A first time for everything (Full Version)

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DiurnalVampire -> A first time for everything (5/27/2007 11:29:21 AM)

Completely unrelated to BDSM...
I am going camping for my first time EVER. I am running up against a wall trying to figure out what I need, dont need, can and cant pack...
I know there are plenty of us here who are outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen. I would greatly appreciate help, since my first campout is planned for June 9-10. I am going with a group, and they are trying to help get me ready, but they are all very exprienced. Its the same pitfall we fall into here with experienced vs. newbie... too many assume there are things I already know and it doesnt occur to them to mention it.  Which is why I am branching out :)

I have a tent (enough room for 2) a backpack and a hydration pack (2 liter) but thats about it.

Any thoughts  or suggestions on what I might want to consider?

DV



Level -> RE: A first time for everything (5/27/2007 11:32:16 AM)

DV, get you a first aid kit. And some OFF........



kc692 -> RE: A first time for everything (5/27/2007 11:38:40 AM)

WIll you be hiking, etc?  Is this a remote area you are going to, or a campground?



DiurnalVampire -> RE: A first time for everything (5/27/2007 11:41:40 AM)

There is a 2.5 mi hike TO the location and a 4mi hike out on the other end. There wil be about 15 of us all together as far as i know. Its not necessarily remote, I believe its a campground in the middle of the park area, which is accessable from the trails only.
I have OFF backwoods to make sure the ticks stay away, I have a smal first aid kit for my pack, and i know I should go find myself some waterproof matches. I have a GPS (this is a geocaching event... its going to ROCK) and I have a flashlight somewhere. I'll have extra batteries with me, and my camera.



mistoferin -> RE: A first time for everything (5/27/2007 11:50:58 AM)

Tent
Bedroll
Toilet Paper
Matches (in Ziploc bag)
appropriate clothing
Knife
Hatchet
Flashlight
Sunscreen
Bug spray
First Aid kit
Food
Water
Camera



NakedGirlScout -> RE: A first time for everything (5/27/2007 11:51:41 AM)

hey congratulations!!!

First thing is, if they're all that much more experienced than you, make sure that you don't allow them to force you into more than what you're comfortable doing. I was once left all alone on the side of a mountain after I fell and cut my knee very badly, because the overly experienced people thought I should just get up and keep going with a rock wedged beneath my kneecap!

Second thing is I would concentrate on really good comfortable clothes. You want to make sure it's outdoor materials like Goretex and breathable fabrics. Don't bring any cotton especially not cotton socks; cotton gets soggy really fast and loses all of its insulating properties, it will also begin to literally rot itself on your body and will give you blisters from hell. Good boots are a must, but don't think of buying new ones and breaking them in on the hike for the first time! You will have blisters from hell and may even be incapacitated--I'm not kidding about that. Better take worse quality but comfortable shoes than getting good quality but never-worn ones.

Sunscreen! Hat! Warmer clothing than you think you'll need! Layered clothing that you can take on and off for total warmth or total coolness.

happy camping [:)]



mistoferin -> RE: A first time for everything (5/27/2007 11:52:21 AM)

Oh...and the most important items....

Coffee, Graham Cracker, Marshmallows and Hershey Bars!!!!!



DiurnalVampire -> RE: A first time for everything (5/27/2007 11:54:18 AM)

I have been assured that the smores will be provided for us.
I really appreciate everyones advice.  Not to sound dumb, but whats a bedroll?

Oh, on the experience.  I have hiked. Just never camped.



juliaoceania -> RE: A first time for everything (5/27/2007 11:55:48 AM)

Know your climate, know your terrain

Search for the expected weather for the area when you will be there, be prepared for rain....

and here is a list... compare it against what you know about where you will be camping

http://www.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/Checklists.htm

As someone who has spent weeks in the field digging in the dirt in an area with no water (all water had to be brought in), it pays to be prepared... archaeology is interesting (but not necessarily fun)



MzMia -> RE: A first time for everything (5/27/2007 11:56:19 AM)

Yeahhhhhhh for DV!!!!!
Take a lot of insect and bug repellent, I think Neet is one of the best.
Also get those lanterns that keep mosquitos and other things away, another CM expert advisor
we be along to give us the names.
I hope you have a great time!



mistoferin -> RE: A first time for everything (5/27/2007 11:58:01 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DiurnalVampire
Not to sound dumb, but whats a bedroll? .


