Hi, and thanks for writing.
One of the best tricks I know for travelling somewhat light when you
do not want to check luggage is to make sure that you will be wearing
your heaviest and hardest to pack items. So, let's start from the
top... you should be wearing:
- boots, if you need them, otherwise your heaviest shoes & wool socks
- heaviest pants, jeans if you have them
- layered top with undershirt, t-shirt, long sleeved shirt
[polypropylene or other insulating material is best], cotton or canvas
button up shirt, wool sweater and a light rain parka [you can pack
this if you purchase a camping parka that folds up small] and/or
neoprene jacket or shell if you have one.
- sunglasses and/or hat
Keep in mind that it's easier to disrobe on the plane or in the
airport than it will be to pack a bulky sweater. bring along one or
two smallish plastic bags [like grocery store bags] to deal with both
hanging onto extra clothes as well as a place to put wet or dirty
clothes to keep them from the rest of your gear. You can also use
plastic bags for sticking your feet inside on very rainy days to keep
your socks and feet dry.
For the purposes of your trip, consider that you can rinse out your
clothes at night and have them dry by day. Bringing along a set of
sleep clothes [light cotton shorts or pants and a light cotton shirt
or pajama top] that can double as backup clothes in case of
emergencies is a smart choice. Keep them in a plastic bag and they
will be dry in case of a rainshower. You didn't mention if you were
bringing a sleeping bag, if so, you can put your PJs inside it which
ensures that you will have them when you need them [bedtime]. Also
with a sleeping bag, put the bag itself inside a plastic bag if you do
not have a waterproof sleeping bag stuff sack.
So, limits of clothing have a bit to do with personal tastes, but I'd
recommend one additional t-shirt, a pair of lightweight shorts, two
pairs of socks [one light, one heavy], an additional pair of
underwear, one pair of leggings, and a lightweight pair of pants to go
with your jeans that you will be wearing. So, your total clothes,
including what you will be wearing, looks like this:
*** clothing items ***
2 t-shirts
1 undershirt
2 pairs underwear
3 pair socks
2 pair pants, one light, one heavy
1 pair long underwear [polypro.] tops and bottoms
1 heavy sweater
1 rain poncho
1 jacket or shell
1 cotton button-up shirt
1 long sleeved cotton short
1 pair hiking boots
1 pair walking shoes [tevas, sneakers]
optional: slippers or night shoes
optional: one light sleeping outfit
optional: bathing suit
*** non clothing items ***
if you are travelling with someone else, you just need to make sure
you have these items covered between the two of you
-- knife
-- first aid stuff [minumum: band aids, antibiotic ointment, aspirin,
alchohol wipes, safety pins, tape, bug goop. more info is here:
http://www.camp-a-roo.com/firstaid.shtml ]
-- headlamp -- often brighter than a flashlight and smaller as well,
more directed light. two headlamps for two people and you caneven read
at night
-- spare pair of glasses if you have a prescription
-- any prescription medication you may need, put in smaller bottle for
easier travelling
-- hair ties, extra rubberbands are great for sealing food
containers/bags, or a bandana
-- wristwatch
-- compass
-- matches or a lighter or both [waterproof container for matches]
-- sunscreeen and lip balm with sunscreen
-- something to drink and/or eat out of [travel mugs are great, hard
to spill and attach to the outside of a bag easily]
-- water bottle, collapsible is best for travelling light
-- zip lock bags for food or anything you don't want to get sand in
[glasses, etc]
-- clothes pins for hanging wet clothes up
-- travel towel [small!]
-- all purpose soap [laundry, hair, face, body, teeth]
-- toilet paper
-- CAN OPENER [most forgotten item!]
-- bungee cords for attaching stuff
-- toothbrush
-- food [this is up to you and your companion, I assume since you did
not mention it that you will deal with this when you arrive, if you
need food advice, please submit clarifying information]
optional: book [bring one that can be smushed and if you are truly
hardcore, you can rip the pages out as you go and use them for
kindling]
optional: birth control
optional: bird or star chart
optional: camera/film
optional: extra batteries
optional: hair comb
optional: deodorant, travel size
optional: small pillow [inflatable]
*** no-nos -- things you do not need ***
-- anything in its original packaging [unpack medicines, just
purchased stuff, -- don't bring full tubes of toothpaste]
-- jewelry
-- make-up
-- different cleaners for different things [no shampoo, soap & dish
soap, bring one for all Dr Bronners in a squeeze bottle is great for
camping and smells great http://www.drbronner.com/main.html ]
-- towel [bring a chamois cloth for drying off, they dry fast and pack
light]
-- your wallet. make sure you have essentials like money, a bank card,
credit card, health insurance card, and identification. leave your
video card, library card, receipts and whatnot at home
The best thing to remember is that camping is not supposed to be like
the rest of your life. Grooming standards are relaxed, clothes get
dirty. Food is more critical but looks are not. Clothes can be
cleaned. Them ost important thing is that you are prepared for
eventualities so you do not get too hot or cold, too wet, or too bored
and hate the whole event. I think this list should get you started.
Have a good time.
jessamyn-ga
*** some sites I used for this advice ***
backpackers guide to travelling light
http://bptravel.tripod.com/eqpligh.htm
The Necessary Packing List
http://www.camp-a-roo.com/litelist.shtml
Fodor's how to pack
http://www.fodors.com/traveltips/packing/
google searches used
camping trip essentials
://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&querytime=MBg6B&q=camping+trip+essentials
packing light camping
://www.google.com/search?num=30&hl=en&safe=off&q=packing+light+camping
camping trip essentials "travelling light"
://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&querytime=0WNW&q=camping+trip+essentials+%22travelling+light%22 |
