Each individual tourist has his own understanding of camping.
For some, this is a weekend trip to nature, not far from the city, with an overnight stay in a tent. For others, it is active autotourism, which involves spending the night in a tent.
For others, this is a many-day and many-kilometer hike, often on the verge of endurance of the body, which involves not only spending the night in a tent, cooking on a fire, but also the need to carry all the necessary things in a backpack, that is, on your own shoulders.
Accordingly, the list of necessary things that you can and even need to take with you on a camping trip varies significantly depending on the intended type of camping holiday. Of course, for a more comfortable stay and trips by car, the number of things will be much more than for long and multi-day trips with a backpack.
Types of camping
I repeat a little, to understand the types of camping, and specify the list of necessary things.
For myself, I share three types of tent rest:
- A weekend trip, usually by car, not very far from home, with one or two nights in a tent.
- Active autotourism for several days, with overnight stays in a tent.
- Multi-day hike, without using a car.
Let us dwell in detail on each of the types of tent rest and a possible list of things necessary for rest.
List of necessary things for a weekend trip with tents
Considering that a weekend camping holiday is usually carried out by car - this is either a trip in your own car, or a car - transfer to a place of rest, the presence of a car makes it possible, on the one hand, to take more things that you may need, and with the other, taking into account the short duration of the trip, limit yourself to the minimum set.
1. Actually, the tent itself
If you are already planning a tent vacation, then without it, nowhere. Currently, the choice of tents is simply huge - from small single tents to multi-room tents, in which you can not only accommodate a large company, but also arrange a common kitchen - dining room.
If you need a tent once or twice a year, don't buy an expensive tent. The only requirement that you must consider when buying a tent is that it must be waterproof, both from above, for example, in case it rains, and from below, in general, also in case it rains and water flows under the bottom tents.
For more frequent trips to nature, it is worth choosing a better quality tent, both in terms of the materials used for its manufacture, and in terms of its stability and ease of installation.
I think that any professional seller of a tourist shop will be happy to not only advise you, but also help you decide on the choice of a tent in the ratio of the desired price / quality.
2. Travel mats and sleeping bags
In addition to the tent itself, you need to take care of the bed.
Self-inflating mats, which take up little more space and weight than travel mats, have become a good replacement for the usual tourist rug (“foams”).
Some tourists buy a large rubber mattress, inflate it right in the tent, and sleep peacefully on it, not only without experiencing the cold from the ground, but also on a completely soft and comfortable surface. For the mattress, do not forget to buy the appropriate pump (as a rule, the pump is included).
Even with a large mattress, sleeping bags are still needed. And, if one large mattress is enough for a tent, then every tourist, including children, needs sleeping bags.
3. Warm clothes and shoes
If you travel not very far from home, and the weather promises to be hot and not rainy, you can not take a large number of warm clothes. At the same time, do not forget that evenings and nights, especially near the water, are cool, so a warm jumper and trousers (even sports ones) can come in handy.
Yes, and weather forecasts often do not come true, and instead of a beautiful tan from nature, you can bring pronounced signs of a cold. That is, even if you expect heat, you need to take warm clothes. Especially if you are traveling with children.
Also, do not forget that for outdoor recreation it is necessary to take comfortable clothes with you, preferably one that does not wrinkle too much when worn actively.
4. Camping - tourist furniture: folding table, chairs
The items are very comfortable. But their availability depends not only on your financial capabilities, but also on the volume of the trunk of the car. Although, some tourists - tenters feel quite well while sitting on stumps or on tourist rugs - seats.
5. Camping utensils
Depending on what and how much you plan to cook. And if you can use ordinary disposable plastic utensils and plastic appliances for eating, then for cooking you need at least one pot, frying pan, or a pot, if you prefer to cook on a fire, a ladle, etc. I wrote more about what dishes can be useful on a trip, as well as what products to take to nature, in one of my previous articles: what products to take to nature (follow the link).
Also, it will not be superfluous to have a gas stove and a small supply of gas cylinders on a hike or a trip with tents - not everyone knows how to cook on a fire.
