Camping Tips

We didn't use: spare torch batteries, penknife (boo!), sun cream, spare socks.

I wish we'd taken: ziploc bags for opened food items, a hand mirror so I could have ventured out without looking like an orang-utan, and booze. (We were told not to bring alcohol onto the site but looking at the number of empty bottles in the bins area, it didn't seem that others observed that rule, and maybe I would have slept better). I didn't sleep well. Because there were rats. And very high winds.

We filled up a van with secondhand sofas last time we went. You can get collapsible jobs in Asda for less than a tenner, but they're still a bugger to carry.

Wait a minute. You brought sofas? Now you're talking my language. Sofa Sherpas!

so much for being the nice guy.

i always get a complex about that and if someone spawns in front of me I'll quickly head off without dealing with them, and just try and wait around the corner. obv more often than not they just shoot me in the back.
so much for being the nice guy.

this world is not for me, evidently

It is dirty. It may well be ugly. Its resale value is near zero. But these facts means nothing to a determined practical joker.

So everyone tell me your favorite east coast camping spots - anywhere within a day's drive or so of NYC. I'm looking to plan a long road trip with camping involved. I'm looking for natural beauty and non-overcrowdedness. I'm willing to rought it a bit in exchange, but i'm not a super-experienced camper.

Baby wipes, can't stress importance enough. Baby wipes.

I am also interested in this list. Although maybe more so in places accessible by metro north or Amtrak, or those plus bus and walk or cycle.

http://www.mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_gohiking.htm
http://www.amc-ny.org/
http://www.shorewalkers.org/

the delaware water gap is really nice for close to nyc-ness

Do you have any particular Delaware Water Gap spots you like? My one camping experience there was kind of miserable, even though the hike was nice.

Also I want further away spots - Mass, NH, Vermont, Maine even.

Does anyone have any suggestions for backcountry hiking in the NC/TN area? We'll probably end up just picking a stretch of the Appalachian Trail, unless someone has a better idea?

Seriously on the baby wipes!

We're going camping this weekend, too!

For the benefit of UKers, what are you actually supposed to do if you meet a bear when camping? Is it true that it depends on the type of bear as to what you should do?

You go, "Shoo, bear, shoo!"

Adirondacks--High Peaks region (Keene Valley). Great hiking and camping and killer pie at the Noon Mark Diner.

My friends decided to do a collaborative packing checklist on Google Docs. This is what they've put together for an upcoming two night backpacking trip:

Sleeping Bag
Pillow
Sleeping Pad
Sleeping socks
Sleeping shirt
Tent, Ground cloth, Fly & Poles

Bear bag
Bear bag rope

Camelback
Spare Bladder
Water Filter
Water Filter Body
Empty Nalgene bottle

Compass
Map
GPS
Whistle
Headlamp
Flashlight
Batteries
Camera
Leki poles
Matches
Lighter
Knife
Bowl
Spoon
Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
First aid kit

Toilet Paper <-- THE MOST IMPORTANT FUCKING THING ON THE LIST
Plastic Bags -- Large black and small grocery
Stove
Cooking pot
Fuel bottle
Soap

Warm hat
Shade hat
Bandana
Rain shell
Fleece jacket
Zip-off pants
Spare socks & liners
Spare shirt
Long underwear
Gloves

Day-of bag:
Boots, boot socks, shirt, pants, etc.

Day-after bag:
Clean shirt, shorts, socks, shoes

Wonder who's carrying the cooler and who's pulling the wagon...

Guys, if you are into doughy, cheesy goodness, here is the best camping recipe I have ever come across. Buy some shaved meat such as corned beef, turkey, ham, whatever, and some melty cheese that agrees with it (mozarella is, of course, a classic but you can go as classy or low-brow as you like) and wrap said items in the little Pilsbury/generic crescent rolls. Wrap said roll in foil, leaving extra space inside so that the roll can expand. Cook for a few minutes over the fire, flipping occasionally. They lose their crescent shape but they gain a taste explosion that cannot be beat. I think these are the reason I am going camping twice this year (first time is May 18 in Algonquin Park, hurrah! During 2006's "May 24" we got snowed on.)

Subject: Bears met while camping - what to do
To: ilx UKers
cc: all ilx

What you should do depends a lot on the bear and what it does.

In the contiguous 48 states of the USA almost all bears are black bears. Black bears are generally interested in one thing only: eating. If the situation does not include food, the bear will almost always choose to run or walk away rather than risk an encounter, whether or not you yell at it. However, bears are somewhat curious and have rotten eyesight, so yelling will help the bear to identify you as a human and not some novelty item it should investigate further.

If, however, food is involved theings change. Bears can think of no thing on earth more alluring than human's foodstuffs. If the bear is approaching your food supply, you may wish to yell and throw rocks from a safe distance. This sometimes works. Not often.

Once the bear has already nabbed your food, the bear now considers it to be his food and will act to protect it. In that case, it is best to retire from the affray.

Grizzly bears are another critter altogether. They are alpha hunters and don't frighten easily, unless you have a gun and are loaded for bear. Grizzlies do exactly as they please, when they please and as they please. They rarely attack humans, but that is just a matter of having no particular reason. But that is no protection. They don' really need a reason. Just a whim.

Avoid them, if possible.

wot no brewing equipment in that list? Not even a mug or cup ? Madness

I think I can carry a french press, a bottle of whiskey, a beer stein and a couple growlers and still be lighter than these jacklegs.

They've added: mug, brillo pad, deck of cards, and pot holder.

But apparently this is a general checklist for future reference, like the bazillion others online. We're not necessarily taking all of this stuff this trip. Still...

pot holder is probably more important than 1/2 the stuff on the list

where's the trowel?

I have to wonder, if you come across a grizzly in the forest, with your gun - how does the bear know what you've got loaded?

It knows when it becomes either enraged or dead.

This might be a dumb question, but if you camp at a campground and go off for a hike, what's to stop someone from making off with your tent?

I'm sorry but this has me roffling: I can just picture some dude dragging your tent. "Hurry, he's seen us! RUN"

Apart from that: Blairwitch Project nuff said.

wet wipes!

Might I suggest this awesome tent:

http://www.campist.com/archives/treetents-camping-tent-by-dre-wapenaar.jpg

Q: This might be a dumb question, but if you camp at a campground and go off for a hike, what's to stop someone from making off with your tent?

A: wet wipes!

real answer: the camper's code

The $16 Byer of Maine Amazonas Traveler Hammock I got at REI provides the best camping sleep I've ever had.

also, I see no Colemans lamp on that list.

Dude this must be car camping because no way anyone could carry all that shit? Also: pot holder totally asinine: get one sock douchebag!