7 day camping trip items...

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bishop85gt

Joined
Nov 5, 2004
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Basically I am getting ready to do a extended camping trip and was looking for new ideas on gear to pack with me. I am going to go as light as possible but the hike in to my spot is about 7 miles in or so meaning weight really isn't much an issue. Maybe if you guys can share what works for you when you go on a trip like this that would help.

I plan on building a larger shelter but I will be bringing in a tarp with me.

Also trying to figure out what knife/knives to bring with me as well. Meaning will I go with small and medium knife and a hatchet. Or just a small knife and chopper.

Anyway any suggestions you may have I would really be appreciated.
 
7 days is going to require a lot of food and water. I'm assuming you've researched available water sources. IMO redundant methods of purifying water - filter, tablets, pots, etc.

For that duration, I would bring a tent.
 
Yes where I will be going there a few springs that are close by and are drinkable. I have used this area many times before. So water isn't a problem. As for the tent I have thought about it.
 
bishop85gt said:
I am going to go as light as possible but the hike in to my spot is about 7 miles in or so meaning weight really isn't much an issue.
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Seven miles in, then a fixed camp for the remainder of the trip? Really, you could travel in style and not worry that much about light weight, unless shaking down an ultralight kit is what you are doing.

I plan on building a larger shelter but I will be bringing in a tarp with me.
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Again, unless one of the purposes of the trip is to practice your bushcraft, I would just bring a modern tent. It is going to be much easier to put up, much more comfortable to sleep in, and probably dryer and warmer, too.

Also trying to figure out what knife/knives to bring with me as well. Meaning will I go with small and medium knife and a hatchet. Or just a small knife and chopper.
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If you are going to go ahead and build a shelter and/or rely on campfires for warmth and cooking, I would go with the "trinity". Folder, fixed blade and small axe or hatchet covers your cutting needs nicely. If you are planning to rely on bushcraft for your shelter and fuel I think you would regret relying on a large "chopper" knife to stand in for the axe. If you are camping with the modern conveniences (tent, stove, etc.) a folder and a medium sized fixed blade (4-5 inches) will cover your needs. You could even get by with just the folder in most circumstances.
 
Good suggestions already. Dont worry about weight.. even if your pack weighs you down to 1 mile an hr, you can easily hike in and set up camp in daylight. And
in the end you could easily get back to your car/transportation source in a day so you are in pretty good shape even if you forget an item.

I have a few questions before more specific recommendations.

- Purpose of trip? Relaxation or survival training?
- Are you using liquid/gas fuel and stove- or will you be cooking by campfire?
- what will you be doing for the 5/6 days once you set up camp?
 
Seven miles in is the end of my trip. There is a lake to fish in there as well. Figured I would add that. My trip is a two part trip really. One of course to get away and get some much needed dirt time. Two is to practice some bush craft skills as well. I am thinking of bringing my SAK, Boone 2 and a hatchet. That's what I am leaning towards. I will of course bring either my Brian Goode TTW knife or my Scott Gossman Buffalo hunter cause I just feel naked without them lol
 
gravydan said:
- Purpose of trip? Relaxation or survival training?
- Are you using liquid/gas fuel and stove- or will you be cooking by campfire?
- what will you be doing for the 5/6 days once you set up camp?
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Purpose for trip is to get away and some bush craft training
Camp fire to cook by
And 5/6 days to play and enjoy myself :D
 
bishop85gt said:
Purpose for trip is to get away and some bush craft training
Camp fire to cook by
And 5/6 days to play and enjoy myself :D
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In that case, as someone already said.. enjoy yourself.. bring whatever you want.

Id bring 2 knives - a 4-5" fixed blade... and a hatchet or small axe.

I think the primary planning should still be food - and stove/pot considerations.

And of course clothing..

For the stuff you waiver about but decide against, consider bringing it and leaving it at the trailhead - you could always go back for it if you need it.

