An extended camping trip – camping trips of more than a two or three-day weekend – can require a number of items that might not be a consideration on a shorter camping trip, or which gain a new level of importance after a few days.
Have Enough Water and Food for the Camping Trip
A sufficient supply of water is always important during a camping trip, but grows increasingly so after two to three days. It is very important to stay properly hydrated in order to enjoy the entire camping experience. A good rule of thumb is at least a gallon of water, per person, per day; this of course increases if the weather is very hot or very dry. Do not count on water being available unless you are positive it will be clean and accessible.
Gatorade or similar "sports" drinks can also be beneficial during extended camping trips, to keep electrolyte levels up.
Just as insufficient water will make an extended camping trip gradually less and less enjoyable, so too will shorting on food. Foods to cook or grill are all well and good, and necessary, but be sure to bring 'simple' food as well: trail mix, beef jerky, granola bars, pre-cooked hardboiled eggs (just put them back in the carton still in the shells and keep them in a cooler), sandwich fixings, etc.
Have an Ample Supply of Dry Things
Taking several towels, carefully folded and sealed in gallon Ziploc bags, is definitely a good idea, even if there's no rain in the forecast. Mother Nature can be surprising, and weather aside, you never know what accidents might happen.
Extra underwear and socks, and perhaps even a complete change of clothes, similarly sealed in a waterproof container like a Ziploc bag, are also good ideas.
Make the Campsite Comfortable
No one is going to enjoy an extended camping trip if they are miserable and uncomfortable the entire time. Be sure to have enough clothes and blankets to stay warm, folding camping chairs and/or cushions to sit on, and a comfortable place to sleep. What is considered comfortable will vary from one person to the next, but it is important to find that comfort level and be sure to meet it.
In with this, is be sure to have sufficient lighting. If it becomes necessary to wander away from the campfire at night, no one wants to do so stumbling around in the dark, particularly if it is in the wilderness with the potential of running into unpleasant animals.
Bring Extra Camping Gear
If it is feasible, always try to bring extras of important items. In addition, store the extras separately from the originals, in case something happens to the first one.
Some of the items it is best to have backups of (or just to have in the first place!):
- batteries (for camping lanterns, air pumps, etc.)
- clothes
- tarps (emergency tent weatherproofing, among other things)
- bungees
- insect repellent
- trash bags
- duct tape
- utensils, especially a knife
- lighters, or better yet, matches
- string/rope
- maps (if applicable).
Get Enough Rest and Don't Overdo It
It is tempting to cram days full of various activities while on an extended camping trip, but resist the temptation. There's plenty of time for everything in an extended camping trip, and if one rushes to try and do it all at once, what will end up happening is an early crash that will prevent actually doing everything desired.
Don't forget to take care of these basics to be able to get the most out of any camping vacation.
CAM101
Genevieve Kiger - Genevieve is passionate about all manner of natural subjects; herbs, herbalism, aromatherapy, and general natural health and body care.
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