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The craze to get closer to nature is becoming more and more popular and a cry to get back to the basics is leading many novice outdoorsmen to hit the trails with little or no experience battling the elements.
Crowded with eco-tourism toys from GPS gadgets to personal packs, adventure stores claim to give you the edge you need when it comes to surviving your quest. The fact is you don’t necessarily need those necessities to rough it successfully. Find all the tools you need to make your primitive camping experience healthy and comfortably here.
Start with sensible clothes. Think about layers and bring a heavy coat even if you aren’t expecting cold weather. Temperate climates allow for comfortable camping from early spring to late autumn and though the days may be mild, nighttime temperatures can drop drastically – especially in very high or very low altitudes. Bring a pair of jeans or lightweight cargo pants for your hike, even if it’s hot. Keeping your legs covered will keep you protected from danger in the brush.
Making shelter will be an important part of your primitive adventure and doing this will be a heck of a lot easier with a weatherproof tent and warm sleeping bag. Don’t need much more to cover that base. Even the tent is sort of a luxury for many months of the year. Plenty of primitive campers enjoy no tent at all and choose to roll out their bags right on the ground or in their wagons and trucks.
An old shower curtain (or tarp) makes a handy floor mat for your tent entrance and can be a very helpful barrier between you and the ground. You’ll find that it’s easier to keep the dirt out of your sleeping space when you implement this idea.
Water is definitely essential and two containers are preferred. Pick up a 2.5 gallon container of drinking water per every two people. Generally this will cover a weekend-long excursion and any cooking you might be doing. If you plan on a trip to a warm climate, adjust your needs. Bring a second container filled with tap water. You can use this water for washing hands, utensils and dishes.
Don’t forget and old pot or two that you can stick in the fire for grub. One sharp knife and a couple of tablespoons are all you really need for eating and cooking utensils, but inexpensive sets can be found at your nearby surplus store. If you’re a fan of sandwich melts, aluminum foil makes for a great quick cooking dish, too. Remember to also bring along antibacterial hand/dish soap and trash/recycling containers for clean up and maintenance.
Have a fire starter kit for your first fire. That way, it you arrive at your site after dark, you won’t be stumbling around a dark forest for dry fuel. Getting an outdoor fire can sometimes be difficult in moist or windy conditions, so be sure to include adequate kindling and newspaper to get your fire started. Waterproof strike anywhere matches are also a must. Before you leave for home, pack up a new fire starter kit from the remnants of your woodpile.
Last but not least, safety first! Always keep a well-stocked first aid kit on hand for any accidents or emergencies. Pack an old Tupperware with aspirin, eyewash, Band-Aids, gauze, Neosporin, Benadryl (topical and ingestible), rubbing alcohol, enough old strips of fabric to make a tourniquet and anything else you think you might need. A flashlight or lantern will also keep you safe from trouble in the dark.
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