Camping?

[Hulley]

I know this sounds like a hilariously dumb question, but I have not been camping since I was a kid and would like to get back to it.

How do I/you go camping?

Do you guys find camp sites where you want to go? Or public land, find a spot and say "this looks good"! Or what?

You guys have a purpose, i.e. fishing, hiking trails, race track, get the hell out of Dodge, etc?

You make a check list of stuff to bring? Can you post some examples?

I love being outside and for the life of me cant figure out why I have waited so long to get back into camping/hiking, life happens I guess. I'm actually working out a deal on a Triumph Tiger 800XC so i can do some adventure riding and traveling on my bike, wife has no desire to travel by bike, but she will!

Basically if someone said to me, "lets go camping right now" I have no idea what to do or where to go! I know, I'm a dumbass....

Please give me some guidance, also I'm in North Georgia, very close to the S.C. border off of I85.

 

[aha2988]

I know this sounds like a hilariously dumb question, but I have not been camping since I was a kid and would like to get back to it.

How do I/you go camping?

Do you guys find camp sites where you want to go? Or public land, find a spot and say "this looks good"! Or what?

You guys have a purpose, i.e. fishing, hiking trails, race track, get the hell out of Dodge, etc?

You make a check list of stuff to bring? Can you post some examples?

I love being outside and for the life of me cant figure out why I have waited so long to get back into camping/hiking, life happens I guess. I'm actually working out a deal on a Triumph Tiger 800XC so i can do some adventure riding and traveling on my bike, wife has no desire to travel by bike, but she will!

Basically if someone said to me, "lets go camping right now" I have no idea what to do or where to go! I know, I'm a dumbass....

Please give me some guidance, also I'm in North Georgia, very close to the S.C. border off of I85.

well your right at the base of the Appalachian mountains. the Appalachian trail itself stretches from Georgia to Main and has always been a lot of east coast hikers dream to hike the entire trail. While thats about a 6-8 month hike there are lots of loops trails that loop on and off the AT into state and national parks. You can search around northern georgia, western south carolina and mid to west north carolina for endless amounts of trails. you have the great smokey mountains in cherokee, you have linville gorge in the pisga national forest in mid to western NC. all the way to the Adirondack mountains up north (beautiful area!)

What i do typically is find a state park such as grayson highlands that is located inside a national forest (grayson highlands is located inside of the Thomas Jefferson national forest which is in virginia/west virgina) You can typically park at a state park for a small fee of a couple dollars and then hike off of the state park land to make camp in the national forest area for free.

I typically go with a couple friends and we try to plan out at least a park location to head towards (sometimes we just pack our shit and hit the road and see how far we feel like driving it's kind of a cool feeling knowing you have everything you need to survive right in a back pack). On the road trip there we'll typically have multiple maps and plan out a "course of action" so to say to figure okay here are our check points we need to be at at certain times to complete the trail in time or to allow for fun at the camp site in the evening or just "look we're going to need at least 12 hours to rest after this stretch of terrain to make it through the next section of trail" depending difficulty and elevation change over short distances..

That would be my typical back packing adventure, I also go drive in camping next to lakes and rivers for boating or kayaking. whenever you camped next to your car you can basically bring whatever you want to not go without for the duration of the trip (yeah they even make fold up kitchen sinks now lol)

However, for back packing I'll give a shot at listing all the required. I'm not going to list of brand names or where to purchase because some of the items can be made, or bought used or multiple people make the same thing so it doesnt matter. However i purchase most of my equipment at REI.

