How light do you travel?

[Corey]

Lot of good comments in here.
I can tell some come from younger guys, wait until you are over 50 and you will come to appreciate a few luxuries when in the great outdoors such as a good sleeping setup for your back and good food instead of that freeze dried stuff.

When I was younger I use to backpack a lot around Mt. Rainier on the Wonderland trail for a week at a time, and I packed light as I could.
I was not one of those persons who would drill holes into their toothbrushes though.
That is a little extreme.

I use to pack light too when car camping until my wife bore our first child then we had to take more and we switched over to a tent trailer for more room.

I also now believe in having an ARB fridge along as I can bring better fresh food and not worry about ice or soggy food.
And speaking of food, no dehydrated crap as good as it has become over the years do I want to eat when out camping.
If I was backpacking yes, but not when camping out of my vehicle.

When I am camping away from the city smog and in the fresh air high up in the mountains whether at a paid campground at Mt. Rainier at 5,000 feet, or in a back country primitive area like where I took my summer vacation this past summer, all my senses such as taste and smell are heightened.
Food tastes better, therefore I tend to cook more gourmet when camping than when at home.

Also my roof top tent is like a penthouse to me, very nice to be up off the ground and not worry about rain, mud, or dirt getting inside.
I sleep much better too in it than I ever have in a backpacking tent or large car camping tent.

I have been accused of taking too much gear with me
Not all the gear is for me, I invite others to join me on my trips and I bring extra gear in case they need something.
Plus having been a former First Class Boyscout many years ago, being prepared is in my nature.
I would rather bring along a little to much than not enough and be wanting.
Quite often I have had guests show up whom I have given directions to where I am going and they left something at home.
Most of the time I have them covered and they appreciate the fact I had that item with me.
My brother joined me on one of my trips this past summer, and he was thankful that I came prepared as he had left a few things at home.
They would have fit on his motorcycle, but he had forgot to pack them.

A few pics of a typical campsite for me.

It is all about getting out there though whether you like to pack light and scrutinize about every extra ounce you might be bringing, or if you like to bring extra stuff for the "just in case you/they need it" scenario.
Get out and enjoy the great outdoors while you still can, and do not fret over what others take on their trips.
Everyone is different and may require different stuff/gear than you to feel comfortable and safe when out and away from home.

And remember to take pictures to share with us when you do.

 

[CSG]

I suppose, if I think about it some more, that what I'm really getting at, at least where I'm concerned, is that I like to keep it simple. I like my comforts too and as I said, I'm 59. That's part of why I don't want to be humping gear and spending 30-60 minutes or more to set up camp and at least as much time to stow it. That's why a van like a Westy or SM or mine is such a pleasure to own and camp out of.

But like I said, if I take the LLC, I will do with much less stuff. Oh, I'll still carry a butane burner and a Reliance water jug, maybe a solar shower and Pett toilet but I'll sleep in the rig with a nice warm down bag and skeeter netting for the windows.

Again, it all depends on what your expectations are, where you're going, who, if anyone, you go with, and how long you'll be out.

 

[Corey]

I'd like to see you put that GS in the back of the FJ...;^)

Nice setup.

It fits inside the roof top tent

Thanks.
I was pretty impressed with my brothers new bike.
He has taken that on many a trip with friends.
He has a compressor too to air back up the tires after airing them down for off road.

 

[UNI]

Corey,

Nice set up. We also do a lot of camping in the National Forest areas here in the Missouri & Arkansas Ozarks. I agree with you, if you can be out there away from everyone and still have the comforts thats the way to go. Its not how much or little you bring, its having the right gear to be comfortable.

Hey, I have a question for you. That fold up picnic table in your pic, is that aluminum and how strudy is that unit? Does it fold up pretty compact?

Alan

 

[Spikepretorius]

I travel light but it's purely out of laziness If I was more enthusiastic I'd probably pack loads of stuff.

Cooking utensils = knife
Bedding = 2x fleece "blankets" plus a tarp if there's dew
(I always sleep in my clothes and, if I happen to be wearing anything on my feet, also my boots. Old army habit that I learnt the hard way) :ar15:

My piles of "crap" that I DO pack is just stuff that I take in case of emergency but never use for myself, such as recovery kit, spade, medical jump bag, SAR jump bag, SAR technical kit, gallons of spare water, etc

Everything is permanently in the truck. If I go anywhere longer than 24 hours I just need to load a cooler box and an extra bag of clothing.





In the rare event that the wife comes along then scratch everything above. It no longer applies. :xxrotflma

 

[Corey]

Corey,

Nice set up. We also do a lot of camping in the National Forest areas here in the Missouri & Arkansas Ozarks. I agree with you, if you can be out there away from everyone and still have the comforts thats the way to go. Its not how much or little you bring, its having the right gear to be comfortable.

Hey, I have a question for you. That fold up picnic table in your pic, is that aluminum and how strudy is that unit? Does it fold up pretty compact?

Alan

Thanks Alan.
The table is very sturdy, and is on sale right now.
Cabela's Folding Aluminum Picnic Table
Item:9IS-516926
Reg: $119.99
Sale: $79.99

It is pretty compact and folds flat.
It all folds in within itself about 3" or so thick.
The thickness of the two table top halves folded over like a suitcase.
I use it as the base in the back of my rig (I have no rear seats) to layer all of my other gear up on top of it.
I am able to pack quite a bit into my rig this way by having a nice even flat base and layer the plastic gear boxes and other stuff on top.

First year taking that Cabelas lounger though, and it takes up a lot of room, but it is very comfortable.
You can sleep in it if you wanted to.

