Campsite Selection Poll

**Boothill** · 09-24-2011, 09:54

i was wondering what everyone thought when it came to campsites selection in a couple different situations

1. the valley will be colder temp wise but will the lack of wind offset this

2. the hillside will be warmer but will the wind negate that

3. top of a hill, no wind but basically no shelter

plus i'd like to hear what you are looking for when choosing your campsite

i myself want something close to water, level, and sheltered if possible, this is the "big 3" for me

boot

**obxh2o** · 09-24-2011, 09:59

I vote for "close to water, level and sheltered if possible."

Oh?! That's not an option.

**MrClean417** · 09-24-2011, 13:58

Granted round here the 'hilltop' is not that far a walk from the 'valley' but it's windier then all getout up there. Mountains must be a lot different.

**salamander42** · 09-24-2011, 18:20

As a general rule, I like being close to water too. Unfortunately, it's been so dry here that there's almost zero water in the creek beds anyway, so last weekend I tried the top of a hill. It was a nice change of pace, but as soon as we get enough rain to at least have a few pools in the creek beds, I'll be back to camping closer to my amphibian buddies again.

I may try a hillside some time this winter. If you find the right spot on the right hillside you can still have shelter from the wind and be far enough up from the valley floor to have a few degrees higher temperature.

**oldgringo** · 09-24-2011, 18:58

A friend of mine tells of doing some anthro work at a rock shelter in the western Ozarks. It was the dead of winter, and generally, quite miserable. Except.

They were amazed to discover that this spot chosen by earlier humans was almost balmy...mid-slope, south facing, high thermal mass. Traveling to and from the site, they dressed appropriately for the season, and once there, worked in shirtsleeves.

**L.D. Cakes** · 09-30-2011, 22:21

Originally Posted by oldgringo

A friend of mine tells of doing some anthro work at a rock shelter in the western Ozarks. It was the dead of winter, and generally, quite miserable. Except.

They were amazed to discover that this spot chosen by earlier humans was almost balmy...mid-slope, south facing, high thermal mass. Traveling to and from the site, they dressed appropriately for the season, and once there, worked in shirtsleeves.

That reminds me of a spot we hung in last Fall. It was mid way up a hill, south facing and out of the wind. We could hear the wind all around but not feel it where we were. Warm too and others who were at the bottom of the hill in a field were colder.

I choose a spot where weather will be easier to handle. Stay away from gully washers and possible muddy spots. I like being in the grass/ leaves or Galax for less rain splatter. I do choose sites nearer to a water source but not next to it and stay away from animal trails. Ridge tops can be dangerous here because of lightning so I drop down a bit if possible and that's where the water is anyway. Level isn't necessary in a hammock but nice. And a view is always a plus!

Don't forget to look for dead trees and shake a few live ones to make sure. I found a dead one last week that was so close to branches from a live one it looked like the leaves belonged to it. But when I shook it a little I could see otherwise and moved on.

Sorry I didn't vote, none applied.

**Trooper** · 09-24-2011, 20:22

location, location, location = water, suitable trees, shelter from wind.

**kayak karl** · 09-24-2011, 20:27

young blood taught me about sites. out of wind and not the lowest. he took me to his site on Spinger, 12/31/08, i will never forget.

**nothermark** · 09-24-2011, 20:52

Depends on the weather. High windy ridges have less bugs if is is warm weather. OTOH there is lightning in a storm. Bottom of the valley is potentially wet. Part way up the hill with a tarp wind block or in a cove when cool. Water always an issue.