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It's a 7 day camping trip in southern California with no electricity and minimal running water. If you take someone who is used to Oprah-style vacationing (I say that in love), what are some products out there that can make it not only manageable, but unbelievably enjoyable? I'd like to take it to the point where someone else might say, "Is this really camping?" given how much they are being spoiled by the latest gadgets, gizmos, and technology. Thanks in advance.
I knew the "camping is SUPPOSED to be..." would come up. In this specific case, the trip is mandatory for the person involved and staying somewhere else is not an option. This is a problem-solving question, not a opinion poll.
Great questions. Very primative campground, same place each night with minimal day backpacking. Thanks!
Answer
If you have to backpack all of the stuff into the campsite then you'll be unable to take things like heavy-duty blow-up air mattresses. Here are a few of the things I've picked up over the years at places like REI, Eastern Mountain Sports, Campmor, and LL Bean that I regularly use when backpacking:
1. Java Press. I use the Backcountry Bistro (aka Big Sky Bistro). My wife got mine for me off the web...don't know where.
2. Black Diamond has a slick new electric lantern that is pretty cool. I saw that at Eastern Mountain Sports yesterday.
3. Crazy Creek chair. I got mine at Sierra Trading Post but you can get them almost anywhere. There are cheap knock-offs at Target and Wal-Mart...they suck and break.
4. Backpacking Espresso Maker. I got mine at Campmor years ago. I used to use mine a lot. It works great. Sorry..you won't be able to make her frothy cappuccino without packing in some dehydrated milk though.
5. Good Food. There are a lot of dried veggies and fruits available at better supermarkets. A lot of the backpacking meals from Backpackers Pantry and Mountain House are very good as well. Similarly, there are dozens of noodle dishes that are very tasty and easy to make. The seasoning packets and spices are what makes the taste!
6. Travel games. Travel Scrabble saved the day on a trip with my wife a few years ago. It poured rain all day on one day and we hung out in the tent playing Travel Scrabble for a few hours. I also stash a few pages from Mad Libs in with my map when I take the scouts out. I also have taken travel chess or checkers. They don't take up too much room, nor do they weigh all that much.
7. I have a few bandanas I got from LL Bean or REI a few years ago with things like animal prints, stars, and tree identification tips. I use the astronomy one sometimes at night to locate constallations. My buddy has a better thing I believe he got from the Boy Scout catalog that is a foldable star chart that you can set for your latitude and season. It's like a rubber bowl and you move it to meet your needs. It's neat.
8. Frisbee. (also serves as a dinner plate in my case.)
9. Things to suit your destination. If I am backpacking into a place with some good rock, I'll take my climbing shoes and go bouldering. I'll take a fun noodle or some other floaty thing if I'm hiking into a hot spring or swimming hole. I even packed in a gold panning dish one time in New Mexico and spent the day panning streams for gold nuggets. (Hey, I found about $75 worth of gold that day!..don't laugh.)
There are other gizmos I've seen, but never used...such as the Ice Cream Maker and the hand-crank blender. These are good things if you are car camping and can tote in the extra weight and bulk, but aren't something I would take backpacking.
Have Fun. If she doesn't...dump the princess.
If you have to backpack all of the stuff into the campsite then you'll be unable to take things like heavy-duty blow-up air mattresses. Here are a few of the things I've picked up over the years at places like REI, Eastern Mountain Sports, Campmor, and LL Bean that I regularly use when backpacking:
1. Java Press. I use the Backcountry Bistro (aka Big Sky Bistro). My wife got mine for me off the web...don't know where.
2. Black Diamond has a slick new electric lantern that is pretty cool. I saw that at Eastern Mountain Sports yesterday.
3. Crazy Creek chair. I got mine at Sierra Trading Post but you can get them almost anywhere. There are cheap knock-offs at Target and Wal-Mart...they suck and break.
4. Backpacking Espresso Maker. I got mine at Campmor years ago. I used to use mine a lot. It works great. Sorry..you won't be able to make her frothy cappuccino without packing in some dehydrated milk though.
5. Good Food. There are a lot of dried veggies and fruits available at better supermarkets. A lot of the backpacking meals from Backpackers Pantry and Mountain House are very good as well. Similarly, there are dozens of noodle dishes that are very tasty and easy to make. The seasoning packets and spices are what makes the taste!
6. Travel games. Travel Scrabble saved the day on a trip with my wife a few years ago. It poured rain all day on one day and we hung out in the tent playing Travel Scrabble for a few hours. I also stash a few pages from Mad Libs in with my map when I take the scouts out. I also have taken travel chess or checkers. They don't take up too much room, nor do they weigh all that much.
7. I have a few bandanas I got from LL Bean or REI a few years ago with things like animal prints, stars, and tree identification tips. I use the astronomy one sometimes at night to locate constallations. My buddy has a better thing I believe he got from the Boy Scout catalog that is a foldable star chart that you can set for your latitude and season. It's like a rubber bowl and you move it to meet your needs. It's neat.
8. Frisbee. (also serves as a dinner plate in my case.)
9. Things to suit your destination. If I am backpacking into a place with some good rock, I'll take my climbing shoes and go bouldering. I'll take a fun noodle or some other floaty thing if I'm hiking into a hot spring or swimming hole. I even packed in a gold panning dish one time in New Mexico and spent the day panning streams for gold nuggets. (Hey, I found about $75 worth of gold that day!..don't laugh.)
There are other gizmos I've seen, but never used...such as the Ice Cream Maker and the hand-crank blender. These are good things if you are car camping and can tote in the extra weight and bulk, but aren't something I would take backpacking.
Have Fun. If she doesn't...dump the princess.
Need Information regarding Backpacking?
eDanial
I usually travel for fun. But till now i dont have any idea how to pack my bag and what type of back packs should i use. I want to have only one in which i can put some cloths, my laptop, camera, a tripod, gadgets and some documents.
Can any body halp me out with that? I like backpacking.
Answer
My best advice would be to buy a side loading backpack rather than a top loading one. Top loading backpacks are a real nuisance because you have to pull everything out every time you need to get to something at the bottom. It's worth getting one with wheels too for when you get tired!
With regards to what to pack, just keep it light. For backpacking trips you never need too much stuff, so think about what you think you need and halve it! Also, take a decent first aid kit. Have fun!
My best advice would be to buy a side loading backpack rather than a top loading one. Top loading backpacks are a real nuisance because you have to pull everything out every time you need to get to something at the bottom. It's worth getting one with wheels too for when you get tired!
With regards to what to pack, just keep it light. For backpacking trips you never need too much stuff, so think about what you think you need and halve it! Also, take a decent first aid kit. Have fun!
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