Pillow and blanket or sleeping bag. Oh and if there will be water there....soap and a towel is a really good thing to have.



imthatacheyouhav -> RE: A first time for everything (5/27/2007 11:58:34 AM)

a lighter...bug spray...some wet wipes... 1st aid kit... towles....garbage bags...snacks that dont need to be refridgerated.....lawn chairs.....pillows ...blankets....ice and cooler... some ziplock bags....any medicine you take daily.... maybe a battery operated radio....air mattress?......some places you need to bring your own fire wood.....MARSHMELLOWS!! graham crackers and chocolate bars....and i KNOW i left out a ton of stuff...



szobras -> RE: A first time for everything (5/27/2007 12:01:01 PM)

A bedroll is a thin foam, lightwieght pad that you can roll up to carry. Helps as a cushion between you and the ground. Along with good advice so far, may not hurt to get an updated weather forcast, and prepare appropriately. As you are going with an experienced group, I should think that someone outside the group is notified of who will be going, and your routes and location for an outside safety contact.



KeirasSecret -> RE: A first time for everything (5/27/2007 12:09:21 PM)

Don't forget your toothbrush, or you will get the "zacklies", and your hair bush, or you could get hurt trying to hide from other hikers beause you don't want them to see your "bed head" [:)]

k



DiurnalVampire -> RE: A first time for everything (5/27/2007 12:13:30 PM)

I was just informed we will be bathing in teh river. Um. hmm
Much shopping to be done it seems

And yes, there will be many contacts who know our agenda and our exact whereabouts (including the GPS coordinates for our campsite) as well as a contact with the parks department on duty that night.



KeirasSecret -> RE: A first time for everything (5/27/2007 12:24:16 PM)

Are you in TN? If so, do they have snakes in the rivers like I've been told KY does? Is it that warm where you are?

I once had a very nice experience bathing in a river; alright, so I wasn't bathing, it was still the river.

Can you believe I used to refer to that as "water sports", that is, until I got here?  ;)



Sinergy -> RE: A first time for everything (5/27/2007 12:31:48 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DiurnalVampire

I was just informed we will be bathing in teh river. Um. hmm
Much shopping to be done it seems

And yes, there will be many contacts who know our agenda and our exact whereabouts (including the GPS coordinates for our campsite) as well as a contact with the parks department on duty that night.


Swimming in water is ok, but dont drink it without purifying or boiling it.  Since they started letting cattle graze at high altitudes, most streams are now home to giardia.

Sinergy



spankmepink11 -> RE: A first time for everything (5/27/2007 12:39:26 PM)

Great advice so far, don't forget the TP !   [;)]   Pack comfortable cotton clothing,  flashlights and extra batteries...maybe a deck of cards, citronella candles work great in tandem with bug spray.    Have a great time!  (i love to camp)

Edited because i read a few posts i missed,  Girlscout... is cotton that bad?  I always thought cotton was one of the most breathable fabrics, isn't that why they put cotton crotches in synthetic panites?  To breathe and help prevent infection?



DiurnalVampire -> RE: A first time for everything (5/27/2007 12:41:31 PM)

We were told absolutely no drinking from the river. We will al have water with us, and the parks people can be reasched in case of emergency, but we can swim and bathe in the river, just no drinking. As far as I know, there are snakes everywhere up here. Its one of thethings we have ot watch for (and im a little concerned) and its also why I refuse to use a sleeping bag.  a blanket and pillow, yes, but nothing that will leve me ina confined area with a potentialy unpleasant creature (other than my tentmate)



TheHeretic -> RE: A first time for everything (5/27/2007 12:43:20 PM)

never mind... I misread the post...  Have fun.



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