This article explores how two avid hikers expanded their love for hiking into day camping, blending the best of both worlds. It discusses the gear, setup, and experiences that make their day camping adventures unique.
Our journey from simple hikers to enthusiastic day campers began with a desire to extend our time in nature. Hiking was a wonderful escape, but we wanted more - more time to relax, more time to enjoy the scenery, and more time to immerse ourselves in the outdoors. This is how we transitioned from hiking to incorporating elements of day camping into our adventures.
Initially, our hikes were straightforward. We laced up our running shoes, packed some water, and hit the inner-city trails. But as our love for hiking grew, so did our ambition. We started exploring the beautiful Provincial Parks around Vancouver, British Columbia, discovering trails that led us to breathtaking lookouts, serene lakes, and majestic waterfalls.
These new trails inspired us to enhance our hiking experience. We began bringing along food for picnics at the trail's end, and soon, the idea of day camping took root. We wanted to linger at these stunning locations, to cook meals, relax, and truly soak in the beauty around us.
We invested in compact, portable camping gear - items that were easy to carry and set up. Our essentials included a compact BBQ, a dual stove, cooking utensils, cookware sets, folding chairs, and a small portable power station. Depending on the trail, we would either carry these items with us to set up a day camp near a scenic spot or complete our hike and set up camp back at the truck.
Day camping added a new dimension to our outdoor adventures. We would cook delicious meals, make tea, and even engage in artistic activities. Lisa, with her artistic flair, would bring her drawing supplies and capture the beauty of our surroundings on paper. We hung LED string lights to create a cozy atmosphere as the sun began to set.
These experiences not only deepened our connection with nature but also strengthened our bond. Day camping became a way for us to escape the city's hustle and bustle, to recharge and reconnect. Inspired by the joy it brought us, we decided to turn our passion into a business, hoping to share this unique blend of hiking and day camping with others.
