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Some Notes on Gear (NEW!)

Since my camping stuff has really gotten to be the most popular section on my site, I figure I should probably go ahead and add a new page that goes even further into detail about gear. I'm sure you veterans and purists have your own takes on what constitutes as necessary and vital information, but this is coming from me, so let's go with that, m'kay?

Let's talk about tents for a minute. What makes a good tent? Well, a tent is supposed to serve the purpose of providing shelter, but there is so much more to it than that. When I look at a tent, I'm not only looking for something to keep the elements off me, but I'm also looking for some creature comforts. I like tents I can stand up in, especially when I go to get dressed in the morning. So while domes are perfectly fine, and yes, I own one as both a storage room and an overnight stay, I always go for the oldschool models that require fighting with poles of various lengths. I also like the ones that have room dividers, preferrably with separate entrances, so that I can get dressed in an area where my covenmate, friend or family member doesn't have to see me squeeze into a too-tight pair of jeans ;) Those separate entrances have the extra bonus of allowing me to only disturb half my posse with a late night run to the privies!

Now the other important thing I look for in a tent is how many people it's supposed to sleep. If the box says "Sleeps 5-6", I count on that really being no more than three. Sure, you can cram that many people in there, especially if they're kids, but for the rest of us... not so much. I don't like walking all over people (and their bedding) just to get out, and I also try to avoid sleeping right on top of a tent wall. Moisture will collect on those walls from your warm body being up against it, which will make you wet and miserable. That, and you really have to keep in mind those walls are made of stitched canvas or nylon; water can and will get through that if provoked ;)

The third thing I really look for is not so much name brand as the frills, since I'm not planning on sleeping in an Artic zone in winter anytime soon. I want as many windows as possible, not only to have a view, but to get some friggin air in there! The one I have now sleeps 5-6, has that divider and also has windows everywhere, even up on top! On a warm summer's night, I can have all the windows unzipped, allowing in a cool breeze and a view of the stars. I live in a big city, so I never see stars! There's a clear tarp that goes over the tent in case of a suden burst of rain, but when I'm fairly certain that won't happen, I leave it off.

The next thing to chat about is bedding. What should you bring? Unless you don't mind the cold, hard ground, you're going to want to bring more than the sleeping bag you've had since you were a kid. Sleeping bags come in all shapes and sizes, as well as geared toward all types of weather. While I do own some sleeping bags, I tend to shun them now in favor of actual comforters and bed sheets. Why? Because I like air mattresses, and I like feeling more like I'm at home. Keep in mind, air mattresses can and will spring a leak, so keeping a patch kit on hand ain't such a bad idea. But, if you really dig sleeping bags, go for the rectangular kind that can be completely unzipped and zipped together to another one. That way, if you want to sleep with someone else, the two of you can cmfortably snuggle together.

So now that you have your sleeping arrangements taken care of (shelter), you need to look at your second basic necessity: clothing. Even if it's the middle of August, you need to pack clothes for 30F nights, such as jeans, warm socks, long sleeved shirts, hoodies and knit hats. (Extra socks are always a good thing, especially if you bag them up beforehand. You never know where moisture will rear its ugly head!) You'll also want to bring at least one thin, long-sleeved shirt for dusk when the mosquitoes come out. Deet is great stuff, though not the most Earth-friendly, but even the most vigilent applicant will miss a spot. Just remember to bring some laundry detergent with you, because hand washing takes up less room in your trunk than piles of clothes... even if you use vacuum bags! (And on that notion, remember to bring a line and some clothes pins, too!) Oh, and sarongs and wraps are always great for super hot days!

So all that's left of the Big Three is the food aspect. This is one area I've covered fairly well (LOL), so let's just chat about the gear outside the kitchen setup. You'll need light to see what you're doing at night, but not so close as to bring the bugs into the pot. You'll also need something to prepare your food on, and quite frankly, the ground just doesn't cut it for me. So if you're tight on space but can spare a little, even a folding card table will do, if where you're going doesn't provide a picnic table at your spot, of course.

As far as what to cook on, that can be as simple or as elaborate as you can muster. If you plan on only cooking over an open fire, then you will need three things: something to hold back the flames, a frying pan and a pot. A small shovel is good for digging out a pit, but if you don't have any rocks on hand, you're going to dig pretty deep. And even with rocks and a covered grill, you need to stay on top of that fire at all times, because the roots in the ground can catch on fire, an ember can float onto your tent, and your drapy sleeves can get scorched, too! The pots and pans you bring for the fire should be camping grade, cast iron if you can swing it. And yeah, your utensils should be melt-proof too and barbecue length, unless your stuff is made with Teflon. If that's the case, keep that stuff away from the fire as much as possible! Oh, and whether you go with propane (and propane accessories! A-yep. Yep. Yip. Mmm hmmm.) or wood/charcoal, bring potholders or thick kitchen towels! A fire extinguisher, extra water and/or a bucket or sand aren't bad ideas, either.

Beyond that, everything pretty much else is a creature comfort. Basic knowledge of the outdoors, first aid treatment and good old fashioned common sense are what you need. (Y'know, like keeping hydrated and preventing sunburns!) Take with you what you cannot do without, including everything you regularly use in your medicine cabinet. Pack all that up together in a bathroom kit, including first aid supplies, as well as bug spray and sunscreen. I wear powder foundation that provides sunscreen protection (you've seen the commercials), so I count that as a double bonus for looking so damn fine ;) Besides chairs, I usually bring my foldout scissor-style cot, since it has a dual purpose of being like a couch for putting my shoes on in the morning, though I leave it behind if space is a real issue. I also like lots of light, perhaps too much for some, and oh my yes, shade. If you don't have an outdoor tent (like a vendor's tent), even a tarp tied to some branches will work.

I'm sure there's even more details I could ramble about, but that's really about all I can come up with for the moment. I'm sure something else will come along soon enough!

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