“A full-sleeved thermal top and thermal trousers—along with a T-shirt, a woollen sweater, and two jackets”—is the mantra here in jungle camp. Cold is something you can explain only to a certain extent; beyond that, it is something you have to feel for yourself!
We are driving through the charming, almost dreamy roads of New York State, heading towards the Catskill Mountains for our first camping adventure.
The Catskill Mountains are located in southeastern New York State, USA. Known for their forested mountains, scenic roads, waterfalls, and colorful autumn foliage, the Catskills are a popular destination for camping, hiking, and nature lovers.
Expenditure per day stay could be $34 for the campsite, $40 for wood, and $220-250 for car rental.
The temperature is hovering around 9°C, and winter is already knocking at the door. Yet, autumn is still at its glorious best, painting the countryside in a breathtaking palette of colors.
The houses flanking both sides of the road look straight out of an architectural magazine. With their sloping roofs, large windows, beautiful porches, and spacious green lawns, they seem like model homes from a fairy-tale world. Some remind me of the enchanting houses in Alice in Wonderland, or I imagined the British houses when I used to read Shakespeare in my childhood.
The open lawns, often without boundary walls, blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Towering trees stand gracefully beside the houses, adding charm and character to every property. The roads are remarkably clean and smooth, almost as immaculate as the floors of our verandas. Traffic is sparse, and there is hardly anyone in sight.
A cool breeze brushes against my face as we drive through this peaceful countryside.
There is no incessant honking, no crowded streets, and no hurried footsteps—just beautiful homes, green lawns, magnificent trees, and endless stretches of smooth roads. This is the beauty of New York and, indeed, much of the northeastern United States.
But the real spectacle is nature’s autumn display.
The trees are ablaze with crimson red, golden yellow, burnt orange, russet brown, and deep green. Against the brilliant blue sky, streaked with delicate white clouds, the colors create a scene of extraordinary beauty.
It seems as though Mother Nature has adorned the landscape with mehndi, preparing the earth for a grand celebration as bridegroom. I imagine gods and apsaras descending from heaven to dance among these magnificent trees.
Such is the magic of autumn in America!
Our destination is the Catskill region, known for its forested mountains, scenic landscapes, and outdoor adventures. We are heading there for our very first camping experience, excited about spending time close to nature.
Of course, camping in temperatures approaching –1°C at night will be quite an adventure! Winter is just around the corner, and the nights are already getting bitterly cold.
But travel is also about stepping beyond our comfort zone and embracing new experiences. With autumn displaying its magnificent colors, a chilly breeze accompanying us, and the Catskill Mountains awaiting us, we continue towards our first camping adventure.
Kaaterskill Falls—A bonus for camping adventurers
Just about 2 km from our campsite lies the famous Kaaterskill Falls, a popular attraction in the Catskill Mountains. Though the waterfall appeared relatively modest during our visit, it would probably be more spectacular during the rainy season.
For campers, this waterfall is an added attraction—a delightful bonus to the outdoor experience. We walked along a well-maintained forest trail, with wooden steps leading us through the beautiful autumn woodland. The towering trees displayed magnificent shades of golden yellow, orange, red, and green. The trail was bustling with visitors enjoying the walk, admiring the scenery and taking photographs.
We can notice the vast Catskill Valley unfolded before us, with colorful forests carpeting the mountains beneath a brilliant blue sky. The panoramic scenery was breathtaking, and the walk itself was as enjoyable as the destination.
RK: Isn’t it an amazing coincidence? The place is called the Catskills, and the famous waterfall here is called Kaaterskill Falls! At least, we find it fascinating. Isn’t it?
MK(62): Yes, indeed! Now, let’s see whether our camping adventure turns out to be just as amazing!
RK (67): Rishi, look! This must be the entrance gate. We need to pay for car parking and our campsite here.
RR: Let me check the charges. The campsite costs $22 per night. And if it is a day visit, it is $10. Day visitors must leave by 9 PM.
SR: Look! They are selling firewood here too. We can buy some for our campfire.
MK: How much wood should we buy?
RR: Let’s take two bags. Each bag costs $20.
RK (67): And how are we going to light the fire? Did we bring everything we need?
SR: We have brought a gas fire lighter. A simple spark lighter may not be sufficient to get the wood burning. We have also brought a bottle of kerosene.
