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If you stumble upon this page, you are most likely packing for a bush camping trip. On these trips, you'll carry everything including your tent and sleeping bag, and walk for a decent distance before pitching your tent in the wild. They're the most exciting thing you can do with proper preparation- escaping from civilisation, enjoying the tranquillity of being alone, and connecting with nature.
Image: Bush camping overlooking Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong
Anatomy of a Camping trip
Anatomy of a Camping trip
This is essentially all you need for a camping trip. Stuff everything in your pack and you're good to go. Sorted!
This sounds like a lot of stuff so we can subdivide it into a few categories: Things you use to sleep, cook, and a few other things to keep yourself happy.
Big backpack
Sleep system
Tent
Sleeping bag
Sleeping mat
Cooking
Stove
Pot
Utensils
Eat & drink
Food
Water
Water filter
Staying warm & dry
Rain jacket
Layers
Extra clothes/socks
Others
Power Bank
Head torch
First Aid & Medications
Backpacks
Backpacks
There are heaps of backpacks out there, but there are only 3 things we look at: Volume, back support, hip & waist belts.
Volume
When you buy a backpack, the first thing they advertise is how big they are. A general rule would be:
40L: Lightweight camp for 1-2 nights during warm weather. Also the max size for carry-ons on planes.
50L: Camping for 1-2 nights in most conditions. Might be a bit tight for extra layers/food.
60L: Comfortably carry everything you'll ever need, plus flexibility for longer walks.
If buying a new backpack, 60L is always the best option to go for.
Back support
It matters more than day walks as you're carrying extra loads for prolonged periods. A metal frame keeps the backpack upright and supported. Padding keeps your back comfy but types of padding are often down to personal preference.
Having a frame (left) vs not having a frame (right) under gravity. Both packs are of the same volume but over a long walk, the one on the left will be more comfortable to carry.
A good camping pack. Notice in red arrow there's a metal frame. Yellow arrow creates an air gap behind the back allowing for moisture to wick. This is good for bush camping in moderate temperatures.
Hip, Waist & Shoulder belts/straps
Many backpacks don't have these straps, so make sure the one you're carrying has one. A good hip belt will have padding for extra support, but that's not essential. Shoulder straps should start at adequate heights- if not it has to be adjusted.
Place the hip belt over your hip* and pull the hip belt to tighten, then slowly pull down the shoulder strap until it fits. Clip in waist strap for extra support and tighten as per personal preference.
If the waist strap is too high (ie. almost at your neck), or if the shoulder strap looks too short/long, check whether the height of the shoulder strap is appropriately set. Adjust where the strap starts to the level of your shoulder, or wherever you feel comfortable.
*A trick to get this quickly: ask someone to place their hands over their hips. Where they place their hands is usually where you want the strap to be.
When buying new backpacks, they will often ask for the size, which usually is the measurement between C7 Spinous Process and Hip- ASIS (Anterior Superior Iliac Spine).
Adjusting shoulder strap heights can be different between packs. Sometimes it's done with velcro tapes, sometimes it's with clips, and sometimes it's with straps.
An example to adjust shoulder strap (Most packs work the same way):
Red circle shows a buckle that enables the shoulder strap to be raised/dropped. When it's raised, it allows for taller people to be fitted, and also extends the main padding down (and vice versa).
After that, loosen/tighten the yellow strap till fit. This pulls load towards your back while not being too tight where your head is constantly bumping into your own pack.
Finding the best pack
You don't always have to buy a new backpack for a camping trip. Look around what you have at home. Here's a quick guide of what's good and what's not good:
Good packs don't have to be big brands. Backpacks from Aldi, temu, online shops or even random street vendors are good as long as they fit our criteria. Backpacks that are not big brands are usually cheaper while offering everything we want.
Avoid bringing shopping bags to fit extra items. If they don't fit inside your pack, you may need a larger backpack or consider removing unnecessary items. This frees up both hands for the walk.
Image: Ap Liu Street, Hong Kong
What's in a camping backpack
Most camping packs look like this. Start with a sleeping bag at the bottom, then work your way up with your tent, sleeping mat, food, stove, pots etc, then water bottles on the side, and finish with your keys, wallet, power bank, multitool etc on top.
Group all items into two categories- things that have fixed size (tent, sleeping bag, pots, gas cans), and things that can squeeze in between items (clothes, jackets, snacks). Start with the fixed-sized items, and try to make good use of every space side to side, front to back. After that, the gap between the items you fitted can be used to squeeze in layers, jackets and some smaller items.
There are extra straps to hook a few more items onto a pack. The mesh in the middle can fit a few extra things, and the strap at the bottom can secure a foam pad. However, be aware that items not inside the pack can be dropped/scratched as you push through dense bush. Always put your tent, sleeping bag, food, and anything that can be easily damaged inside the backpack.
Never place heavy items (eg. tents) at the base of your pack. Sleeping bag, mats or foam pads are great items to always place at the bottom. Don't have heavy items on top either- your pack will feel poorly balanced and uncomfortable.
