What beginners need on a camping trip: extensive first time camping checklist

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First time camping

Almost everyone has ever had to go on a first time camping trip and previously solved the problem of what to take with you. Traveling to the woods or the mountains is a great hobby that millions of people around the world have. However, in order for such an event to not bring you a lot of inconvenience and threat to life and health, it is worth being thoroughly prepared for it.

During the camping trip, your equipment and other useful things that you choose to take with you are especially important. Without such essentials, your trip can turn into pure torture. To avoid this outcome, you should compile in advance a checklist of everything you should bring in advance. 

Necessary equipment

The multi-day hike in the wilderness requires special preparation. You will need special clothes, a set of food, medical kit, etc. It is better for beginners to prepare a first time camping checklist, so that they can get ready to hike quickly and comfortably.

Hikers who choose a multi-day itinerary always take with them:

• a tent;
• a burner;
• a kettle;
• a repair kit;
• a strong rope;
• a map of the area.

The tent is the main shelter for travelers, as well as a place to sleep. That is why there are many requirements for such an accessory. The tent cover should reliably protect travelers from water and wind. A good tent will ensure your comfort and independence from the weather.

Today, teepee tents are becoming increasingly popular among tourists. Some modern models of tents are real houses, which are spacious and comfortable. They are made of durable material, supplemented with high-quality water-resistant impregnation. Lovers of solitary travel can find products for themselves with a smaller capacity.

Swedish Tentipi is the most common brand of tent shelters for hikers today. Since 1989, many variations of cone tents of different sizes and configurations have been produced under this brand. All of them, as well as many other hiking accessories are presented today in the catalog of their online store.

You should choose a tent taking into account the functions it has. It is desirable that it has an optimal weight. A lightweight product will not require too much effort during the journey. A good tent always has a waterproof layer as well as a mosquito net.

Another necessary item on your first time camping checklist should be a gas or gasoline burner. Even if you plan to make a fire, you may still need it. For example, when it rains, if the wood dries out.

You need a wok to cook food on fire. It's also good for boiling water if you suddenly want to warm up with tea or coffee. A standard set of repair tools will help you to fix a suddenly broken thing during the hike.

Lovers of mountain travel should definitely take a special rope. Rope length up to 10 meters and width of 6 millimeters may come in handy even if you expect to be on the most ordinary hike. 

It is difficult to imagine any multi-day hiking route in an unfamiliar terrain without a compass and a map. These items have always been part of the first time camping checklist. However, today you can replace the paper chart with an electronic version of the map downloaded to your smartphone. However, in order to do this, the places you want to visit must have good communication and navigation.

A set of personal items

In addition to items and accessories designed for the entire camping group, each traveler should have their own individual set of things. This category of the first time camping checklist usually includes:

• backpack;
• sleeping bag;
• karemat;
• utensil set;
• matches;
• plastic bottles with water for drinking and household needs;
• items of personal hygiene;
• first-aid kit.

The backpack should be chosen based on the duration of your trip, as well as the season and weather. It should easily hold all your things, except for a karemat.

A sleeping bag is an important part of the first time camping checklist. It should be as comfortable as possible. These products are always designed for a certain temperature. There is a maximum, minimum and comfort temperature for each sleeping bag. You should always focus on the "comfort" value. It is necessary to pay attention to the material of the top and the filling of the sleeping bag. It is also very important to consider how much it weighs, because it affects its cost.

Karemat is a soft mat, which is placed under the sleeping bag, so that campers do not have to lie on the damp, cold ground. Today traditional one- or two-layer, rolled-up karemats are most commonly sold. The inflatable rug is less expensive, but it has a small size, and therefore it is more convenient.

The utensil set on your first time camping checklist should include metal bowls and mugs. Such material ensures their durability, as well as resistance to fire. The spoons should be made of aluminum. In addition, you can use a folding spoon fork specially designed for tourism. First time camping checklist of personal care items usually contains a towel, toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving kit and other things.

