping bag on up, keeping heavy items close to the back. Middleweight items need to occupy the middle of the pack with light items nesting at the outer edges and top of the pack.

Gas stoves

Never make a compromise on quality when you buy a gas stove. You could get some good bargains at the Irani market in Sharjah, but we suggest you go to a reputed dealer. Good camping stoves should have a good base-of-support. Avoid those that tip on uneven surfaces.

Flasks

For hot drinks or soup a thermos will insulate its contents for the day ahead. It takes up virtually no space when empty and can be inserted into a rucksack. If you don’t want to invest in a Zojirushi, settle for less expensive alternatives available at Carrefour or Hyper Panda at Festival City.

Knives

A multi-purpose knife is essential for any camping trip. It provides the benefit of a knife along with several other tools that come in handy in the great outdoors. Check out Mostafawi Store at Al Fahidi Street for high quality knives. For less expensive varieties, go to Sabka near Deira Abra stand.

Chairs

Your camping gear isn't complete without a portable folding chair. When you are shopping for one, always test it out for sturdiness and durability. Take your pick at Carrefour or Geant, both of which have a good selection of folding chairs within Dh100.

How to start a barbecue

Light the perfect fire with these tips.

• Make sure your bag of charcoal is not damp. You also need a firelighting fluid and a long-necked butane lighter.
• Place the charcoal in a pyramid shape in the centre of the grill.
• Douse the charcoal evenly with lighter fluid and let it soak in for a minute or two.
• Light the charcoal and let it burn for a half an hour (BBQ pit lid open) until they have ashed over and have a nice red glow to them near the centre of the pyramid. After that, you can shut the lid and let the pit heat up a bit.
• Spread the coals evenly over the bottom of the barbecue, turning them with tongs while you’re cooking.
• If you have trouble starting the fire, you can try to help it along by placing newspaper in the grill.

Caution

• Don’t spray lighter fluid on a barbecue that already has a fire going. The fire could travel up the spray-stream and scorch you.
• Use long matches when lighting a lighter fluid-soaked set of coals.