Camping Backpacking
Equipment
Camping backpacking equipment need not be
expensive. All it has to do is provide you with some shelter
and privacy so you can get a good night's sleep. It doesn't
need to be fancy or flash. Just practical.
You will need a lightweight
camping tent or a tarp or at the very least a bivy bag
so you can stay dry. Then you will need a
sleeping bag that is insulated
enough to keep you toasty-warm during even the coldest hours
of the night.
A cheap camping tent for two people will cost around $50 or
less. But a top-quality outdoor tent could easily cost ten
times as much. A tarp shelter isn't a good idea unless you are
an experienced camper. Then you will discover that a bivy bag
will cost you more than a modest camping tent and the bivy is
also very claustrophobic for anyone but the bravest
outdoorsman.
Because you will be backpacking rather than riding in a car (or
other transport) to and from your camp site you will need a
down sleeping bag. A synthetic fill sleeping bag is much
bulkier and heavier than a down bag. There is only so
much weight you can carry on your back without making the whole
hiking experience a nightmare, so try to travel light.
You should plan on spending more than $150 on your down
sleeping bag alone, because it will be your most important
piece of camping equipment. And if you will be camping in
colder weather, be sure to buy a sleeping bag that is rated for
much colder temperatures than you'll ever expect to be sleeping
out in. That will cost you more as well, but you dont want to
ever be too cold in your tent at night.
You will need some simple cooking equipment; a propane hiking
stove maybe and a small kettle or pot to heat beverages in or
to cook up simple
meals like instant noodles,
oatmeal or freeze-dried foods. (You just add
water, soak for a few minutes and bring the
mixture to the boil.)
A plastic bowl and a spoon are the only utensils you need.
Metal mugs will only burn your lips when you drink hot
beverages from them. Carry a good pocket knife too.
The Victorianox brand Swiss Army knives are excellent.
Carry enough drinking water for your walk. You could buy a
fancy water canteen, but a throw-away plastic water bottle will do
fine. Don't forget a cigarette lighter plus a box
of matches and a can opener if you plan on eating any
tinned food.
If you are carrying everything in your backpack, remember that canned food is
heavy, and empty tins need to be disposed of properly. We
don't burn, bash and bury them any more. Truck them out with
you if there isn't a garbage bin at your
campsite.
You will need at least one change of clean clothes, plus extra
socks and underwear. Add a toilet kit (small soap, toothbrush
and paste, small towel and toilet paper). A few band-aid
plasters, needle and thread, insect repellent and a few
aspirin or other headache pills and you should be
fine.
Don't forget a hat, cape or rain coat, warm clothing (to
suit the local weather and time of year). It gets really cold
after dark when you are outdoors.
Camping, backpacking and hiking are all meant to be fun,
recreational outdoor activities suitable for the whole
family.
Keep your backpack as light as you can by selecting
your camping and backpacking equipment with great care. Your
pack with all its camping gear should not weigh any more than
20 pounds or so. Think of 30 lbs as your upper limit, and you
won't go far wrong.
All-up, you should be able to outfit yourself with some
pretty decent camping backpacking equipment for one or two
hundred dollars. And don't be afraid to buy used equipment if
it is in good condition.
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