6. Other little things
For example, toilet paper, ointments and liquids from ticks and mosquitoes.
A brazier and skewers or a grill for cooking meat or fish, ready-made charcoal, in order not to wait until enough coal burns in a fire, will not be superfluous. You can also take a bundle of firewood with you, especially if you plan to camp with tents in a place where, by definition, there is not only dead wood, but also, in principle, a forest.
7. First aid kit and medicines
Resting in nature, there is always a risk of injury. Therefore, a tourist first aid kit should always be at hand. There should also be a small supply of medicines in case you have to take them on a regular basis.
The list of necessary things for active autotourism
Active autotourism, with its longer pastime far from home, implies a more expanded set of necessary things. Although, in fact, the list of necessary things that you need to take with you is almost the same as the previous one.
Perhaps the main difference is a much larger amount of clothing, in which it is necessary to take into account both the likely heat and the possibility of a sharp cold snap. Of course, it makes no sense to take the entire wardrobe from home, but spare trousers and jackets obviously do not hurt. Boots with warm socks will not be superfluous.
Food supplies are collected depending on the direction and place where you plan to go. Even in the village shop you can buy the most necessary products. But, if you plan to go, for example, far into the mountains, and the nearest village is located hundreds of kilometers away, then you should take care of the supply of food and water.
The same applies to other related items: dishes, washing accessories, towels, etc.
When we are going on a long trip, we have a large number of bags that need to be somehow distributed around the car ... Therefore, when packing things, you need to take into account the trunk volume of your iron friend. And the principle "I'll take it just in case" does not always justify itself.
On the other hand, when traveling by car, you can take with you an almost unlimited number of necessary things, which cannot be said about long trips on foot, when everything you might need on a camping trip must not only be compactly packed into a backpack, but also carried this backpack on your back...
List of necessary things for a camping trip
In this case, I will limit myself to a universal list, since each hiker has his own individual capabilities and needs.
- Backpack. The backpack should be comfortable, light and roomy, with a large number of pockets and compartments.
- Tent. For hiking, they select the most light, but at the same time, waterproof tent. It will no longer be possible to take tents and camping furniture with you. Tourist seat mat.
- Sleeping bag and travel mat. Without it, nowhere. Sleeping on bare ground is not only unpleasant, but also fraught with hypothermia with all associated diseases.
- A set of warm clothes: thick jacket, jumper, trousers, socks, hat, gloves. Especially if you go to the mountains. Sunglasses for the mountain route also do not interfere. With bright sun and snow lying in the mountains, the eyes will not be comfortable.
- A set of ordinary hiking clothes. As a rule, this is a sports suit. Waterproof raincoat - in case of heavy rain. Ideally, the raincoat should be large enough that you can fit into it with your backpack.
- Several sets of underwear, including underwear, t-shirts, socks. It is better to take from soft natural fabrics. Cap or head scarf.
- Shoes. As a rule, on a long trip with tents, they take with them thick waterproof boots and lighter shoes, for example, ordinary sneakers.
- Phones, watches, navigator, camera. If you take electronic devices on a hike, do not forget to take spare batteries.
- Washing supplies, towels, soap/shampoo, tissues, toilet paper…
- Set of dishes. Depending on the number of people going on a hike. If there is a large group, then the dishes used for cooking are distributed among the tourists, and each tourist also takes an individual set of dishes (plate, mug, fork, spoon, knife). If a small team goes on a hike, or an individual hike is planned, then you yourself will have to carry both a primus stove with a supply of gas, and a saucepan.
- Products. Probably the hardest part of the list. You can’t carry a large amount of canned food and potatoes with cereals on yourself. Therefore, many experienced tourists are content with little: they take with them a limited set of fast-cooking cereals, nuts, dried fruits, dried meat, spices, etc.
- Other little things. Matches or a lighter, a flashlight (preferably a headlamp), a small coil of a regular clothesline (for example, hang clothes to dry), a few plastic bags, thread and a needle, scissors. Don't forget to bring some cash and your passport with you. No matter where it will take you.
