Some thoughts and discussions from me.
How to Be a Happy Camper in 5 Easy Steps: Camping at Mammoth Gulch (+ My Weekly Workouts)
If you asked me 10 years ago if I’d like to go camping, I’d give you a simple, blunt, and honest answer:
Nope.
While I inherently love a challenging hike, climb – basically anything that will test my skills outdoors – I wasn’t born with the innate desire to sleep with bugs, wild life, and without indoor plumbing. Perhaps it has something to do with going away to church camp one summer as a kid with nothing but shorts as a cold front moved into the area. Or maybe it’s just my vehement dislike of mosquitos. And last year’s camping experience didn’t exactly redeem itself 
But I gotta tell ya, Colorado has reached down inside of me and pulled out that inner happy camper that’s been there all along. I loved every minute of it! From gathering wood to freezing my butt off to sleeping/not sleeping under the stars, to waking up with the sunrise the next morning. I, Paige Kumpf, was a happy camper. Admittedly, we just went car camping. Backpacking is next for Shane and me – and that might be a different story. But for now, I say bring it on!
How to Be a Happy Camper in 5 Steps
(For those who don’t sense satire well, this is obviously meant to be satirical. I am in no way a camping expert, as I’ve only been camping 3 times now. This is my experience, in list-form.)
1. Make sure it’s hailing as you’re driving out to the mountains, especially while off-roading it for a good 30 minutes.
Yep! It was pouring rain and hailing as we journeyed out to our campsite. We were all laughing at the fact that we were going to sleep outside as it’s literally hailing buckets. I mean, if you can laugh at that, then you’ve got the right attitude for your camping weekend. Luckily for us, it literally stopped hailing, and then sun came out as soon as we made it to our campsite.
Timing couldn’t have been better.
2. Make sure you go camping with people you like – a lot.
Since you’ll be spending a lot of time with these people, sharing almost everything with them, and likely have conversations that have no boundaries, it’s a good thing to get along really well with your fellow campers. Inevitably, pooping in a hole will come up in conversation. The group we camped with our some of our very best friends here in Colorado, and one of the reasons is because of the low drama, easy-going, and laid back-ness of every single one of them.
3. Pack enough food, because camping makes you hungry.
Before nighttime hit, everyone was busy setting up camp and gathering dead wood for the fire. But as soon as the fire was started and the sun set leaving us with dark skies, it seemed like a never-ending stream of food. Cook a hot dog, drink a beer, eat another hot dog, make some s’mores, open a bag of chips, open another beer. And so on. Then the next morning, we all cooked breakfast, hiked, had a snack, napped, had another snack, and then made lunch. Point being, bring enough food.
4. Pack an extra pair of underwear.
And tissues. And hand sanitizer. Next time I’ll know better. ‘nough said.
5. Don’t stop at the first campsite you see. The tougher it is to get there, the more likely your view is going to be stunning.
We were tempted to stop at the first empty site we saw. I mean, it was hailing, we were off-roading on some ROUGH roads, and we were excited. Luckily we had an experienced car camper in the group, so we kept going, and going…and going. Although we were a little leery, when we arrived to our spot, it was ultimately worth it.
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As for the rest of the weekend, it was pretty low key. Sunday I spent a good couple hours filming new exercises for the first two weeks of YTP Online Boot Camp (it’s gonna be awesome!) got in a strength workout, and then just hung out at a local brew house. Here’s how the rest of the week looks (right now) workout-wise :
Monday: 45 min. run
Tuesday: teach spin; lifting
Wednesday: run or OFF
Thursday: teach spin; lifting
Friday: run or OFF
Saturday: maybe, perhaps, possibly hiking a 14-er
And now, some questions for you!
Do you like camping?
What was your best or worst camping experience?
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I haven’t been camping in YEARS but it always seems like so much fun! Aside from that whole pooping in a hole thing. The camping we did growing up there was always a bathroom cabin nearby…lol
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted…Enjoying the Journey
It’s really not too bad…just…weird lol
What a beautiful camping spot! I have never been and am nervous for the same reasons you were. Hopefully I have an experience like this!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul recently posted…Weekend Snapshots 8.18
If you had fun car camping, you’re going to love backpacking into a campsite. While it’s definitely a lot of work, it’s so worth it. There’s less people around and it’s generally more pretty.
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona recently posted…How to Blog Series: Hootsuite
Ahhh I can’t wait!
confession: I have never been camping! crazy right?
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted…Tea Time
Yes! Especially in the beauty you live in 😉 But I guess not so crazy if camping isn’t your style!
Glad you had fun and like camping now! Not everyone is comfortable with it, which I have to remind myself as it’s something that I’ve done a lot of. We do more back country camping, so this past weekend where we also car camped was awesome – feels like luxury, bring the BBQ out – oh, and hang out in the tents and cars for all afternoon/evening b/c while it wasn’t hailing, it was down pouring all weekend. 😉 Part of the adventure, right? 😀
Bonnie recently posted…What’s the Best Diet?
It is kind of luxurious! Our friend brought his portable grill, which I thought was both hilarious, and awesome when it came time to cook bacon on it in the morning 🙂
I’m totally with you on that. I love to hike and be outdoors, but sleeping with wildlife just doesn’t appeal to me as much. I used to camp on the beach with my dad and brother though! That was when I was really young and didn’t care about many things though 😉
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves recently posted…House Project Weekend
That sounds like fun 🙂 I’m aiming to feel that youth again! haha
Not a camper here! But it seems like the key thing is that you have to have a sense of humor and roll with it.
This makes me happy to hear! I love camping, but I will admit, I’ve become a little more high maintenance in my old age. 😉 After about 2 nights of roughing it, I’m ready to be back in my own bed and using my own shower and toilet. I grew up camping (like, legit camping in a tent with no running water), and I have so many great memories from our camp trips. I hope to continue the tradition with Hunter and our future kiddos.
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted…Post Vacation Reflections
Which 14er are you looking at for Saturday?
I’ve car camped once since moving here… but literally car camped, as in, slept in the car. We ended up right below this big rockslide and were concerned it would be dangerous to actually pitch the tent!
Laura recently posted…Sponsored Healthy Recipe: Thai Steak Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
I think we’re gonna hit up Grays and Torreys!
It looks like you and your friend had an amazing time enjoying the beach. Camping is one of our favorite family activities .
Noval recently posted…Guide To Go For The Green Camping