BASIC CAMPING CHECKLIST
Note: this list is always a work in progress, feel free to contact me with additions or quibbles timjones@easternslopes.com
* Essential Items for every trip
** Essentials which vary by season
Clothing (NOT cotton!!!)
___ Underwear **
___ Socks *
___ Pants/zip-off shorts *
___ Shirts *
___ insulation** (fleece, wool, Down, pile)
___ Rain Jacket/pants*
___ Hat**
___ Boots**
___ Gaiters**
___ Glove/Mittens**
___ Bandana*
___ Slippers/camp shoes**
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
Emergency Kit* (in separate case)
Mine is carried in a bright orange (harder to lose) 4” x 4” x 8” zippered nylon case which can ride on my belt.
___ knife and sharpener (not the one you carry in your pocket)
___Matches in waterproof matchsafe, butane lighter, flint-and steel
___ Firestarters (two kinds) in film canisters
___ Spare compass
___ LED flashlight with spare batteries
___ Whistle
___ 55 gal. Contractor trash bags (2)
___ 15 feet Heavy-duty waterproof tape
___ 30 feet nylon parachute cord
___ Large twist ties (12)
___ Large safety pins (4)
___ Needle and thread
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
First Aid Kit*
___ Prescription meds
___ Pain pills (ibuprofen)
___ Anti-diarrheal
___ Blister coverings (moleskin or blister pads)
___ Bandaids, butterfly closures, superglue
___ Tape
___ Sterile Compresses
___ Sterile wipes and Neosporin
___ needle and tweezers
___ dental filling repair kit
___ small Ace bandage
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
General Supplies
__ Headlamp/Flashlight*
___ pocket knife *
___ Ziploc Bags*
___ trash bags*
___ nylon cord*
___duct tape* (10’ roll)
___ Lantern
____Spare mantles
___ Batteries (__AA __AAA __C __D __Other)
___ Tarp/Cooking fly
___ Camera
___ Binoculars
___ Chair
___ Book
___ Playing cards/games
___ Folding Saw
___ Hiking poles
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
Hydration
___ Water bladder(s) or bottle(s)*
___ Water filter
___ Water purification tablets
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
Hygiene/grooming
___ Toilet Paper*
___ “Baby Wipes”*
___ biodegradable soap
___ Toothbrush*
___ Dental floss*
___ Toothpaste/baking soda
___ Shampoo
___ Comb
___ Towel
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
Insect Protection**
___ Insect repellent
___ headnet
___ bug suit
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
Kitchen
___ Stove/fuel*
___ Matches *
___ Fork/Knife/Spoon*
___ Plate*
___ Cup or bowl*
___ Salt/Pepper*
___ Spices*
___ Coffee/tea Pot
___ Coffee/tea/sugar/creamer
___ Frying Pan
___ Pot(s)
___ Spatula or large spoon
___ Firestarters
___ Grill
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
Navigation
___ Compass *
___ Map *
___ GPS
Sleeping Supplies
___ Tent/bivvy sack/tarp **
___ Ground Cloth*
___ Mattress Pad**
___ Sleeping Bag **
___ Pillow
___ earplugs
___ ______________
___ ______________
Sun Protection*
___ Sun Hat
___ Facemask
___ Sunglasses
___ Sunscreen
___ Lip balm
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
FOOD
___ tea
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
Great site and great information!
Keep the information coming! remember the different classes of outdoor enthusiasts truethfully there are those who can freely go out to may places on a whim for 4 days or more , those that try to squeeze in a few outdoor vacations a year and in between settle with locally oriented weekends… basic family members who get a vacation or two during the spring and or summer months and sometimes a few days besides the weekends in the fall…. The economy rality is tough Jobs are SPOOKY so many don’t want to take too much time off but still need positive outdoor recreational opportunities to de-stress and get back in touch with nature, simple things and hopefully themselves…
Also many working class cannot truthfully afford $350.00 priced tents and bags…it just isn’t a reality these days too many other bills to pay and things to get for family members, kids, and basic survival. Good quality safe places to enjoy the outdoors at really reasonable prices are critical now. Good, adequate but honestly not priced too high camping and outdoor equipment is vital to getting the basic working class outdoors and sharing great expieriences If tents are really easy to assemble and can be done with one person or if they need two comfortably, if they withstand winds and heavy rains without major leakage…. how and what to use as weatherproofing to help with waterproofness..so many offerings but the real scoop on wahts easy and quick to use and what really works! Many are those WEEKEND warriors campers and outdoor enthusiaists so time is A high premium! Your articles are always valued!
Christy, thanks for your comments! I’m of Scottish extraction, which means I’m cheap (sorry to all the other Scots reading this, but hey, it’s true). More accurately, I want value for my money. As much as I love the very best, I usually end up buying something that gives me most of what I want for a better price. As we post more gear information, you’ll see that bias showing up…there’ll be a lot of “bargain” products. Right now, I’m looking into some of the new multi-fuel stoves; for years, canister stoves have been the hot thing (yes, I meant the pun!), but the canisters are heavy and expensive. So…can we get most of the performance for less money using Coleman fuel? More to come!