What should I pack for my camping trip to Saranac Lake?
Besides the obvious tents, camp chairs, fishing poles, etc. I’m having a hard time deciding on what to pack for our camping trip from July 1st — July 13th.
I’m not sure how much clothes to pack (how many pairs of each), what medicines to pack, and how soon in advance I should start collecting these items for the trip. (I really don’t want to forget anything and I want to have a really nice time).
Not that this matters, but when we went up last year, we didn’t have enough clothes, my husband got a ticket for tailgaiting, we got pulled over in our CANOE for not having life vests, I got my period, the tire flew off of the side of the truck on Rt 30 and we spent two days in the pouring rain fixing the truck on our honeymoon.
I hope I’m not asking for it going on a second trip to the same place. I guess I’m trying to redeem myself from our horrendous honeymoon. My mom says I’m worrying too much…
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2 comments
Johan R on March 9, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Hey Mrs. Mustang,
Sounds like you had a rough one last time out!! Check out this little article on 10 Tips to make your camping better and if you use one or two of them then cool…… http://www.helium.com/tm/404027/whether-planning-kayak-canoe
I really hope it turns out better this time around.
Denver Al on March 9, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Start now. Make sure you know how to setup your tent before you go (set it up at home first, or someplace) to make sure you have everything and it will be a lot easier to do and less stressful than learning the first time at the camp site.
For the most sleeping comfort, good air mattresses are best, next are the inflatable thermarest type pads, and lastly the foam pads.
Rain gear (waterproof pants and coats are best, ponchos at a minimum), bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit are all good essentials to have.
Flashlights are very useful, whatever you have will probably be good enough, but make sure you have extra batteries and light bulbs. If you want to get new ones, get the LED type lights. They are much more durable and the batteries will last a lot longer than regular lights. Headlamp type lights are great for working around the camp to keep your hands free. Make sure to try them out first before you buy to make sure they work well and provide good light, but know that they will not match the light output of the standard light bulb lights, but work great when it’s dark out.
Take a couple of extra blankets along just in case it gets colder than your sleeping bags can handle.
Gas or propane lanterns are great and provide a lot of general lighting. Battery operated ones are good too, just make sure they are charged or have extra batteries.
A good gas or propane stove, is good. Make sure you have enough gas or propane to fuel them and know how to light and use them.
It will be easier to clean up if you use plastic or paper disposable plates and cups and plasticware utensils. Can opener, spatulas (rubber and metal types), knives, aluminum foil (if you use it to line cooking stuff can help reduce cleanup and is great over open fires to cook with and can also help wrap up leftovers if you like), ladles, pots and pans, etc…. as needed for whatever you plan to be cooking.
Water is essential, make sure you have access to clean water or bring it with you (you will need quite a bit), there are water containers you can buy to help keep water at your site if none is close by.
Paper towels of course. Maybe a medium wash tub or two would be useful for cleanup of cooking utensils.
Coolers for food and drinks that need to be kept cold.
Trashbags to put your trash in every day (be sure to not leave it just laying around, especially at night. Throw it away in approved trash bins or you could have unexpected visitors). Store your food in the cars, especially at night, and don’t take any food inside the tent.
Personal hygiene items as you know you might need, toothpaste and brush, towels, soap, clothes (enough to change into every day or go to get washed), money, Medicines (ibuprofen, antihistimines, ant-acids),
Maybe some things for fun and to help entertain like cards, simple board games (backgammon, chess, checkers, yahtzee, etc…), frisbee, football, reading books, small radio, etc…
If you can provide more info we can offer more input for some other things that may pertain directly to your camping excursion.
I can e-mail you an entire checklist of stuff if you want that you can use to choose stuff pertinent to you so you won’t forget anything. Just e-mail me.
Have fun!