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Along with hiking, 2020 has been the year of getting outdoors for longer trips. We wouldn’t travel internationally, and being in a hotel or in the city doesn’t sound appealing to a lot of people. So camping was on the rise. Time to get out in the middle of nowhere and really connect with nature. Something I’m sure will remain popular for a while to come. But with so many people taking camping trips that have never done that before, there are things to think about. Hiking and camping is not the same as driving to a campsite and parking your car three feet from where you will set up your tent. Wilderness camping is something very different and so are the camping essentials you’ll need.
The top camping essentials
You’ll need to carry all your gear in and out with you. Tent, clothing, food (and garbage). You need to make sure you know where you’re going and have maps for your journey and of course have my 12 hiking essentials. But I also wanted to highlight some other camping essentials you might not have thought of, and some extra tips and tricks for wilderness camping that might help you with your next adventure.
A lightweight tent
Wilderness camping means you have to put that tent in your backpack and likely carry it a decent distance before setting up camp. If you’re packing this in your back you want it to be small, and light. Lightweight tents can be expensive so shop around. Maybe it’s something to invest in if you plan to do a lot of hiking/camping trips. Perhaps you have a friend you can borrow one from. We weighed our regular camping tent which was 7lb and then found a lightweight tent that weighed only 3lb. Much better option. This is the point where you wish the Harry Potter-esque, looks bigger on the inside tents existed.
A camping stove
One overnight trip and you can maybe get away without a stove. It’ll be a boring dinner of pre-packed snacks but you can do it. Anything longer and a small stove will become one of your camping essentials. In fact I recommend one even if only camping for one night. The ability to have hot food, warm drinks and even a way to wash your face properly will be worth it.
And the great news is there are lightweight camping stoves out there. We got this stove from Amazon which came with two pots, packed neatly into a small mesh bag. Oh yeah, and it weighed less than a pound. These backpacking stoves might not seem like the sturdiest of things but they do the job, and your tummy will thank you.
A good sleeping bag and sleeping gear
If you’re hiking and camping you’ll want lightweight gear for sleeping. That includes a sleeping bag. But make sure you check the temperature they are best used for before you do your trip. There’s no point in taking a 5C sleeping bag if it’s going to get to -5C. Some sleeping bags come with added layers you can take depending on the time of year for your trip. A down sleeping bag is usually nice and lightweight, and sleeping bag liners are the camping essentials often left behind. They give an extra layer of protection and warmth. Microfiber and silk sleeping bag liners are the lightest and insulate really well. You’ll also need a sleeping pad for extra comfort and an inflatable pillow does wonders for a good night sleep.
Rain gear
I’m still mad at myself that on my last trip I sacrificed my rain jacket for my warmer thermal jacket. Which was all well and good until the rain began only 10 minutes into my 4 day hike. I at least had rain pants. I bought these rain pants from Mountain Warehouse and they worked a charm. They kept me dry and added a layer of clothing protection/warmth. But make sure to also pack a rain jacket with a hood. A soaking wet hiker is not a happy hiker. Especially when you have to camp outdoors in those wet clothes. Depending on how muddy you expect it, think about bringing gaiters too. But I can tell you I will always count a rain jacket on my camping essentials checklist in the future, no matter how sunny it might be.
Warm clothing
If you’re going to be out in the woods, you need to make sure you have enough layers for whatever the weather might be. It might be nice and sunny during the day, but the nights could be below freezing. The days could be wet and rainy and you’ll need warm and dry clothes for the evening. Pack lightweight hiking pants as well as short sleeved shirts and long sleeved shirts. Bring a lightweight hooded jacket as well as a thermal jacket and rain jacket. Bring thermal pants in case it’s really cold at night, and never leave home without enough warm socks (the Merino wool ones are amazing). If your socks get wet you need dry ones to change into. Even though I traveled in September I still brought gloves and a hat as well as some heat packs in case it got really chilly. It did, so I was grateful for these.
