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Subject Topic: First Trip Advice? Post Reply Post New Topic
22/5/2009 at 9:57am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View john7064's Profile View Profile   Reply to john7064 Reply   Quote john7064 Quote  
Joined: 22/5/2009

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I am looking to take up camping, and just wanted some advice as to what people feel the essential equipment I need to buy is? i.e. a tent and sleeping bag's are the more obvious ones.

But also what else will I need to take with me when I go, especially on my first trip. What would be a good checklist of things to take so I know I am not going to get court short without something?
Things such as bottled water, paper towels, extra pairs of socks, a good ground sheet, first aide kit etc…

I am not looking to do any extreme survival, just to get away in the outdoors.

Thanks for any camments!


22/5/2009 at 10:10am
 Location: swansea
 Outfit: Avondale corfu sunvalley 8
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Hi and welcome John.

There is an extensive checklist in the features and tips section at the top of the page.

camping is what you want it to be. everyones idea of whats essential will ,vary, Mine is everything but the kitchen sink, others go for minimalist .

Real essentials for me would be, tent, good sleeping bag, this is the most important of all, you need to be warm at night (do a search equipment section for recommendations on good ones)
something to cook on, a light , a comfy bed , and a comfy chair. Warm clothes and waterproof jacket .




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Debbie


22/5/2009 at 11:28am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Outwelll Bear Lake 6
View kmac9909's Profile View Profile   Reply to kmac9909 Reply   Quote kmac9909 Quote  
Joined: 12/5/2009

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and a partridge and a pear tree. :)

Seriously though once you start, you keep adding things to the list.

 



22/5/2009 at 2:00pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Outwell Bear Lake 4
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OK, you know you need the tent and the sleeping bag, so that's a start.

Now think about you. Warm clothes (plenty of layers, so you can add them in the evenings). Waterproof jacket and shoes for when it rains. (It will). My OH is bald, so he always takes a woolly hat for the evening. Take clothes that won't mind being crumpled up and which will dry quickly. Make sure you've at least a change of everything, in case you get wet through.

Toiletries, towel (the microfibre ones are good for space saving and dry quickly), first aid kit.

What will you sleep on? A mat, a camp bed or an airbed? Apart from being very hard, a bare groundsheet beneath your sleeping bag is also very cold.

Torch, for inside the bedroom and for finding your way to the loo in the dark.

Now you've had a good night's sleep you need breakfast. Something to cook on - one of the small canister stoves will do for one. Something to cook with. A couple of small pans from home might do, along with a small frying pan, although you could splash out on a specialised set of camping pans. A wooden spatula to stir with. A sharp knife, a tin opener. Maybe a small plastic chopping board if you plan to do real cooking. Cutlery, a plate and a bowl to eat off. A mug. Large plastic bottle of water, which can be refilled at the campsite tap as you empty it. Do you like toast? Try one of the small, single slice, folding toasters. A camping kettle might be a good idea, although you could always use the small saucepan you brought.

With all that naked flame about, a small fire extinguisher might be a good idea.

Think about what food you will need to prepare your preferred breakfast. Remember that milk and butter need to be kept cool and cornflakes, bread, etc need to be kept out of reach of small furry visitors. So think about a coolbag/box and/or a sealable plastic crate to keep it in. Campsites often have facilities to refreeze your ice blocks.

Now you've eaten you need to wash up, so you need washing up liquid, a dishcloth and a tea towel to dry it with. Plus something in which to carry it all to and from the washing up point. Wet wipes are useful for cleaning any stickiness off yourself.

You'll be more comfortable in a chair than on the ground. If you can't run to a chair, then at least a small groundsheet to give you somewhere dry to sit outside your tent to cook and eat. Maybe a table to put the cooker on as well.

Think about lunch and dinner. Will you be going out? Eating a takeaway? Or are you going to cook for yourself? Obviously fresh food can be bought locally but it's a good idea to take some staples, such as salt and pepper, rice, pasta, sugar, etc with you to avoid having to buy a whole packet of something you only need a little of.

Now it's getting dark, so you need a lamp - gas or battery, your choice. Maybe something to ward off the mozzies. Probably a rug to throw over your knees so you can sit out longer. And of course, a bottle of wine, a glass and a corkscrew...

Happy camping!



22/5/2009 at 2:04pm
 Location: Bedfordshire
 Outfit: Tent
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You need to keep warm, and keep your sense of humour.  If you stay on a site with a store, you can get the basics you might have forgot or make friends with the people in the next tent who have everything and borrow theirs!



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the bigger the berry, sweeter the juice.


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22/5/2009 at 2:19pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Outwell Bear Lake 4
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Oops, forgot a mallet to hammer the pegs in and a bag to collect your rubbish in.


22/5/2009 at 4:58pm
 Location: North Staffordshire
 Outfit: Award Sunstar Nissan Terrano
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Hi. Say this often, but please don't think you have to buy everything new for your first trip. Borrow things from home where possible. A would guess you have a decent quilt, why not use that? Pots and pans, cutlery etc can all be taken from home. When - not if - you decide you like it, then invest in a complete kit. But do get a good tent. Cheap and nasty ones have a habit of falling apart at the worst possible times.

Pete


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Have you hugged a greyhound today?


22/5/2009 at 5:32pm
 Location: Llantwit Fardre (R.C.T.)
 Outfit: Vango Orchy 400
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And then try and pack it all in the car!

Oh and I should add from personal experience - wet wipes are an essential


23/5/2009 at 12:56pm
 Location: Leigh Lancs
 Outfit: Vango Coleman High Gear
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A sense of humour is essential, and probably a sense on humility, because when you are new you are the centre of attention.

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