Camping for a Month or Two

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soccergod04

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Apr 24, 2006
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So I'm in college and I was thinking of taking a semester off. I want to work for half of it and then spend a month or two in the woods with just whatever equipment I have/can buy with the money made working. I figure a month to 2 months will be good. I got together a list of what I'll probably need and was wondering if I missed anything. Any help adding to the list is greatly appreciated.

Here's what I have so far:

Warm Clothes
2) 2 tarps
3) 2 person tent
4) 3 firestarting methods (Waterproof matches, lighter, firsteel/magnesium)
5) Hatchet
6) Multitool (Vic Camper)
7) Fixed blade (Mora 2000, Clipper?)
8) Folder (Cara Cara)
9) Sharpener
10) Pellet gun
11) Sleeping bag
12) Nalgene
13) Pot to boil
14) Skillet
15) 200 ft paracord
16) Fishing line, hooks
17) First aid kit
18) Flashlight (Mini Mag)
19) Some energy bars as reserve
20) Some water
21) Cell phone just in case
 
I camped for 2 and 1/2 months this summer in colorado. First i would say get a 4-6 person tent for comfort/ basecamp. And bring a 2 person for any backpacking you do. Definately bring some MREs, and as much rice/noodles you can carry. Is this a solo camp? will you have access to re-supply (very important)?? a small fold down cooler would be nice to have. I would also get a water purifier other than boiling water. i would also bring more than one water bottle. I really like bota bags to hike with.

Good list so far. I'll add things as i think of them.

OH YEA. A pillow, trust me you'll want one after a few days of a very stiff neck.
 
The longest I've been out alone is just under 2 weeks. I wouldn't go too far from being able to resupply if needed, but would prefer not to unless necessary. I've also considered taking another person with, so as not to be totally alone if the SHTF and also to divide work.
 
I've done 1-2 month camping trips many times. It's does not necessarily need to be a big deal, in regard to challenge, unless you are seeking that. Little comforts go a long way. You should also be prepared that you will probably be eating FAR more than you would expect to, based on your regular lifestyle.

You might want to switch that mini mag flashlight to an LED headlamp.
 
I'd at least double the rope, possibly add a few good sized hanks of smaller cord as well, replacing bootlaces spring to mind. test your cell battery, I have one that won't hold much charge after two months of being off. vitamins and salt to ensure you don't get deficient if your diet isn't as wide as you planned. immodium is a thought as well, while its not recommended by most medical people for illness caused diarrhea, (more for diet related) dehydration will kill first, so if you have to evac and it becomes an all or nothing gamble, it could buy you time. also look into an LED hand charged light, bigger than a 2aa mag, but smaller than many spare batteries, or maybe a solar charger?
wire for snares, or pre-made snares. a good large saw (swede saw design) makes firewood collecting way easier and safer than a hatchet.
some type of soap, camp-suds get good reviews, and are enviro-friendly.
some long term method of checking in with civilization would be good, some places have a limit to how long you can camp, but if its unlimited, a camp site near a ranger patrol route would mean that someone knows where you are, can pass along news, advice, and monitor your health, stuff like that. more planning now, as they say. I want to do a long trip, but every time I get a short trip in, I change my gear and need to do another shakedown run. life is tough.
 
I would suggest a small LED flashlight for when you need to do some walking and than a candle lantern to use in camp or in the tent.

Also I think I would look into getting a 3 person tent as long as your only going to carry it in once and than stay there.

Polar Pure for the water since you wont want to have to boil water all the time, and its regenerating so you wont have to worry about running out.

As much food as you can carry, Peanut Butter is a great source of calories/protein and goes good on just about anything.

Some sort of chair would be nice to have.

And most importantly dont forget your toilet paper.
 
Yea unless you are an expert hunter and fisherman, you will definately need to resupply food and possibly water. Dont become the "into the wild" kid because you werent prepared.

Where are you planning the camping trip??
 
Maps and compass and knowledge how to use them - unless you're going to be in a single spot or know the area really well.

You'll need a sleeping pad to go with that sleeping bag.

If you're going to be cooking over a fire instead of a camp stove, get a saw for firewood collection.

Get really good quality rain gear unless you plan to stay under the tarps when it rains.

Definitely get a water purifier - unless you want to spend a lot of time collecting firewood and boiling water.

Unless you're literally a few feet away from your water source, get large water storage containers - it makes life easier.

If you've got experience camping solo for a couple weeks then you already know what you need and don't need - the only difference is you're going to need more food for the duration of the two months.
 
What i realy think is that you missed some very important points.... Where are you going and how are you going to get there. Driving a car or having to walk 2 days into the woods would diffently change the list of things to take with you. Lets not forget when are you going to be there. With out that you would get ideas all over the place as everyone has a diffrent idea in his\her mind.

Sasha
 
You can Camp for 2 weeks with only a compass, Small Flashlite and a knife. I wouldn't recommend it though. Uncle Sam thought it was doable.
 
I'd be in the late spring/early summer in NC. I would drive in and then walk a comfortable distance (a mile or so) into the woods.
 
Sounds like a lot of fun! Wish I was going on something like this. I've gone on two major backpacking trips and both were about 3 weeks long, and I was with a group of about ten people both times. Now that I'm older (I'd like to think wiser too), it would be awsome to do something like this. I'd put in my vote for the polar pure, it only takes an hour or so for the stuff to kick in and it regenerates itself as stated above. Nalgene is a great bottle, but it never hurts to have two and have a camel back for roaming around. With the camel back you can attach your first aid kit on the outside of it while you go for day hikes or in search of food. Don't forget carabiners, fun to have and great for the unknown. Not necessarily for climbing, but good to have if you need to tie something up like a bear bag. Are there bears in NC? You could buy one of those instant chargers for your cell phone for emergency situations. They run about $10~$15 bucks but are really good to have. I would also recommend one of those emergency hand cranked flashlight/radio/cell phone charger/noise makers. They can be found at wally world for 10~20 dollars and last forever. There is also a hand cranked ozark trails lantern at wally world as well. Works great and is unlimited with led and hand crank. Hope this helps, J.
 
Do it. Whatever you are short on, do it anyway. You won't have many opportunities to do this in your life, responsibilities will shackle you quickly. Enjoy!

Personally, I'd get rid of the pellet gun and get a .45...
 
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