Having the heaviest items towards the middle and towards you keeps a good load distribution and maximises comfort.
Let's test: what has gone wrong with this camper?
Expand to reveal answer
Tent is strapped at the base of the pack. That's poor weight distribution and tent can be scratched up in the bush.
Sleeping bag can also be scratched up in the bush or even lost if it's caught in branches
Carrying a foam pad is ok, but there are more lightweight options he could go for. He should seriously consider a more lightweight sleeping bag as well. Crucial sleep system strapped outside a pack is not ideal.
Tent
Tent
Tents are here to shield you from the elements when you sleep, ie. wind and rain. It keeps you from getting cold from the wind.
There are many types of tents out there but they all work the same. The main thing that concerns us is the weight. Ideally, a tent should weigh 1 kg per person. Realistically, anything within 1-1.5kg per person is good. 1.8-2kg becomes a bit borderline and only when you know what you are doing.
Tents can be shared. A 3kg tent can be shared between 2 people to hit the target weight per person. Many tents can be broken up and split between people so the weight is equally distributed.
Ultralight tents should be used with a groundsheet for protection.
When receiving a tent, check that it has
A fly (that goes over the tent)
Tent poles
Inner mesh (where you sleep)
Groundsheet (optional)
Tent pegs
Guy wires (usually inside the bag of tent pegs)
Also good to check if the tent you got is not the one you usually use:
The fly is waterproof. Run it over a tap to check. If not, you can apply some waterproofing spray.
Tent poles are included and working
Pegs are included
The tent is not mouldy
Try putting up the tent once at home or in a park. Get a hang of how to put it up, and check if any parts are missing. If it's windy or if it turns dark, it can be difficult to put up a tent if it's your very first time doing it.
90% of the world's tents are set up in the same way. All tents will have instructions included on how to set up, and here's a general guide on how most of the tents you'll see work:
After using a tent, remove dirt from inside the tent, close all doors, before packing up. Groundsheets and pegs are frequently missed and left behind, so remember to take them with you. At home, dry out the tent on a balcony if it's wet, before placing it in long term storage.
Quick conclusion of what we discussed:
Sleeping bag
Sleeping bag
The one essential gear you'll need. At night when you sleep, you tend to get colder than usual and a sleeping bag is everything you need.
A sleeping bag usually has 2 temperature ratings: Comfort and Limit. Look for the Comfort rating. In most cases, a Comfort rating of 0 degrees is recommended regardless of season. During summer, you may get away with one of 10-15 degrees.
There are two main types of sleeping bags: synthetic and down. They are both the same, while synthetic bags tend to be bulkier. Down sleeping bags work by puffing up, which traps heat and keeps you warm. Down sleeping bags will lose warmth when they are wet and down feathers clump up, so make sure to keep them dry using the included stuff sack.
Some people tend to be colder than others. This is down to the individual, and you'll be the person who knows yourself best. If you think you're colder than others, it's good to bring extra layers or use a sleeping bag with a lower comfort rating (ie. warmer). From my observation, these people tend to be colder:
Those of East Asian ethnicity, eg. Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Malaysian^
Those smaller than average, ie. weighing <65 kg
^ Research isn't conclusive about the reasoning behind this. Havenith et al. (2020) suggest Asian comfort temperatures are on average 5 degrees above white Western Europeans. There isn't necessarily a male-female difference. It could be attributed to the climate where one is born over a difference in physiology between ethnicities. Wu et al. (2024) suggested a genetic association with the frequency of an allele associated with cold hypersensitivity across populations, where it's more frequently expressed in Japanese over Europeans, may explain this.
Pack up the sleeping bag by stuffing it back into its bag. Avoid folding sleeping bags, as it can inhibit lofting the next time you use it.
Washing down sleeping bags is a tedious process that can take days and require considerable effort. Use down sleeping bags with a liner to reduce the frequency of needing to do laundry. For beginners, it's best not to wash sleeping bags unless you have read the manufacturer's instructions and have the required equipment.
Sleeping Mat
Sleeping Mat
Sleeping bags are unequally stuffed. The side towards your back usually has less stuffing, and down is compressed with your back against the floor, which means there isn't good insulation on that side. A mat is, therefore, the next thing you need. It insulates you from the ground and plays a key role in keeping you warm. Inflatable mattresses are great at providing warmth while giving a level of comfort comparable to your home's mattress.
Mattresses are advertised with R-values, ie. how well they insulate you. For most cases (especially winter) a R=3 mat is essential. A way to improvise if you have a smaller mat is to double them up, ie. an air mattress of r=1 plus a foam mattress of r=2.
During summer, a yoga mat can be an alternative. Foam pads are usually better as they are cheap and much lighter than yoga mats. K-mart air mattresses are good for summer use, but are relatively bulky. Ultralight mats are more compact and comfortable- good if you camp often.
