Need help camping...come give advice

[RudeDawg]

Hey Larry,

When camping, it is important to get the high-ground. Use your grenade launcher to ...
Sorry, Jo just explained that you aren't a Quake/Doom kinda guy...

Glad to see you're taking the young-un with you! Great experience.
As an experienced hiker, backpacker, and all-around outdoorsman, I can honestly say that the most important piece of equipment you need is FOOTWEAR! You need to get some boots depending on the amount of hiking, terrain, and weight you will be carrying. There are HUNDREDS of choices, ranging in expense, and it will make or break the trip.
I'm not up on NC geography, but there is an REI co-op in Cary, NC. Besides a great selection, they give REALLY GOOD classes about camping. (Map-reading, setting up a safe camp, Outdoor First-Aid, etc...) Class Schedule As you can see, they have Backpacking 101, Camping with Kids, and Backcountry Cooking classes just before you leave. They have high-end stuff, so it can be expensive shopping there, but if you are thinking about picking up this great sport, the investment is worth it.
On other GREAT PIECE of equipment: Sierra Club's Walking Softly in the Wilderness. I've made this book mandatory reading for any rookie camper that goes out with me. (After one friend shattered my left ankle with horse-play while in the middle of the Chihuahua Desert, 5 days away from help)
Are you visiting a specific area, a state park perhaps? If so, look their web-site up. Having maps, history, and trail guides wil lmake it more enjoyable for the whole family! [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[ 05-26-2002, 10:23 PM: Message edited by: RudeDawg ]

[Larry_OHF]

I'm hearing ya, dawg. Thanks for the input.
And FYI...I may not personally play Quake/doom, but all my friends do, and they frequently not only talk about it but record their games and bring them to work to watch while they work. The entire Tech Support is one big clan.

[The Hunter of Jahanna]

for magik : Duct Tape is a great wound binder!! Just get the area as dry as possible and cut the tape into thin strips like a butterfly bandage. The advantage is that duct tape is waterproof and wont stretch. I once had a duct tape bandage last me a week before it fell off.

for Larry : That bug fogger is the single most usefull thing in the lawn and garden store. I live near a medium sized bodie of water and when the insect hatch is on just walking into my apt building can bee like walking in a hail storm from all the bugs attracted to the lights. 2 quick sprays and the way is ALL CLEAR.

[Sir Heinrich Godfrie IV]

I was a scout from about age 8 (Cub Scout) until age 17, but never acheived Eagle status. I hiked 36 miles (in 4 days) with a 65 pound pack through the mountains at Philmont Scout Camp in Northern New Mexico.Wasn't very fun, I stared at the ground probably 90% of the time (didn't want to sprain or break an ankle). And atleast once a year I portage (carrying a canoe) through either the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, or Voyageur National Park, both are at the northern border of Minn-eh-soo-tah.

Any heeew...enough puffing my chest out. I just wanted to add to and rehash some of the earlier points made.

First off, I didn't see anyone mention toilet paper. If you forget this, then you may be able to resort to baby wipes, or the worst case scenario, leaves (or hand). Next, i would make doubly sure that your boots are water-proofed, via sprays bought at REI or other sporting goods shops as earlier mentioned. And if you are going to invest in a new knife, don't, you should instead get a Leatherman tool. It has many many useful tools and gadgets on it that are nicely compacted together. Next, don't forget to bring either a tarp or a large plastic sheet that can completely cover your tent. It absolutely SUCKS when a down-pour accurs and you are subject to doplets leaking through the walls of your tent and onto you and your sleeping bag (I know). Along with the tarp, you need to bring LOTS OF ROPE OR TWINE in order to tie the tarp down, and now that i think of it, you should bring or buy another tarp (dark coloration) as to provide shade when you are cooking your lunch under the bright sun. Your tent will obviously include stakes, but BUY MORE, you can never have enough of these.

I know someone already mentioned bringing a Bic lighter but I want to add that it is probably more important than matches, which are often unreliable. Also, wrap your sleeping bag and clothing in a plastic bag, in case it rains (this alone can ruin your entire trip). And also don't forget some reading material, playing cards, and WHISKEY. Or any hard liquor, not only for rainy days and bad fishing, but also to quickly start fires with wet timber. And if you are actually caring all of your gear from point A to point B (you know hiking), then you probably can't carry gallons and gallons of water. In that case you will, as mentioned by another fellow camper, need to purify the water you collect. And in that case you probably will want to bring some sort of flavoring, you know; kool-aid, tang, powdered gator aid, etc... Oh, and a compass if that hasn't been mentioned (I know GPS has been),and sunscreen of course.

