going camping?... what to take?

[mojo]

Even though the temps can be high now in Oregon I'm planning a trip in the nearby wilderness. Thought this was helpful on equipment...please add anything you think helpful for an excursion...;)

0zIx4tzIDfE

[Nasu]

He's got some great kit. It's all personal preference really, but a good starting point or guide would be the terrain and the season that you face. This guys kit would be great for a few nights out in summer or fall in the US, it would be woefully lacking elsewhere in the world at that time of year. For those seasons, in that part of the world, his choice of kit is not bad overall, my only additions would be a modern fire flint with his matches, a roll of bathroom tissue and a good hatchet, lastly some gators to keep the ticks and such out of my ankles.

Something not mentioned is the animals in said wilderness, is there anything to worry about? Should you pack a revolver or bear mace, just in case, for example? Have you traveled into this wilderness before? Do you have a map or any local knowledge?

Hope this helps.... N

[ghostrider]

never go into the woods without , a knife , a way to make fire , and something to keep everything dry ... a current map of the area would be nice , and always tell someone where your going and when you plan to come back , if something goes wrong , someone will need to know , to send a search party out looking for you ... other than comfortable shoes , it's pretty much a personal preference what to take ... I like to travel light and always take a 6 foot walking stick ... don't carry so much gear that you can't move about without much effort ... weight on your back can get heavy quickly if your not used to it ...

[Nasu]

never go into the woods without , a knife , a way to make fire , and something to keep everything dry ... a current map of the area would be nice , and always tell someone where your going and when you plan to come back , if something goes wrong , someone will need to know , to send a search party out looking for you ... other than comfortable shoes , it's pretty much a personal preference what to take ... I like to travel light and always take a 6 foot walking stick ... don't carry so much gear that you can't move about without much effort ... weight on your back can get heavy quickly if your not used to it ...

Good call. The lighter we travel, the more of a chalenge it really is.

A stick is a great idea, it helps scare snakes and such and is usefull for so many camp chores, not to mention helpfull when your walking, if nothing else it helps to focus on something other than your own pains, sprains or blisters.. Can opener, I forgot to mention a can opener. Conforming to my patern, as usual I nearly always forget one. I have become quite nifty with my knife on cans as a result, but none the less, learn from my disappointments if you can, don't forget the can opener, unless your only packing MRE's or such like... Love to hear how your packing is going... N

[jagman]

If I was going camping I would invite a woman to go with... you can carry more supplies
and it might get cold and they can keep you warm lol just a thought mojo.

[Rocky_Shorz]

I always recommend stopping by a store in the closest town to where you are hiking, in small towns if you tell the local grocer where you are going, he will know who can give you tips and will know exactly where you are versus telling a friend that might only remember the town...

I use to run portage trips in Northern MN up by the rainy lakes, a compact rope to hang your food in a tree out of the reach of bears is critical, when hiking wear something that rattles or jingles, bears will get out of your way. lighters are important, in case one gets wet...

stay warm and dry...

dress in layers...

get dry food concentrates for backup, you'll eat twice normal, a purifier for water so you don't need to carry a bunch of weight.

if you are parking your car and building a tent beside it, you can haul whatever you need in the car.

they have tiny portable gas tanks with flare tops if you prefer not cooking over a fire pit.

fresh fish is awesome if you are near river or lake, hooks and spindle of line, worms are easy and wherever you stop near water. bobbers are nice for extra weight tossing it out

[tnkayaker]

three things VITAL that very well could save your life in many situations, a flashlight (new bats) and a small lock blade knife ,and a lighter or matches in a zip lock so its wet proof, i put the flashlight and knife on a long shoe string or leather cord, and have it so they can go to the bottom of a pocket,as the other end i attach to my belt securely so at night once it gets PITCH BLACK out, lol you can just yank on the cord and you know there is a flashlight at the end of it, and in the hops it never happens a small lock blade knife might keep an animal away or allow you to make fire starter if you loose a lighter or dont carry one, i never buy or have a none lock blade knife they may be cheaper but the folding of a blade when you using it pretty much teaches one to spend a few bucks and get a lock blade, heck small cool lock blade knives are like 2 bucks these days anyways,,,, have fun!! i love camping, oh one more thing, i always think about food in the fact i take what i can afford to make my stay really enjoyable, why go to all that work and try to survive on marshmallows? maybe if you have some chocolate but i eat the chocolate sans the marshmallows anyways lol but i put pre thought out stuff in zip lock bags so in case one bag fails and gets wet, you have other options, this seems to happen once i get to camp after canoeing or hiking for the day and have a few beers or what have you, i forget to zip up the zip locks all of the time, ha, anyways i was saying take along a few cool treats to treat yourself and your friends if your camping with buddies always a hit to bust out some pie wedges or something most would never put in a zip lock and toss in a cooler, around a camp fire, im only concerned with taste and what is there to munch on lmao! have a great time!

