I am trying to plan a secret camping trip for my husband's birthday. He has been DYING to go camping ever since we got married, but due to different work schedules have never had the time. I was able to get time off for a weekend trip, and have been trying to plan what to bring, how much winter gear is needed (north Utah in early March), and how to make a reasonable schedule. The screenshotted document above is what I've been able to come up with on my own, but I would LOVE some input from people who actually know what they're doing! If anybody has any advice for me, I would love to hear it 🙂
by Dry_Cardiologist3477
11 Comments
First aid kit
I know you said that this is a surprise but if the two of you have never camped together before it will go better if you tell him before you go. It’s a lovely idea and i’m sure he will appreciate it. Everyone has that one thing that can bring it together for them.
Part of the fun of the trip is planning it.
Do not use a machete for harvesting firewood. Thats a job for a hatchet
I’m pretty sure that those sleeping mats don’t have the necessary insulation for the expected temperatures. Insulation of sleeping mats is measured with the so called r-value, the higher, the better insulation it provides.
If you’re expecting snow, you should choose a mat with the r-value of at least 4.
Sleeping bags also have differing temperature ratings. You should use the comfort temperature for orientation. To be safe, buy sleeping bags with a comfort temperature that corresponds with the lowest temperature that’s expected.
If your sleeping system isn’t appropriate for the temperatures, all the other gear will be irrelevant, because you won’t be able to enjoy it due to the miserable (or even lack of) sleep.
Given the weather you are expecting, and your lack of experience, start with a developed campground in a State or National park.
Bring chemical handwarmers and extra blankets.
Bring towels.
After I go to bed – what do I do? The schedule is not clear.
How muck snow did they get there with this last storm or over this winter at all. Consider what areas are open or even accessible
I would move headlamp from optional to must-have, and flashlights to optional. A headlamp is far superior to a flashlight when you’re camping. I would opt for a headlamp with a red light as well.
If you will be camping in bear country you will need some additional items and learn safety.
I get the checklist for the items you need, but I feel like hourly schedule is an overkill. Things will take longer than you expected. My suggestion is to have a general idea what you want to do, then wing it based on the general vibes and weather. I put less effort in planning my first two week dispersed camping trip and it was absolutely fantastic.
For a weekend….
First – I agree below, Headlamps are a must.
Survival book on a weekend trip. Its already too late if you need this book during the trip.
Invest in some good camp towels. A good pack of baby wipes can replace TP all together (but you have to pack them out – VERY few are really flushable or biodegradable).
Rope – paracord and bungee cords. Sleepwear = clean underwear. Its a weekend trip – don’t over think it.
Camp lantern – a good candle lantern or even flashlight will do.
I don’t see a camp stove… ditch the cast iron pan, unless you plan to leave it at the car. INVEST in a small camp stove. Not naming product but my stove has an integral french press and I hand grind the coffee.
Don’t over plan. Just go with the flow. Strict Scheduling every moment will fail. (Army talk – No Plan Survived H Hour)
I once went on a camping trip with two friends and one of their GFs. She wouldn’t do a thing until we found a gas station with a plug in the bathroom so she could do her hair…!
Personally, I love the checklist and plan (I still do the same thing for multi-night trips). If it were me though, I’d delete everything in the daily itinerary except the meal plan. Keep the hiking list, and *maybe* even assign a hike for each day, but leave things open to relax and go with the flow. Leave them as options, not mandatory fun time.
Some administrative advice that will help with both planning and organized packing would be to have list subcategories: lodging/sleeping, camp kitchen, clothing, adverse weather gear, camp tools, comfort items, etc.
Some particular things I noticed:
* try to minimize disposables (paper/plastic eating utensils, sodas, ziplocks, etc). Generating a bunch of trash is just a hassle that’s easily available.
* can opener for the chili? Or pull-top.
* bungee cord is not a substitute for rope when rope is what you need. Make it rope *and* bungee cord, then drop the clothesline (which is just rope).
* hatchet for firewood, if needed. Can also be used for tent stakes, but I’d recommend a hard mallet for those (not a hammer). A folding hand saw is lighter, safer, and more than sufficient.
* make sure you break out the first aid kit and check that it has what you might need. Store-bought ones usually won’t. Even “camping” ones. Add a fresh small tube of super glue and a razor blade, along with a separate stash of backup meds.