for back backing I typically need on the trail:
Shelter (tent, hammock, tarp, whatever your heart desires main thing is keep the weight down)
sleeping insulation (blanket, sleeping bag, leaves, air pad, roll up pad, there are lots of options again weight is key)
Head lamp (way better than holding a heavy mag light)
at least one dry change of clothes
good hiking boots
a way to collect fallen wood (they make fold up bow saws, cord/chain pull saws, fold out knife looking saws etc.)
A way to ignite the wood (fire starters, lighters, two sticks rubbed together)
Water containment (haven't found anything better than nalgene bottles or camel backs I typically carry about 5 liters)
water filtration and purification ( they make hand pump filters to pull from natural springs, as well as purification tablets to insure no viruses or bacteria is digested)
Then ofcourse food.

with food you have many options I personally stick to items that can cook in boiling water. but I've also carried cans of ravioli on the trail to lol its basicly whatever your willing to carry and capable of cooking. They make small propane powered stoves as well as white gas stoves (white gas is used in high high elevation where temperatures are cold enough for propane stoves to freeze)
Also you'll need a way to eat the food, plastic fork, or sporks, (light my fire has a really cheap awesome spoon/knife/fork that works really well) GSI makes a lot of really light weight cook wear and things to eat out of even light weight french press's to make coffee lol

The options with camping are endless and I could type all day about whats available. Sometimes the best way to find a good place is to ask a local scout hut where they venture to on there excursions, purchase a national geographic or ranger map of the area and plan a trip (maybe bring some scouts with you to show you the ropes again lol)

first aid kit is always a plus, and you always want to check in with a local ranger to let them know when your arriving and when you plan to be back so if the worst happens at least they know where to start looking.

hope I've answered a good bit of your questions and if there's any thing else in particular you have questions about I'm all ears.

 

[Hulley]

Thanks aha2988, that is a huge help! I never camped here in Georgia. I used to live in Michigan and Florida and camped a good bit but as a kid my parents brought everything! I would love to camp near water so i can fish and catch some food, of course I'd bring plenty of cliff bars!

I already have some camel backs (used to MTB and used when riding motorcycles) and couple of good back packs so it looks like I need to get shelter/fire/water lined up. I'm gonna go buy my local REI and poke my head around to see what I can find, I imagine they have maps and routes lined up already.

Anything particular to look for in a tent and sleeping bag?

 

[aha2988]

Thanks aha2988, that is a huge help! I never camped here in Georgia. I used to live in Michigan and Florida and camped a good bit but as a kid my parents brought everything! I would love to camp near water so i can fish and catch some food, of course I'd bring plenty of cliff bars!

I already have some camel backs (used to MTB and used when riding motorcycles) and couple of good back packs so it looks like I need to get shelter/fire/water lined up. I'm gonna go buy my local REI and poke my head around to see what I can find, I imagine they have maps and routes lined up already.

Anything particular to look for in a tent and sleeping bag?

For a sleeping bag I've found a good 20 degree rated bag is sufficient for a three season sleeping bag (our regional area) in the winter months I carry a 0 degree bag. I also typically carry a fleece blanket and a silk sleeping bag liner. I can add the blanket and the liner to the 20 degree bag and drop the survival temp down 10-15 degrees and not sacrifice all the weight of the zero degree bags. Also unless you can't live without goose feather bags there not quite worth the money the synthetics are just as good and are much easier to replace if torn or damaged. For back packing find one that comes with a stuff sack that has straps on the sack to compress the sleeping bag down to around the size of a basket ball. (unless you have an external frame pack. The external frame packs typically store the sleeping bags rolled up tied to the rear bottom of the back, where as internal frame packs have a pocket in that area specifically for a compression sack sleeping bag setup.

For a tent or shelter I highly recommend going with a hammock setup by ENO Eagles Nest Outfitters Inc. - Hammocks and Hammock Sleeping Systems - Rain, Cold and Insect Protection. They have single double person's sizes (but i wouldnt really sleep more than one to a hammock the doublenest is nice because you can wrap yourself up in it where the single nest whatever side of you is facing up is in the open) I recommend these over tents because of weight, comfort, and versatility. You never have to find flat ground with a hammock just two trees, or a trailer hitch and a tree, or two rocks. As well you can set them up to either lay flat or somewhat recline you with your feet and kicked up an your shoulder leaned back. I can't say there warm though, in the cooler months the cold air underneath the hammock leaves you with cold extremities (whatever body part is resting on the bottom of the hammock is air conditioned basicly lol cold butt cheeks and toes lol) I've found I can hunker the hammock down low to the ground where the rain fly is about 2 feet off the ground and stay warm but it's a hassle getting in an out of. But for the warmer months there awesome.

