Into the wıld Getting geared up for camping

By T. Foster Jones

ON THE SUBJECT of camping, it’s good news all around. The experience is just as rich and rewarding as it’s ever been. And the equipment that makes everything more comfortable has improved vastly over the years.

Whether you’re just getting started or it’s time to upgrade from that 75-pound canvas tent you’ve been lugging around, here’s a quick list of camping basics. For the sake of expediency, I’m going to confine the list to those of a casual car camper (as opposed to a backpacker): food, water, sleeping bag, tent, flashlight/lantern and camp stove.

Food

The beauty of car camping is that you’re not restricted to the kinds and amounts of food you bring. Stock up your coolers with ice, drinks and fresh and frozen or packaged food (don’t forget the s’mores ingredients!).

Water

Estimate about a gallon of water per person per day for personal consumption. Take a separate supply of water for washing utensils or other needs.

Sleeping bag

The lower the temperature rating, the warmer the sleeping bag will be. Consider the coldest temperature you will encounter during your camping trip and purchase a

 

Costco carries tents, sleeping bags, inflatable mattresses, cookstoves, coolers, camp chairs, tarps, lanterns, fuel, flashlights and batteries as well as food, water, and first-aid and dining accessories for camping in complete comfort.

sleeping bag with a temperature rating 10 to 20 degrees lower.

Down insulation is light and compressible, but it doesn’t repel moisture well and takes a long time to dry if it becomes wet.

Synthetic-insulated bags are less expensive than down sleeping bags, and also heavier, but they dry out quickly.

Nylon or polyester shells are more resistant to wind and water than cloth shells.

Tent

Dome tents are designed with a low profile to shed rain and to be wind resistant. They are easy to set up and usually don’t need to be staked.

“Family tents” are designed for four to nine people and need to have good ventilation. They are designed with large entryways and windows, and can be either cabin (high vertical walls) or dome style.

Try to choose a tent that will hold one to two people more than the number of people camping. You will appreciate the extra space, which can be used as a storage area, for hanging out and for comfortable sleeping.

There are a variety of sleeping pads to choose from, or you can really indulge yourself with a self-inflating full- or queensize mattress.

Get a ground cloth or tarp to go under the tent. A few extra tarps can be handy for rigging a shelter over the picnic table, etc., if it rains.

Flashlight/lantern

Choose a flashlight that is water- and corrosion-resistant, and rubberized or made of high-density plastic. Be sure to take extra batteries. If you want your hands free for cooking or reading, consider a headlamp.

A camp lantern is a practical way to light up your camp. It can be set on a table to allow your hands to be free for cooking and is a good choice to provide light for the camp dinner table.

Fuel lanterns run on white gas or pro-

travel & recreation

Extra essentials First aid kit:

• Antibiotic wipes • Antiseptic cream • Aspirin, • Bandages • Burn ointment • Elastic wrap • Eye wash • Hydrogen peroxide

PHOTODISC

• Ibuprofen • Insect repellent • Medical tape • Sanitary napkins • Scissors • Snake-bite kit • Sterile gauze • Sunburn lotion • Tweezers

• Cooking oil • Corkscrew • Cutting board • Flatware • Herbs and spices • Knives • Measuring cups • Napkins • Paper plates/ bowls

• Paper towels • Plastic cups • Plastic trash bags

• Pot holders • Salt and pepper • Tongs and spatula

• Waterproof matches

Additional items:

• Aluminum foil • Camp cookware

• Zippable plastic bags

 

pane. The only real annoyance with a white gas lantern is they can be fairly noisy.

Battery-operated lanterns don’t illuminate as well as fuel lanterns, but are quieter and the only safe choice to use inside a tent. Rechargeable lanterns can be plugged into a vehicle’s cigarette lighter.

Camp stove

For car camping, the best choice might be a two-burner camp stove. Two-burner stoves are perfect for feeding a small family, and are even available in an oven/stove combination. Choose a camp stove that comes with a windscreen.

There are only two fuel types, white gas and propane. This is really a matter of preference and convenience.

So, grab your gear, load up the car and head for the hills (or the forest, or the shore). Camping, in all its glory, awaits. C

 

MAY 2010 ;e Costco Connection 53 Connection editor T. Foster Jones is an avid outdoor enthusiast who has enjoyed backpacking in Nepal and bike and car camping in the national parks of the United States.