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Hiking/Camping Advice

Gibber

Gibber

Little Boxes
I've mentioned it a lot on the travel thread, but we have our timeline figured out for our trip to Utah/Arizona in the fall. We're flying in and out of Vegas and have basically 10 days to drive around and see some of the awesome sights including the national parks...

We plan on camping for much of the trip and we'll also be doing a little hiking (nothing more than 3-4 miles).

I'm looking to compile a list of essential things we'll need for hiking and camping. Keeping in mind that we plan to camp at campgrounds, rather than out in the wilderness. From the most obvious to the 'I probably wouldn't think of that', what would you recommend we bring?

Other things to consider is we'll be dragging some photography equipment and the weather could vary from very hot during the day to cold during the evenings.
 
Re: Hiking/Camping Advice

Gibber said:
we'll also be doing a little hiking (nothing more than 3-4 miles).
Click to expand...
That's called walking.

Not that you're old Gibber, but at your age if you don't know what the essentials are I'd recommend camping at the Motel 6. You won't even have to remember to leave the light on.
 
Re: Hiking/Camping Advice

UncleRay said:
That's called walking.
Click to expand...

Depends on the elevation gain and terrain. 3-4 miles with rugged terrain and high elevation gain (both of which we have a lot of here in the west) can be a tough hike.

As to what to take, it's hard to make a list of everything. A couple thoughts would include making sure you have good sun protection, as you can get burned pretty good even when outdoors for relatively short periods of time.
Make sure you've got sufficient water/water containers. If it's still during our monsoon season here, make sure your tent is very waterproof, or have a tarp to string up over it. My wife and I made the mistake of not putting up the tarp (over our somewhat waterproof tent) one time last summer near Flagstaff and we got hit by a big storm. Not good.
 
Re: Hiking/Camping Advice

Tent
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Groundcloth/stakes/poles for tent
Stove
Whatever dishes you'll need to eat if you are cooking
Cleaning supplies if you are cooking
Water jug
Water purifiers if you'll need them
Bug spray
Knife
Rope
First Aid kit
Duct tape (wrapped around a pencil or pen is the best way to not take a whole roll)
Flashlights
Toiletries
They make camp towels which dry much faster and are much lighter than your normal bath or beach towel if you want to get one of those
Matches/lighter
 
Re: Hiking/Camping Advice

Careful with the scented toiletries in case of wildlife.

Best thing we had was a wind up flashlight and radio. No batteries to go dead. Coleman has a few good ones.
 
Re: Hiking/Camping Advice

For flashlights, definitely the LED kind. Darn near indestructible.

Take more water than you need, and a container full of ice for when you want something refreshing later. Suntan lotion or spray, obviously, and a pair of polarized sunglasses - maybe a wide-brim hat too. Definitely bring a good first-aid kit, and bring superglue too (and/or some liquid bandage solution.) For soap, look into Camp Suds.

Other than that, I'd suggest a guide to local plants and birds, if you're into that sort of thing. Have fun!
 
Re: Hiking/Camping Advice

If car camping, cots are a superb add to the list. Just being a couple inches off the ground helps in the cold and especially in the rain. Way better than a pad!

Synthetic wicking clothing
Broken in shoes/boots
Clean, high quality socks
Tilly Hat or similar
Camelback 100oz of water
 
Re: Hiking/Camping Advice

HATSOFF said:
If car camping, cots are a superb add to the list. Just being a couple inches off the ground helps in the cold and especially in the rain. Way better than a pad!

Synthetic wicking clothing
Broken in shoes/boots
Clean, high quality socks
Tilly Hat or similar
Camelback 100oz of water
Click to expand...

This. Don't expect to buy boots right beforehand and think they'll be good, no matter how comfy they are in the store. Also, if the boots don't quite feel right in the store, no matter the price, skip them and get ones that do feel right.
 
Re: Hiking/Camping Advice

Garbage bags, if there are not garbage receptacles in the campground.

Pocketknife.
 