What should you put in the first aid kit?

A must-have in any hike is a first-aid kit. It is equally necessary for individual tourists and groups. The list of necessary medical supplies should be based on the number of participants and the duration of the activity. Medicines should be stored in a separate bag or container, also putting there a complete list of all drugs taken in the hike. You should add the rules for taking each medicine to the first time camping checklist, as well as consider what cases you may need it for. This will help you not to get confused and choose the right medicine.

Any camping first aid kit should include first aid items:

1. Bandaging supplies.
2. Common and bactericidal plaster.
3. Brilliant green or iodine.
4. Hydrogen peroxide.
5. Flexible bandage.
6. Drugs against high fever.
7. Antimicrobial agents.
8. Drugs against gastrointestinal disorders.
9. Medications for pain and allergies.
10. Sunscreens.
11. Means against insect bites.

In terms of safety, a first-aid kit should be in the backpack of every tourist. It must be put in a conspicuous place to avoid long searches.

Clothing for the trip

The multi-day trip to the nature cannot be successful if you do not take special comfortable clothes with you. That's why it's important to include them in your first time camping checklist. When it's cold, several thin closet items are a much better option than one piece of dense fabric. Clothes made of synthetics in this case will be more practical than accessories made of natural materials, which comfortable in everyday life. All parts of your clothing should be packed in separate bags in order to protect them from precipitation and moisture. The first time camping checklist must include the following clothes:

1. A hat or cap. This latter will come in handy in the hot summer. You will need a warm hat during the cold season.
2. A jacket will save you from the piercing wind and light rain. The best choice for a hike is a product with a hood. It is important that the jacket is made of light waterproof material. 
3. Raincoat poncho is necessary as an additional means against heavy rain. Many people prefer to replace it with a regular waterproof jacket or polyethylene raincoat.
4. Sweater. Even in the summer, this item can come in handy on chilly mornings. It is recommended to carry one warm sweater of fleece or wool, as well as a product of thinner material. 
5. You will need at least two pairs of T-shirts for the expedition. One is for daytime wear, the other is for the night. It is better if the day shirt is based on synthetic material. This material is more efficient than cotton to wick away sweat, and also dries faster.
6. Pants. You will also need at least two pairs. You should wear the first one during the day, and the second one should beused for sleep. Daytime transitions should be done in cotton or synthetic pants. At night you should wear pants made of warm fleece material. Jeans are not an option for hiking, as they are quite heavy and take a long time to dry out if wet.
7. A set of socks should consist of two pairs of hiking socks and one or two pairs of wool socks for the night.

The best footwear for hiking in the mountains will be trekking boots with a sturdy base and stiff sole. They will give the foot stability on any rough terrain. It is desirable that the leather is impermeable to water.

The first time camping checklist can include sneakers in addition to boots. They must be made of durable material with a rigid sole. You should have a change of footwear for use during camping trips. These can be lightweight trainers or flip-flops.

The main thing in hiking boots is comfort while wearing them. Therefore, it is very good if you have been wearing the sneakers or boots you choose for the camping trip for a long time. The newly bought products should be worn for a while Just one or two walks should be to give your feet the opportunity to adapt.

Food during a hiking trip

So that you don't lose your strength during a long hike, it's worth taking a hearty meal with you. First of all, you will need carbohydrate foods. This part of the first time camping checklist may include:

• rice;
• buckwheat;
• pearl barley or corn grits;
• pasta, etc.

It is better to take less meat. It should be jerky, dried or canned. Vacuum-packed smoked sausages are suitable. It is better to eat meat not more than once every few days. Do not bring any dairy products, as they will quickly go bad.

Dry or already cooked pulses and dried vegetables should be included in your first time camping checklist. You should not refuse nuts, dried fruit, and store-bought mushrooms. Dark chocolate is a great treat during the trip. It will quickly rid you of hunger, as well as replenish energy resources.