My Guide to Camping

I have camped my whole life, I live in one of the best places in the world for it and am lucky to call myself an experienced camper.

There is infallible law when camping. You always forget something. Every time I do I try to add it to a list so that next time, while I am bound by law to forget something, hopefully that something will be less and less important each time.

What kind of camping is this for?

This page is specifically referring to camping somewhere with road access, no power or water and normally a drop toilet as this is 90% of the kind of camping I do (for now). I hope later to become more familiar with Trail Camping and Hike in Camping.

What to Bring?

The Essentials

If you don't bring these you have really messed up. As this guide refers mostly to road access camping you are never truly without recourse provided your car is able to leave however without these things your camping experience will probably be considered a failure.

• The Tent: Tent can be loosely interpreted here, its the thing you are intending to keep between you and the outside world come time to sleep. It can be a traditional tent, a swag, a hammock (bug net recommended) etc.
• Tent Poles: Again loosely interpreted though don't ask me why this is on the list. If you have your tent poles separate, pack them. If you need pegs and rope, make sure they are in a bag with a hammer. If you are using a hammock make sure you have straps and a bug net.
• A Warm Layer: This depends a bit on climate and time of year but rarely go camping without some way of warming up. Rule of thumb is if you fall into water, while in your day clothes, during the coldest part of the night, while the wind is gusting, do you have something to put on and warm up?
• Sunscreen: Again climate dependent, but if you are in a hot climate and in possession of a complexion that requires sunscreen and you don't have it, you are in for a miserable time. (Hat and sleeves are also advised climate/complexion depending)
• Torch: Some way to make light, this is extra important if you are unable to have a fire. Relying on a phone is generally a bad idea, you want something with a better battery life, better to hold/wear and can stand up to harder treatment (potentially being broken or lost)
• Water: Water can arguably fall into the same category as food (read on to see why food is not in the essential tier) however due to its importance I think we should put it here. Furthermore if you are bringing a large canteen of water I encourage you to bring either multiple canteens or a few bottles. You don't want your entire water supply to be compromised by one leak.
• Extra Socks and Underwear: If you don't know why this is here, go to google images and search up "trench foot" safe search off. Now pack some extra socks.

The Important

If you don't bring this it's going cost you. Perhaps you have to backtrack to a town or gas station, perhaps you came with some friends that will help you out at the expense of an inside joke that runs the next decade and beyond. Better not to find out

• Food: "How is food possibly not essential?" Well remember this guide is about camping with road access, given you don't arrive in the middle of the night, which I strongly advice against, you can always turn back with your tail between your legs and pick up something that passes for food at a gas station or a nearby town. That being said you should plan food and it should be good food, you brought a car here you have no excuse. See Camping Food for how to eat better than 90% of people that spent the weekend at home and have ordered food in.
• Something to sleep on: Sometimes, like in the case of a swag or hammock, this comes included with your 'tent'. Other times it doesn't. Sleeping on the ground or a pile of your excess clothing sucks but it's doable, You're primary goal is to avoid being cold and wet, if either of these is not provided by your 'tent' then this is a higher priority item otherwise you are just going to wake up sore.
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