Backpacking - A Camping List

!±8± Backpacking - A Camping List

I highly recommend that backpackers work from a camping list as they plan their gear purchases and pack for their trip. There are two reasons for this. The first and most obvious reason is that if you forget something important, you can't hop in the car and run to the nearest Wal-Mart to buy a replacement like you can when you're car camping (I currently own 3 propane bottles due to this phenomenon). The second and less obvious reason is that it helps you limit what you bring, which is very important when you're carrying everything on your back.

Below I'll show you my list. Granted, I'm not a thru-hiker, nor have I done 4-season backpacking, but I have done a couple 11-day treks and many shorter trips, and this is what works for me:

Shelter

Most backpackers use tents of some type. I have a Coleman Cobra small two-man tent that I use when the weather is really cold (I had dreams of being chased by a Polar Bear jumping from iceburg to iceburg one night when I tried sleeping in my hammock on night then the temperature was hovering around zero). I've found, however, that when the terrain, the rules, and the conditions allow, I prefer using a hammock. I bring the tarp for shelter over my hammock, and it has served at quick shelter for a group of nine during an intense sudden storm that came up while we were on the trail. Obviously, if you're going to be camping in very rocky terrain, you'll want a free-standing tent. If you're going to be hiking in heavy snows, you'll want a four-season tent. Here's my shelter:

Kelty Noah's Tarp 12 (I considered a 9' tarp, but to me the 9oz difference was worth it for storm protection. It's very roomy for one person. I've also shared my tarp on occasion. There are lots of tie-outs, so I have plenty of options for set-up.) 40"x96" polycryo groundcloth (very light and folds very small)
Sleeping

Ultralight fanatics would never be caught dead with anything but the absolute lightest down sleeping bags. More power to them. All of my bags are synthetic. I live in an extremely rainy area, and synthetic bags still provide loft and warmth when wet. Due to one unfortunate incident on a Scout trip, I spent a cold night in a bag after wringing it out and other than being a little clammy, was fine. Down, on the other hand, loses all loft when it's wet. Granted, there are lots of ways to keep your bag dry, but I'd rather prepare for the worst, so I suffer with a few extra ounces and a slightly bulkier bag.

Homemade hammock (I can't always use it, but it's nice when I can) 3/4 length Thermarest Guidelite (I can use this on the ground or in the hammock for bottom insulation if needed. I also use it for a "chair" on occasion.) Sleeping Bag (I have several and bring the one that's suited to the weather) Sleepwear (ranges from underwear in warm weather to silk long underwear plus wool socks and a beanie in cold weather)
Pack

Some people prefer external frame packs, some prefer internal frame packs. Here are the key differences: an external frame pack is cooler on you back and you have options on how you attach gear to the outside of the pack, but it tends to ride a little further from your back than an internal; internal frame packs ride very close to your back which really reduces load swaying, but they're hotter on your back and there are fewer options on how to carry your gear. I prefer internal frame packs, simply because I haven't found an external frame that doesn't hit the back of my head as I look up. I have a couple of packs, but my current pack is very light, since this is a good place to really trim the pounds.

Gossamer Gear G5 Hyperlight pack (I wouldn't recommend this if you are hard on gear, but I've found it to be fine for me.) Rain Cover
Water

I've heard of groups running out of water on the trail. I'll do everything in my power to make sure that doesn't happen to me or a group I'm hiking with.

Depending on the water supply in the area I'm hiking in, I will bring two Nalgenes, a four-liter Platypus water bag, and if needed, two empty one-liter club soda bottles. Note that if you're in bear country and your water bottles have ever held anything other than water (club soda is just carbonated water), they should go into the bear bag at night. The food smell permeates the plastic. Aquamira Water Treatment
Cooking/Eating

There are lots of options for lightweight high-tech stoves that are available today. I made the alcohol stove after reading an article online, and since it's pretty cool and tends to be a conversation starter (not to mention being very, very lightweight), it's what I use. Obviously if you're going into an area where you have to rely on available fuels, stick with one of the more common white gas stove or even a dual fuel stove that can also use unleaded gas.

Homemade soda can stove + windscreen Small bottle of methanol for fuel Aluminum pot (grease pot) Titanium mug Lexan spork (gotta have a spork)
Safety

Skimp on your tent, and you get wet. Skimp on your sleeping bag, and you'll be cold. Skimp on your safety equipment, and you could die.

Survival Kit (always in my pocket) First Aid Kit Lighter, "waterproof" matches, and a magnesium firestarter (there have been many cold, wet, windy nights where the magnesium turned frustration into fire) Headlamp Two Pulsar LED lights (one is always clipped to the outside of my pack) Topo map Compass (I don't need no stinkin' GPS - I will bring one, however, if there are any GeoCaches on the route I'm taking)
Accessories

Some people bring less, some bring more. I've found through experience that these are the items I use, and also those that I regret if I don't have.

Trekking Poles (they REALLY help when you're loaded down with water in rugged terrain and they can be used to pitch the tarp on the ground) Journal + pen + 2 golf pencils (I lost my pen and my backup pencil once. The pencils are very light.) Bear Bag Cord Several homemade stuff sacks Camera (I've been bringing a small digital with lithium batteries. The lithium batteries last a LONG time.) Sunscreen Bug Repellant Bandanna Toilet Paper in a freezer ziplock Plastic trowel (sometimes the ground is just too hard to kick a hole with your boot) Crocs for camp shoes Bottle of Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap Lightweight wide-brimmed hat Lip Balm Baking soda (for toothpaste) Compact toothbrush Small bottle of hand sanitizer Sunglasses with neck cord Watch Rain Jacket and Pants Trash Bag(s) (I normally bring two in case one gets punctured. I also compact my trash very well, so small bags work fine for me.) Duct Tape - a couple of yards wrapped around one of the Nalgenes is enough for me. Multi-tool (the pliers double as a pot lifter)
Food

Please keep your food and trash completely separate from the rest of your pack items. Gallon Ziplocks will work OK for this. You don't want your pack or gear to smell like food. Bears have excellent noses!