What to take with you on a camping trip: it will be easy to make a list after reading our material. It contains not only general recommendations, but also advice from experienced hikers who know what pitfalls they can expect on a hike. All things that are taken with you can be divided into mandatory and secondary.
Despite this division, things from the second category are also often important and you definitely cannot do without them on a hike. If you have outdoor recreation, then it is important to competently approach its organization, then everything will go fine and, as a result, only pleasant memories, positive moments and excellent impressions will remain from the rest. Where is it possible now?
Backpack
Of course, everything that we will take with us on a hike needs to be transported in some way, and a backpack in such a situation is an obvious and universal solution. You need to choose a backpack for a sufficient number of liters. But it will be possible to decide what “enough” means only after the entire list of necessary things for the trip has been compiled.
Tent
If on a hike you will spend the night in nature, and this, as a rule, always happens, then you can’t do without a tent and you won’t be able to replace it with something. The tent is taken for one or more people, here you need to discuss everything with the company that goes to nature with you.
first aid kit
You do not need to carry all the medicines with you, after all, you have to carry everything on yourself and the first-aid kit should be camping. But it must contain bandages and cotton wool, iodine and hydrogen peroxide. For an easier and less traumatic way to treat open wounds, it is recommended to use brilliant green instead of iodine. The first aid kit should contain sunscreen, paracetamol, and activated charcoal.
Sleeping bag and travel mat
In order to sleep comfortably and warmly in a tent, it is necessary to have a sleeping bag with you. It’s great if you can grab an inflatable pillow with you, but this is not necessary at all. Many travelers recommend that you always take travel rugs with you, on which it is comfortable to sleep, lay out things. These folded mats do not take up much space and can be tied to a backpack without taking up free space in it.
Be sure to take tin mugs, spoons, knives and bowls with you. Plastic utensils are not suitable for camping, because they are not comfortable at all and have a tense relationship with open fire. From the forks, you can safely refuse to the side of the spoon. Be sure to take a pot with you, in which tourists cook food. Without a bowler hat, you will have to eat only cold canned food. It's great if there are two pots - separately for food and separately for heating water for tea.
Food
What to take with you on a camping trip: the list must include water and food. Be sure to take with you salt, cereals, canned food, tea leaves, sugar. It can also be noted here that take matches and lighters with you, tools to easily and quickly kindle a fire (old newspapers, toilet paper). By the way, toilet paper is also taken for its intended use.
Hygiene products
Be sure to take toothpaste and a brush, a towel with you on a hike. Don't forget spare underwear as well as spare clean clothes. But clothes, of course, you should not drag a lot with you.
Additional tools
In the forest, you definitely need an ax; for a hike, these are a universal tool. First you need to sharpen the ax well, securely pack and cover it. At the same time, the ax should not weigh much, as well as its packaging material. Be sure to take a flashlight with you, it is desirable that each participant in the campaign should have one. A flask is required for water.
List of additional useful little things:
1. A piece of polyethylene, which can be used in different ways. It will become a protection from the rain, suitable for awnings, to protect things from moisture.
2. Gloves - household with pimples are great to make it easier to chop wood, put and remove the pot from the fire.
3. Sponges for washing dishes.
4. Opener: takes up minimal space in a backpack, but greatly simplifies the life of a tourist.
5. Rope for ten metro. The range of its application is wide.
6. Plastic bags in which garbage is collected.
7. Thread with a needle. On a hike, it may be necessary to repair not only clothing, but also camping equipment.
8. Fire rope, which is used to hang the kettle over the fire. Read about not regretting your decision to spend your vacation at home and just go camping.
What else is useful to pay attention to
What to take with you on a camping trip: a list of necessary things has been compiled. But hiking, especially for the first time, is a difficult task and we offer you to read some more important tips that will help you prepare. Remember that insects are attracted to dark saturated tones, but light ones are repelled.
Advice! If you forgot the mosquito repellant when making the list, you can rub yourself with the skin of a citrus fruit, the smell of which will scare away insects. Or, alternatively, eat more garlic at night.
One of the best means that protect against mosquito attacks, experts consider cleanliness. Mosquitoes actively fly to the smell of sweat. So, if it is possible to swim at night and rinse your clothes, this must be done.