(I had to hike 5 miles (rt) from camp to trailhead once to get gallons of water because the water source had dried up one year- if I didnt have that water, the trip would probably have been over).
 
bishop85gt said:
Seven miles in is the end of my trip. There is a lake to fish in there as well. Figured I would add that. My trip is a two part trip really. One of course to get away and get some much needed dirt time. Two is to practice some bush craft skills as well. I am thinking of bringing my SAK, Boone 2 and a hatchet. That's what I am leaning towards. I will of course bring either my Brian Goode TTW knife or my Scott Gossman Buffalo hunter cause I just feel naked without them lol
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bringing a tent would be a great idea. you can still make a shelter for practice.
what kind of SAK are you going to bring? I carry a One Hand Trekker (OHT) it has a saw that works awesome!
if you are going to stay in the same place I would brink an axe. I have a fiskars axe that is pretty light weight and works well.
as far as water treatment goes. bring more water than you can actually drink the first day just in case the spring is dry.
If you are looking at weight, the platypus bags are the way to go. nalgene is to heavy and aluminum bottles are heavy also.
cooking gear tends to be a lot of pack weight also. how are you going to cook in the fire?
I use a titanium snow peak solo kit to cook in and a titanium coffee cup. that saves tons of weight right there. the good thing about titanium cookware is that you can put it right on your burner and not worry about it.
 
My SAK is a camper. I have a sawvivor saw as well that I may bring along. Far as cooking I have an small cooking set that I can put right on the fire. The hatchet I have is a fiskers that I have used a bit and like. I am looking into the platypus bags.
 
What are the average night temps in your area right now? I'd probably go whole hog but no tent - just my preference, and no bugs this early. Lots of steel and lots of food & H2O.

Depending on how busy the area is, you could PSK overnight(s) near your base camp. I would be inclined to move every night or so to find "The Spot".

Have a great trip!!
J.
 
7 Days... that will be rough. Water is more important than food... I suggest beef jerky! :)
 
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Nights are decent at the moment. 40's or so. Not bad really IMO. But I wont be going for another week or so and at that time I am sure it will be warmer. Where I am going is very much off the beaten path and I wont see anyone unless I am closer to the lake. I have been going to this same spot for a few years and never see anyone there or any clues that anyone has been there such as trash.
 
no tent. make your shelter,water no problem, catch your food and enjoy! sounds like a nice little getaway. bring some snare wire, thats always fun.
 
the elements of camp packing if you're not backpacking with the purpose of covering ground..cna be broken down into pretty basic categories, and can even be broken down further should you decide to rough it..
something to carry gear in (rucksack)
something to sleep under (tarp/poncho/tent)
something to sleep in (bag/wool blanket)
something to sleep on (pad etc)
Something to carry water in (canteen)
Something to boil water in (canteen cup)
water purification methods (filter tabs etc,)
Fire kit
Medical kit
cooking equip
food
illumination ( light headlamp etc)
navigation (compass map, gps)
cord
emergency supplies
a large cutting tool ( for clearing chopping splitting, or heavy work)
small cutting tool: for opening packages cutting cord whittling etc.
luxury items: books, specialty tools, saw, stove, lantern ........
 
fire steel
paracord
peanut butter, tortillas, honey, ramen noodles
FAK
contractor garbage bags
duct tape
compass

The following is from a recent post:

BushcraftBrainTrust said:
I just bought one of these Grabber Sleeping Bag Warmers for my emergency cold weather kit in my pack. The bag warmer comes with a little pouch (to keep the warmer from burning you while sleeping) that fits the 2 person Heat Sheet and the warmer.



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I'm with the "take a tent" guys. I don't mind practicing my bushy skills, but since I am not a true survivalist a great deal of my purpose for getting away is to do just that. Get away.

I don't want to worry about weather, or how I managed to get by if things go wrong. If it was a one or two nighter, that would be one thing. But unless you are moving around (and even if you are!) a tent is good.

We have far too many night bugs, morning drizzles, and extreme weather changes for me to trust things to an ersatz shelter for a week out. Honestly, I would set up my tent then build my shelter to practice. Knowing I can accomplish certain tasks is good enough for me. For example, I can start a fire with a fire stick; but I still take a BIC lighter and a few matches in my match safe. They are my first line, the fire stick is second.

I go to RELAX, enjoy the scenery and the solitude. Comfortable sleeping is part of it. If I spent a night with mosquitoes chewing on me and woke up to a heavy drizzle, I would be pissed if my shelter wasn't perfect. My Kelty tent is, and I have one! :D

YMMV.

Robert
 
I agree with midnight flyer-bring a tent. You can bring other stuff to practice shelter building, but it will be nice to have a ready-made home to crawl into at the end of a day and crash comfortably.
Bring a bunch of knives to test and whatever else we may want to see in use (thanks ahead of time!).
Camera, extra batteries, and most importantly, TELL PEOPLE WHERE YOU WILL BE!

Have fun, be safe.
 
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