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5 Essentials for Camping

5 Essentials for Camping

May 17, 2015791Views

essentials for campingPeople that don’t spend a lot of time in the outdoors may think that camping is just too much work due to all the necessary gear, but there really isn’t a lot you need beyond what will cover your basics: food, shelter, safety, and health. Here are just five essentials for camping you’ll want to make sure to take with you into the wilderness.

First Aid Supplies

Already assembled first-aid kits take the guesswork out of making your own kit, though many people personalize these kits to suit individual needs. Any kit should include treatments for blisters, adhesive bandages, several gauze pads, adhesive tape, disinfecting ointment, over-the-counter pain medication and pen and paper.

The length of your trip and the number of people involved will impact the contents of your kit. It’s also a good idea to carry some sort of compact guide to dealing with medical emergencies.

Fire

Matches should be waterproof, or they should be stored in a waterproof container. Take plenty of them and ensure they are kept dry.

Firestarter helps you jump-start a fire. The ideal firestarter ignites quickly and sustains heat for more than a few seconds. Dry tinder in a plastic bag, candles, priming paste, heat “nuggets” (chipped-wood clusters soaked in resin), even lint trappings from a household clothes dryer can work as firestarter.

Navigation

A topographic map should accompany you on any trip that involves anything more than a short, impossible-to-miss footpath or frequently visited nature trail.

A compass, combined with the ability to read a map, is a vital tool if you become lost in the backcountry. A compass weighs next to nothing and does not rely on batteries. So even if you rely heavily on a GPS for navigation, a traditional compass is an indispensable backup.

An altimeter is also worthwhile to consider. It uses a barometric sensor to measure air pressure and provide a close estimate of your elevation—information that helps you track your progress and determine your location on a map.

Emergency Shelter

If getting lost or injured leaves you stranded in the backcountry, something is better than nothing if you have to deal with wind or rain. Options include an ultra light tarp, a bivy sack, an emergency space blanket which packs small and weighs just ounces or even a large plastic trash bag.

Sun Protection

Sunglasses are absolutely necessary, and you’ll need extra dark glacier glasses if you’re planning travel on snow or ice.

essentials for campingWhen choosing sunscreen, health experts advise choosing a formula that offers a SPF of at least 15, though SPF 30 is recommended as well, and one that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.

Lightweight, synthetic sun-protection clothing comes with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). Your activity level and resulting sweat level and the temperature are the factors that will determine if you choose to wear pants or shorts or long sleeves vs. short sleeves.

Images via kev-shine, Hello Turkey Toe