MK (62): All right, then! At least we seem to have come prepared.
SR: Oh my God! It’s already 3 PM. We should have arrived much earlier.
RK: It’s all right. Let’s hope we can put up the tent successfully before it gets dark!
MK: (Laughing) I hope you know what you’re doing! I have never built a house in the forest before!
SR: Come on, everyone! Let’s unload the luggage from the car and put it on the picnic table provided at the campsite.
RK: That’s convenient. Oh, look! The bathroom serving this camping loop is just near our campsite.
MK: That’s a relief! At least I won’t have to walk too far in the middle of the night.
RR: Papa need not worry about that, then!
(Everyone laughs.)
The Great Tent-Erecting Challenge
RR: This looks like a good spot for our tent. The ground seems reasonably flat, and we should be able to drive the tent stakes into it. What do you think?
RK: Yes, it looks suitable. Hundreds of campers must have pitched their tents here before us, so the site should be fine.
SR: All right, let’s spread the tent fabric on the ground and arrange it properly. We should make sure the entrance faces the right direction.
MK: Rishi, pass me that packet, please.
RR: Here you are! Oh, this packet contains the foldable tent poles. They form the aluminum framework that gives the tent its shape.
RK: Excellent! Let’s connect the poles and insert them into the appropriate sleeves and clips on the tent.
SR: That’s right. Once the poles are in place, we can raise the tent and give it its proper shape.
MK: And what do we do next?
RR: We have to secure the tent to the ground using these tent stakes.
MK: Tent stakes? What are those? I don’t know anything about camping terminology!
RK: Arre, they’re simply the pegs we hammer into the ground to hold the tent firmly in place!
MK: Oh, those! All right, now I understand.
SR: Let’s start fixing them. Hold the tent steady while I hammer this one into the ground.
RR: Oh dear! This is harder than I expected. The peg keeps coming out of the ground!
MK: My goodness! I thought putting up a tent would be child’s play. It seems we are building a palace!
RK: Don’t worry. We need to secure the corners properly. Once the tent is anchored at several points, it will become more stable.
RR: But it’s getting late. The sun is beginning to go down, and we still have so much to do!
RK: Don’t lose hope, my boy! We have come this far. We must finish what we started.
SR: Here’s an idea. Let all four of us hold the tent body in position while we secure the corners one by one.
MK: Good idea! I’ll hold this side. RK, please hold the opposite corner.
RR: SR and I will take care of the other two corners. Let’s work together!
RK: That’s the spirit! Four people working together should be able to manage one tent.
(The four of us held the tent in position, adjusted the fabric, and continued securing the corners with the stakes.)
MK: Oh my God! I had no idea erecting a tent would be so much work!
SR: Look! It’s finally standing!
RR: Hurray! We did it!
RK: Wonderful! Now, let’s put the outer tent fly over the structure to provide additional protection from the weather.
MK: Is that the final step?
RR: Almost! Let’s check the poles, stakes, and outer cover to make sure everything is properly secured.
SR: There! Our tent is ready!
ALL FOUR: Hurray! Hurray! We did it!
(Everyone laughs and celebrates.)
A Lesson We Learned in the Forest
Our first tent-erecting experience turned out to be a real learning exercise. What initially looked like a simple task became a challenge involving patience, teamwork, and perseverance.
There were moments when the tent stakes refused to stay in the ground, the fabric would not cooperate, and the fading daylight made us anxious. But we kept trying, helping one another until our little shelter finally stood proudly among the autumn trees.
Our biggest takeaway was simple: never lose hope, keep trying, and work together. Eventually, you will find a way!
And there it was—our very own tent in the beautiful Catskill Mountains!
But just as we began celebrating our achievement, another question arose.
Our car was parked right beside our campsite, which gave us a little confidence. If the cold became unbearable, we could always retreat to the car and, if necessary, abandon our camping experiment and drive back home!
We looked at our tent, then at one another, wondering what the night had in store for us. The tent was ready. The real camping adventure was about to begin!
Would we actually be able to spend the entire night in this tent in such bitter cold? The temperature would hover around -1°C at night. We had successfully overcome the challenge of erecting the tent, but staying warm through the night was an entirely different matter.
