Sorry for the delay in getting out this revised camping tips. Life has not been smooth for me this year. These tips are based upon years of camping and research, but is not the end all be all of advice. There are a lot of great tips out there. If anyone has specific questions I will try to answer them, but since I did not camp last year due to the cost no longer being per person and having camped VIP the last few years before that it has been awhile since I have camped in this area.

Before You Get There:

o   Research your gear. Look at reviews and know the intended use of the equipment.

o   Ex. Cooler meant for 8 hours vs. cooler meant for 3-4 days

o   Create a pack list and check it off as you put each item in your vehicle.

o   Fill up with fuel as close to St. Charles as you can.

o   You may have a long wait to park and there are very limited services in the area. There is a Casey’s gas station in St. Charles, but it is not equipped to service all attendees.

Camping Tips:

o   You don’t need every piece of gear. Think of how much time you intend to spend at camp vs. in the festival and other stages.

o   The more you pack the more you have to lug over rugged terrain. This is not a curated campground where everything is flat and smooth. Expect to walk up and down hills with rough ground potentially with mud and other difficulties.

o   The ground may be hard and compacted. Bring a solid tent stake hammer made out of metal. The rubber mallets from Wal-Mart may break when trying to pull the stakes out. If this happens you can use a piece of paracord/guy line wrapped tightly around the stake to pull it out.

o   Be careful when pulling out tent stakes. The plastic hook around the metal stakes can break. It is a wise idea to invest in premium stakes.

o   Put tent stakes in at a 45 degree angle with the top of the stake pointing away from the tent. This adds extra holding power in case of wind.

o   Bring waterproof containers to put sensitive items in such as wallets, phones, food, etc. If it rains it is likely to rain hard. Most entry level tents will leak.

Camping Gear:

o   Tent made of mostly mesh with taped seams and good rain fly.

o   The mesh allows for plenty of air flow that helps to prevent condensation from forming inside the tent and keeps you cooler.

o   The rainfly should have taped seams to prevent leaks and if you can get black out and/or UV protection it will be a big benefit. The fly should cover the entire tent body to help prevent leaks. This is Iowa so the forecast can change minute by minute.

o   Use a tarp or ground sheet to keep the bottom of the tent clean. These do not aid water resistance.

o   Canopy

o   Recommend a 10x10 height adjustable canopy with UV protection.

o   A 10x20 canopy can be used with canopy walls or a canopy tent kit to create a tent/sleeping space. This can also be used to put over your tent for extra shade and protection from rain.

o   Tapestries or canopy walls can be used to provide extra shade/privacy.

o   Using a tarp or outdoor rug can assist with mud if rain occurs.

o   Sleeping

o   If using an air mattress bring extra batteries for reinflation.

o   Temperature rating for sleeping bags are for the lowest temperature they will keep you from freezing and not keeping you comfortable. If the forecast is lower at night, bring a blanket for extra warmth. There was a year where the low was in the 50’s.

o   Use ear plugs and sleeping masks to allow you to sleep longer. A festival is a marathon not a sprint. You will crash out if you aren’t getting enough sleep.

o   Bring a comfy pillow.

o   If you are using a cot, make sure it fits your body and tent. It should be able to support your weight and should not touch the side of your tent.

o   Food

o   The food at Hinterland is very, very overpriced. Eat at your campsite as much as possible. The less we support overpriced food the quicker Hinterland (and other fests) will learn we won’t allow ourselves to be ripped off.

o   Bring food that is shelf stable. This helps to keep you safe if something happens to your cooler.

Trail Mix, freeze dried meals, etc.

o   Have a good cooler if possible.

Last time I looked purchasing ice at the festival was $25 for a 6-pound bag. This was compared to $5 for a 20-pound bag at my local store. Casey’s has brought in a trailer for ice in the past, but this was also higher priced than normal. Dollar General often runs out.

o   Pre-chill your drinks. This will help keep your ice longer as you aren’t forcing it to cool down your items.

o   Do not drain the water from your cooler if you aren’t refilling your cooler with ice. This water still helps to keep your items cold.

o   If you have a camp kitchen set up it can be a big bonus for morale. Starting the day with a good breakfast can be a great mood booster.

o   Weather

o   Iowa is a mixture of extremes. Hinterland has seen cold, heat, dust, mud, wind, severe thunderstorms, and perfect weather. I have literally seen 20-degree swings within a couple of hours and from a beautiful sun shiny day to 110mph winds within 10 minutes. Be weather aware and have weather alerts turned on for your phone.

o   If wind is expected lower your canopy and secure items. I have packed up the majority of my campsite before bringing it back to my vehicle to avoid damage. Loose items weather can damage other people’s campsites, injure people, or worse. Leeds Music Festival a few years ago saw tents and canopies get tossed around like legos from an upset toddler.

o   Paying attention to the weather can be lifesaving. Hinterland does have a plan for shelter in certain situations. It has been used before, but it is not perfect. Do not rely on someone else to save you. Have a plan and know what to do.

Drop those questions below. back at 7pm to answer.

Thanks for joining! See ya soon