Warmer weather appears to have come and gone, but many of us can’t wait to pack our rucksacks and head off for a night or two under canvas, far away from the maddening crowd.
Camping, hiking and trekking are becoming increasingly popular in the U.K. as people discover the fun that can be had by spending just a few nights away from their regular routines. Sleeping out, maybe in a tent, a hammock or sleeping bag, is a fantastic way to experience nature and share that experience with family and friends.
Here is a list of essential camping and hiking items that you shouldn’t be without:
Rucksack:
A good quality rucksack, that can take all of your camping kit, is essential if you are hiking to your camping destination of maybe moving between campsites. There are a huge number of rucksacks on the market today so we recommend choosing one that has been tried and tested.
Headtorch:
One or more torches are absolutely essential. Headtorches are particularly useful as they leave both your hands free and they are less likely to get lost.
Sleeping Bag:
Choose a sleeping bag that is appropriate for the time of year and weather conditions. Not all sleeping bags are the same and, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Always choose a top quality sleeping bag as a good nights sleep is immensely important if you are to enjoy your camping trip.
Tent, Bivi Bag or Tarpaulin:
When sleeping out you will need, at the very least, a waterproof flysheet or tarpaulin. Combine this with a hammock to keep you off the ground and you have the makings of a comfortable campsite. For protection from wind you may prefer to use a tent. If you are hiking to your camping destination you will need to make certain that the tent is small and lightweight enough to be carried easily.
Water Carrier:
An adequate supply of water is absolutely essential when hiking and camping out. A good quality water carrier, along with a water flask and maybe some water purification tablets, should be high on your kit list.
Protective Clothing:
The UK weather, even in the summer, can be enormously unpredictable. In the course of a day you can find yourself sweltering in blazing sunshine only to be shivering in icy cold winds only hours later. Versatile, practical outdoor clothing is therefore essential. We recommend a good quality long-sleeve shirt paired with some tough, durable long trousers. For overall weather protection a good quality anorak is a good choice. And don’t forget your head. Keep the sun off with a tilley hat or, if you are braving colder conditions, you will need a woollen balaclava or beanie hat.
Footwear:
Anyone who has done any amount of hiking or trekking will know how important it is to look after your feet. Walking even a short distance in ill-fitting boots will give you painful blisters and prevent you from walking any further. You need a good pair of lightweight boots and a comfortable pair of socks, appropriate for the weather conditions and time of year.
Fire:
Camping isn’t really camping without a camp fire. A firestick is a totally reliable way to create an intensely hot spark under any conditions. Combine this with a little dry tinder and you can create fire anywhere under almost any conditions.
Cooking Utensils:
Whether you are planning to cook on a camp-stove or open fire you will need some pans to hold your beans and sausages. A few good quality billy cans can last a lifetime.
Knife:
If there is one outdoor tool that is super-essential it’s a knife. If you have ever watched any of the Ray Mears TV series or Bear Grylls survival programmes you will have seen how these outdoor experts are never without a good quality knife.
First Aid:
Make certain to take an adequately equipped first aid kit. At the very least it should contain some anti-septic, a few good bandages, some insect repellent, lib balm and plasters.
Whistle:
When hiking or trekking, you don’t have to stray too far from well trodden paths to get lost. If you are on your own and become injured it is essential that you are able to attract the attention of people passing nearby. A simple whistle will do just that.
Hopefully these kit suggestion will help you with your camping preparations this summer. There are plenty of additional items that you may find useful link a satellite navigation device or a compass, but the items listed above should be considered essential if you are planning to spend more than maybe one night sleeping under the stars.
A passenger at Nuremberg airport suffered severe self-inflicted alcohol poisoning after drinking 2 pints of vodka which he had been told he could not take on board the aircraft.
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