If you can remember only one thing, remember that REI is your friend. Your very expensive friend.
Sleeping
- You can rent a tent from REI. If possible, get a a tent with at least two doors so you don't have to climb over each other. One with the option of mesh canopy is a really nice feature during the summer. It lets you see the night sky and feel the evening breeze. Not as useful for colder nights.
- Bring ear plugs and sleeping pills. I'm sorry to dash your romantic notions, but camping is not comfortable, so it's a challenge to get to sleep and stay asleep. Your neighbors might be sleep talking (yes, happened to us) or chatting about the many wonderful qualities of tempeh.
- To keep yourself from being awakened by very early light, wear an eye mask and select a sleeping area that will be in the shade when the sun rises; however, do not camp directly under a tree, because branches might fall on you.
- A sleeping bag is not enough, you must also get a sleeping pad if you don't want sharp rocks and the stiff ground to keep you up. Inflatable sleeping pads can be slippery, so you can optionally buy a sleeping pad strap to keep you on the sleeping pads. If you are car camping, why not just go with an air mattress?
- To maximize your sleeping comfort, find a spot that is flat, not sloping. If the best spot has a slope, sleep with your head at the top of the slope and your feet facing down.
Lighting
- A flashlight would do, of course, but if you want hands-free lighting, get a headlamp. The one we particularly like is Petzl Zipka Plus 2 for many awesome reasons. It's bright, incredibly compact, works as a headlamp or wrist lamp, and has a night vision option. The red light does not destroy your night vision, so you can continue looking at the night sky or navigate to the bathroom in the dark.
- Battery operated lamps for under $5. I tell you, having a little lamp in your tent is great. It makes your tent feel a bit more civilized.
- Extra battery. What's the point of all these lighting stuff, if it has no juice?
Comfort
- If you are not getting warm enough, zip up your sleeping bag, then do sit ups until you are toasty. Mummy sleeping bags are best for keeping heat. The cheap ones you get from Target or Big 5 don't do a great job, so maybe you'll want to bring thick sweats. Women tend to have colder feet, so thick socks are a must.
- You'll pee a lot more in the evening in the great outdoors. The cooler air just makes you want to go. Try to drink less in the evening. Before you groggily head to the toilet, shake your shoes to boot out any insect that has decided to call your shoe home. To prevent this, we encase our shoes in a plastic bag. You don't really need to seal it tight. Just have the weight of the shoe close the opening.
- Bring a bar of soap (wash your hands when handling food) and rubbing alcohol.
- Bring insect spray to keep mosquitos off. Do not spray insecticide inside your tent, especially not with you still inside! This sounds like a big Duh! but I've been with campers who did just that (or attempted to do that before they were stopped). I swear, the best comedy in life happens around new campers.
- Bring a folding chair.
- For fun, bring water guns.
- If you are really into hiking, consider bringing hiking poles. They really are great, and useful when finding your way to the bathroom in the dark (when you are groggy).
Food
- Do not start fire in any area not designated as a fire pit. Just don't do it. You don't know what you're doing, despite what you think. And don't bring fireworks (Yes, we have to say that, because, again, someone tried to do just that). If the forest burns, you're going to be in the hook for that.
- If you are getting a stove, select one that has fuel on the side, instead of underneath the burner. Those stupid things have a tendency to topple, and you end up losing your food.
- You can bring dry stuff that won't spoil without refrigeration like nuts (high energy), instant noodles, bread, cereal, dried fruits and herbs (just because you are outdoors doesn't mean you have to eat flavorless junk). For protein, bring vacuum-sealed salmon and jerky.
- You can bring canned goods, too, but they tend to be heavy (because of the water content and the container). Of course, if you are car camping, who cares about weight. You might as well bring an ice chest with fresh meat and bacon for a grand BBQ meal and superb breakfast.
Safety
Courtesy
- If you are going to bear country, read up all you can about safety precautions. That's an entire article on its own.
- Don't leave food unattended.
- Bring a first aid kit and learn how to use them. This blog includes articles of first aid. Search for them.
- Don't do stupid things. If what you're about to do has the possibility of going viral on YouTube, it's probably stupid.
Courtesy
- Do not leave anything behind, do not take anything with you. Leave the area a better place.
I'm making camping sound so awful, but it's wonderful. Seeing the incredible night sky, breathing in fresh air, and fellowshipping with trees and animals (hopefully ones who have no plans to eat you). And for some reason, food just taste better outdoors.
Attribution: Photo, Hardscrabble B Campsite by Rob Lee.
Attribution: Photo, Hardscrabble B Campsite by Rob Lee.