The hammocks are great for just sheltering yourself but if you have a partner come along that doesn't have their own shelter then a tent is kind of irreplaceable. For tents I recommend any of the REI brand tents that you like.In fact there really isn't a bad brand of tent. Mainly just look for weight you want to keep that low because you'll be carrying it. As well as look for the foot print size. If your a 6 foot guy you wouldn't be comfy in a 4 foot by 4 foot tent. As well you want to consider you'll have some gear in the tent with you keeping it dry. Basically you want to max out your space and minimize your weight with a tent its a balance.

In addition to a tent or hammock setup on weekends it may get rainy I'll carry a small 8 x 10 tarp to string up in the trees around the camp sight. It gives anyone in the group a place to hang out an socialize while eating or waiting out the storm. Here's some picks of the setups I've ran and some places I like around our region...

Tent setup for cold weather:


Tent/ Tarp setup for rainy weekend:


Hammock setup mild weather:


Cooking supplies and water bottles.. and snow lol it was cold that weekend for sure:



Linville gorge: awesome place to see in the fall!


Top of wilburn ridge at Grayson Highlands state park lol thats me drinking water during the picture:


My cousin raising the sun at thomas jefferson national forest:



Me and a Hangout setup

 

[aha2988]

I can also recommend a good set of camp shoes like croc's or flip flops or sandles of some kind that can clip on to your back pack. it's nice to dry the boots out and walk on soft rubber at the camp site.

Oh and yeah REI has maps of every trail out there pretty much. They also setup excursions with groups but they cost a good bit of money. Also just about all the REI employees can suggest good purchases.

With all that said though I recommend the most of finding the items you want or need at REI and kind of play with them in the store to make sure you like it. Then search the internet for the cheapest price I've saved hundreds doing that. As well as if you plan to make a lot of purchases at REI and plan to make this a continuous hobby get an REI membership its only 20 bucks and you get 10% back dividends for what you spend annually. I got 50 bucks back and a lot of those purchases were gifts from family I just told them to put it on my REI membership card lol. As well with the membership If you purchase something and it breaks on the trail or doesn't quite do what you want or doesn't please you in any way REI will refund and take the product back for any member. Basically you can go in there purchase a thousand dollar bike ride it for a year and take it back no questions asked as a member. I've gotten two free pairs of hiking boots after the toes of the boots I purchased wore out within a years time, one time the particular pair of boots I bought ripped on the first trail run catching a rock.

 

[Hulley]

aha2988, I really can not thank you enough for the help. You've given me good directions and really simplified a few things for me. I will go by REI this weekend and get a move on things. Kinda weird, I have an incredible urge to get back out in the woods, probably because its so peacful, I also plan to bow hunt next season and I'm sure the camping/hiking will come into plan.

Thanks
Steve

 

[aha2988]

aha2988, I really can not thank you enough for the help. You've given me good directions and really simplified a few things for me. I will go by REI this weekend and get a move on things. Kinda weird, I have an incredible urge to get back out in the woods, probably because its so peacful, I also plan to bow hunt next season and I'm sure the camping/hiking will come into plan.

Thanks
Steve

no prob, talking about it an looking up those photo's has me itching to go now haha. I had plans to go twice this year already but they got cancled due to class projects. tomorrows the end of exam week for me so hopefully I can make like a fetus and head out soon!

 

[Offroader5]

I don't do much backpacking, the only backpacking I do is more "hiking" with a pack, but it's never overnight...just day hikes.