Enough food and snacks
Everyone’s always worried about starving in the woods so food usually tops the camping essentials checklist. But it’s also important not to go too far the other way. Pack food sensibly. Dehydrated backpacker meals are easy, compact and calorie heavy to keep your energy up. Take at least one extra in case your hike takes a day longer than you expect. Snacks are what you should watch out for. I found that I wasn’t snacking all day every day since it was difficult with my trekking poles. Plus my meals were filling enough to keep me going. I ate a granola/protein bar each day when I rested, but I had packed double that amount. Same with the other snacks. We all want to pack nut mixes and granola/energy bars but don’t pack too much as they are also heavy.
Water filter
Whether you’re out and back hiking or following a one way route you can never be sure to find a constant supply of fresh water. I live in British Columbia, a place known for its rain, and still there were water sources on my hikes that had been dried up. Wherever you go make sure to check out guaranteed water sources as well as seasonal water sources. But if you’re on a multi day hike you can’t carry enough water for the whole trip. Given that water isn’t just camping essentials important, but life important you’ll need a water filter. Water filters, like this easy to use Sawyer water filter system that I use, are compact enough to fit easily in your bag. Simply fill the bottle with water, screw the filter on and squeeze into a clean water bottle. Or drink it directly. But don’t leave home without one of these things.
Bear canister or bag with rope
Camping attracts wildlife. Whether it’s the food you cook or the fire you burn. And it’s the big wildlife that you have to be worried about, especially in North America. Bears being the most prolific, and the most curious. Ideally you should carry a bear canister, usually a metal container which you can then put your food and garbage items in. They come in a variety of sizes. If you don’t want the added weight, consider hanging a bear bag. For this you will need a dry bag to fit all of your food, garbage and even any toiletries in. Basically anything with a smell. You’ll also need a long nylon rope and a couple of carabiners.
How to hang your bear bag
Find a sturdy branch on a tree at least 100 meters from where your camp is where you can loop the bag over and let it be at least 12 feet off the ground and away from the tree. Thus ensuring no bear can climb up to it. Hanging the bag is an art form that will take practice.
I recommend attaching something heavy to the rope with a carabiner, tossing it over your chosen branch then pulling down to make sure it will hold. Do this when you arrive at camp so that at the end of the night all you have to do is attach the bear bag and hoist it up, tying the rope to a nearby tree tightly enough to hold.
A dry bag and garbage bags
A dry bag is also helpful for your clothes. Day one of my three day hike it began to rain. I put a rain cover over my backpack, but my clothes were in the bottom of the bag. The rain ran over the rain cover and dripped onto the bottom of the bag where my clothes were. When I got to camp that night, excited for some clean and warm clothes, I was very disappointed. Additionally line your backpack with a garbage bag for further protection and to put wet items in that you might not want to wear any more if you can’t dry them. You’ll also need garbage bags to pack out what you bring in.
A bear bell and bear spray
Never forget that there is wildlife. Even if you can’t see it. You could pass within inches of a wild animal and not know it. Attaching a bear bell to your backpack will help alert the wildlife of your proximity. Hearing the bell, they will often move away before you get to them. Remember they have really good hearing. A surprised bear can become a confrontational bear which is not what you want. Bear bells are super cheap and might save your life. Speaking of saving your life you should always carry bear spray. You might not have to use it, but this could be your last chance to scare the bear away. It’s not cheap but I procrastinated way too long in getting this incredibly important item that should be on your camping essentials list.
A headlamp
If for some reason you anticipate that the days might be shorter, you will find the headlamps incredibly helpful. But I always recommend to bring a headlamp with you no matter the time of year. Undoubtedly you will need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, and having a headlamp keeps your hands free. Going anywhere in the dark in the middle of nowhere can be scary, especially with the threat of wild animals around. A headlamp will help guide your way. It’s also good if you want to read before bed or play games in your tent in the evening. Just because it gets dark by 7pm doesn’t mean you necessarily want to go to sleep then.
Fire starters and matches
Firstly, always check that where you are camping allows fires. Depending on the environment and wildfire risk or time of year you may not be allowed an open fire. Do not start a fire if you aren’t allowed one. If you are allowed a fire, always create a fire ring with large rocks to contain the fire and the embers. But in order to start a fire easily (and quickly) when you get to camp, pack some fire starters, as well as a way to light the fire.
