Soggy ground, swollen rivers: camping in March without getting trapped
Like all of us, you can feel the warmer weather slowly returning: the sun is back, the days are getting longer, and the urge to get outdoors is strong. But the ground still bears the marks of winter. Two months of rain, snow, and frost have saturated the earth. Streams are swollen, trails are waterlogged, and clearings that seemed perfect in October have become sponges. Camping in March is perfectly possible. It's even excellent for improving your skills. But it requires adapting your approach! Here's how.
Choosing your location: the dry soil rule
In March, choosing your campsite is your most important decision. A bad spot and you'll spend the night in damp conditions, the cold will rise from the ground, and your sleeping bag will lose its effectiveness. A good spot and you'll sleep soundly despite the conditions. Look for elevated areas; even a few inches above the ground level makes a difference. Water follows gravity, accumulating in hollows, basins, and low-lying areas. Always avoid flat areas at the bottom of slopes. Observe the ground before setting down your pack. Place your foot firmly. If water rises around your sole? Look elsewhere. Ground that seems dry on the surface may be saturated underneath. Seek out dense wooded areas: trees intercept some of the rainfall, and their roots drain the soil. A clearing at the edge of a dense forest is almost always drier than an open meadow. Avoid the banks of streams and rivers. In March, water levels can rise several inches in just a few hours after rain. What appears to be a comfortable riverbank at 7pm can be underwater by 3am.
Managing soil moisture
Your sleeping mat is your first line of defense against the cold and damp. In March, don't compromise on this. A basic foam mat with an R-value below 2 isn't enough. Aim for an R-value of at least 3. If you're using an air mattress, slip a thin layer of foam underneath. This protects the mat from punctures on rough terrain and adds an extra layer of insulation between you and the saturated ground.
Set up your tarp at a slight angle. Not flat. Even a five-degree incline is enough to drain water that accumulates on the tarp during overnight rain. Also check the corners: make sure they are taut enough to prevent water from pooling on poorly tensioned tarps.
Crossing a river in March: the basic rules
This is the time of year when rivers and streams are at their highest. Snowmelt at higher elevations, combined with spring rains, swells waterways sometimes dramatically and rapidly. Before attempting a crossing, assess the current. A current that seems moderate can exert considerable force on the body. The simple rule: if the water is above your knee and the current is visible, look for another crossing or don't attempt it. Unbuckle your backpack before crossing. If you fall, a strapped pack will pull you to the bottom. Unbuckle your waist belt and chest protector. You can remove them immediately if necessary. Use a walking stick or a sturdy branch as a third point of support. On the upstream side, this will help stabilize your progress against the current. Advance diagonally, facing the current, never perpendicularly. Never attempt a crossing after recent heavy rains. A stream that is easy to cross under normal circumstances can become dangerous within hours. If you have any doubts, wait. The bivouac on the other side is not worth the risk.
Protecting your equipment from moisture
Set off with a systematic waterproofing system. Your sleeping bag in a dry bag . Your spare clothes in another. Your first-aid kit, firelighters, and phone: all in zip-lock bags or waterproof containers. A wet sleeping bag loses up to 80% of its insulating properties. A wet down sleeping bag is practically unusable. In March, this is a real thermal emergency. Also pack a spare pair of socks in your bag, separate from the rest of your gear and in a waterproof pouch. Dry feet mean a good night's sleep. Wet feet mean a night at risk of hypothermia.
Read the weather differently in March
In March, the 48-hour forecast is your basic tool. But look beyond temperature and rainfall. Check the rainfall over the previous 72 hours. Ground already saturated after two days of rain won't drain between noon and your arrival at 5 p.m. Also, check river levels if you plan to camp nearby. In France and Belgium, flood forecasting services are available online and provide real-time water levels.
March rewards those who prepare. Soggy ground, swollen rivers, and high humidity aren't obstacles. They're conditions. And a bushcrafter who knows how to read and manage these conditions progresses twice as fast as one who waits for good weather. At WildTactic, we go out all year round. Because nature doesn't wait.