[aranuk]

If I was going camping I would invite a woman to go with... you can carry more supplies
and it might get cold and they can keep you warm lol just a thought mojo.

Hi Jagman, a beautiful woman too may I add. haha.

Stan

[BIG CAT]

Hi all, when I was an army cadet (many moons ago) the best piece of kit I owned was a gortex bivi bag, no poles, no pegging out just put your sleeping bag inside and your rucksack behind your head to keep it off your face and your ready for bed.
on the down side it does look like a body bag! cooking may be a problem if it's raining so I would normally put up a basha they also come with hoops at both ends if you want the posh version but if your traveling light and only out for a few days they are great.
Happy camping Mojo.
Big cat.

[Bill Ryan]

-------

So many variables: is it a day hike, or a week's expedition? What will the weather be? How high are you going? Are you going alone? Is it bear country there?

If you've not done much of this before (which is absolutely no reason not to go!), beware that if you take TOO much with you, you'll weigh yourself down and it'll either be hard work (not necessarily a problem if you're in good shape), or maybe just not quite as much fun as you were hoping for. A 40 lb pack might seem just fine at the start of a hike, but at the end of the first day, believe me, it'll feel a little heavier!

The best trips I've ever done have been those where I've been able to travel very light and fast, barely noticing what I'm carrying. Every ounce counts. That means a bivouac ('bivvy') bag rather than a tent, a light sleeping bag only (just sleep with all your clothes), dried food with no cans or liquids, just one lightweight pan for cooking (no need for more), no extras like waterproof pants if the weather looks okay (but a waterproof shell jacket is always essential) -- and so on.

I also usually hike in training shoes only, even on rough ground... not heavy boots. It makes a difference! To keep my feet dry, I use plastic bags over wool socks inside the shoes... works like a charm, and your feet feel super-light. You can dance around like that.

My personal strategy is to think of worst case scenarios, and then what it would take to survive (i.e. stay alive, e.g. through a sudden storm) -- not live in comfort. It's always a fine compromise.

The best piece of advice I ever learned -- from an experienced friend, when I was young -- was that if you take TOO much emergency equipment with you, you'll just travel so slowly you'll end up using it all. :)

I'm embarking on a mountain trip myself (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?71560-For-all-vicarious-mountaineers-a-little-adventure-to-share.--Countdown-4-days-) in a few days' time, up to 14,000 ft alone and in possibly bad weather. It should be just one long day. I intend to travel as light as I can, and I'm planning for my pack to weigh in at 15-18 lbs if at all possible... no more.

:)

[Sunny-side-up]

Once you have all your main kit sorted make space for that very important item!

Your UFO snapping camera! ;)

:ufo:

[Jean-Marie]

Everyone has given great advice. I am an Assistant Scoutmaster and Venture Crew Leader, the only additional advice I would offer to you is that you need to leave a plan with someone. In the plan put the details of the paths or area which you will be hiking, where you will be planning on spending the nights, etc... That way if something happens and you don't show up or check in with someone they have an idea of where to go looking for you!


-jean-marie

[sheme]

Mobile phone has saved too many lives- take one but keep it in a tin-dial out only, I got myself a Kelly kettle for cups of tea warmth and hot soup. Binoculars can save a long walk in the wrong direction , spare light weight shoes and socks- mosquito net on a hat. Camden tablets, shillelagh, compass, clove oil, camera and a good chum. Enjoy and realise you are incarnate.

[tnkayaker]

one other thing i try to always have with me is one of my tribal drums when heading anywhere near a camp/bon fire,at least i stash it in my vehicle if i cant haul it along, whether im alone or planning to meet up with friends drumming is centering and one of the best things to do in my most humble opinion lol...

[Shezbeth]

I don't do drums, but I always bring a wind or brass instrument; usually a recorder, but sometimes the good 'ol trumpet.

Also - and perhaps this is a personal thing (I haven't ever encountered anyone who does likewise :noidea:) - a sword.