Be sure to remember about additional protection from the sun when hiking. Moreover, not only the skin, but also the eyes: be sure to take sunscreen, glasses and a hat with you.
How to prepare for a road trip
You can dig up a whole book about what can be useful to a car traveler. But we tried to reduce it to a dozen purely practical tips. They will be especially useful if you are going on a real voyage several hundred or thousands of kilometers long, and not just to the country.
Diagnostics
A week before the trip, you need to carefully check the "steel horse" for "professional suitability". Due to elementary problems that could be fixed at the service station in twenty to thirty minutes (and for a very moderate amount), you can get stuck in the middle of nowhere for a long time, waiting for a tow truck.
So a full diagnosis will definitely not be superfluous. If there is any doubt about the reliability of the battery, it is better to replace it. In general, no questions about the technical condition of the car should arise. And a week before the proposed trip is needed so that there is time to identify missed unexpected problems and eliminate them.
Warehouse in the trunk
Firstly if the purpose of the trip is the wilds of the forest, you need a shovel. Common, but irreplaceable thing. It is so versatile that it can be needed at any time. It is a pity that many weekend travelers forget about it.
With the help of a shovel, you can dig a fire, bury the remaining debris, dig a hole for water, and so on. And in general, it is not known in what mud baths your car can get stuck. In a word, take it as a rule: if you are going on a trip, take a shovel.
The choice of a particular tool is not critical. But it is better to stay away from extremes. A children's scoop, like a professional shovel, will most likely be out of place. But the standard "tourist" with a folding bayonet and a size of 50-70 cm is what you need.
Secondly, throw a stapler somewhere in the salon. Joke? No, it can be indispensable in the case of repairing perforated tents, awnings, covers and other fabric products.
Third, rope, adhesive tape and plastic wrap. Of course, they may or may not be useful. But who knows what awaits you? Film is especially useful. She can and should cover the "steel horse" while standing in the forest. After all, nature does not like guests, therefore it takes revenge in the form of incomprehensible pieces falling from trees, bird “shelling” and bugs that stain everything and everyone. All these "gifts" have the ability to eat into the paint and wash poorly.
You can also cover the interior with a film, especially if it is light. Resin, herbs, berries, juice, insects will definitely try to leave a stain on the chairs. Moreover, even dry cleaning is not always able to cope with them.
Fourth, be sure to take an ax and a lantern. Why these things are needed, I think no one needs to explain.
It is better to take care of filling the first-aid kit in advance, and not at the last moment. Because in a hurry, you can easily forget something. Various cold pills, painkillers and your "personal" medicines should be "registered" in the medicine cabinet in advance.
If instead of a full-size spare wheel in the car there is a stowaway, it is better to replace it with a normal, full-fledged spare wheel.
And, of course, the financial question. As you know, there is no such thing as too much money. But it is not advisable to take too large sums with you. This is where the “golden mean” rule comes into play. You can protect yourself with a stash. But it is better to forget about it before the occurrence of really necessary and unforeseen expenses.
food question
When traveling by car, the food issue can be solved in two ways. First: pack four backpacks, five bags, and a few baskets of food with you. True, under this "warehouse" you need to allocate either a whole trunk or a trailer. The second is not to bother your head and use the services of roadside eateries or cafes. Each method is both good and bad in its own way.
Those who decide not to trust the roadside service will have to puzzle over the safety of the products. The best assistant is, of course, a car refrigerator. Well, or at least a thermal bag. 12 V is enough for the refrigerator, you just need to remember that in 2-3 days of constant work it will easily “land” the battery.
It's easier with a thermos. In order for it to retain its properties longer, it must be put in the freezer before leaving for a couple of hours. And when packing food, do not forget to put cooling elements. Regular ice will do.
The main disadvantage of eateries is that no one will ever know what dumplings or some kind of soup were made from. And does the lawyer wash his hands before the "creative process" ... It is better to believe in the best.