Carry matches in a waterproof container, and bring a long handled lighter as a back up. Remember: always back up your back up! When you go to bed always make sure the fire is out. Wait until it dies out, and check that all the wood has stopped burning. Pour dirt or water onto the fire just to be sure. And always make sure to keep your camp fire a distance from your tent in case it attracts animals.
A trowel
At some point while camping nature will call. And I don’t mean the bears. Wilderness camping means you are unlikely to find a bathroom, or even a pit toilet unless you are at a designated camp. More often than not you will have to seek solace behind a tree or shrubbery. But it is important to leave no trace when camping. Which means you can’t just go to the bathroom and leave it. Bring a lightweight trowel to dig a hole and cover up after you’re done. There are some people who will dissuade the use of toilet paper entirely. Ideally you can pack it out with you but at the very least bury it with your business instead of just leaving it at the side of the trail.
Wilderness camping tips
Knowing what to bring is half the battle. Where to set up your camp and the safety aspects of camping in the middle of nowhere is something entirely different. Planning is the most important thing. Make sure you have a plan and stick to it, but also research alternates in case you are forced away from your original plan. Read about my 4 day wilderness camping hike through BC, Canada here.
Find a safe spot to camp
When there’s a designated camping area this makes it easier. You know where you have to get to, there are tent pads marked out with flattened clear areas to set your tent. But with wilderness camping, you often just have to find a spot and set up camp. My best advice would be to research the trail your are hiking first. See if there are different recommended camping sites, either official or just a flat place to put up your tent. Mark them out on your map, and have backups in case you can’t walk that far for whatever reason. Make sure you are not on a road and that no vehicles will come by. Check the surrounding area for other hazards, signs of recent animal activity (poop or fresh footprints) or forestry areas.
Another thing to consider is water sources. Multi-day camping means you’ll need access to fresh water to filter. Ideally you want to be able to either pick up extra water just before getting to camp (for cooking, cleaning) or the next day just after you leave (to replenish your supply). If an area doesn’t feel right, carry on going a little further. Or if you find a good spot a short distance before your planned end point for the day, maybe just camp there and plan to add the extra mileage to the next day. That way at least you had a good spot to sleep instead of somewhere that might not have been as optimal.
Allow plenty of time to set up camp
While you might have ideas of how many miles you want to walk each day before camp, it’s best to plan ahead. If you are doing your trip in the summer then you have plenty of light but if you are going towards the fall, don’t forget the days will get shorter. Recently we were hiking and camping and it was getting dark just after 6pm with the sun setting completely before 7pm. That meant we had to make sure to arrive at camp early enough to set up our tent, hang the bear bag and even start to make dinner before losing essential light. Have a practice run before leaving home to time how long setting up your tent will take (and make sure you can do it easily).
Communicate your plan
This is possibly the most important tip. If you are going into the woods, on a long hike, or camping somewhere remote, tell someone. Even if you’re not going alone, make sure people know where you are going. Give your proposed route to someone before you leave, and include where you plan to sleep each night if you can. If your plans change, try to communicate them to someone at home. Keep in touch if your cell service allows. Pack your portable charger so your phone doesn’t die.
On the paid version of the All Trails app there is an option to share with a friend so that they can see your progress and if you deviate. Our friend used this to see where we were going each day and to make sure we were safe. We also had a set time that we would check in, or they would alert someone. Always have a backup plan to your backup plan!
Wilderness camping is fun with your camping essentials
The idea of straying away from the beaten path might be a little daunting at first. Preparation is the key to any big adventure, but especially when you’re going to be exposed to nature and the elements. Safety is the biggest factor. You want to make sure you’re taking the necessary precautions and packing for every what if scenario you might come across. That doesn’t sound as fun as just packing a bag and wandering into the wild, but it is the smart thing to do. Wilderness camping can be fun if you let it. Start small with just one night away and build up, and unless you’re really experienced I always recommend going with someone. It’ll make it more fun too!
If you’ve enjoyed this post and found it helpful leave a comment or share using the social media links below. Have you been wilderness camping? What are your extra safety tips when camping or hiking for a long period of time? Which of these camping essentials will you never forget?