Re: Hiking/Camping Advice

UncleRay said:
That's called walking.

Not that you're old Gibber, but at your age if you don't know what the essentials are I'd recommend camping at the Motel 6. You won't even have to remember to leave the light on.
Click to expand...

my travel companion is much more experienced than I, and is in charge of putting things together, I just figured I'd do some research. I have a good idea of what the essentials are, as I used to camp and do some hiking with my family but its been a long time... as far as the distance, most of the places we want to see/photograph are within those distances (1 way)

Bob Gray said:
Depends on the elevation gain and terrain. 3-4 miles with rugged terrain and high elevation gain (both of which we have a lot of here in the west) can be a tough hike.

As to what to take, it's hard to make a list of everything. A couple thoughts would include making sure you have good sun protection, as you can get burned pretty good even when outdoors for relatively short periods of time.
Make sure you've got sufficient water/water containers. If it's still during our monsoon season here, make sure your tent is very waterproof, or have a tarp to string up over it. My wife and I made the mistake of not putting up the tarp (over our somewhat waterproof tent) one time last summer near Flagstaff and we got hit by a big storm. Not good.
Click to expand...

Sun and rain as well as change in temperature are big considerations... we'll be there from Sept 24-Oct 4, fwiw

pardonme said:
Tent
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Groundcloth/stakes/poles for tent
Stove
Whatever dishes you'll need to eat if you are cooking
Cleaning supplies if you are cooking
Water jug
Water purifiers if you'll need them
Bug spray
Knife
Rope
First Aid kit
Duct tape (wrapped around a pencil or pen is the best way to not take a whole roll)
Flashlights
Toiletries
They make camp towels which dry much faster and are much lighter than your normal bath or beach towel if you want to get one of those
Matches/lighter
Click to expand...

Thanks for the list. We're looking into a place where we can rent some of the stuff as we'll be flying there from different parts of the country. This'll definitely help.

Beer Pong Horn said:
This. Don't expect to buy boots right beforehand and think they'll be good, no matter how comfy they are in the store. Also, if the boots don't quite feel right in the store, no matter the price, skip them and get ones that do feel right.
Click to expand...

Very good point about the boots, I'm picking some up within the next week or two. Have a few different brands I want to try out.

Thanks everyone for the responses, I'm not as clueless as the first post sounded, but its good to get the basics out there ;)
 
Re: Hiking/Camping Advice

Not just a flashlight, but a headlamp, or the LED lights that clip on a ball cap brim. I couldn't live without mine. As for boots, don't forget to check out the Danners. Their "Made in USA" boots are pricey, but man, there's nothing better as far as I'm concerned.
 
Re: Hiking/Camping Advice

Carter said:
Not just a flashlight, but a headlamp, or the LED lights that clip on a ball cap brim. I couldn't live without mine. As for boots, don't forget to check out the Danners. Their "Made in USA" boots are pricey, but man, there's nothing better as far as I'm concerned.
Click to expand...

And whatever boots you buy, as implied before, BREAK THEM IN. So crucial.
 
Re: Hiking/Camping Advice

I'll second the breaking in of boots if they are new.

In general, think warm and dry. Nothing more miserable than being in the woods and being wet. Account for it in your tent (roll the edges of your ground tarp up and under your tent) get up off the ground if possible. Have a set of "dry clothes" designated and go out of your way to keep them that way if you have to use them.

Pack your gear in waterproof bags, again, staying dry is the single biggest factor in staying comfortable.

Beyond that, basics like a good LED headlamp, ample water, high energy snacks and even a good pillow you bring from home can make the difference between getting by and being comfortable.
 
Re: Hiking/Camping Advice

Carter said:
Not just a flashlight, but a headlamp, or the LED lights that clip on a ball cap brim. I couldn't live without mine. As for boots, don't forget to check out the Danners. Their "Made in USA" boots are pricey, but man, there's nothing better as far as I'm concerned.
Click to expand...

Really good company, too.
 
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