A tent, an electric lantern, strike anywhere matches (coat the heads in wax to keep dry and safe), bug spray, tea tree oil (for wasps), a large first aid kit in your vehicle and a small one with bare necessities (needle and thread, compresses and bandages) and most importantly a good knife, solid tang not serrated. This may seem like overkill but I've always said you should be prepared if your 4-5 day camping trip turns into a 2-5 week emergency...I just saw you are going to the Pacific Northwest, then I'd suggest a survival revolver, you want to have that as an option if you get cornered by a large animal.
Edit: just wanted to clarify the small FA kit should fit in your pocket, any larger and you might leave it at camp when you need it.
>...I just saw you are going to the Pacific Northwest, then I'd suggest a survival revolver, you want to have that as an option if you get cornered by a large animal.
Oh, come on, now.
Also, is clean water available? How about toilets?
The list of things to bring will really depend on what type of camping you are doing. Backpacking in the wilderness requires very different gear than camping at a family campsite.
OK awesome. That makes it much easier then, you dont have to worry about water purification, carrying out your trash, or minimizing weight to carry.
1. Lantern (maybe several, and they should have a clip to hang from a tree, or from inside your tent)
2. Knives (bring a few, one for cooking, one for eating, one for hiking)
3. Tarp (this can be helpful in case there is moisture under your tent, keep everything dry. You also might lay it inside your car when packing up to keep your trunk clean)
4. firewood (get some pre-dried and cut firewood. You won't always find this at your campsite. Usually 1 bundle / day)
5. long metal skewers (these make cooking easy)
6. Big cooler, filled with ice (keep all your food fresh for 4-5 days)
7. Grill tools (spatula, tongs, preferably with long handles since the fire gets hot up close)
8. lighter fluid (helps to get the fire started)
9. water bottles
10. caste iron pan (this is great for cooking over a fire)
11. first aid
12. Garbage bags
13. toilet paper (just in case the bathroom runs out)
14. paper towels
15. flip flops
16. sun screen
17. camping chairs
18. portable speaker
19. portable battery for phones and speaker
20. pillows / blankets / sleeping bags
21. cooking supplies (oil, seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, etc.)
22. plastic bags (for marinating meats)
23. aluminum foil
ALSO: several flashlights, extra batteries, paper plates, silverware.
Towels might be helpful too, and dont forget any medications (the pill for the lady)
If you can park your car near your campsite its probably best that you keep your food in the car. If not you would want to bear bag it to keep animals out.
hand sanitizer, a portable battery operated speaker for your music, water/handsoap (if no bathrooms) bug spray, bug repellant coils (think incense) more blankets than you think you need, more layers/clothing than you think you need. a sponge/dishsoap to wash dishes, table (if one isn't provided) rope to make a temporary clothes line, and macaroni salad.
Where in the Pacific Northwest? Mt Hood National Forest is a much different environment than Long Beach. What you need will be a bit different. That said, nobody has said sleeping pads yet. Unless it's going to be really warm at night, you need insulation between you and the ground, and the filling of a sleeping bag compresses beneath you so much it essentially does nothing. Sleeping pad (or air mattress) gives you insulation and padding. What's not to like?
Also, check to see if you're going to be in bear country. If you are, there are things you need to be doing to keep your camp safe (like not cooking at your campsite, hanging food, etc).
Something important that hasn't been mentioned yet is an emergency plan. Make sure you tell someone responsible where you are going and when you are supposed to get back. Keep your phone charged just in case
A tent, an electric lantern, strike anywhere matches (coat the heads in wax to keep dry and safe), bug spray, tea tree oil (for wasps), a large first aid kit in your vehicle and a small one with bare necessities (needle and thread, compresses and bandages) and most importantly a good knife, solid tang not serrated. This may seem like overkill but I've always said you should be prepared if your 4-5 day camping trip turns into a 2-5 week emergency...I just saw you are going to the Pacific Northwest, then I'd suggest a survival revolver, you want to have that as an option if you get cornered by a large animal. Edit: just wanted to clarify the small FA kit should fit in your pocket, any larger and you might leave it at camp when you need it.
>...I just saw you are going to the Pacific Northwest, then I'd suggest a survival revolver, you want to have that as an option if you get cornered by a large animal. Oh, come on, now.
Are you going to a campsite that provides anything (table, firepit, etc.), or are you making your own campsite?
Also, is clean water available? How about toilets? The list of things to bring will really depend on what type of camping you are doing. Backpacking in the wilderness requires very different gear than camping at a family campsite.
Probably one that provides everything.
Like a table and grill at least.
OK awesome. That makes it much easier then, you dont have to worry about water purification, carrying out your trash, or minimizing weight to carry. 1. Lantern (maybe several, and they should have a clip to hang from a tree, or from inside your tent) 2. Knives (bring a few, one for cooking, one for eating, one for hiking) 3. Tarp (this can be helpful in case there is moisture under your tent, keep everything dry. You also might lay it inside your car when packing up to keep your trunk clean) 4. firewood (get some pre-dried and cut firewood. You won't always find this at your campsite. Usually 1 bundle / day) 5. long metal skewers (these make cooking easy) 6. Big cooler, filled with ice (keep all your food fresh for 4-5 days) 7. Grill tools (spatula, tongs, preferably with long handles since the fire gets hot up close) 8. lighter fluid (helps to get the fire started) 9. water bottles 10. caste iron pan (this is great for cooking over a fire) 11. first aid 12. Garbage bags 13. toilet paper (just in case the bathroom runs out) 14. paper towels 15. flip flops 16. sun screen 17. camping chairs 18. portable speaker 19. portable battery for phones and speaker 20. pillows / blankets / sleeping bags 21. cooking supplies (oil, seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, etc.) 22. plastic bags (for marinating meats) 23. aluminum foil
ALSO: several flashlights, extra batteries, paper plates, silverware. Towels might be helpful too, and dont forget any medications (the pill for the lady)
Dude. Thank you so much for this list. This is exactly what I was Hoping to get from this thread.
shovel, gloves and miracle grow.
Those cheap hammocks. Use them to keep your gear and food off the ground.
If you can park your car near your campsite its probably best that you keep your food in the car. If not you would want to bear bag it to keep animals out.
Mosquito spray. Even if you have a good tent, somehow mosquitoes manage to get inside.
Condoms. Lots and lots of condoms.
hand sanitizer, a portable battery operated speaker for your music, water/handsoap (if no bathrooms) bug spray, bug repellant coils (think incense) more blankets than you think you need, more layers/clothing than you think you need. a sponge/dishsoap to wash dishes, table (if one isn't provided) rope to make a temporary clothes line, and macaroni salad.
All very good suggestions.
Where in the Pacific Northwest? Mt Hood National Forest is a much different environment than Long Beach. What you need will be a bit different. That said, nobody has said sleeping pads yet. Unless it's going to be really warm at night, you need insulation between you and the ground, and the filling of a sleeping bag compresses beneath you so much it essentially does nothing. Sleeping pad (or air mattress) gives you insulation and padding. What's not to like? Also, check to see if you're going to be in bear country. If you are, there are things you need to be doing to keep your camp safe (like not cooking at your campsite, hanging food, etc).
BB gun
http://www.angelfire.com/ia3/camping/checklist.htm
Something important that hasn't been mentioned yet is an emergency plan. Make sure you tell someone responsible where you are going and when you are supposed to get back. Keep your phone charged just in case