What do you take for a half week trip camping in the mountains?
by admin on Friday, March 18th, 2011 | 6 Comments
I’m fourteen, and I am NOT bringing my cell phone with me to go camping. It’s a distraction. Hahah. My father and I are going camping for a half week in the mountains in a week or so, but I don’t know what to bring? What are some necessities? And what are some things I could bring for fun in case I get a little bored?
bring some board games like checkers, chess, backgammon. A sling shot, fishing pole and tackle, and everything on this list,
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/backpacking+checklist.html
Old school: board games. New school: If you are car camping, then you can get an inverter to charge your laptop computer, DVD player, Kindle e-book reader, and cell phone for emergency boredom fixes from the cigarette lighter socket. Kindle should stay charged for a week anyway. If you get bored, read an e-book on how to go camping downloaded to your laptop or Kindle or other e-reader device.
For actual camping, check-off a gear list or download an e-book on basic camping.
it never hurts to bring extra layers of clothes in case it gets colder than you think. a water bottle and some apples if you decide to do some day-hiking.
a frisbee is always good. i also like to bring my ipod and some small speakers to have music in the background.
don’t worry all too much about it, though. every time i go camping i end up not using the toys and just talking all night. if i ever want to exit the conversation politely i say that i’m getting tired and then i go to my tent and read a little using a headlamp.
for that short of a trip, you could carry a lot of extra clothing and not be overburdened. i would recommend taking at least twice as much clothes as what you normally would ware, its not necessary, just nice to have when it gets cold at night or if it starts to rain/snow.
a knife and a bic lighter are always handy, and you should still take your phone with you, just turn it off and leave it in your bag( just in case of an emergency)
baby powder is handy to sprinkle around your tent/ hammock to keep the more curious critters away( skunks, raccoons, other varmints)
just take what you know you need, and a little extra of what you know you need, and make sure to have a lighter, a knife, some first aid stuff, and a good Leather belt.
that’s a list of what i learned in boy scouts and most of my camping trips where over a week long
Hey Punky, sounds like you are in for a good time, and you have a GREAT camping ethic! Bravo on the no-cellphone!!
There’s a ton of tips and hint and stuff you can bring, but there are some basic things you need to make sure your camping trip is remembered for the fun, not the misery.
1) If your feet are happy, you are happy. There is NOTHING that will ruin your trip quicker than boots that won’t dry out overnight, wet or even damps socks. YUCK. Take two pairs of boots if you have them, and plenty of warm, dry sox.
2) The next thing that makes for a happy camper it is sleeping well. If you will enjoy each day less and less as you lose sleep. You will lose energy and get grumpy! If you are tenting, take an inexpensive, firm foam pad for under your sleeping bag, or a self-inflating fabric-covered camping mattress, about 1-1/2″ thick. NOT the cheap, plastic blow up kind–it WILL go down in the middle of the night no matter how much you take care of it. Take a pillow of some sort. Wadding up your jacket under your head is no substitute, and it will keep waking you up.
3) Take appropriate rain gear! A good soaking will ruin your day right quick! Appropriate rain gear is NOT a plastic jacket and pants suit. You will get soaked from sweat almost as bad as a light rain. If you can’t afford breathable rain gear, the best inexpensive solution is a plastic poncho. It will keep you dry from rain, but it won’t trap in moisture. And it gives you a lot of freedom of movement. I have expensive breathable gear, but still throw on my el-Cheapo poncho.
4) I usually advise people to keep their expectations about camping realistic. You are not at home, so don’t expect to feel like you are. You don’t have to re-create your living room to be comfortable but you DO need to keep yourself warm, dry and well rested to have a good attitude. Make sure you are comfortable with the above items so “roughing it” will be fun! But you already have camping-mentality. GO FOR IT!
5) A fun thing you could try when camping out is playing a harmonica. They are not expense. They are small and easy to pack. And what could be more appropriate than the sound of a harmonica around the ol’ campfire.
BTW, you are soooooo lucky to have a dad who wants to take you camping with him!! And I bet he feels lucky to have you going with him. ENJOY!
A good book . Matches . Flash light . Sun glasses . Compass . Canteen of water .