A Sunset by North-South Lake and Our First Campfire
We arrived at our campsite around 3 PM and, after considerable effort, finally managed to erect our tent by 4:30 PM. With our little shelter ready, we decided to make the most of the remaining daylight by visiting nearby North-South Lake, just about 3 km away.
The sun was beginning to descend, casting a golden glow over the landscape. We enjoyed a wonderful photo session along the lakeshore, capturing the beauty of the moment.
The sight was mesmerizing! The Catskill Mountains, covered with trees displaying their magnificent autumn colors, formed a spectacular backdrop to the calm waters of the lake. Shades of red, orange, yellow, and brown reflected the splendor of the season. The mountains, colorful forests, and shimmering lake came together to create a picture-perfect scene.
As the evening advanced, the temperature began to drop, reminding us that winter was just around the corner. We returned to our campsite, eager to experience the next highlight of our adventure—lighting our very own campfire.
We had already purchased firewood from a nearby shop. One useful lesson for campers: carry some cash, as smaller shops may not always accept credit or debit cards.
Fortunately, we managed to light the fire without much difficulty. Soon, the crackling flames began to provide some welcome warmth against the chilly evening air.
As we sat around the fire, warming our hands and enjoying its comforting glow, our conversation drifted into the past. We reminisced about old times, recalled memories of relatives and friends, and shared stories that brought smiles and laughter. In the quiet solitude of the forest, away from the noise and distractions of everyday life, these simple moments felt particularly precious.
Around 7:30 PM, it was time for dinner. We brought out some patties along with rice and dal that we had prepared earlier and warmed our food over the fire.
Perhaps it was the crisp mountain air, the warmth of the flames, or the peaceful surroundings, but the food tasted exceptionally delicious. Even a simple meal seemed to acquire a special flavor when enjoyed beneath the autumn trees, surrounded by darkness and the stillness of the forest.
There was something magical about the entire experience. Above us stood the towering trees; around us lay the quiet wilderness; and before us danced the glowing flames of our campfire.
That evening reminded us that happiness does not always require an elaborate setting or luxurious comforts. Sometimes, a simple meal, a crackling fire, good company and the solitude of nature are enough to create memories that last a lifetime.
Our First Night in the Tent: A Battle Against the Cold
By 9 PM, we had cooked the patties and heated our rice, dal and other eatables in the frying pan we had brought from home. Sitting around the campfire and enjoying a hot meal in the middle of the forest was an experience in itself.
By 9:30 PM, we entered our tent and slipped into our sleeping bags. To our surprise, the sleeping bag covers felt almost like ice and even seemed damp in the freezing cold. The temperature was hovering around –1°C, and we were about to discover what sleeping in a tent on such a cold night really meant!
Somehow, we passed the time until midnight, chatting and sharing stories (there is no network in camp area) . It is difficult to describe this experience in words. Cold is something you can explain only to a certain extent; beyond that, it is something you have to feel for yourself!
At around 1:30 AM, I woke up and cautiously poked my head out of the sleeping bag to check the time. Only 1:30! Goodness, we still had another five hours before sunrise.
I somehow settled down again. At around 3:30 AM, I woke up needing to use the restroom. Stepping outside the tent, I found myself surrounded by darkness and silence. Fortunately, the bathroom was very close to our campsite, so I did not have to walk far in the bitter cold.
Despite the freezing temperature and repeated interruptions to my sleep, tiredness eventually won over the cold. I managed to fall asleep again and slept until around 6 AM.
What Did We Learn from Our Cold-Weather Camping Experience?
Looking back, I realised that sleeping in a tent at –1°C was not as impossible as I had imagined, provided we had the right clothing and sleeping equipment.
My clothing consisted of thermal wear—a full-sleeved thermal top and thermal trousers—along with a T-shirt, a woollen sweater and two jackets.
These layers helped me cope with the cold, although the experience also taught me that proper cold-weather sleeping bags, insulated sleeping mats and suitable camping equipment are essential for a comfortable night.
Epilogue
Our first night in the Catskills was certainly not luxurious, but it was memorable and dangerous. We experienced the cold, the darkness and the unusual sounds of the forest, while discovering how much preparation is needed for winter camping.
The biggest lesson? Do not underestimate the cold. With proper preparation, the right equipment and a little adventurous spirit, even a freezing night in the wilderness can become an unforgettable experience!
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