{"id":510,"date":"2015-08-16T01:33:06","date_gmt":"2015-08-16T01:33:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventureproof.com\/?page_id=510"},"modified":"2017-01-14T20:51:09","modified_gmt":"2017-01-14T20:51:09","slug":"how-to-stealth-camp","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/adventureproof.com\/?page_id=510","title":{"rendered":"How to Stealth Camp"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On multi-day\u00a0trips the rate of progress\u2014and therefore\u00a0the location of each night’s campsite\u2014is not always predictable. Maybe you just realized you’re not actually Ueli Steck, or the weather is rough and conditions sketchy. Darkness looms and you’re getting\u00a0sleepy. Continuing at times like these increases the\u00a0risk of accident or injury, or potential of\u00a0getting lost. Your\u00a0best option may be to camp on the nearest patch of flat ground, hoping you don’t get discovered. There can be many reasons to camp secretly outside of established camping areas, and\u00a0while some of these are arguably\u00a0emergencies, others are a matter of\u00a0personal preference. In addition to experiencing fatigue, injury or nightfall, it may\u00a0be that you\u00a0value solitude or privacy, are on a tight budget, or official camp sites just don’t exist in the area.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Poor conditions may force you to camp unexpectedly<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
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Avoid areas that are historically or culturally sensitive<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
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Some refer to this as \u201cclandestine\u201d, “commando” or \u201cfree” camping. These labels aren\u2019t ideal though, as they imply that camping secretly is illegal,\u00a0or done only because it’s free. Rather, the real\u00a0goal is to camp undetected\u2014so no one knows you\u2019re there; the reasons for doing that\u00a0will\u00a0vary. As a result, this kind of camping is best referred to as \u201cstealth camping\u201d.<\/p>\n

Stealth camping is actually pretty easy to do, once you\u00a0know\u00a0why certain things are noticed and others aren’t. When search and rescue professionals look for people lost in the wilderness, they search for\u00a0clues\u00a0that stand out from their surroundings because of a\u00a0contrast in colour or shape, movement, light, or sound. These contrasts draw the attention not just of searchers, but of all human observers. Stealth camping works because the combined use\u00a0of physical\u00a0obstructions and stealthy behaviour helps you to avoid these contrasts and blend in with your environment.<\/div><\/div>\n

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Your first strategy\u00a0is to select the right site. Avoid ecologically or historically sensitive sites, as well as private land. Don’t ignore\u00a0the rather inconvenient\u00a0risk of\u00a0being charged with trespassing. Maps and satellite photos may reveal some possibilities, but mostly it will come down to your personal observations when you get there. Look for terrain that is suitable to hide you; your presence will be obvious if you set up in an open area, or next to a tourist migration route. Your second strategy\u00a0is to behave discretely so you don’t draw attention to yourself. Take steps to minimize movement, light, sounds and smells. Hiding your tent isn\u2019t going to cut it if you strut around in fluorescent Gore-Tex, squawking on your iPhone like a bird of paradise.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Look for remote areas away from roads, buildings or people<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
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Shadows cast by the setting sun can hide your camp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
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Stealth camping techniques cannot guarantee that you won\u2019t be disturbed, but they will\u00a0increase your\u00a0chances of remaining undetected and getting some rest. To help you master these skills, click on the link below for our detailed\u00a0guide to stealth camping. Based on extensive research and a decade\u00a0of successful practice, this free guide will tell you how to\u00a0select a site, how to act\u00a0discretely,\u00a0and what to do if discovered. Extra sections provide\u00a0tips specific to\u00a0paddling, car camping, and bike touring. This guide is printer-friendly so you can bring\u00a0it on your next outing.<\/p>\n

\u21d2 How to Stealth Camp (Free PDF)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

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