And I agree about being comfortable.
If you are not comfortable, you are miserable.

This thread is making me want to get out and snow camp since I am off until the 4th, but I came down with a cold on my last day of work Tuesday.
Not going to risk getting worse by camping right now.

 

[UNI]

Corey - Posted: The table is very sturdy, and is on sale right now.
Cabela's Folding Aluminum Picnic Table

Thanks for the info, I'll check it out.

Alan

 

[Christophe Noel]

I think the other factor here is the objective of the outing itself. Some people go "camping" for the sake of camping. They arrive at their destination early and spend all day, if not multiple days, enjoying their spot and the relaxation and fiddling that goes along with camp life. Others, like me, see camping as a part of the traveling process. If I arrive at a camp late at night, get some kip and then move on the next day, that's perfectly fine with me. So, my camp set up is often small, quick and as comfortable as needed, not as comfortable as possible.

I'm also one of those overlanders that cannot just overland for the sake of overlanding. Just driving around makes me bonkers. I have to get out, hike, mountain bike, climb, ski, and generally distance myself from the driver's seat to really fix my adventure itch. So, my fiddling about is saved for bikes, skis, and kit instead of camp furniture and such. Just different objectives.

 

[CSG]

That's me too, Flounder. The vehicle gets me to the location and then I want to get out and do stuff and be in the outdoors. The camping is a means to an end not the thing in and of itself.

 

[Corey]

I overland to stay in one spot pretty much the whole trip.
My rig, tent, and camping gear are base camp, my home away from home.

I have the mountain bike to get out and explore several miles of old growth national forest lands and trails.
I pack a lunch to take with me in my Mule pack and will park the bike by a stream or river and relax to eat.

I like being setup in one place the whole time so I can explore a few times during the day, then kick back after dinner with a campfire and listen to the wildlife, watch the stars, listen to the water, (I always camp near a stream or river) and talk with friends around the campfire.

 

[roamingaz]

I have recently had to adjust to a Jeep wrangler after having a Toyota truck fully outfitted with every creature comfort I could afford, I chose to downsize and take less crap to make my adventures less work and more enjoyable. I did like having a fridge and a comfy bed in my roof top tent but my biggest issue was weight, when fully loaded I could barely make any hills faster then 35mph.
I have been trying different stuff and packing different ways to find what works good for me and i agree what you bring depends on who goes and what your doing when you get where your going. Most of my adventures involve fishing or hunting, I rarely go camping just to camp out and I dont really bring anythng extra to make my girlfriend more comfortable then I want to be and no complaints yet from her.
So what I bring on a normal weekend trip is basicly the same as a weeklong trip with the exception of food and water, and other then basic tools and gear I do bring a larger BLS rescue pack because I am a certified EMT with proper training to use the gear. As for camping stuff I have my cooking equipment in a Pelican 1400 and non perishable food items in another Pelican case, keeps everything dry and clean. my shelter items include a down sleeping bag, 4 season tent, thermarest pad and pillow all this is put into a waterproof duffle bag.
I do pack very light but still have plenty of comfort when I get to the lake. I have been considering buying a small Tentrax trailer to haul a small boat and some extra gear but then it will start all over again adding more and more stuff.

 

[maximumrob]

When I'm alone, nothing but a sleeping bag, and overnight bag, and a cooler...regardless of how long I'm out. Sleeping in the Jeep is easier than even my 1-man bivy, but I'll occasionally use the tent instead.

When with the wife before kids, we'd take so much stuff the back of my Unlimited would be full front to back and top to bottom with the backseats removed.

We have yet to go camping with our toddler and infant, but intend to next spring. I fully expect to fill up the Suburban.

 

[kai38]

My daughters and I are always amazed how much stuff we take for say just a weekend camping trip. Inside the cruiser has all the stuff that needs to stay dry, sleeping bags, clothes,extra warm clothes, jackets etc. The roof rack has fire wood, fuel, bulky items that didn't fit in the M416. The trailer has ice chests, tables, RTT on top extra tent, cots, chairs,awning,pop-up shade.
I admit I take way too much stuff with us but we are comfortable out camping.
I'm planning a trip to Alaska & am working at reducing everything into or on to the cruiser.
Instead of the Coleman stove I'll bring my one burner backpacking stove & nestling pots, 1 sleeping bag & a down comforter, 12v fridge, sleeping inside the cruiser, its going to be a challenge for me.

 

[Corey]

Sounds like me.
I bring to much I admit, but I also do not use all of it.
It is there mainly for a "just in case."
Better to be prepared for a worst case scenario than not have something if you or someone else truly needs it.

This p[icture was two years ago.
This past season I was able to compact and consolidate my gear better.
Still taking that new Cabelas lounger this year took up a good portion of room at the top.
Most of my gear stays in the rig all of summer (load it up in May, off load it in September) so I am packed for a quick trip.
The only thing I need to load to make a quick escape is my duffelbag, the food box, water jug, and load the ARB fridge.

The logs are used in case of no firewood available, or a quick start and add firewood to it.

 

[jim65wagon]

We base camp a lot. We take a half a ton of gear with us, but then again we have four people and one truck. With four we can go a week, if we plan the food portion well. We spend our days hiking, fishing, canoeing, or cruising the FRs for more campsites. Evenings are spent with fine dinners and campfires.

Do I mind that we take so much? No. While it takes some time (1-2 hours) to set camp and an equal amount of time to tear down and restow gear; all that stuff makes us comfortable.

It's all about comfort and happiness and the outdoors.