What to bring on a camping trip?

[Vtec44]

That depends on a lot of things, ie weather, your surrounding, and people. But, here's list to give you an idea.

Food:
Water
Canned food (soup, meat, etc)
Can opener
Dried food (beef jerkey, energy bars, etc)
Knife/Scissors
Utensils
Paper plates and cups
Portable stove/fuel
Cookware (pots,pans, spatulas, tongs)
Cooking oil/spray
Sponge/dishwashing liquid
Match/fire starter kit
Ice chest/Ice packs
Wood/Duraflame
Table cover
Fly swatter

Clothing:
Jackets
Sweaters
Shorts
Undergarments
Shirts
Socks
Gloves
Beanies
Hats/caps
Thermal wear
Hiking shoes/slippers
Sunglasses
Rain coat
Chapstick
Sunscreen
Comb/Brush
Toothbrush/toothpaste
First aid kit
Shampoo/Bar soap
Towels
Sleeping bags
Toilet paper

Shelter:
Tent
Tent sticks
Hammer
Ropes
Tarp
Flashlights
Lantern
Extra batteries/charger
Folding chairs/table
Pillows
Trash bags

[lttlfzrchck]

Air Mattress
Comet - sprinkle around tent and other items to keep ants and crawling bugs away.
Bug repellant & anti-itch cream
Gun :mrgreen:

[Vtec44]

Anti itch? That sounds more like a personal issue. :oops:

[Vtec44]

Oh, I updated the list. Thanks!

[calicharlie]

Here is my car camping list.


REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF
Campground reservation info.
Directions to the actual campground.

Cooking
Stove with fuel & lighter
Silverware
Frying Pan - Nonstick w/plastic spatula is nice
Pot or sauce pan - Big enough to cook noodles for all; With lid
Can opener - If you have canned goods
Tongs
Coffee maker & filters
Cooking skewers (for hot dogs, s'mores, etc.)
Table cloth with clips
Cutting Board
Dishes
Reusable
Plate - Partition tray/plate is nice
Collapsable camping/hiking cup
Travel mugs
Kitchen knife - Nice to have; in general, carry a pocket knife
Small mixing bowl
Knife, Fork, Spoon, Spatula (preferably plastic)
Small flat and phillips screwdrivers
Scrub Pad
Dish Pan
Tupperware (for leftovers)
Consumables
Paper towels & napkins
Trash bags
Garbage disposal bags (stronger than regular trash bags)
Paper plates, cups, bowls, etc.
Plastic knives, forks, spoons
Ziplock Bags
Aluminum Foil
Dish soap

Water
At least 1/2 gallon per person/day
Water bottle, to carry while hiking
To make less of a mess in your cooler, freeze water in empty water bottles and plastic milk cartons. (Be sure to only fill each container 3/4 full because of expansion.)  Place the frozen containers in your cooler to keep your food fresh, and when the ice starts to melt it can be used for cooking and drinking.

Food & Drink
Hot chocolate/tea bags/coffee
Pancake Mix - Krusteaze, 1/2 cup per person per day (need large skillet)
Cooking Oil - About 1 oz per person per day or Pam Spray
Syrup - About 2 oz per person per day
Butter - 1/2 stick per person per day
Cream of...{wheat and rice...}
Oatmeal - Instant single serving packs
Potatoes - 1-2 per person per day -- freeze dried if packing
Bacon - 2 slices per person per day
Eggs - 1-2 per person per day, fresh or powdered
Noodles - Spaghetti, Angel Hair, Ramen, or shells
Spaghetti Sauce - In jars or dehydrated
Parmesan cheese
Bouillon cubes - Chicken & Vegetable
Rice packages
Soup/Chili - mix or cans
Tuna - Don't forget Mayo, pickles, and onions
Onions, lemons, mushrooms, Tomatoes
Bread - One or two loaves per day if camping with a small group
Dry condiments - Salt, Pepper, Spices, Sugar
Mustard, catsup
Mayo - squeeze bottle
Cheese - Cheddar, swiss, American
Fruit - Small fruit cups or fresh fruit
Veggies - carrot/celery sticks daily
Taco Stuff - (Meat, seasoning package, olives, lettuce, tortillas, buns)
Hamburger meat (pre seasoned and ready to cook)
Frozen hashbrowns in the bag
Coco, Coffee, & Teas (don't forget SUGAR!)
Marshmallows, Graham Crackers & Hershey Bars (S'mores)
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Deli meat slices: Turkey, Ham, Salami
Hot dogs & buns
Milk, juice, soft drinks, Lemonade, beer
Vienna Sausages
Lil Smokies
Snacks
Steak
Ham
Corn on Cob
Cereal
Nutri Grain Bars/Granola Bars
Fixin's for stew (some of the items are above)
Jiffy Pop
Spray oil (like Pam)
Squeeze butter or margarine
Beans