I want to mention a very smart thing to do when in a lightning storm. If you can see lightning close by then squat down and take a... no I'm kidding. Seriously, squat down and stand on your tippy-toes and connect your heels together and say there's no place like... no I'm kidding again. I'm really serious this time. If you connect your heels together the lightning will pass through your feet or so it is said. Oh and one more thing (among others i'm forgeting), don't forget the camera, and lots of extra film.

And don't forget to have a KICK ARSE TIME!

[Epona]

Sir HG is absolutely correct - if there's lightning nearby, keep your feet firmly together - it's the difference in potential between the two points in contact with the earth (which increases with distance) that causes the most damage if you're hit by lightning.

Now, you'll need something to cook your food in. You can get sets of pots that fit neatly inside each other at camping stores, and a small frying pan is always useful - get one with a handle that folds indside the pan for ease of carrying.

I always take plenty of tent pegs, spare guy ropes, and a tent repair kit.

Waterproof and air out your tent before you go, even if it's new. (I actually prefer canvas tents, the modern nylon ones don't breathe and you can get condensation inside)

[WOLFGIR]

Bring alot of plastic bags to keep clothes in. Matches, zippo etc.
Alot of extra socks are always nice.

Some water repellant spray or oil on boots.
If you are going to go alot, bring talcum, very good for feet and groin in the heat. Also bring some band-aid extras for feet blisters and such. Couldn´t find the translation for this, but one of this camper kitchens to make food in the wilderness, always nice to have.
Cell phone with extra battery if something happens.

Rope or string, toilette paper is a major luxury you will enjoy Larry!
antiseptic creams!! Very nice, also thoose water purifier pills!

[Epona]

A couple of people mentioned cellphones, but if it is anything like here, you don't get a reception once you hit the hills. So make sure someone knows where you are going, and when you are due back.

[caleb]

I would like to suggest leaving the 2 year old at home The babys not old enough to enjoy it and it could cry all day and night or get bitten up by bugs.

[Staralfur]

I'm assuming that we are not talking extreme survival here, (although with a two year old it might be), but are you leaving your tent in one place, or carrying it with you?

Some thoughts on what people have said above;

Boots - wear them in before you do any sort of long walk in them. Fabric boots are easier for this than leather *cringes, and waits for the dubbin crew to turn up* (lots of pairs of hiking socks and a blister kit might be a good idea as well)

Insect Repelent - Some of these can be quite nasty, so you might want to seek advice about what to use on your kid. The stuff I've used in the past containd DEET, this works well, unfortunately it dissolves plastic. (I've woken up with purple dye from my inflatable pillow all over my face before now.)

It's not really a problem in the UK, but I'd imagine you will have to do something about hiding your food away from scavangers - someone else will be able to help you better.

Make sure you know how to put the tent up, cook using the stoke, use a compass etc... before you go. I might be an idea to go away for a weekend to practise with all your new equipment. This will also give you a chance to see if you need anything else.

Some other bits I haven't seen mentioned (I'm not sure how applicable they are though);
Waterproofs (probably more important when you are in the UK ),
A good set of maps (maybe one of the night sky if you fancy star gazing),
A wolly hat - important if it gets cold.
A pair of trainers/light shoes to change into when you have finished walking.
(A puncture repair kit. [img]tongue.gif[/img] , and your internet connection, so you can tell us how it is all going. )

And yes

toilet Paper

is something people always forget.

[Epona]

Originally posted by caleb: I would like to suggest leaving the 2 year old at home The babys not old enough to enjoy it and it could cry all day and night or get bitten up by bugs.

Naw, I used to love it when I was a kid! Mary Beth can keep the bugs at bay with her bazooka, right Larry? Make sure of course that you take plenty of her toys with you, keep her occupied and happy while you're putting up the tent, cooking etc.

[ 05-27-2002, 06:17 AM: Message edited by: Epona ]