Sadly, the service on our roads is very remotely reminiscent of European. Anyone who has traveled at least once in Germany, France or any other Western European country is unlikely to trust the stomach to the “cafeshantans” along our roads. And it’s understandable why: lunch can lead to a lot of trouble, ranging from banal heartburn to serious food poisoning. Moreover, such a meal can be unreasonably expensive.
Hooray, it's summer! The long-awaited independent road trip is finally possible! Everyone has different preferences in this, someone likes to travel culturally by car: 4-5 hours on the highway, then a shower and a suite. Someone likes rugged terrain, a tent and mosquitoes ... But, despite the differences, a reasonable question always arises: what to take with you on upcoming independent trips by car?
However, first you need to decide on the route, the purpose of the trip and, in fact, the most important thing - the company! And only after that decide
What to take on a road trip
Well, first of all, the food! If you do not have 3 meals a day in a canteen or restaurant, then you need to take care of provisions and a supply of water for several days.
If this is a "wild" holiday on the lakes, then ... Take a snack with you in the car for the duration of the journey. These can be sandwiches with hard cheeses or smoked sausage (they do not spoil for a long time in the heat), most importantly, cut them smaller (in one bite) so that you can not be distracted from driving while driving; take a thermos with coffee or tea, plain water in a bottle with a "nipple". Very comfortably!
We stock up on instant noodles (preferably with forks included), bread, biscuits, stew and all kinds of canned food in cans (glass can break). Tomatoes with cucumbers and any greens will not interfere, salt and spices, disposable tableware (light and no need to wash!).
A gas stove will not hurt either (6 pieces of cylinders for it - for 3 days of rest should be enough with a margin). What kind of rest without a fire and barbecue, as well as fish soup or porridge in a pot (we take it with us), cooked with smoke? You will need a knife - strong and sharp. We use it for cooking; also, they may have to plan some more wood. And, of course, matches, and more!
So that the stocks of water and food do not heat up in the sun, we hide them under the car, it’s cool there, or we dig a hole in the ground, or we lower it all (along with beer) into cool water, after putting it in bags and tying it with a rope so that it doesn’t float away.
Where to sleep?
In car. For example, I love my waterproof tent on wheels, with air conditioning, music, windows and an alarm system, on which, in fact, I am going to travel. I arrived at the place, unloaded the trunk, spread out the seats - and you can make the bed. An air mattress is just right! While my companions are setting up tents, I connect it to the exhaust pipe of the car, and in 5 minutes the bed is ready. Then you can also swim on it. Lay bed linen. If the windows are not tinted, then it is advisable to curtain them so that the morning sun and curious neighbors do not bother.
In a tent. Mats (thin flat foam pads that are not cold to sleep on the ground), sleeping bags and the same air mattresses will do, everyone has their own preferences in this matter. Instead of a pillow that takes up a lot of space, you can use a folded jacket.
Necessary set of autotourist
Protection. In order to feel protected, in addition to the notorious rubber products (a tried and tested way to keep matches dry, by the way!), We need an aerosol or ointment from mosquitoes and other insect populations of the wild. Mosquito nets, thick clothes, hats, closed shoes can also be useful, depending on where and why you are going.
Entertainment. On vacation, you really want to disconnect from the bustle of the city, problems and troubles - otherwise, why get away from all this at all? Having fun in nature is a pleasure, and for pleasure you need accessories.
For example, cards, backgammon, chess, and in general any board and tent games for lying on the beach or waiting out the rain in a tent. Badminton, balls, darts, golf and even mini-billiards can be taken with us, again it all depends on how we want to have fun ...
For example, I always have a “flying saucer” with me - a Frisbee, which takes up little space in the trunk and has many uses besides the game itself. For example, when the car dug into the sand, and I didn’t have a shovel, I “came out” with just this sports-beach equipment. For rowing in a rubber boat and as a blower for a barbecue, this thing is also applicable. And, of course, the guitar. What kind of rest by the fire without a guitar?
In general, we take everything that we consider necessary and that can fit in the trunk, and it will somehow be useful to us.
Useful! For night time or hiking in a cave, lighting a tent, searching for a contact lens in the grass, and for hundreds of other urgent tasks in the dark, we need a flashlight. A pair of LED lights is what you need!
