Camping Essentials

Dressing in Layers will help keep you comfortable. A coat is a must even if the weather is going to be warm. What starts off to be warm/hot in the day will make what is cool at night feel cold. Good socks, belt, boots, glasses and a hat are needed. Toilet paper, Baby wipes and other hygiene supplies are very important and extra is always a good thing. Women should wear good supporting under garments. Some feminine hygiene supplies also work great for first aid. Don’t forget your water, bug spray, medication, Bible, snacks, lotion, chapstick, sun screen. Here are some things that might help you put together a good camping trip.

 

Food and water is always a good thing to have.

 Here are some things I carry in my Back Pack.

Most of this is not needed for an overnight stay close to a camp ground.

Ø     Cup

Ø     Water

Ø     Plate

Ø     Bowl

Ø     Fork, Spoon

Ø     Salt

Ø     Can Opener P-38

Ø     Toilet Paper

Ø     Baby Wipes

Ø     Litesticks

Ø     LED Headlight

Ø     Flashlight

Ø     Batteries

Ø     Matches  (Strike anywhere & water proof)

Ø     Lighter

Ø     Alcohol (151 proof or better)

Ø     Poncho/ Rain gear

Ø     Emergency Blanket

Ø     Tape

Ø     Rope

Ø     Parachute cord

Ø        Zip Ty’s                 Big and small

Ø     Knife sharpener

Ø     Big camp Knife

Ø     Small folding Knife

Ø     Jacket

Ø        Leatherman    (Camp tool w/ pliers)

Ø       Small Binocular or Monocular

Ø     Sleeping Bag

Ø     Sleeping Mat

Ø     First Aid Kit

Ø     Medications**

Ø     Pain meds**

Ø     Gloves

Ø       Small Aluminum shovel

Ø     Chapstick

Ø     Sunglass

Ø     Sun Block

Ø     Hat

Ø     Mouth wash

Ø     Tooth Brush

Ø     Tooth paste

Ø     Compass

Ø     Map

Ø     Bug spray

Ø     Cleaning towel

Ø     Camera

Ø       Cloth paper compressed suit

Ø     Tarp

Ø       Water purifier tablets*

Ø     Flare Gun*

Ø     Ammo*

Ø     One Man Tent*

Ø     Small stove*

Ø     Stove Fuel*

Ø     Hatchet*

Ø     GPS*

Ø     Water Filter*

Ø     Cooking Pot*

Ø     Trioxane (Fire starter)

Ø     Radio* (Transmitting FRS)

Ø     Area Light

* Are for longer hikes or for multiple days/nights

** Ideas for Medications other then Prescriptions:  Imodium-AD, Benadryl, Aspirin, Tylenol, Motrin, Quinine Sulfate, Itch Relief, Sting Kill, Allergy pill, Antacid, Burn Gel, Epinephrine………


Back Packs

  •  For short one over night hikes you could get away with a 45-Liter pack but, a 65~75 liter (5,000~6,000 cu. in.) pack has enough room for all the great stuff that is made for camping these days.  The pack should have an:
  • Internal frame is nice
  • Comfortable suspension system with padded straps with adjustable load lifters, and adjustable padded waist belt and sternum strap
  • Top-load main compartment with gusseted drawstring. Sleeping bag compartment
  • Made tough, of good fabric and should weigh less then 6 pounds

Ground Pads

Self inflating pads are great for the guys but, not very good if you want a happy Wife in the morning! Thicker is worth the money but, much harder to pack. Most strap this on the outside of the back pack. Air bed and inflator is worth the carry on short hikes if the women are going. If many hikers are going one battery inflator can be used by all. Make sure that what you get will fit in your tent.

 

 

Sleeping Bags

20 degree bags are about right for all around use.

  • Slant baffle construction prevents cold spots in your Bag but, Single layer construction works great.
  • Rip stop outer shell
  • Full-length insulated draft tubes with anti-snag zipper protection
  • Make sure it’s bigger then you are.
  • If you are sleeping with you Husband or Wife it is good to get bags that zip together. They are rectangle bags and usually don’t have the extra’s that are looked for in a pack-able sleeping bag.
  • Holo, X-fill, Thermolite and other specialty fill is worth the money. Down is usually too heavy to pack as is canvas bags.
  • If used in a back pack the weight should be not more then 5 pounds to fit in most packs. 0 degree and colder bags are hard to fit in most packs and can be much to warm to use in most Southern California weather.

 

Tents

 One or two man tents are awesome these days. They weight under four pounds and pack real small. They all come with rain flies and are very cost effective ($30). Get a tent you will be comfortable in, look at the size and look to see if you will be comfortable in that small of space.

I get most of my camping supplies on-line at:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/

It may be helpful to buy together to cut down on shipping.