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Backpacking Essentials
(public topic in Backcountry)

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Avatar Image   Started by famousperson famousperson has 15,746 Grupie Points 8 months ago         Comments 6 Comments

What does a camper need most?

Tags: camping, outdoors


 
       
Page 1 of 1
1.  

Water purification filter

Leader! Most 1st Place Votes
'cause I don't like Iodine, or Chlorine.

Comments 1 Comment

 
9  votes
2.  

Fire making equipment!!

ie - matches and lighters, etc.

Comments Add a comment

 
7  votes
3.  

First Aid kit

Lightweigh & designed for backpacking

Lots of Comments! 11 Comments

 
8  votes
4.  
 
6  votes
5.  

Whisperlite international

(No description provided)

Comments Add a comment

 
6  votes
6.  

Headlamp

keep your hands free, and light on your path

Comments 2 Comments

 
6  votes
7.  

Compass

Indispensable.

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5  votes
8.  

Rain Poncho

This picture makes me laugh....

Comments Add a comment

 
5  votes
9.  

Iodine tablets

Sure, I always carry my ceramic MSR filter and love it, but these are so cheap and light

Comments Add a comment

 
5  votes
10.  

Waterproof boots

full leather upper or gore-tex, for new hikers as long as the sole is sturdy
(these pictured are the jam)

Comments 3 Comments

 
5  votes
11.  

Rope

~10m to be safe

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5  votes
12.  

Titanium cookware

ITS WORTH IT! Well, if you plan on cooking and not just eating powerbars and GORP... [show more]

Comments 1 Comment

 
4  votes
13.  

Bug Spray!

For all those pesky mosquitoes, and other bugs.

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4  votes
14.  

Camelbak water reservoir

Even if it's not integrated into the pack, I've used by placing it in the top of my pack and snaking the tube over my shoulder.

Comments 1 Comment

 
3  votes
15.  

Camera

The best pictures I've ever taken were on camping trips. Although I have known the "memories are your pictures" type who think... [show more]

Comments 1 Comment

 
3  votes
16.  

Smartwool socks (at least 2 pair)

use smartwool and avoid liners. They dry quickly if wet as well.

Comments 1 Comment

 
5  votes
17.  

Duct Tape

You don't need a whole roll. I just wrap a few turns around my nalgene. I've found that it works even better than moleskin for... [show more]

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4  votes
18.  

Capiline underwear

it really is worth it for the weight to warmth ratio
(or similar fabric)

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4  votes
19.  

Bear bag

that is, if you're in bear country

Comments 1 Comment

 
3  votes
20.  

Orange Trowel

(No description provided)

Comments 1 Comment

 
2  votes
21.  

Chocolate

best yumminess to wieght ratio of any snack. And good, dark chocolate too, not some cheap hershey bar. Don't be thinking it's ... [show more]

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3  votes
22.  

Nalgene

I'm usually not a brand-snob, but they really are the best.

Comments Add a comment

 
2  votes
23.  

Pack cover (waterproof)

A large garbage bag can be used in a pinch, but isn't durable enough for any significant period of time.

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1  votes
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Page 1 of 1

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rootneg2 8 months ago

so, it looks like spam, it smells like spam, perhaps even it *tastes* like spam, but i assure you it's not. I just really really like thing camping supplier; they have some *great* deals. They also don't advertise much, and tend to get overshadowed by REI so I'm thinking this might be helpful for some of you.

anyhow, here goes:
http://www.campmor.com/

your local academy is also pretty good for the really cheap stuff.

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Bella. 8 months ago

Yeah, Campmor is good. Skrrrriti has got it covered for us.
http://grupthink.com...139&pap=1

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rootneg2 8 months ago

thanks bella, i've got a new topic in my favorites now

:o)

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thegreat1218 8 months ago

What of the listed do y'all think is needed for a day hike only? Is it worth carrying the extra equipment just to prepare for the worst? (I imagine a lot of it is circumstantial...)

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Skrrrriti 8 months ago

day hike?
If I am going for a <5 hour hike I usually carry nothing. Just drink water in advance. I love day hikes for complete freedom to just walk and not carry anything. Of course, its all a matter of preference.

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rootneg2 8 months ago

I'm with Skrrrriti for the most part, but I always take a nalgene or a small camelback. One for the whole group (of <4 or so) is usually enough. Dehydration sucks.

If it's something like a summit hike, or somewhere with a nice resting point, and there aren't any other plans for the day, sometimes I like to take a light lunch like a sandwich, some fruit, and/or a chocolate bar and have ourselves a little pic-a-nic (minus the basket). If it won't fit into one of those minimalist camelbacks, a small fannypack, or just your pockets, then it's too much IMHO. A lot of times I like to take a headlamp too, just in case we misjudge how many hours of sunlight we have.



Oh, and a camera :o)

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Topic Details

This topic was started by famousperson famousperson has 15,746 Grupie Points on March 17th, 2008. 17 grupies have voted on one or more of the 23 answers.

Tags: camping, outdoors

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