This base has lots of copper nodes near it. So I did not have to make any outpost here. I could just run it back. Meadows base was not near anything except Necks and flint, so my first node of copper I made an outpost at. I do make workbenches and fire at every node just to repair picks and get rested.

When I travel and explore, I drop a bed and fire in huts/towers/etc to camp out overnight so I don't have to risk exploring in those more difficult hours. I have never farmed ores or anything when exploring, I just forage plants and map out any points of interest for the future.