Ideas for Camping Gear

[jay.validus]

Come mid-2016 I will be quitting my job and travelling, once again.  I have some ideas on gear, because I am unsure if I will leave by bicycle OR travel by foot (I'll probably end up doing both).  I have travelled by bicycle before, and it was awesome.  Backpacking would be new to me.

If I backpack, one thing I do not want is a huge backpack.  In fact, I hate two strap backpacks.  I do not want one, period.  This leaves me in a dilemma, because I do need gear, food, and water.  The basics are always: shelter, sleeping bag, backpack/panniers, sustenance.  To streamline weight, I could get the expensive $400 and 2 lb tent.  Tarps, bug netting, and/or a hammock are cheaper, lighter, and more space-efficient, but I am inexperienced with them. 

Instead of the full backpack, one idea was to get a smaller sling backpack (one strap backpack) to carry a few essential items, ie tarp, sleeping bag, stove, food.  Then I could get a utility belt with smaller bags attached to carry much of my smaller items.  The reason I pick utility belt is I like when weight is around my hips and waist.... I always hated carrying crap behind my back.

I am unsure of the feasibility of my thought, but then when I look at a backpacker with an 80 litre bag, I cringe.  I know much if possible if you put your mind to it, resourcefulness sometimes is key. 

These choices would move me into extreme minimalist territory.  I could not carry much of anything of luxury.  Really, when I look back at my bike trip, the luxury items I brought I rarely used anyway.  Anyway, all luxury choices of mine are not very materialist in nature, they are physical (this would be tricking, callisthenics, and yoga, you sick person!).  And, any other hobbies of mine, like drawing and reading, can be accompanied with a few things, but rarely breaking space.

I'd love to hear the thoughts of anyone here.

[Jhanananda]

I certainly could not see myself walking great distances with just one of those sling backpacks, but I can see if you do so, then you would want to be ultra-light camping.

I bought the $400 ultra-light 2lb tent about 30 years ago, and still have it, but had to repair it just a few years ago.  So, I found it to be a very useful purchase.

One has to carry water, but one might be camping where water is accessible, but then one might want to have a decent water filter.  I bought one of these about 20 years ago.  It died a few years back, but I no longer backpack.

Stove is where weight can be saved.  I prefer now to use a hobo stove made from tin cans, and burn plant materials in it, so no fuel needs to be carried, just 2 lighters, one for back-up.

Head lamp, and a spare set of batteries.

Basic pocket knife, nothing fancy.

down sleeping bag, because they compress into a small space, and are very light, but warm  If the nights are warm, then one can sleep on top of the down sleeping bag.

I also bought a light fleece bag, which I use for warm nights, or as a liner for the down bag on cold nights.

You can save weight by leaving food behind and fishing, hunting and foraging. If you are planning on foraging, then a good book on foraging could help.

2 spare sets of cloths.

Layers for warms ie.: I pair shorts, 1 pair long pants, 2 t-shirts, 2 under pants, 2 pairs light socks, 1 pair wool socks. Light jacket, and wool sweater.

Leave the soap home, and use fire ash to wash your pots, hands, body, hair, and clothes with.

1 qrt (1L) pot with a lid that doubles as a plate or frying pan.  1 metal cup that goes inside the pot.  1 fork, 1 spoon.  Salt, chilly pepper (vit C).

Those are my thoughts

[Zack]

If you're looking to meet people along the way, Couchsurfing.org and WWOOF provide good opportunities for that, but of course they require a computer. Socializing cuts into solitude so balance between using sites like that and not would probably be preferable, but I find remaining open to all sorts of connections often leads to interesting opportunities. You might meet someone that will let you use their land, or have a cabin you can stay in in exchange for work (if the exchange isn't fair or the dynamic strained, bow out immediately; I learned that the hard way), or you might just get a hearty meal when you need one. I haven't used those sites in a while -- Couchsurfing was getting quite corporatized when I last saw it -- but I think they work.

For a basic knife I like the selection of Scandinavian knives here: http://ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html

[jay.validus]

Thanks guys for the ideas.

You can save weight by leaving food behind and fishing, hunting and foraging. If you are planning on foraging, then a good book on foraging could help.

I am a bit apprehensive over this option; I hear from people it is harder than you think.  What I don't understand is how people seemingly survived prior to agriculture, but now it is too difficult to live off the land... it does not add up.  It is possible, I just don't know how to do it yet.  I will teach myself over the next few years.

Lots of the stuff you listed I already have.  The hobo stove is an option I will learn.

If you're looking to meet people along the way, Couchsurfing.org and WWOOF provide good opportunities for that, but of course they require a computer.

I have tried using Couchsurfing and Warmshowers before... I find they are not effective for me.  The best way I meet people is randomly... I take it as the universe bringing me to others at the right moment, and it never feels forced or awkward.  Meeting online can be very uncomfortable at times, or it can go over very well.

[Zack]

I have had horrible experiences with those sites, and then other positive ones. I find they're just another tool to use. I get far too socially drained to use them often, but have made enough long-term connections through them to make it worth it.

I just had another thought, but for cold weather a pair of polypropylene long johns are great. I wore those while riding my bike to work this past winter in -20 F temperatures, and I would be burning up by the time I got to my destination.

[jay.validus]

I have wool undergarments for cold weather.  I find polyester is not warm enough.  Where I live, we have snow for about six to seven months and it gets -40C.  I hate this place lol!

[Jhanananda]

Now this looks like a useful camping gadget.

Portable wood-burning stove offers heat on the go

[Michel]

It's a real beauty. I love the simplicity of it.

[jay.validus]

Hmm, very cool!

[Jhanananda]

Yes, Michel and Jay, I think I will end up ordering one when I can afford to.