Also irrelevant are:
- charger for mobile phone, adapter for laptop (to watch movies);
- a compressor to pump up balls, boats and other "inflatability";
- a folding chair or even a few to sit comfortably.
It is important! Before leaving, be sure to check and change, if necessary, the batteries in the alarm key fobs. Check the fluid levels in the engine, gearbox, radiator, brake reservoir, inspect the brake hoses for leaks and cracks. Add liquid containing alcohol to the washer reservoir (the midge on the glass will not stick so much), tighten the radiator grille with a mosquito net (so as not to stand on the side of the road on the way back, “boiling” from midges that have crowded into the radiator).
Check to be:
- A detailed map of the area you are going to;
- Spare wheel, a pair of cameras, a jack, a set of wrenches (preferably wrenches):
- Rope (strong), a canister of gasoline, motor oil for topping up, antifreeze and just water (for every fireman), a fire extinguisher (for every other fireman);
- Panama hat from the sun or a cool baseball cap;
- Anti-radar, which helps not only to save money on the highway, but also to determine that gas stations are nearby, since it works perfectly on radio emissions from gas station equipment.
We figured out what to take with us on a road trip, but there were small nuances ...
Who to take with you? The passenger sitting next to you in the front seat should not be sleepy and lethargic, this is dangerous! He will put the driver to sleep! Pick a good "navigator"!
What to listen? To maintain a cheerful spirit of collectivism on the way to rest, you need to listen to the same music for everyone, and the music in cars is different for everyone. Everyone can tune in to the same radio station. But far from the city, the radio does not work.
If you are going on independent trips in a large and friendly convoy of three or four cars, then you can use a mini-radio station (FM modulator, range 15-20 meters), then the general mood can be set even at a distance. The broadcasting DJ car drives in the center and spreads a good mood to everyone.
Good luck and have a good trip!
More and more people prefer to spend their weekends on outdoor activities rather than mindlessly spending them sitting in front of the TV. Various types of hiking are becoming more and more popular. However, few novice tourists are responsible for collecting the necessary things for the trip.
Even if the route of the hike is thought out to the smallest detail, and is only 1 day, the backpack of a tourist must still be assembled in accordance with all the rules. This is the key to a good outdoor recreation. A big mistake of tourists - beginners is overload. In this article, we will try to figure out what you need to take with you on a hike, what requirements are there for tourist clothing, whether you need a first aid kit, and how to assemble it yourself.
A complete list of possible things for a trip is available by clicking the download button after the article.
Preparing for a hike
Fees will depend on many factors. First you need to decide on the route. What terrain will it pass through (forest, taiga, mountains), approximate duration in days, will you spend the night in nature or are you planning to settle down for the night in hotels. You should take into account the time of year, the age of the participants in the campaign and their number.
Be sure to read the information:
When solving the dilemma that the list of things to go on a hike, keep in mind that the maximum weight of a backpack for a man is 30 kg, but for a woman it is limited to 15 kg.
The necessary minimum of things can usually be divided into 3 categories:
- For movement. This includes all navigation items (map, compass), comfortable clothing, shoes. In addition, for active actions in nature, you will need any auxiliary items (lantern, whistle, magnifying glass, rope) and a first aid kit.
- For relax. For a one-day trip, a blanket or travel mat will suffice. If the plans include spending the night in the forest, then you need to think about a tent and sleeping bags. You will need tools for making a fire (matches, a lighter, paper or newspaper).
- Nutrition. A minimal picnic set consisting of metal kitchen utensils, a knife and a dry ration. For long hikes, it makes sense to purchase a gas burner.
Many are concerned about the question of what to take with a child on a hike? All of the above, but do not forget about sports equipment that will help pass the time on vacation. It can be a ball, tennis rackets, badminton.
Clothing and footwear
Putting together a travel backpack is not that difficult. You just need to make a list in advance of the necessary minimum of things that you can’t do without on a hike.
IMPORTANT: pay attention to additional materials in the block RELATED MATERIALS!