Campfile
Newspapers for lighting a campfire
Firestarter sticks (wax/sawdust things from the grocery store)
Firewood
My Fire Pit

Shelter/Bedding
Sleeping bag
Air Matress - Inflator for air mattress
Electric Blanket 12v
Tent
Ground Cloth - Tarp for big tents
Pillow
Camp axe or hammer to pound tent stakes
Tools
Shade Canopy & Rope & Stakes
Tikki Torches (fill with citronella oil), also listed in medical.

Clothing
Hat
Bandanna
Jacket - As weather dictates; Eskimo style, mackintosh, windbreaker, etc.
Poncho - Doubles as emergency tent/lean-to
Pants/Overalls, with belt
Underwear - 2
Shirt - 2 or 3 (one light, one flannel)
Shoes, shower shoes, HIKING BOOTS
Socks - 2 pair
Work gloves & warm mittens/gloves
Swim suit
PJ's
Sunglasses

Cleaning & Personal Items
Bar soap
Hand Sanitizer (waterless)
Washcloth
Shampoo
Toothpaste & toothbrush
Comb/hair brush/clips/bands/hair ties
Razor & shaving cream
Towel
Toilet Paper
Whisk broom to clean table and tent site
Deodorant


Fun Stuff
Bikes
Beach Blanket
Hiking Boots
Cards
Movies
2-way radios
books

[JohnWhite1]

shampoo
wipies
wine opener
lighter
batteries
lanterns/flashlights
sweaters
toothbrush/paste
sandals/hiking shoes or boots
swim trunks
bugspray
water
canned food
fire wood
coffee
sleeping bag
gun
liquor/beer/wine
crackers/hummus/chips
book
fishing hat or baseball cap
sunblock
tent

Am I missing anything?

[NEJ]

Here are a couple lists I made a few years back. Now I would add more items like a headlamp with a red light, pads for the floor of the tent, that sort of thing. Everyone should have their own list. I don't bring one third of what is on these lists. But if you need a complete run down here are mine.

Backpack List

Total Pack weight should not exceed 30 lbs. – 25 lbs. is a good weight for kids. Adults can carry 50lbs. and more but should not exceed 70 lbs. unless very experienced. Note that a lot of these items can be shared between one or several people. * denotes the ten essentials. Typically I carry most of these in my waist pack or day pack for convenient use when I hike without backpack.

Pack – padded shoulders and hip belt are a must
Day pack or waist pack with water bottle holder (this is optional but really handy)
Tent (can share)
Sleeping bag – a mummy bag of adequate warmth for conditions
Ground pad – patch kit for inflated types (can share patch kit)
Boots or sturdy shoes
Socks, extra socks
One change of T-shirt, underwear
Warm gloves or mittens. Extra pairs are good. Socks work as mittens in a pinch.
Stocking cap
Sweater (synthetic) or fleece*, long underwear
Jacket (waterproof) or poncho*
Toothbrush, dab of toothpaste
Small hand towel, small soap, small plastic mirror
Small first aid kit, pain medication, mole skin, tweezers (can share), aspirin for heart attack*
Sun screen (can share), sunglasses (UV protection type), Hat or cap for sun*
Chapstick
Sierra cup
Spoon (sturdy re-usable plastic)
Pocket knife*
Pliers (light-weight leatherman type) (can share)
Repair kit for gear (wire ties, fabric tape, wire) / small sewing kit (can share)
Compass, map, pencil (can share)*
Whistle
Waterproof matches*
Small nylon cord or rope (25' - 50')
Plastic garbage bags (2 large) – Can use as pack cover in rain, poncho, for trash.
Small plastic shovel / toilet paper
Fuel stove (can share)
Small pot
Water purification system or tablets (can share)
Water bottles* and collapsible 2 ½ gallon water jug (can share jug)
Trail food* – easily digestible and high carbohydrate. Always transfer to light-weight containers.
Gatorade or electrolyte replacement type drink
More socks
Small flashlight*
Sherpa (never share a Sherpa)



