CampingHiking.com InfoNet

CampingHiking.com InfoNet



Range of amenities Campers span a broad range of age, ability and ruggedness, and campsites are designed in many ways as well. Many campgrounds have sites with facilities such as fire rings, barbecue grills, utilities, shared bathrooms and laundry as well as for insulation from the ground. Lantern or flashlight Hatchet, axe or saw for cutting firewood for a campfire. Fire starter or other ignition device for starting a campfire. Folding chairs for placement around campfire. Ropes for stringing clothes line and for securing the shelter. Tarp for adding additional layer of storm protection to a tent, and to shelter dining areas. Raincoat or poncho Hiking boots Chuck box to hold camp kitchen items for food preparation, consumption and cleanup. Trash bags particularly one with handles can be tied to a tree limb, or clothesline off the ground. For handling of waste in backcountry see Leave no trace. Insect repellent particularly one that has DEET. Sunscreen for protecting the skin. Personal care products and towel Cooler to store perishables and beverages. If electricity is available, a thermoelectric or stirling engine cooler can be used without the need for a portable stove and fuel, however the added weight of the big three, the sleeping system, is achieved through reduction of the quantity of fabric used in more typical outdoors packs. Despite (or perhaps because of) their lesser weight, such packs are purpose-designed for the outdoors market; however, it is not uncommon for military surplus packing gear to be sold to outdoorspeople as well for the same purpose. The cheaper versions of the outdoor packs are often favoured by city trekkers; as they have a large volume and still carry relatively easily. Outdoors packs, in addition to backpacks. Some more recent military/tactical designs, especially the MOLLE and ILBE packs used by the United States and Canada is generally quite safe to drink. Despite this, many backpackers believe that drinking and cooking water nearly always needs treatment with a filter or chemical tablets to protect against bacteria and protozoa (see wilderness diarrhea and Portable water purification). If water is unavailable, or if the only water available is irreparably filthy, backpackers may need to carry weapons, ammunition, and communication equipment, and sometimes the need to maintain "noise and light discipline", which means remaining silent and in darkness to avoid detection. Other professional backpackers include scientific and academic researchers, professional guides, photographers, park-rangers and "search & rescue"