Spending a weekend in the great outdoors is a fun-filled experience. Usually, it comes down to what you packed and did not pack for your trip, determining how good an experience you will have on your journey. Having the essential items can mean the difference between chilling in the woods and finding the nearest emergency room. Even the unseemingly essential things like camping tables and chairs can make a lot of difference.
Here are some essential items without which no camper should leave their home, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned camper. These are the essentials, and you can pack some camping furniture like camping tables, shelters and chairs to enhance the experience.
- Tent
A tent is the most essential of all the items one needs for camping. Even if you love to spend a night beneath the starry nights, a tent or a shelter of any kind must be handy to protect you from the elements.
- Sleeping Bag
Resting on the bed of leaves and moss may sound tempting, and it indeed is. However, the bare land will not protect you when it rains or when the temperature drops down as the sunsets. Going without a sleeping bag exposes you to bugs. A sleeping bag protects you from the bugs and the weather while providing you with much-needed warmth and coziness.
- Water Bottle
The most essential of the list is water. Camping or staying outdoors, no one can go a day without water. The last thing you want on a trip is to run out of water. Even if the campsite is a few feet away from your car, always carry at least a day’s worth of supply of water. Moreover, in rough terrains, it is advisable to take water filters and purifying tablets, just in case you need a refill from an untrusted water source.
- Firestarter
There is nothing more bonding and comforting than sitting beside the campfire with friends and family. You can opt for flint and steel, a cigarette lighter or a magnesium fire starter. Along with a fire starter, carry a kindling like strips of newspaper or dry bark. Also, be sure to keep your fire starter in a waterproof container.
- First Aid Kit
It is impossible to carry enough supplies to deal with life-threatening injuries, and it is unlikely to sustain a life-threatening injury on a short camping trip. However, a day of hiking can cause blisters, and even minor cuts and scrapes can quickly turn infectious if not treated on time. Make sure to include sunscreens and bug repellent in your first aid kit.
- Navigation Tools
Maps, a compass or even charged GPS are essential items to carry. Constant changes in the scenery or the sun’s position can make forest landmarks seem unfamiliar. These changes can cause some disorientation in hikers, and one can lose their way.
Many have spent numerous days wandering around in the woods for days before getting rescued.
- Flashlights, Lamps and Lanterns
While a campfire provides heat and some light in the dark, they do not have the range of a flashlight to see things far away. A lantern is a must for lighting the inside of your tent. Many campers and hikers prefer a headlamp flashlight as it keeps their hands free.
- Appropriate Clothing
Many things and little knick-knacks share the space in your backpack, which leaves a little room for clothes. It becomes essential to keep good care of clothes, keep them dry as walking around in damp clothing in colder climates may cause hypothermia. Also, wet gear is heavier than dry clothing. Make sure to choose lightweight and weather-proof jackets to compensate for fewer layers of clothing.
These camping gear essentials are not exclusive. The list varies from person to person and is different for various terrains. Pack some camping furniture like camping tables and chairs, and you can have Breakfast in the wood while you listen to chirping birds.
