Camping questions

[OldState]

I would take a small 9mm pistol if allowed.

I would also forget "camping" and go backpacking I realize that Ohio is not ideal for that but it is far more enjoyable. Maybe plan a trip to a mountainous state.

There is something to packing everything you need for 3-4 days on your back and catching views and scenery from a vantage point that you only can get to on foot.

Pitching your tent in some random place you see fit and noticing how loud everything is when its so quiet.

Try to go light, you will enjoy it better.

[Dead Man]

Indeed. Simply pulling over on the side of a logging road and pitching a Coleman tent on the first flat piece of ground you can find gets uninteresting very fast.

I would probably go for a one-night trip for a first trip, however. Assuming you're in otherwise good physical condition, I would look for a maximum of 5 miles if there's significant elevation gain, or maybe up to 7 or 8 miles if it's flat. It doesn't sound like much, and it's not, but for your first excursion you're going to be so occupied with dialing in your kit and trying to find turnoffs and trailheads and things that if you shoot for much more than that you run a pretty good risk of "benighting" short of your camp objective.

Google earth is a great resource for sort of pre-scouting your area of interest. Look for peaks or ridges or cliffs with good views, or whatever else you might find interesting in your area, and then acquire a good trail map for the area. Keep in mind that intersecting trails will look different on the return trip, and that sometimes the trail you'd think would be the well worn one isn't. In other words, know your route and all possible variations. Getting lost on the trails isn't as dire a situation as getting lost off the trail, but it can still keep you out a day or two or three longer than you intended.

Some unsolicited advice for you!

[3 AE]

If you haven't tested your camping/backpacking equipment before, spending a weekend or two at a state, national forest, or county campsite is a good way to find out what works well, works ok, or just totally sucks! Keep notes on how each piece of your gear performed. Make adjustments as needed. Then branch out from there. Some people like to backpack, some like car camping, and some consider staying at a motel and dining at Denny's as really roughing it! Like shooting, practice, practice, practice, will get you to your destination. Most of all, have a good time doing it.

[TAZ]

Great advice so far. Definitely research the crap out of the laws regarding carry in the parks you intend to visit. Don't want to end up as a statistic cause you didn't read the correct chapter of some handbook.

As for the gear. I'd start out car camping close to home to make sure your tent, bag and pad work for you. If they suck ass you can always sleep in the car or bail out for a hotel or home. Nothing makes for a BAD camping intro than sleeping on crappy equipment for an extended time. We aren't at SHTF day so you have the luxury of tinkering. Use it. As you get the basic shelter covered you can branch out to going further from the car and using packs, stoves and all the other fun stuff.

Be honest about your ability, and limits. Don't go batshit crazy on the first try cause until you have the needed skills to CYA the smallest issue can balloon out of control. Also if you're going primitive or back country stuff have a buddy.

[ra2bach]

my "outdoors" gun is 4" stainless .357 magnum revolver. to me, it's the perfect universal tool. in my locale, I carry it with the first two rounds of snake shot and 4 rounds of 148gr wadcutters. my country is snake country a lot of the time so the snake shot makes me feel better. my handloaded wadcutters are very accurate in this gun for whatever I feel needs shooting - I just pull the hammer back and rotate the cylinder two clicks. I've taken squirrels out of trees to add to my pot and a raccoon that I thought was probably rabid from the way it was acting. and I've been known to just stop and shoot at a stump or something...

I don't normally use magnums while hiking but I've taken three deer hunting with this gun and at night I reload the cylinder with 158gr hollowpoints for predators (4 and 2 legged)...

[St.Michael]

Good info guys. Yea I cant wait to get out this summer. Also any recommendations for something I might need as a new guy that is easily over looked by first timers?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[Grizzly16]

Easy, that's where a Hill People's Gear Runners kit comes into play.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

This ++

HPG bag of some flavor is a required part of my camping/hiking gear. It'll fit anywhere from a small snubby through full size pistol+light with ease for me. That plus a few essentials like matches, little med kit, mylar blanket, flashlight, knife and some duct tape in it make for a great survival pack. It is easy to keep on all the time and can comfortably hold enough to keep you comfortable in any conditions.

[OldState]

Good info guys. Yea I cant wait to get out this summer. Also any recommendations for something I might need as a new guy that is easily over looked by first timers?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

Toilet paper.

Also, try to bring smaller versions of everything and utilize multitaskers

[St.Michael]

Multitaskers? Yeah tp is a must. Lol

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[OldState]

Multitaskers? Yeah tp is a must. Lol

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

More important for when you are packing all your stuff on your back but...Things that have multiple uses.

ex. I used to always carried extra boot laces then realized that the para cord I carried would work.


Limit cooking implements..use "Sporks".... Why carry a dinner knife when you have a pocket knife? etc

Also, If you have others going, limit duplicate gear.

Anything to save weight. It's been 5 yrs since I have been backpacking (had 2 kids) but I had re outfitted myself the year before with updated equipment. Splitting the tent with my buddy, my pack, for 4 days, with a full 3 liter camelback, was 28lbs. That's all my gear. clothes and food.

Much more enjoyable to travel light.