Never been camping, what are the essentials?

Do you all sleep in tents mainly or the bed of your trucks?

 

X2

Trash bags are always forgotten. You won't enjoy hauling nasty camping garbage around in your truck and unloading it by hand... Trust me

 

Without a topper or rtt a tent is the best option. I didn't catch who you're planning on going with. If alone the camping hammocks are tough to beat.

 

we used to tent camp for years and always enjoyed it. now i have a 5x8 enclosed trailer with a RTT on it. its like tent camping, but way better. as for things to take, the previous posts cover that pretty well, just take extra of everything. do you reseach on where you plan to camp, even if it is a campground. most importantly enjoy yourself, relax and have fun.

 

Zip lock bags for electronics and extra socks or clothes in case it rains

 

Ziploc bag of dryer lint, makes for great kindling, and it smells fresh too.

-J

 

The most amazing thing about camping is it can be an activity stripped to its primordial roots or have the challenge of the complexities of trying to bring all the creature comforts along with you into the wilderness.

When I am camping without the wife, I keep it as simple as possible. However, when the wife is along for the adventure, I feel as if I am "glamping". A very valuable source of information is a place where peer based reviews can be read and understood. A way of understanding can be learning through clinics or reading websites such as: http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice.html . I find REI to be just the right dose of technical jargon to go along with outdoor enthusiasm. Most products found at REI can be found elsewhere(and about 10% cheaper I might add). My wife had never camped before she met me. I started her off easy with many car camping trips to the Pacific Ocean, Yosemite, and Tahoe. After graduating from campgrounds with running water and compostable toilets we started heading to more remote places where the only thing in the campsite was a park bench table and a fire pit. After a few years she now prefers wilderness camping. It can be supremely satisfying having an entire lake to yourself for kayaking, swimming, hiking, exploring old mining towns, skinny dipping and having a grand ol time.

Group camping events are also a great introduction. That is why sites such as TacomaWorld can be beneficial as an easy way to meet up with members here, meet new people, learn tricks and tips for off-roading and get used to camping in general. Goodluck, you have chosen a great place to ask such a question.

 

tent. It's not the same if you sleep in the car/truck/rv.

great substitute for shower.

packing tip. Bring 2 coolers. One for drinks and one for everything else.
Freeze some bottled water and use that for ice in the coolers. once those melt, you have bottled water to drink. bottled water containers are designed to expand when water is frozen.

 

A girl to sleep with,tent,and sleeping bag--liquid refreshment if needed.
just joking of course.

 

+1. Add some petroleum jelly aka Vaseline and store in Ziplock Bags, always keep this in the truck, or pack if I'm really roughing it.

A good Map of the area and a Compass can save lots of time, and maybe your Life if your Way Out there. "Be Prepared"

 

Dryer lint does not always work. It depends on the type of fabric in the lint. I've tried it with mixed results. Yes I know it's free but I'd rather get a fire started quickly if the need arises. Compare dryer lint to cotton balls and the cotton will always win. I keep cotton balls dipped in melted vaseline in a sealed container in my truck at all times along with a ferro rod. They ignite the first time and burn amazingly well.

 

Why joking? Sounds like a solid plan to me.

 

For an overnight trip--what else do you need???

 

X100 on zip lock bags, take an assortment from 2 gallon and smaller, preferably the heavier freezer bags. Bigger ones make a good mixing bowl substitute. Another use is waterproof opened food items inside your cooler, plus obvious dry food storage.

If you run out of toilet paper, be able to recognize and avoid poison ivy and its relatives.

 

X2 that's the ideal trip!

 

DO NOT FORGET THIS

 

haha last year I had to lean against an oak tree that had fallen over and it was covered in chiggers. My ass itched for a damn week

 

Haha my son right there is named Oaklee

 

For a first timer, I would suggest finding a KOA and get a weekend or two under your belt before trying anything more "rustic". Even though you'll have access to bathrooms, groomed tent sites, and camp store, you'll get an idea of what it would take to get further "off the grid". Make it through that and you'll either say "nuts to this" or get the fever and have a better idea of what you need to bring to get yourself in trouble.

As for what to not forget in any scenario...a GOOD flashlight w/ extra batteries. Always remember the extra batteries!

 

Nice!! I got lucky. I work for a home healthcare company and I grabbed a beside commode that was missing two rubber feet in the warehouse at work. It's steel, folds up, and has a toilet seat. Makes the perfect camping shitter.