I'm single and have no kids. That said, when I'm camping, it's out of a vehicle (the Runner). I have a roof top tent that I use in lieu of a ground tent and a Kelty shelter that I use as an awning beside the vehicle. I also have a hammock that I made out of paracord that I have in my Runner at all times along with the rest of the daily carry type stuff. The hammock is nice if you want to lounge around at camp and read or something without having to sit in an uncomfortable chair for a long period of time, but I have never slept in it. Not that I wouldn't, just that I use the roof top. The hammock is nice to have in the vehicle all the time so that if you're out in the wilderness and NOT camping, you still have the hammock for emergencies or just to take out and be lazy.

I have nothing against camping in large groups, but I go camping all the time by myself because it's peaceful. I have a LOT of friends that are the expedition type campers/travelers who sometimes spend very long periods of time living self sufficient out of their vehicle in various countries. I myself don't really do much of that, but being that those are the type of people I know and hang with, I tend to camp much the same way. Also, I can't remember the last time I camped in a designated "campsite" or "campground". I like to find those out of the way spots, and with the Runner...I can get to places no one with passenger cars can go and sometimes even people with high clearance vehicles still don't want to go/risk.

What to take and what not to take has a lot to do with how comfortable you want to be and how long you intend to be off the beaten path. I don't like taking a lot of stuff because it's just more to deal with when loading/unloading. Plus, the more you take, the less room you have in the vehicle and the more it weighs. One of the items I'd have a very hard time giving up is my fridge. I'd never go back to using a cooler with ice...never. When I find the extra cash and time to do it, I want to build a camping trailer that I can put all the items I could need for camping and also mount the roof top tent onto so I don't have to keep putting it on and taking it off for a camping trip. You'd have everything you need for camping in one trailer and all you do is back up, hitch up, and hit the road. On board, it would have water storage, propane tank, fold out tables, storage drawers, portable shower, extra battery, hold extra fuel, and the tires/wheels would be of the same variety that fit the Runner so if needed, you have two spares.

My next big trip is going to be a week camping and moving around the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Different camp spot every night. That's one great thing about the roof top tents. Mine only takes 5 minutes to be ready to sleep in and only a bit longer to fold away and be on the road. You pay for that luxury though.

 

[Hulley]

I don't do much backpacking, the only backpacking I do is more "hiking" with a pack, but it's never overnight...just day hikes.

I'm single and have no kids. That said, when I'm camping, it's out of a vehicle (the Runner). I have a roof top tent that I use in lieu of a ground tent and a Kelty shelter that I use as an awning beside the vehicle. I also have a hammock that I made out of paracord that I have in my Runner at all times along with the rest of the daily carry type stuff. The hammock is nice if you want to lounge around at camp and read or something without having to sit in an uncomfortable chair for a long period of time, but I have never slept in it. Not that I wouldn't, just that I use the roof top. The hammock is nice to have in the vehicle all the time so that if you're out in the wilderness and NOT camping, you still have the hammock for emergencies or just to take out and be lazy.

I have nothing against camping in large groups, but I go camping all the time by myself because it's peaceful. I have a LOT of friends that are the expedition type campers/travelers who sometimes spend very long periods of time living self sufficient out of their vehicle in various countries. I myself don't really do much of that, but being that those are the type of people I know and hang with, I tend to camp much the same way. Also, I can't remember the last time I camped in a designated "campsite" or "campground". I like to find those out of the way spots, and with the Runner...I can get to places no one with passenger cars can go and sometimes even people with high clearance vehicles still don't want to go/risk.

