Getting ready for a camping trip is in a lot of ways very similar to packing your luggage for a flight. You take only the bare essentials, you try not to take anything that you can do without since it will only weight you down, and you start drinking as soon as you go out your front door in order to get through the trip (chuckles). However, while the biggest problem in an airport is trying not to die of boredom while waiting in the check-in, if you go on a camping trip without the proper equipment you will have some much more serious problems than long luggage queues.
First and foremost on the list of essential camping gears is the sleeping bag. This is the most important item if you are somewhere up on the mountains where the temperature drops quite drastically during the nights. Because of this, it is very important that you get a quality one that can properly fit you and which you can zip up to the top in case you ever feel cold, even while inside. Additionally, it might also be a good idea to get some thermal clothing that will cover everything from your feet to your shoulders since you might really need it.
Next, you are going to need a good reliable backpack. While everyone’s first choice is probably to go for the biggest one they can get so that it can easily fit all of the different camping gears inside, make sure that that is really what you need. If you plan on moving around and hiking for longer periods than you plan to camp for, then the larger pack can really be a burden to you. If you aren’t sure what you plan to do, simply cover all your bases. If you make sure that the backpack you chose isn’t too cumbersome while still having room to fit your sleeping bag, tent and a few other items, then you have nothing to worry about.
Finally, the last item that you should probably take along with you, or should I say items, is either a small hatchet or machete. While this may seem dangerous, in truth the only danger you will pose is to the firewood you intend to chop up in order to make your camp fire. Of course seeing as they are pretty sharp tools even in more experienced hands, if you are not using them it is best to take every possible precaution and keep them in their sheath. After you get all of these, all that’s left is to pick out a few additional items that you personally can’t do without and head for the nearest mountain.