Cliff Camping While Extreme Hiking: The Do's And Don'ts

Do: Gain Experience First

The vision of spending an evening perched high above clouds from the comforts of your own cliff camp is one many adventurers have long before they gain the skills to do it alone. If you plan to cliff camp without a guide someday, start by learning the basics of hiking, climbing and camping. Join a rock-climbing gym or check out Royal Caribbean's onboard Rock Climbing Wall to master proper climbing techniques and skills like belaying, jumaring, knot tying, route setting, anchoring and rappelling. Many of these skills will be needed to reach your cliffside campsite, haul up your gear and set up camp. If you're not sure where to gain outdoor training, climbing gyms and clubs often run group trips, where you'll swap man-made climbing holds for natural rock crags. It'll also help you adapt to climbing and hiking in the hot or cold temperatures, which could be quite the change from the air-conditioned comforts of an indoor gym.

Do: Trust The Professionals

If you don't have the skills or materials to set up a cliff campsite or portaledge yourself, make a vacation out of it and book a night with a climbing agency to have them set up your campsite for you. Under the guidance of a professional, you'll experience the joys of sleeping suspended under the stars with little risk. Kent Mountain Adventure Center in Estes Park, Colorado, hosts a night tenting on a cliff overlooking the Rocky Mountains. Hikers can trek to the top of the cliff and rappel from the summit into the campsite, enjoy a hearty dinner above the treetops, and then rappel down to the ground in the morning. Keen climbers can climb in lieu of rappelling. Indigo Alpine Guides offers a similar cliff camping excursion in Index, Washington.

If you're wanting to sleep high when you travel down under, Beyond the Edge in Mount Buffalo National Park, Australia, hosts guests in a portaledge over Mount Buffalo Gorge. As you wake up, listen for the roar of a nearby waterfall, come eye to eye with soaring birds and admire as the treetops below are illuminated by the rising sun. For blue ocean views on your world vacation, head to the Climbing Company in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Watch the sunset burn bright red over the horizon, hear the chirp of seabirds, and let the waves of the Atlantic Ocean lull you to sleep from the comforts of your seaside cliff campsite.

Do: Read The Weather Forecast

Don't: Go Unprepared

If it's your first time setting up your camping equipment or portaledge, practice assembling it at home before you hit the trail. Because you'll be limited to a small space and potentially a short amount of time when setting up camp outdoors, it's wise to fine-tune the process in an area you're comfortable with, like your backyard or living room. Check for missing, bent, rusted or broken parts, and read through the manufacturer's instructions to ensure you've set up your campsite in the proper way. Comb through your ropes and replace any that are worn down or frayed. Pack your portaledge and camping gear away neatly so when you're ready to take it out into the wilderness, you won't have a jumbled mess of ropes and fabric to untangle.

When it's time to venture out, pack sun protection, first aid equipment, plenty of water, cold weather protection, a headlamp or flashlight, and a communication device like a Garmin inReach for places with unreliable phone service. You'll want to be prepared for unexpected weather changes or injuries during your trip. Pack layers to adjust to the ambient temperature. Without the protection of thick canvas or tree cover, sleeping on a cliff or camping on the side of a mountain exposes you to elements like wind, direct sunlight and rain.

Don't: Venture Alone

Do: Invest In The Right Gear

When it comes to your climbing, camping, and hiking equipment, it's wise to invest in the items you'll be relying on for comfort and safety, even if it means paying a bit more. Brands like Black Diamond and Metolius test their portaledges in varying terrains, regularly updating their materials and design to withstand harsh weather. Ropes, cords, harnesses, carabiners and helmets are also worth spending a bit more money on for better quality. Note that your portaledge won't be your primary safety device, that'll be your harness and climbing rope, so purchase or upgrade those items before investing in anything else. If you're planning to cliff camp as your cruise is docked at a port, many climbing companies have gear you can rent.

Already daydreaming about the fresh air, panoramic views, solitude and quiet nights you'll have camping on the side of a cliff?