What to take and what not to take has a lot to do with how comfortable you want to be and how long you intend to be off the beaten path. I don't like taking a lot of stuff because it's just more to deal with when loading/unloading. Plus, the more you take, the less room you have in the vehicle and the more it weighs. One of the items I'd have a very hard time giving up is my fridge. I'd never go back to using a cooler with ice...never. When I find the extra cash and time to do it, I want to build a camping trailer that I can put all the items I could need for camping and also mount the roof top tent onto so I don't have to keep putting it on and taking it off for a camping trip. You'd have everything you need for camping in one trailer and all you do is back up, hitch up, and hit the road. On board, it would have water storage, propane tank, fold out tables, storage drawers, portable shower, extra battery, hold extra fuel, and the tires/wheels would be of the same variety that fit the Runner so if needed, you have two spares.

My next big trip is going to be a week camping and moving around the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Different camp spot every night. That's one great thing about the roof top tents. Mine only takes 5 minutes to be ready to sleep in and only a bit longer to fold away and be on the road. You pay for that luxury though.

Sounds like a cool set-up you got. I too was thinking about utilizing my 4runner as my shelter. I really like the idea of a small camping trailer that I could have ready to go when ever I feel like. I remember seeing the expedition trailers on Extreme 4x4 and thought that would be pretty sweet.

On a positive note, I spoke to a guy last night (on my wifes softball team) and he may be looking for another person to add to his hunting lease, 250 acres about 1.5hrs from me. I could go camping/hunting when ever I feel like! Not sure if there is water on the property or not. But that would be a cool way to get my feet wet.

 

[Offroader5]

Sounds like a cool set-up you got. I too was thinking about utilizing my 4runner as my shelter. I really like the idea of a small camping trailer that I could have ready to go when ever I feel like. I remember seeing the expedition trailers on Extreme 4x4 and thought that would be pretty sweet.

The trailers you can buy are VERY pricey. You're paying for all the R&D and labor since the materials really aren't that expensive. If you have the skill, time, and know-how...building one yourself would be far more cost effective. Materials to build one can be had for a quarter of what the trailer costs pre-built...again, you're doing all the labor (which is more or less "free" right hwell

 

[aha2988]

The trailers you can buy are VERY pricey. You're paying for all the R&D and labor since the materials really aren't that expensive. If you have the skill, time, and know-how...building one yourself would be far more cost effective. Materials to build one can be had for a quarter of what the trailer costs pre-built...again, you're doing all the labor (which is more or less "free" right hwell

also you can find some junk yard specials of trailers that just need a little R&R chop cut an rebuild to what you like for way less.

 

[MtnT4R]

We could probably write a book about what you need/dont need when it comes to the outdoors. I would definitely take Aha's gear list as a great starting point, but the experience itself will tell you everything you need to know. Head out with the gear you have, see how it works, and then start tweaking your own setup from there. I think we have all been through a few nights of freezing our asses off in soggy gear, and adjusted our plan for the next time. All part of the fun.

One thing you should always bring: medical pack. the more extensive the better. When you are more than an hour from definitive medical care(hospital), minor injuries can become a major concern in a hurry. Adventure Medical Kits makes a "weekender" kit that should have everything you need

 

[aha2988]

We could probably write a book about what you need/dont need when it comes to the outdoors. I would definitely take Aha's gear list as a great starting point, but the experience itself will tell you everything you need to know. Head out with the gear you have, see how it works, and then start tweaking your own setup from there. I think we have all been through a few nights of freezing our asses off in soggy gear, and adjusted our plan for the next time. All part of the fun.

One thing you should always bring: medical pack. the more extensive the better. When you are more than an hour from definitive medical care(hospital), minor injuries can become a major concern in a hurry. Adventure Medical Kits makes a "weekender" kit that should have everything you need

lol I remember the first time i headed out to a backpacking trip with some buddies just out of high school. I had an old ass external frame pack with a lap belt the size of a common book bag strap lol. I decided it was a "good Idea" to have (for whatever reason i have no clue) a military style pick ax/shovel, a mag light (apposed to head lamp) and actual ax, way to much food, extra clothes for the wrong weather, and multiple other items that were basically useless and wound up hauling it all for 20 miles. Worst camping experience ever yea but best learning experience haha. Even the tent i brought at like 10 pounds worth of poles was ridiculous.

