Camping | Arthritis Information

 

 

OK before i get a whole bunch o responses about what am i thinking about going camping with PA.  I have a 6 year old son in cub scouts.  Just got back from a camp out in NC and the worst was the cold, but mainly pain from sleeping in a sleeping bag with one leg on top of the other.  Has  anyone any tips on camping with RA?  I refuse to allow this to effect my son in the 3 or 4 camp outs his pack has each year.

 

Thanks

I hate the outdoors. LoL (don't kill me Roxy..)

But I can make a suggestion! My aunt and uncle camp all the time, and they have these mats that roll up, and are inflatable. They are fairly thin, but provide alot of padding, and fit just under your sleeping bag. They are inflated by a built in automatic pump. I believe even wal-mart carries them. That might help you with the sleeping on the ground part! Good luck!

Katie

We camp a whole lot and I use an air mattress.  You can also get sleeping bags that fit two people in them so you have a little more room and you are not sleeping with one leg on top of the other.  There are heat packs you can get that you can stick down in your sleeping bag to keep you warm at night.  They also make those heat packs in hand size that you can put in your gloves.  Battery operated heated socks RULE!!!  I sleep dressed in layers with my sleeping bag zipped up as far as I can stand it with a blanket over it.  I also cover my shoes with some dirty clothes so they aren't quite as cold to stick my feet into in the morning. 

Hope this helps!

Air mattresses are great!  Also, don't let yourself get cold, use lots of layers, gloves, knit hat, whatever you need for the conditions.  Also, take a good pillow and don't try to "rough it" without.  You can use one of those rolling backpacks and bungee cords so you don't have to carry your gear, just drag it.

Regarding sleeping with one leg on top of the other, have you seen those little pillows designed to go between your legs?  They really work for some people, but take a bit to get used to.  I would get one and sleep with it for a few nights before the next camp out.

Good luck and have fun. 

Karen
You could also sleep with your clothes for the next day in the
bottom of your sleeping bag. This reduces that morning
discomfort when you have to change into cold clothes.When I was in my late teens I worked cruising timber for the Forest Service.

We camped year round and found that when the weather turned colder a foamy was much warmer than an air mattress.

Ron
Hi Clufus!  Your name seems to ring a bell.  Have I not seen you on other boards?
You have some good ideas from these folks that have been there, done that.  Happy camping..

Katie-  HOW COULD ANYONE HATE THE OUTDOORS ??????????????????  You have to come see me and I will share all the magic of the outdoors and I bet I can change your mind.

Clufus - Kill you.  No way

I have camping down to a science, at the most it takes me an hour, usually less to pack for a camping trip.  I LOVE SLEEPING OUTDOORS and on a warm evening - I would pull my air mattress out and sleep under the stars. Roxy!  I have camping down to a science too.  We LOVE IT!  Sometimes if we can't get away for the weekend we even put up our tent in the back yard and camp out there lol.  We leave the rain tarp off the top of the tent so we can see the stars.  You would never believe that we got our most recent 8 person tent WITH a porch for -ahem- 50 bucks at a garage sale.  And it is in perfect condition.  My dog has to stand guard at night too.  It's hilarious. 

Katie-if you ever travel up here to visit your family I'm gonna take you camping!!!!  There is nothing like fresh picked (and I mean fresh picked) corn on the cob roasted in the husk over the camp fire.  And real S'mores!!! 

Oh Gramma...............  You really got me going now.  I LOVE CAMPING the best.  It used to be backpacking long distance but I think I will never stop camping.  I hardly ever go to "campgrounds".  I had so many secret places from being a ranger that I could be naked and no one would see.  THANK GOD LOL.  I look forward to finding secret places here.  It is good to be home.  Oregon is where I fell in love with the outdoors and started my dream of being a ranger. 

I had a very "hot" ranger put a butterfly bandage on a very deep cut I got.  I was like 13, a little hippy girl - LOL.   We talked about his job and I was melting over him holding my foot - LMAO.  I still have that scar.  Never forget it.  Isn't it funny how little events in your life can change your whole life???????

Anyway, it has been thirty years since I explored this area.  I have gone hiking in the Portland area with my family on visits but not here since I was a teenager.  I know there are amazing places and it is going to be so fun to rediscover them.  Makes me motivated to GET HEALTHY

Besides if I slept on the ground I'd never be able to get back up on my feet
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