Two hot meals a day - oatmeal for breakfasts and variety for dinners Cold trail-type food for lunches/snacks. (Make sure you plan for plenty of calories or you're really start feeling it in the middle of your trek.)
Clothing

I'm not going to list all of the clothing I bring, because it changes significantly season-to-season. However, I think it's important to list the clothing items I pack (i.e. duplicate items):

One extra wicking t-shirt Two extra wicking underwear Two extra pairs of Smartwool socks (I know I wasn't going to get into clothing specifics, but I have to mention these. I've found the Smartwool Trekker socks to be the best for backpacking. I bring three total pairs so that I always (hopefully) have a dry pair to change into.)
Optional Items to Consider

You may think of other items you want to bring, but please remember that an ounce on your back is a pound on your feet!

Sock liners (I hate them, but some people love them. With Smartwool socks, I have no need.) Gaiters (I've never used them, but I'm sure they help keep your socks dry in foul weather. They're on my "should try" list.) Extra Ziplock/trash bags Feminine Products (Backpacking can make your cycle go wacko, so be prepared) Reading Glasses, if needed (how else are you going to read your map?) A Sharpie marker Extra glasses, especially for contact lens wearers; extra contacts; contact solution Deodorant (not recommended in bear country - you really don't want to smell interesting to bears)

If you use the above camping list as a guideline as you prepare for your next backpacking trip, you can insure that you bring what you need without carrying a lot of stuff you'll never use.

Backpacking - A Camping List

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Family Camping Gear - Buying the Perfect Tent

!±8± Family Camping Gear - Buying the Perfect Tent

Don't ruin your family camping trip by having the wrong equipment. When it comes to buying a family camping tent, think of it as buying your weekend home for your family. In my opinion, it's one of the most crucial pieces of camping equipment that you will buy. Before you purchase one, you need to ask yourself some simple questions so you and your family can enjoy the outdoor experience to the fullest.

1. How many people will be sleeping in the tent?

You need to consider this simply because it doesn't make any sense to buy a camping tent that only sleeps 3, if your family has 5 members. I'm assuming you'd hate to say to one of your children, "I'm sorry, you have to sleep in the car because we don't have room." Most family camping tents can sleep 3-7 people. However, you can purchase larger ones that can sleep up to 10 or more people.

2. What type of weather can you expect?

You must consider the weather of your camping trip because that will impact the type of material you want your tent to be made of. Most camping shelters are made from polyester taffeta or rip-stop nylon. Both of which should have a waterproof polyurethane coating to keep you dry. If you're going to be in very warm weather, you want to ensure that your shelter has plenty of ventilation which requires nylon mesh panels (comparable to window screens on your house). If you're expecting rain, be sure to purchase a rain fly. The fly should cover most of your shelter and be at least one inch above the roof so everything will stay dry.

3. What style of tent do you want?

The most common style of tents are either dome, which have round arched ceilings, or cabin, which have angular roofs and steep vertical sides. Generally speaking, cabin tents are larger and more suitable for larger families, but also come at a larger price. They have steep sloping walls that allow for more room between sleeping family members. Many also have optional inside walls so you can create 'bedrooms'. They also work well if you prefer to sleep on a cot since the walls are more vertical than that of dome tents. Cabin tents are also more difficult to setup.

Dome tents are great for families that like to keep it simple and 'rough it' a bit more. Normally, they're cheaper and don't offer the spacious aspect of camping. They can be setup in minutes and offer a wide variety of pole configurations. This is important if you're going to be camping where strong winds can be a factor. Dome tents are more popular with hikers and backpackers simply because they weigh much less than cabin tents.

4. How much are you willing to spend?

Pricing on tents can vary dramatically. You can buy a 2 person dome as low at .00 and as much as 0.00. The determining factors come down to how many people it can sleep, manufacturer, and material. To be frank, you get what you pay for. I personally won't spend any less than 0.00, regardless of how many people can sleep in it. My main reason is cheaper ones are made of cheaper materials. For example, the seams along zippers tend to rip. Also, the waterproof coating generally doesn't repel rain as well as more expensive tents. When it comes to buying one, think of it as buying a house. You probably wouldn't cut corners when building your house so why would you want to cut corners on your tent?

5. What are some reputable name brands and retailers?

There are literally hundreds and thousands of camping gear retailers out on the web. Some of the most reputable manufacturers of tents are The North Face, Cabela's, Eddie Bauer, Kelty, Eureka, Sierra Designs, and REI. Eureka is probably the most affordable while The North Face ranks among the most expensive. Cabela's, Eddie Bauer, and REI all offer a wide range of styles and cost to match almost anyone's needs.

The Final Point

Your tent may be the most important camping equipment you buy. You don't want to make the mistake of spending too much (or too little) on a tent that won't meet your needs. Do yourself a favor and spend some time researching the different styles, materials and manufacturers so you and your family can enjoy the great outdoors.

Oh, I forgot to mention. I personally own an Eddie Bauer four person dome tent. It works great for the variety of different outdoor activities that I enjoy.

Family Camping Gear - Buying the Perfect Tent

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