I went straight to REI to get lighter weight more appropriate gear right away haha

 

[MtnT4R]

lol I remember the first time i headed out to a backpacking trip with some buddies just out of high school.

That cracked me up. I did pretty much the same thing! I went down into the Black Canyon near Gunnison(steepest canyon in the continental US) with very similar gear, two bottles of whiskey, and CANS of soup for food. Basically just the heaviest options for every type of gear I could find, cuz steel is sturdy? I brought a big ass maglight too!ound:

The whiskey and soup were gone on the trip back out, but damn if I wasn't the sorriest idiot in the group. Good experience comes from bad choices, that's for sure. Most of my gear fits in the ultralight category now, because that way, I can still bring all that whisky :cheers:

 

[aha2988]

That cracked me up. I did pretty much the same thing! I went down into the Black Canyon near Gunnison(steepest canyon in the continental US) with very similar gear, two bottles of whiskey, and CANS of soup for food. Basically just the heaviest options for every type of gear I could find, cuz steel is sturdy? I brought a big ass maglight too!ound:

The whiskey and soup were gone on the trip back out, but damn if I wasn't the sorriest idiot in the group. Good experience comes from bad choices, that's for sure. Most of my gear fits in the ultralight category now, because that way, I can still bring all that whisky :cheers:

hahahaha I had a handle of shine to add to my pack that weekend to unfortunately i was to exhausted to even enjoy it lmao! I can put a 24 pack of beer in my pack now with all the other gear i carry currently and it still doesn't weigh up to that crazy adventure

 

[IntoTheVoid]

I have been camping all my life and I also collect vintage camping gear. Lanterns, tents, stoves, Ice chest, you name it, my garage is full.
I also restore old lanterns.

Last week I just took a 1,065 miles camping trip to Eastern Oregon and Northern Nevada. Camped in a tent for three night where the temp ranged 75 in the to 25 degrees at night.
Was out searching for remote hot springs that are not well known and I was rewarded with two remote ones. :second:

I look for the out of the way places. The less people the better.

 

[Offroader5]

Yeah, that arsenic sign really makes me want to soak in the hot spring all day

 

[IntoTheVoid]

Yeah, that arsenic sign really makes me want to soak in the hot spring all day

I found three hot springs but only soaked in two. That is Borax Lake Hot Springs and it's max temp is 300 degrees...I passed on that one.

:flamethrwoer2:

 

[Hulley]

Damn intotheVoid, that must have been an awesome trip! I'm jealous of the Springs, that must have been too cool.
Kinda funny, I'm used to carry a backpack with me most everywhere and I already have a few things I keep in it for just incase. Not like a bug out bag, but like a day hike bag. I've already the mindset of "light and whats necessary". I think its the outdoor guy coming out! :loco:

 

[Offroader5]

Damn intotheVoid, that must have been an awesome trip! I'm jealous of the Springs, that must have been too cool.
Kinda funny, I'm used to carry a backpack with me most everywhere and I already have a few things I keep in it for just incase. Not like a bug out bag, but like a day hike bag. I've already the mindset of "light and whats necessary". I think its the outdoor guy coming out! :loco:

My hiking pack is small and minimalistic. It's simply a hydration pack with a small amount of extra space to stow away emergency items. Holds a first aid kit, fire starting materials, rain poncho, "solar" blanket, nice LED flashlight, an extra Kershaw, one pouch of "just add water" food, and a water filtration straw.

The pack never leaves my Runner. I have it hanging onto the back of the drivers seat so that I can use it for hydration while driving. I've been looking at picking up a 3 liter hydration pack. One that is really JUST a hydration pack with good insulation. This will replace my current pack as the one that hangs on the back of the seat. It would stay there and I'd still use the other pack for hiking.