It can be a great adventure, or it can be a living nightmare. What you brought (or did not bring) to camp is often the most important factor in a camping experience. The difference between a peaceful vacation in the trees or a quick trip to the nearest hospital can be as simple as having all the necessary camping supplies in your backpack. You don’t want to leave without this essential list of camping equipment & accessories, no matter how experienced you are.
1. Tent
Even if your preference is to sleep under the stars you should always keep a tent or some other emergency shelter nearby just in case. You could be left miserable, in danger of hypothermia, and soaked by a freak snowstorm, midnight deluge, or severe weather conditions. You and your gear can be protected from the high winds by having a tent. No matter if you choose a tent for two or more people, you should bring along all necessary accessories such as stakes, ropes, stakes, stakes, and rain fly.
2. Sleeping Bag
While it sounds like fun to lay on a blanket of moss and leaves, it won’t keep your body warm when the sun sets. Nightfall temperatures can drop as low as 20 degrees. Also, remember that insects are most active at night so your naked body may be bitten by them. Without a sleeping bag, you risk a restless night and exposure. You know from experience that camping with children is difficult without a sleeping bag.
3. Water Bottle
Water is essential to survival in the great outdoors. However, water can run out quickly if you are further from the main road. Campers don’t want to run out of water. This is especially true if they are worried about getting sick from drinking from lakes or ponds. Even if the wilderness is only a few steps from your vehicle, you should still have enough water to last you a day in a large container such as a camelbak. Also, make sure to have a filter and water purification tablets in case you need them.
4. Fire Starter
Camping isn’t camping without a warm campfire. Campers have a variety of options for starting fires: a flint & steel, matches or a magnesium fire starter. You should make sure that your matches are waterproof. Two fire starters are a good idea in case one fails. A small amount of kindling such as newspaper or dry bark should be included in your bag. Dry kindling can be hard to find outdoors.
5. First Aid Kit
While it’s unlikely that you’ll sustain a life-threatening injury while camping or hiking, even long days of hiking can cause blisters that need to be bandaged. You should also keep antiseptic and bandages on hand in case of small cuts or scrapes. You should also include scissors, adhesive, gauze and soap. You should also include sunscreen and insect repellent. You can easily get sunburned or bugbitten and end your trip just like any other laceration.
6. Pocket Knife
The ultimate multi-purpose outdoor tool, the pocket knife, is unbeatable. A knife can be used for trimming a rope or cutting fishing line, dicing bait, slicing cheese or sausage, opening sealed packages, sharpening a stick, dealing with tangled vines, tightening a screw, and skinning small animals. These tasks would be nearly impossible if you didn’t have a knife. Expect to feel frustrated if your knife is not at home.
7. Map and Compass (Or charged GPS)
You should always have a map, compass, or GPS if you plan to hike in remote areas. Hikers can feel lost if the sun’s position changes constantly. Some campers who were not prepared have wandered through the woods for several days before they were rescued and found their way back to camp. A lack of water and a limited supply of food can lead to campers becoming lost or stranded in the woods. Even if your kids want to just walk to the nearest creek, ensure they have a safe way back.
8. Weather-appropriate Clothing & Rain Gear
Camping is a time when you have only a handful of clothes to choose from. It’s therefore important that your clothes are dry. In cooler climates, hypothermia can make it dangerous to wear damp clothes. Also, heavy gear like wet gear can make it difficult to haul a backpack. You should choose a waterproof, lightweight rain jacket that can hold multiple layers of clothing. You can also consider purchasing an additional rain bag to protect your gear if your jacket is not sufficient.
9. Flashlight, Lantern and Head Lamp
A campfire can be bright but only six feet from any direction. Portable, battery-powered lights are invaluable if you need to locate something within your tent, or get to the latrine in the middle of the night. Because they are hands-free, many campers recommend headlamps.
10. Toilet Paper
While hardcore survivalists might consider toilet paper an unnecessary luxury when camping, many campers swear that it is essential. It is difficult to use latrine duty as a comfort or hygiene substitute, and having a chapped back can make sitting uncomfortable. There have been instances when campgrounds without bathrooms ran out of paper. If you plan to camp in the woods and are concerned about the impact on the environment by using toilet paper, buy biodegradable products or bring a garbage bag.
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