Camping and asperger's.

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Do you like camping? Set up your tent in nature, far away from most people. No unpleasant noises and the smell of the forest. It's one of the most relaxing activities for me.

I never liked camping, I am not a nature person.

As a young adult, I enjoyed camping. But in general most of my camping was done without a tent. Generally I camped out in the open under the stars in only a sleeping bag. And everything I needed to survive was in my backpack.

I didn't like it much when I was younger but only because I always ended up miserably cold. But I recently did a nice hiking trip alone and surprisingly really enjoyed the camping (still too cold though-even if better than previously-some improvement needed to my set up). It was really nice sleeping alone in the woods. I'm going to go again before the autumn properly sets in, and I'm planning another hiking holiday next summer. I've got really into the concept of ultralight hiking (lots of autistic appeal in it with all the weighing and calculating to get your weight down).

I did a bicycle tour for two months, sleeping in my tent in California, and several weekend trips since. My little super- pup tent still gives me a rush of "home" feelings when I see it up. I certainly prefer camping far from other people, so my last camps were accessed by boat. I've never tried mountain bikes or hiking gear.
These days, I get my nature by visiting a near-hermit friend. I bought a car to carry that boat, and still have a car now, so I car-camp. If necessary, I could stay in my car for a week and emerge ready for a job interview, without even changing my diet. I had to live in a more makeshift car for two months to find my new house, so I'm well prepared now.
One thing I found was that it takes at least hours, if not days, to recover from the pace of motor travel and really "be" in nature, whereas riding a bike gets you there as soon as you start passing greenery.

I've never been camping in a tent before. I worry about being vulnerable to murderers or rapists when in a tent. Unless you go to the moors in Scotland or something, most quiet places in the UK are considered "dangerous" to be alone or camping, being so serial killers or other psycho nutters have been known to lurk about in woods or fields or other lonely places and commit a murder or other abusive crime.

Most of the hikes and overnights I went on were with the Sierra Club. They were group hikes with 20-50 people. I didn't feel much of a threat and it was rare for the hiking party to ever run into another person. So I imagine in many countries, there exist similar hiking clubs.

On a bike, you can't always get to the next official spot, but you don't look indigent, so people are helpful. I camped in a farm yard with permission. I got to one State park on a Friday evening (Surprise!) and found a crowd of people waiting in hopes of a cancelled reservation, but the Ranger arranged for me to share a site with another single guy who was truck camping. In north west LA, I thought I had a decent site, but some local teens advised a move to another place they recommended. I got to another camp, and found it closed due to water problems, but I had enough on board, and easily got over the fence. Many commercial sites are terrible for a light tent, though, so they are best used for showers and laundry, with someone watching your gear. I also stayed in some houses as a guest, and one motel when traversing LA.

Camping is always either too noisy with the cicadas, tree frogs, crickets, etc. (granted, I've only ever been camping in wooded areas) or too cold for me, depending on the time of year. The last time I was camping, I had to go sleep in the car because the local wildlife was too loud.

I like the concept of it. A tent, a bicycle, a sleeping bag, a couple of panniers and off you go!
Also, I believe I have an ideal tent for me. I tend to not like small spaces, but my tent is a two person tent (More like three compared to some tents) and it has doors at both ends. Ideal. I can get out if I am in a panic.

Did a few times.

Didn't enjoyed it overall because I was not alone. Didn't get to enjoy because I spent more time minding what others are doing or where they are going, and what it is supposed to do with others than anything I'd want.
Only parts I ever enjoyed was when I'm alone wandering without anyone behind my back fussing around. And it was very short lived.


If I were going out camping or hiking, I think I would rather do it alone as much as it is allowed to.

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I paddle solo on canoe trips in wilderness areas that are as far as possible from other people and the accompanying noise and detritus of civilization.

It takes me about three days to shake out, and 12-14 days to slip away. Once in this latter state, mostly I don't want to come out. I also like to keep it simple and ultra light as possible. Travel lightly and leave no trace.