Seems pretty wet
So far for Denver, 2021 is one of the wettest years on record since 1887. According to the National Weather Service, over 10 inches of rain has fallen since the start of the year. That’s more than Seattle and more than half what the city gets on average in an entire year.
Yet for much of western Colorado, this has been the driest April on record. What could these wide ranging conditions mean for the rest of the year across the state?
Will this affect camping season?
The short answer is, almost certainly. Last year we saw one of the most catastrophic fire seasons on record and all signs point to it being even drier this year. If you planned on making a trip to the mountains with some family or friends, get out early as a fire ban is likely to go into effect by August.
The Western Water Assessment (NOAA) Team released the research showing that streamflow volumes are forecasted to be less than 60% of average in the Upper Colorado River Basin and less than 50% of average in the Great Basin
Best way to Prepare
Always have a plan and a back-up plan. Here are some quick tips, but if your looking for more crawl through our post on how to camp during fire season.
Where’d my light go?
It may seem simple now, but without a fire you would be shocked at how dark it can get. Luckily, there are a variety of LED light options you can place around the perimeter of your site. This 4 pack is less than $15 and can be hung up in a tree.
Easy Hack: Take your headlamp and connect it to a gallon of water.
Different cookware
Without a fire, chances are you won’t be breaking out the cast iron. However you can’t go wrong with a trusty Coleman propane grill. If you’re backpacking, Jetboil has some portable options to help you take your backcountry chef skills to the next level.
Kick your adventure up a notch and find your own fuel source with the BioLite.
“Turn fire into electricity with BioLite’s award-winning stove. Patented combustion technology creates a vortex of smokeless flames for a portable campfire that can cook your meals and charge your gear, all at the same time. Leave the gas canisters behind and unlock the potential of the sticks and twigs around you.”
New Cookware New recipes
No open flame hotdogs this time but that doesn’t mean you need to skimp on the chef skills. Angel Hair Pasta with Chicken and Artichokes anyone? This easy recipe can be done with no fire using a JetBoil or a variety of other propane cooking devices. Coffee is a must for a lot of people and there is no need to miss out while in the mountains. This ultra portable AeroPress Go gets the job done and can be a light add-on to anyone’s pack.