Camping for first timers: don’t be dumb, pack smart

So either you finally got the gumption to decide to go camping, or someone invited you along. Either way, you’re here now wondering what it is you need to pack before you head out the door. Have you got my packing list handy? It’s free.

Maybe it’s been a few years. Heck, maybe it’s been your entire adult life, or even your entire life. Worst case scenario, you have no idea what you’re doing. Worst worst case scenario, you have no idea what you’re doing AND you don’t ask for advice. Glad you’re here looking for some. Let me offer a little up.

You’re about to have either one of the most relaxing, peaceful, and enjoyable experiences of your life or one of the coldest, wettest, most uncomfortable experiences of your life and there are about three factors that are going to control that experience.

Your attitude

Here’s the deal. Your attitude is the single most important aspect to having a good time camping. It’s okay to be nervous. It’s fine to be a little apprehensive. But you need to have control over the one thing in life you actually do have control over - yourself. Go out there and try your best to have a good time. Leave your phone in the car, on silent, and airplane mode. Enjoy the scenery, go for a walk, take pictures, draw, read, or do whatever unplugged activities that you do to enjoy yourself. If you don’t have any - well you need this more than I can ever describe. Go out there and try and help do all of the tasks. Get a feel for it.

You will forget something. Something will go wrong. You may be a little colder than you’d like, your sleep a little less comfortable, and there may be a little dirt in the coffee and shell in the eggs. That’s ok. What matters is that you are open to enjoying the experience and living in the moment. My buddhist friends, including the Alpaca himself, refer to this as “living mindfully”. That is the number one most important first step of going camping. Be prepared to live in the moment. So the first thing you need to put in that bag of yours before you head out the door is a good attitude.

your gear

Seriously, have you downloaded the list yet? I’m telling you it’s handy! You’ll want it to set yourself up for success.

Now listen, ask who you’re going with what you need to bring. Seriously. Most people inviting you camping will be prepared with extra stuff if they know or think you are a first timer. If you’re going by yourself, then ask around and see if there is a tent you can borrow, or a stove. Don’t be shy, and don’t run out and buy a bunch of stuff if you don’t need it.

If an outdoor store is nearby the cheapest stove you can buy is one that goes right on the fuel bottle. Buy two small fuel bottles for a weekend and a pocket stove, a pot to make boiling water a couple of freeze dried meals or some ramen, and some instant coffee. Pack a durable bowl, spoon, and cup. Make sure you’ve got at least one 1L water bottle and plan to get more water where ever you’re going and whatever you’re doing. Download the packing list for everything else and you’re basically set!

If you’re stuck and need to ask someone, ask me. Put everything in a sturdy backpack or duffel bag, and if you’re worried about rain put your clothes in a trash bag and then into the carrying bag. You’re set and ready to go.

the weather

I don’t know how many times I have to repeat myself, but ,”The weather guessers are always wrong and yes, it will rain”. Pack appropriately for the weather and include at least a light jacket and a rain jacket even if you think you won’t need them. If you’re going camping in the winter be safe, be smart, and pack more clothes than you think you need. Plan to layer, and don’t sweat! Look at the weather forecast (even a blind hog finds the acorn sometimes) and make sure you have what you need. Think about where you are going camping and how you're getting there. Be on guard for road closures, snow chain requirements, and flash flood hazards. The next to last thing you pack in your bag is a contingency plan for bad weather.

A plan

The absolute last thing you pack in your bag is a plan in case something goes wrong. Bring a little first aid kit of an anti-inflammatory, a light pain killer, some rubbing alcohol, bandaids, and blister pads. Make sure you have extra socks, underwear, and batteries for your flashlight. And lastly, always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. Non negotiable!

Ok, with all of those things loaded into your pack you’re set and ready for your first camping trip (or at least your first one in a while). Good luck, have fun, and let me know how it went when you get back (and send a picture).

Have a question about camping you need answered? Ask Uncle Biv.