CAR CAMPING LIST


This is a list of the basics of everything I might take on a trip. It does not have the exotic entertainment items or other specialized devices which are described in other chapters. However, it is very complete in “the basics” and beyond basics. Pick and chose. You know what your vehicle is capable of carrying, and where you are going, what the road is like, and what the season or weather conditions may be. Many of these items are exactly what is listed in the backpack list. So why not just throw your backpack in the vehicle? I did that for many years, until I stopped doing as much backpacking. Now, 99 percent of the time, I car camp. If you backpack enough, then you only have to toss in the backpack to get half way down the list.


Personal pack or gear bag (see below for my personal bag list)
Stove, fuel, igniter, hot pad or mitt, stand for stove
Table
Tent or tents
Screen room
Sleeping bag
Extra blankets
Cot, air mattress or ground pad
Boots or sturdy shoes
Socks, warm socks, extra socks, more socks
T-shirts, underwear, extra jeans
Warm jacket, sweat shirt, synthetic fleece pull-overs and jackets, sweaters
Rain jacket or poncho
Warm gloves or mittens, extra for snow, fleece gloves (I take at least two pair.)
Stocking cap, or special fleece head wrap that covers back of the neck
Rubber boots (Wellington’s)
Personal toiletries (soap, towel, toothbrush, tooth paste, floss, hair brush, small mirror, hand lotion, deodorant)
Repair kit for gear, sewing kit, duct tape
Plastic garbage bags (2 large, sturdy)
Small shovel, toilet paper
Camp stool or folding chair (I have all of the above including a camp Barco-lounger)
Lantern (I take white gas lantern and electric lanterns.)
Eating utensils, mug for warm drinks
Binoculars (when looked through backwards they work as a magnifier)
Reading or corrective glasses and or back-up pairs
Camera
Dog bed and dog blanket
Dog collar and leash

Day pack for hiking or cave exploration (keep stocked with the following)
Pocket knife
Compass
Map, pencil, note pad
Small first aid kit with added cold medicine, Pepto Bismal, Kaopectate, asprin, Tylenol, Benadryl, etc.
Sun hat or cap
Sun screen
Chapstick
Sun glasses
Needlenose pliers (I have a small “Leatherman.”)
Whistle
Waterproof matches
Water bottle
Small nylon rope (50')
Small flashlight
Snacks (carbohydrates, easily digestible foods, salty foods)


Car Essentials:
Fire extinguisher (small, car type)
Wire Come-along lever winch
40' chain
Tow strap
Tool Kit
Tire pressure gauge
Lug wrench
Tire plug kit
Tire air-filler-stem caps
Tire air pump (small electric air compressor that runs off the cigarette lighter)
Assortment of hoses (heater, fuel, air) One of which is long enough to syphon gas
Assortment of hose clamps 4-4",4-3", 4-1.5", several of each smaller size
Assortment of wires, #10 - #14
Baling wire
Assorted nuts and bolts including several lug nuts
Extra fuses
Extra bulbs
Cheap volt/ohm meter and/or “idiot light”
Electrical tape
Brake fluid
Water
Small anchor (as an purchase point in dirt or sand for your hand/electric winch)
Full-size spare tire
Jack, and/or hydraulic jack, and/or “high-lift” jack (big version of bumper jack)
Flares, flasher, or reflective triangle (or all three)
Snow chains
Leather gloves
50' of 3/8" to ½" yacht braid or equal
Large flashlight (I use a three-cell Maglight)
Maps (I always have a map book that covers the general area.)
Small tarp to lay on while working under vehicle
Rags or paper towels
Hand soap or hand cleaner or moist wipes
Folding shovel
Hand axe or hatchet
Thermometer or recording thermometer
CB unit
Duct tape

In three plastic crates, I take the following:
1.) Group Cooking Gear Crate:
Cooking stuff including: (Some of this is optional)
Pot
Frying pan
Coffee pot (I also bring a giant coffee pot)
Cast iron frying pan (not in crate)
Dutch oven (not in crate)
Toaster (burner toaster holds four slices and folds flat
Pie pan or frying pan with a removable handle
Griddle
Thermos (non-breakable type)
Coffee filter holder
Measuring cup
Can opener
Plastic tub for doing dishes
Thin plastic cutting board
Big knife
Small knife
Spatula
Big spoon with holes
Big spoon with no holes
Ladle
Tongs
Instant-read thermometer
Grater
Carrot peeler
Wine and bottle opener
Sharpening stone
Silverware
Coffee cups (Lexan cups hold heat and cold well and are light weight)
Plates (I always use paper)
Sponge
Dish scrubber
Dog dishes (I usually keep these out where I can feed Sadie or give her water)
Lexan wine glasses with detachable stems and bases (I have some that fit back into
themselves and then fit snugly into my Lexan coffee cups)


