camping at the lake Archives

Camping Series #4: Five Camping Gear Must-Haves

Posted on November 19, 2020December 7, 2020 Camille Smith

You might be familiar with the famous Franz Kafka quote: “Better to have and not need than to need and not have.” This quote certainly applies to camping gear. When you’re in the woods, it’s every camper’s nightmare to need something that you’ve forgotten at home desperately.

However, this rule is difficult to follow when there’s limited space in your backpack or car. How can you know what’s essential? To help you with that list of essentials, our final installment in our Camping Series is dedicated to the topic. Check out this list of five camping gear must-haves for your next outdoor adventure.

Bag Water Bottles

When you’re out camping, especially with a smaller backpack, space is precious. Carrying around an empty Camelback or Swell can feel like a serious waste of room in your pack, although these are excellent brands.

While plastic water bottles are certainly an option because you can crumple them when you’re done, they are not reusable and wasteful to the environment—introducing the perfect solution – bag water bottles.

This piece of camping gear’s novelty is that they’re both foldable and reusable. When you’re done, fold the bag in your backpack to save space and refill it when you’re ready! Essentially, it’s every camper’s dream. You can find this product from brands like Platypus or on Amazon.

Camp Kitchen

If you’re out hiking for just an afternoon, it’s easy to pack a non-refrigerated sandwich like a classic PBJ or a Cliff Bar. However, when you’re camping overnight, you need more than just snacks. If you’re wondering how to replicate your home kitchen at a campsite, camp kitchens are the answer.

Smaller kitchen supplies like the Soto Amicus Cookset are perfect for backpacking or picnic trips. This compact, lightweight piece includes two pots and a stove, ideal for cooking pasta in the woods.

If you’re staying at a campsite with the luxury of bringing your car, try this set from Trail Kitchens. Portable, yet comprehensive, this piece of camping gear is ideal for outdoor trips with large groups.

Portable Furniture

Photo courtesy of Caleigh Waldman via NYTimes.com.

When roasting marshmallows around the fire at your campsite, you may not be lucky enough to find solid logs for sitting. And even then, it might be uncomfortable. Incorporate more relaxation into your camping trip with portable furniture.

For low-to-the-ground seating, Crazy Creek chairs are an excellent choice. The original chair has been popular for over 30 years, earning the title of “toughest gear” from Backpacker Magazine. For more elevation from the ground, check out the co-op chair from REI. Sturdy, flexible, and easy to assemble; this product is ideal for campers.

Headlamp

Photo courtesy of Vincent Guth via Popular Science.

Although stars are undoubtedly brighter when you’re out in the woods than at your lake house, they likely won’t be sufficient for guiding your way if you’re lost. If you’re camping overnight, a high-quality headlamp is a must-have piece of hiking equipment.

One of the top-ranked products is the Petzel Actik Core Headlamp. With night vision features and a rechargeable battery, this piece of camping gear is sure to last for years of adventures. However, it’s also not necessary to break the bank on a headlamp.

For a more affordable option, check out the similar Petzel Tikkina Headlamp. Although it isn’t rechargeable, it comes with multiple lighting levels and an adjustable head strap.

Collapsible Dog Bowl

If you frequently go on camping adventures with your pup, a collapsible dog bowl is an essential piece of camping gear. Since it’s foldable, it can easily store in your backpack, and you can reuse it whenever your dog needs a refreshing drink of water. Ruffwear’s collapsible dog bowl is one of the top brands, made with a durable fabric.

Besides dog bowls, this company makes various camping and outdoor activity equipment for our furry companions.

For more information about camping, check out our previous blog posts in the Camping Series. From activities like starting a campfire to pitching a tent, we’re covering the essentials of braving the great outdoors.

Camping Series #2: Pitching a Tent

Posted on October 22, 2020October 15, 2020 Camille Smith

Nothing says “autumn” more than a good old fashioned camping trip near your lake house. This time of year, roasting marshmallows and sleeping under the stars is a great way to get in touch with nature. However, this classic activity comes with some arduous responsibilities, such as building a campfire. But perhaps the most daunting task is pitching a tent. Unless you’re a seasoned camper or former Eagle scout, this endeavor isn’t intuitive. With so many poles, ties, and fabric, how do you know where to start? To help you prepare for your next camping adventure, we’ve compiled a list of pointers for pitching a tent!

1. Make Sure You Have Everything

There’s nothing worse than starting your journey, being deep in the woods, reaching into your tent bag, and realizing that you’re missing pieces. You don’t want to be stranded without everything you need to construct your tent. As such, it’s best to make sure everything’s in the bag first. Ideally, you should accomplish this step before you leave your lake house. Better yet — set up a practice tent in your backyard by the water!

Depending on the type of tent that you have, the required components will be different. However, the most standard tents include the main body, a rain fly, ground cloth, and stakes.

2. Lay the Groundwork

Just like a proper foundation is essential for any home, it’s also crucial for pitching a tent. This means choosing a site with a flat surface and clearing away any sharp rocks, twigs, and stones from the general area. After all, you want to create a comfortable environment conducive to sleeping soundly. Once you’ve found your spot, lay all of your components out of the bag onto the ground and line them up visibly. This way, you’ll be able to assemble them quickly without fumbling around at every step.

Once you’ve found a spot, cleared the ground, and laid out your pieces, the real work comes next. First, lay the tent’s main body on top of the ground cloth. The hooks should be facing up so that you can assemble the poles later. Typically, the tent corners have color-coded tags, making sure the colors on the ground cloth align with those on the main body.

3. Assemble the Poles

Usually, a standard tent comes with four poles – two larger ones and two smaller ones. Since the tent curves at the top, assemble the poles so that the smaller pieces are facing towards the center. Then, lay the assembled poles onto the main body and set them up one at a time.

To set up a pole, first, insert the end piece into the holder on the tag. Then loop it through the provided slots in the tent, as though you’re looping a belt onto a pair of jeans. Once you’ve pulled the pole through all the loops, insert the other end into the hole or slot provided. Repeat the process for other poles!

If this step is the most frustrating for you, you’re not alone! It’s the most detailed step, and you’re bound to make errors, especially if this is your first time pitching a tent. If you’re camping with others, ask for help on this part to minimize errors.

4. Stake the Tent

Each corner of the tent should come with loops for staking. Loop these features around the stake. Then, using a foot or hammer, stake the tent into the ground at a 45-degree angle (this angle should be facing away from the tent to create tension and keep the tent standing). Do this for all four corners of the tent. As a pro tip, it’s helpful to stake opposite corners first for the utmost stability.

Finally, slide the rain fly over the tent’s top and attach it to the same loop as the stake loops. Hopefully, you won’t catch too much rain. But if you’re unlucky, there’s plenty of advice on pitching a tent in bad weather.

5. Enjoy the Tent

Photo courtesy of @heidi.mag via Twenty20.

Finally, your tent is ready! It’s time to unroll your sleeping bags inside and enjoy your camping trip to the fullest. Clean air and cool temps make for the best sleeping experience. Waking up to a slice of nature is divine. If you have never tent camped or if it has been a while, do yourself a favor and reconnect with the natural world in a tent!