LOADOUT Camping

[AZ_CAVALRY]

Went camping with the new tent this weekend at Edge of the World outside of Flagstaff. I havent been camping since I was a kid, and it was really nice getting back into it. I got up to the mountains and I realized I forgot a few things. Table, chair, bug spray. You know, the essentials.

What is on everyone's list of essentials for camping? Whether it's an overnight trip or a week long expedition. Looking to get some ideas for future trips.

 

[KB Voodoo Fabrications]

Went camping with the new tent this weekend at Edge of the World outside of Flagstaff. I havent been camping since I was a kid, and it was really nice getting back into it. I got up to the mountains and I realized I forgot a few things. Table, chair, bug spray. You know, the essentials.

What is on everyone's list of essentials for camping? Whether it's an overnight trip or a week long expedition. Looking to get some ideas for future trips.

Beer is usually the first and last thing on my list.

 

[AZ_CAVALRY]

Beer is usually the first and last thing on my list.

Definitely! That was the one thing I remembered

 

[KB Voodoo Fabrications]

Definitely! That was the one thing I remembered

In all seriousness, I keep a big plastic tote loaded with all the little things (bug spray, cooking stuff, etc).

That way I just grab the tote and I know I have the essentials.

 

[0uTkAsT]

I bet the weather was great up there this weekend. We wanted to head North but had plans we couldn't get out of Saturday night.

 

[AZ_CAVALRY]

I bet the weather was great up there this weekend. We wanted to head North but had plans we couldn't get out of Saturday night.

Yeah man it was perfect. About 90 in the day and woke up to 55.

 

[0uTkAsT]

Yeah man it was perfect. About 90 in the day and woke up to 55.

Wow, I'm surprised it even got up to 90! It was only about 100 at Apache Lake on Saturday. I bet it felt great in the morning though.

 

[SDyota_66]

Our minimalist list has grown over the years. So I keep a pelican case loaded with everything. Roll it out and throw it in the bed of the truck. I think the one thing(s) I make sure is stocked is a Jet Boil, some Mountain House Meals, spork, cup, and instant coffee. Small and compact, and can have food or coffee in a couple minutes. Granted, we have all the more extravagant stuff too, but I can fit those items in a backpack and have a weekend.

 

[AZ_CAVALRY]

Our minimalist list has grown over the years. So I keep a pelican case loaded with everything. Roll it out and throw it in the bed of the truck. I think the one thing(s) I make sure is stocked is a Jet Boil, some Mountain House Meals, spork, cup, and instant coffee. Small and compact, and can have food or coffee in a couple minutes. Granted, we have all the more extravagant stuff too, but I can fit those items in a backpack and have a weekend.

Coffee is one thing I could've used in the morning. The cold brews I got at the gas station didn't cut it. I'll have to look into the Jet Boil.

 

[AZ_CAVALRY]

Wow, I'm surprised it even got up to 90! It was only about 100 at Apache Lake on Saturday. I bet it felt great in the morning though.

Yeah it was awesome waking up in the cold air. Waiting to go back up north

 

[SubCultureNM]

Essentials for us are a 6 person tent and kennel for our 90lb rottie (if my wife and I actually want to sleep!)

Otherwise, we take the basics, including an old Coleman stove, an aluminum roll-up table, two ARB chairs, and, when camping out of her truck, our 80qt Cabela's cooler. We'd not been tent camping in years until we bought her truck; we have our red neck toy hauler to transport our Jeep places, and have "camped" out of it for the last several years. This year we've gotten back to basics, taking a couple 'wheeling/camping trips with our dogs in the Tacoma, and have had a lot of fun. Like you, on our first trip (Big Bend back in March) we forgot quite a bit.

Edit - we also consider an air mattress as essential gear!

 

[cocodataco]

The wife and I have two bins. One for dry goods and cooking essentials. Which we restock after every trip. So should we decide to take a quick weekend getaway all we need to do is drop the bed rack and tent on the truck. And load up the bins.

Second bin is usually for other camp essentials. Table, chairs, lights, first aid, etc. And lastly we carry a Camco Big Red campfire. Great for fire bans, and just really simple to use overall and cook over.

 

[mmrocek]

Depends on how light you want to go. My camping has turned into glamping at this point with all the gear and trailer. But when I did the Rubicon a couple months ago I just had my 2 person tent, chair, camp stove and 3 layer military sleeping bag.

For your tent get yourself one of these, they are cheap and amazing:


Our group glamping... and we were so extra that we had an f-ing fire going on a projector screen as there were fire restrictions out.

 

[mmrocek]

Also, I agree with others that if you do plan on going more often, it is best to have stuff in bins, divided ready to go. I used the waterproof ridgid cases from home depot and a couple gun cases for larger items. The ridgid cases connect together and are easy to fasten down and manipulate. I have them divided and labeled as tools, communications/electronics, first aid, recovery gear, kitchen, spare parts, etc. so that for day trips I just grab the first aid, recovery and tools and longer trips add other stuff. Basically depending on how far away from humans I'll be, the more I generally carry (up to a point.)

 

[azshooter40]

Also, I agree with others that if you do plan on going more often, it is best to have stuff in bins, divided ready to go. I used the waterproof ridgid cases from home depot and a couple gun cases for larger items. The ridgid cases connect together and are easy to fasten down and manipulate. I have them divided and labeled as tools, communications/electronics, first aid, recovery gear, kitchen, spare parts, etc. so that for day trips I just grab the first aid, recovery and tools and longer trips add other stuff. Basically depending on how far away from humans I'll be, the more I generally carry (up to a point.)

Like this!!! Gives me some new ideas. The Plano cases I have are nice but a little too bulky for a weekend trip! Thanks!