Here's the thing, most of us will be using our own cars to take off for the
weekend. Space in the back of an economy car or small SUV is at a premium.
So the goal is to keep the "extras" to a minimum. Always pause and
ask yourself- "Will I really need this over the next 2 days... the next 4
days... the next 9 days.." - You get the idea. This is why I have broken
the list down into Weekend trips, Week-long trips and Longer. This list is your
camping and survival stuff, not your prospecting and treasure hunting gear.
Those lists will be available as we get them together.
That said, these are the basic camping things you will need:
A) On The Ground
Are you sleeping outside, in your car or van or at a motel? A sleeping bag
and pad are first order. They need to be rated for the season and area you are
in. The pad is very important as it separates you from the sometimes cold and
damp ground. A small blue poly-tarp is also a good idea. They are cheap
protection for expensive sleeping bags.
B) Shelter
As per above, will you need a tent? If so, you may need protection from the
critters roaming around outside? I always carry 'Bear Spray', though in 30
years, I've never had to use it. One per adult. A free-standing, pop-up tent
is more expensive, but worth the cost since it takes less time to setup and
tear down. Especially when you are tired, its raining out and you just want to
hit the road for home.
C) A Cooler
- One big enough for water, pop, juice and any foods that need to
be kept cold like hamburger or sliced cheese. BTW- keep all loose or opened
food in ZipLock type bags so as not to contaminate the ice in the cooler. The
Blue Gel freezer packs work great and come in several shapes and sizes. The
goal it to minimize 'air' in the cooler, that way it will stay cold longer. If
I need ice for drinks, I put that in ZipLock bags too, so I can squeeze out any
air and keep it separate from the loose, dirty ice.
D) Water
- A minimum of 3/4 gallon per person, per day, more in hotter climates.
A tall 5 gallon jug takes up less space than two cases of bottled water and
will last a couple all weekend. You will also need it for washing hands and
making coffee or tea or hot chocolate or instant soup or whatever.
E) Food
- A plastic tote makes wrestling the food around a lot easier and keeps
any food messes to a minimum. It also forces you to think about space in
advance of going to the store. It has to fit the box, right? Disposable
plastic ware and paper plates are a good idea too. Most cheap paper plates
will fit to the inside of a cheap 'Frisbee' so they serve double duty. Food
should be easy to prepare and easy to clean-up after. If you bring cans, don't
forget the can opener. The 'cook' needs a break too, ya know. Stuff to make
sandwiches is an easy solution. Lunch meat keeps well in ZipLock bags in the
cooler. Fruit that doesn't require refrigeration like apples, oranges and
bananas are good as well.
F) FIRE
- I have gone on weekend trips where we only eat dried and pre-packaged
food so no fire was needed, but that's real boring. My favorite, is the little
Coleman single burner, multi-fuel stove. Cheap to use and almost
indestructible. A gallon of Kerosene will last for ever. A large coffee pot to
boil water in and a Mellita type coffee filter works real good. In cold
climates, Insulated cups are smart. If you plan to start a camp fire, then you
need a way to put it out in a hurry (if it gets out of hand, IT CAN HAPPEN).
So A fire extinguisher is mandatory under those conditions. Something I like
to tuck in the SUV is a large steel grille from an old BBQ, it can be used
over an open fire, no problem. If you have the room for it, some folks pack a
small Propane BBQ grille, but it would never fit in my SUV. Your call.
G) Sanitation
- Clean hands are a must. Anti-bacterial soap, a roll of paper
towel and a medium size plastic bowl is basic. "Baby Wipes" are also
a good idea and are easy to dispose of. I keep "TP" in a ziplock bag.
H) Safety Issues
- A First-Aid Kit can be something as simple as the ones you
get at the drug store, but add more of the big band-aids to it and a tube of
Anti-bacterial creme too. This should be in the car already. Bug Dope and
Sun Block is a good idea, depending on the season. A small portable radio (or
iPod) is optional, but handy for monitoring the weather.
I) Personal Items
- Keep it to a minimum, since you will be gone only a few
days. Good walking shoes, if you will be 'out and about'. An extra change of
sox and undies is a good idea. Also ask yourself- "will it get cold or
windy at night" and pack accordingly. Folding camp chairs are a must for
us older folks... sitting on the ground just don't cut it anymore. A small
'squeeze' flashlight, per person.. kids love this.
J) PETS
- Don't forget the Leash, 2 bowls and dog food for Rover!
All of the above is not cheap, but should last for many years. An investment
in the good-times that will certainly follow. DOH!
OH! don't forget the cards, in case you get stuck in the tent, waiting on the
rain to quit.
WEEKEND CAMPING TRIP/BASICS:
_______Sleeping Bag, Pad and Plastic Tarp
_______Pop-Up Tent, if needed
_______Cooler and Blue Ice Packs, Ziplock bags
_______2 to 5 Gallon Water Jug, Tall
_______Camp Stove or grill (and Fuel) or Metal Grille for fire
_______Fire Extinguisher
_______Coffee pot with lid, Mellita Filter Holder and Filters
_______Insulated Coffee Cups (plastic or stainless steel)
_______Paper Plates, Frisbees and Plastic-ware
_______Paper Towel, TP, Anti-Bacterial Soap, Baby Wipes
_______Medium size plastic bowl to wash up in
_______Plastic Tote with Lid for Food Storage
_______Ziplock bags in several sizes
_______Plastic Tote for Non-Food Items
_______First-Aid Kit, Bug Dope and Sun Screen
_______Matches, Can Opener, Medium size Flashlight
_______Kindling or 'fire starter' for building fire.
_______Good Shoes, Rain/Wind/Cold Weather Coat,
_______A Change of Clothes, Hygiene things
_______A small Flashlight, per person
_______Leash, 2 bowls and pet food in Ziplock bag
_______Deck of cards and small AM/FM Radio (optional)
_______Food and Water for 3 days, not 2
_______'Critter Protection' where needed
UP TO 9 DAY CAMPING TRIP:
In addition to the above, you will obviously need to pack more clothes and try
to find a place nearby to get a shower. Or rent a motel room for one night.
Makes a 9 day camping trip, a lot more bearable. Your wife and kids will love
you for it. About the 5th day, you will need to track down ice for the cooler
and score more drinking/wash water. Food for 9 days can be a problem too.
Meat like Hamburger can be frozen in-advance and extends its 'camping life'. I
pack dry stuff that only requires hot water to prepare. This keeps the
clean-up to a minimum. Scout for a grocery store, close to where you will be
camping, unless its real remote.
Extra Water, Food, and Clothes for 9+1 day.
--
LONGER ROAD TRIPS AND CAMPING OUT:
All of the above, plus you will need to plan on washing clothes along the way.
More fuel for the stove, more food and ice and water too. Stopping at a motel
every 4 or 5 days helps with everyone's attitude and makes replenishing things,
a lot simpler. Another alternative for a long trip is to rent a van or a small
motorhome. Then you are not subjecting your own car to the 'wear and tear' of
a long trip.
LAST WORD- Always make sure someone knows where you are going, how long you
will be gone and when you plan to get back.. Then make sure you let them know
when you return from your trip. Sometimes things go wrong. Be Prepared.
Robert, the Old Sourdough
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