2.) Stockable Non-food Items Crate:
Dishtowels
Table cloth (I have a plastic red-and-white checkered)
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Aluminum foil
Plastic wrap (optional)
Plastic zippered bags
Heavy duty trash bags
Paper plates
Paper bowls
Plastic forks
Plastic spoons
Dog poop bags
Dish soap
Clothes pins (plastic non-metal are best)
Hot mitt or hot pads
Coffee filters
Dish towels or hand towels

3.) Stockable Food Items Crate:
Salt
Pepper
Sugar
Brown sugar
Flour
Spices including: cinnamon, garlic powder, sesame seeds
Sesame oil (It will keep for years)
Olive oil (small bottles because it does not last)
Pam (non-stick spray)
Maple syrup
Vinegar (I use a rice wine vinegar)
Dog food: cans, dry food, biscuits
Canned vegetarian or low-fat chile
Pasta
Rice
Dried potato flakes (I bread chicken breasts with these and fry)
Pancake mix
Dried fruit
V-8 juice
Tomato paste
Stewed tomatoes
Canned vegetables
Canned fruit for the pancakes
Cornbread mix (Kusteaz has a non-fat, just add water type)
Canned B&M brown bread with raisons
Canned sardines (In mustard sauce is my favorite.)
Snack crackers
Canned anchovies
Granola bars
Coffee
Tea
Cocoa mix

Group Camping Gear:
Lanterns and lantern stands including extra fuel, batteries, mantels, wicks, funnels
Rope, 3/8", 1/4" and smaller nylon line of multiple lengths for tent guys
Stakes of various kinds
Auxiliary adjustable tent poles (8). I have used up to 15 poles on a hot desert weekend to errect multiple shade tarps.
Toilet seat on a stand
Tarps of various sizes, including one opaque tarp with a silver side for shade
Flag pole and flags (Most of my pole items fit in a cheap ski bag)
Music system
Water jugs (Two five’s for me and up to three others)
Large pan for under campfire (metal oil drip pan)
Small BBQ, briquets, starter fluid
Large heavy duty trash bags
Toilet or shower enclosure
Screen room or shade awning
Chairs and stools
Folding table
Stove and stand
Propane heater(s)
Folding shovel
Hatchet

My personal bag:
1- 10" dia. by 24" nylon zippered bag
2 - small zippered toiletries bags containing:
Pepto Bismal tablets
Tums ant-acid
Advil tablets
Asprin
Toothpaste
Toothebrush with brush end cover
Dental floss
Hair brush (small)
Small mirror
“Stink Nice” (deodorant)
Small hand soap (from motel)
Small shampoo
Small cream rinse
Fingernail clippers
Bic throw-away razors
Styptic pencil
Q-tips
Sun screen
Neosporin
Foot powder or spray
hand moisturizer
Rain gear in a very small stuff bag
Bath / beach towel (For long weekends in the summer, I take two.)
Socks
Underwear
T-shirts
Extra pants or shorts
Bathing suit
Medium jacket (I use a L.L. Bean nylon water resistant jacket with fleece lining. Basically the same as a medium-duty sailing jacket.)
Sweater or fleece pullover in season

Scientific research gear:
Binoculars
Butterfly net
Specimen containers
Killing jar (This is something I can’t, personally, be a party to; however, others may need this for collecting “killed” specimens.)
A plant press
Camera
Note book and writing or drawing pencils and pens for “Field notes.”
Watch
Microscope or binocular dissecting scope or hand lens or magnifying glass
Thermometer
Color guides (I have used Universal color keys for recording oak leaf, top-side hues and bottom-side hues.)
Identification guides and keys
Dimensional measuring devices (Fifty foot tape, metric rule, reticular eye-piece for binocular scope, etc.)

Robert Sharpe, of Cal Tech, published a number of books on Geology in which he uses his pocket knife for dimensional reference. The point is to provide scale when photographing a subject where scale is important.
Etc.

