Camping during spring with friends or family can be enjoyable. And in these times when the world is recovering from a severe pandemic, spending some time outdoors and in contact with nature can be even very healthy.
Whether you are a veteran camper or an occasional weekend explorer, always make a camping checklist before you leave civilization. It’s common to arrive in that beautiful, remote place, away from everything, and only then discover that something important has been forgotten. Sometimes this can ruin the whole adventure.
Here is a little help for your next camping trip: seven items you should pack just before leaving home.
1.Tents
Hardly anyone who goes camping forgets to take a tent. However, it’s very possible to take an inappropriate one – too small or too fragile, for example. Consider the following factors before choosing a tent.
Space Needs
How many people will sleep inside the tent? This often determines the ideal size. But don’t forget that you also need to transport it, so it’s no use choosing a very big, heavy model that doesn’t fit in your backpack.
Weather Resistance
During spring, you can opt for the so-called “3-season tent,” which is lighter and cooler, therefore ideal for hot days. But if you’re going to a colder place or where it gets cold at night, take a 4-season tent, which is capable of withstanding even snow.
Wind
A strong wind can blow your tent off the ground. Be sure to take a model whose rain-fly reaches the ground and has multiple tie-down points to attach sone stabilizing lines.
2. Sleeping Bags
Why bring sleeping bags if you already have a tent, right? Well, on colder nights, additional coverage is always welcome. And if the night is very hot, you can still choose to sleep outside looking at the stars.
When choosing your sleeping bag, pay attention to three essential factors: that it is warm, to maintain your body temperature at night; that it’s comfortable to sleep inside or outside the tent, and especially that it’s easy to transport, considering that you will already be carrying a lot of equipment.
3. Kitchen Essentials
Kitchen utensils are often forgotten until you find yourself in the middle of the woods with a can and without a can opener.
Most people can survive without a camp stove, but consider bringing one to avoid making fires in the wild. Remember that you will need a stove or any kind of fire to heat food and boil water.
Regarding kitchen utensils, the mandatory items on a camping trip are:
- At least one pot or skillet
- A pair of sharp knives with a rubber cutting board
- Reusable dinnerware (nature will thank you if you avoid paper plates and plastic cups)
- A spatula
- A bottle opener
- A can opener
- Scissors
4. Food
Make a shopping list and buy food before the trip, because there may be no shops near the camping area. Certain parks and camps have potable water, but you might want to bring a few bottles just in case.
It is advisable to be smart when choosing the menu for your camping trip. As tasty as an outdoor barbecue is, remember that to preserve the meat, you will have to take a cooler full of ice – and, therefore, more weight.
Instead of perishables, take dry foods (cereal, grains, pasta) and all kinds of food in cans or jars.
5. Clothing
Even if the weather promises amazing days, bring some extra clothes and be prepared for those rainy spring days. After all, accidents can always happen, including wet clothes when crossing a river.
Don’t forget some long-sleeve shirts (to avoid the sun, mosquitoes, and spiders), a lightweight jacket, and prescription sports sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun and wind.
6. Shoes
Get to know the camping place to find out what kind of boots or shoes are most appropriate for the terrain. A brand new shoe can come back ruined from a hike for muddy weather or unexpected situations involving streams, rocks, etc.
Pay special attention to the soles of your shoes: very worn soles can be slippery when going up a hill or crossing a stream, and a bad fall can be dangerous and shorten your trip.
7. Camping Hatchet
You may question the need to bring a small camping hatchet until the first moment you need to chop wood for a fire or get rid of an obstacle along the way.
The tool also has numerous other uses: for example, the bladeless face can be used as a hammer for driving tent stakes. It’s quite likely that a hatchet will become handy along the camping trip.
Enjoy the Best of the Outdoors
Camping can be a great way to deal with stress, get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and spend some quality time with family and friends – or even alone.
If you’re a beginner, start looking for national parks or private campgrounds before looking for more remote and isolated places on your own.
And don’t forget to make the proper checklist to make sure you have all the essentials to spend some fun days in the woods.