It should be clear by now that I bring everything but the kitchen sink. Okay, I do bring the kitchen sink– in its own camping incarnation. Nothing is taboo. However, everything needs to be evaluated as to how it will function in a given scenario. I have taken “Movie Night” too many times to be suckered into a repeat of that gear-heavy scenario, unless I am sure me or the group will actually be watching a movie. If Thedmo is coming on the trip, I bring Movie Night. And yet, he has been known to disappear in to his tent halfway through the first feature.

[JohnWhite1]

Who doesn't love to go on camping trips? It gives you a chance to view the great outdoors in its natural setting as well as do something that you wouldn't do on a normal basis. However, you probably won't have that much fun unless you bring the items necessary for you to have a blast. There are also things that you normally wouldn't bring to a camping trip that can make your experience a whole lot better. Here are some tips on what you can bring when you go out into the wilderness.

[Slavboy1]

Well, shoot I guess i'll throw in my .02 on the topic! I'm a big fan of backpack camping, I see it as a challenge to figure out how little I can get by with and still be comfortable and enjoy myself. Seeing as how it's winter right now this is my winter packing list! (Alpine hiking)

Pack (Bergans frame pack)

In the lid:
-Crampons
-Mittens
-Map
-Duckback for the pack
-On the go food stuff (jerky, granola bars(something that doesn't freeze, had a buddy bust some teeth on a frozen powerbar once haha), gorp)

On the sides
-One snowshoe per side
-Hiking poles if needed
-snow shovel
-Ice axe (in the loop on the front)
-Two Nalgenes in OutdoorResearch nalgene parkas (on the belt)

Main Compartment (It has a divider that splits the top and the botton but i cut it out I'm a fan of the "Stuff" meathod)
-First in is an extra pair of socks, long underwear and glove liners all in a ziplock bag
-Next in is my thermarest pad, sleeping bag all rolled up inside my tent or bivy (This way i can pull it out set it up and everything is already inside it. Plus if I get soaked the tent helps keep my bag dry.)
-Inside my sleeping bag i have a pair of "Hot Socks" that i wear at night to keep the tootsies warm

Next up is a stuff bag of sorts that has all my smaller items in it
-Survival kit in a Nalgene bottle (Parachute cord, flint and steel fire starter, cottonballs with vasaline in them used for fire starters work wonders, water purifying tablets, signal mirror, mini compas/survival whistle, lighter)
-First aid kit
-Small collapsable saw
-Stove and pot (I use either an MSR Reactor stove or an MSR Whisperlite both are good stoves although the reactor doesn't work so well in really cold weather but it is much smaller and simpler/faster to set up!)
-Food (major meals are broken down into individual freezer ziplock bags so i can pour boiling water into them and not make more food than i need. Also, snacks for each day are broken into individual baggies so i don't accidently eat all my gorp for a trip on the first day)
-Headlamp
-Loft pants and jacket (I put my goggles and mittens in my loft jacket so they're easily accessible when i stop for a break and put on my warmies, i keep my loft pants which have a zip all the way down the side unzipped up to the waist so i can get them on easily over my boots)
-Gortex rain gear (cuz when it rains it pours it seems like)

Lastly what i wear (all synthetic so it will keep me warm and dry out quickly when i get wet)
-I'm a big fan of softshell clothing it breaths easily allowing me to stay cool even when climbing up steep hills with a heavy pack. It also stops most of the wind and most of the rain, however, not all of it.
-A hat
-Thin gloves (preferably water proof there's nothing worse than wet cold hands but having gloves to thick to do anything isn't good either)
-Gators
-Good solid boots (steel tang is a must to keep your feet from hurting and to use crampons)
-Long underwear (temperature dependent, layering is key!)
-GPS in my pocket (I use a Garmin Etrex Vista HCx and love it!)
-Compass also in my pocket
-5" Fixed blade knife (used to batton wood into kindling for fire starting)

Well that about does it! I'm sure I've forgotten something but I'll re-read this a couple times and add things as I think of them. Hope you guys find this useful/helpful!

[NEJ]

Wow, great list. That is some serious gear you bring for what sounds like serious hiking and camping. The San Jacinto Mountains have some very good trails for high elevation winter backpacking.

NJ

[n2h2o]

beer..

[NEJ]

Duh-ooh.

NJ