Some sleeping mats are self-inflating. Unscrew the cap and it will slowly inflate itself. For non-self-inflating sleeping mats with an included pump sack, this is how you inflate them. Alternatively, you can also bring an air pump, but with good ultralight mats they make no difference.
Packing up is also simple- let the air out, fold it up and stuff it back to its original bag.
Cooking
Cooking
There are a few types of stoves but most people will go for gas fuel. A gas canister can be purchased in major hiking stores/Bunnings and a stove can be screwed on to cook. Bring a lighter, even if the stove has a built-in lighter, as they can fail.
Some stoves are designed for liquid fuel and work with their respective fuel type.
Cooking by the fire is usually not recommended, as it usually isn't hot enough to cook unless charcoal is added. The food will most likely not cook. Fire's heat can also melt plastic handles or coatings on most pots.
Before lighting up a gas stove, check that it is standing on a steady surface. Stoves can topple over when they're on a slanted or unsteady surface. Make sure they are away from tents and flammables.
You may use a traditional disposable lighter found in newsagencies/convenience stores/tobacco shops, kitchen lighter, piezo lighter, electric plasma lighter, flint and steel, or even lighting up a match. Electric, kitchen and piezo lighters are the easiest to use for beginners.
Pots: Unless it is built in (ie. jetboil), you'll need a pot to cook your food. Most people go for a billy (ie. tiny camping style pots) but you can always go for bigger ones for easier cooking.
Consider bringing silicone dish scrubbers instead of traditional sponges. They are more lightweight, doesn't get mouldy, and can be used for much longer.
Food
Food
Using info from your trip leader, work out how many meals you'll bring, ie. how many breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
Breakfasts are relatively easy- most people go for cereals, muesli bars, cookies, and sandwiches with a choice of tea or coffee. They are easy to find and can all be carried around without refrigeration. Powdered coffee or tea bags work great in the bush.
Main meals (lunch & dinner): plan it out
Many hiking stores offer a selection of dehydrated food. However, unless you are away for a long time, there usually is no need for those. You can easily carry enough fresh food for 1-2 days and keep yourself happy.
A nutritiously balanced meal keeps you happy and energetic. While we're not kids (haha) this is a good starting point to working out what to bring.
We can therefore break this down into 3 main categories: Carbs, Protein & Veggies.
Carbs are easy: instant noodles, pasta, instant rice etc.
A simple meal would be pasta plus some basil pesto. They both last without a fridge and taste good on a campsite. Instant noodles (eg. mi goreng, tonkotsu ramen) are also great. Top it up with veggies and meat for a good meal. It's protein & veggies where it starts to become tricky as they can't last long without refrigeration.
Veggies: Spinach can last quite a while without refrigeration. However in hot weather it's best to finish them early. Carrots and cucumbers can last very long- perfect for a camping trip.
Protein/meat: Canned food last the longest but are honestly not the tastiest. There can be a balance of food that can last a bit vs food that will last till the last day. All these depend on personal taste. More experienced campers can consider fresh food with ice pack for a more enjoyable meal.
There isn't a solid rule on how long perishable items can last- it depends on weather, how long they're out of the fridge and whether you keep them in a cooler/ice pack. eg. Ravioli- they can last a day or two in cold winter, but when it gets warmer they'll need ice packs.
Eggs don't generally require refrigeration (even though most people put them in a fridge at home) and can be great for a camping trip. Consider eggs that come in a scrambled mix instead of bringing full eggs, as they can crack fairly easily.
For camping trips lasting 1-2 days, an easy way to keep them cool is to keep them in a chiller bag (the ones you use with your lunchbox/ice cream) with 1-2 ice packs (the same ones you use in your esky/cooler box). This way you can bring anything- steak, minced beef, ravioli, lettuce and so on. It can also keep drinks and alcohol cool after a long day of walking.
Cooking meat using a frying pan:
It's worthwhile to get a non-stick pan/pot with ceramic coating, as it would otherwise be difficult to clean.
There are many ways home cooking techniques can be translated to use in a camping setting. This is an example of making scrambled egg using a camping stove and a pot. The egg will stick onto the pot/pan without oil but it's usually not a big deal.
Other types of camping food
On longer trips where bringing 6 packs of pasta or mi goreng is simply not feasible, freeze-dried camping food will be the top choice for people. Modern-day freeze-dried food tastes decent, but they are still far from what it is advertised (eg. beef curry not tasting like curry). They are lightweight and easy to prepare, requiring just hot water. Downsides to them are that they are expensive and may not taste as good as freshly prepared food.
Alternatively, pouches of readily made meals can also be purchased from major supermarkets. They're cheaper and just as lightweight. Some noodles (eg. pho, rice noodles) are lighter than the others and can be good alternatives to bringing packs of pasta.
In Asian stores, bricks of curry can be purchased and simply dissolved over water to create a curry base for rice. Add your own carrots, slices of potatoes and meat for extra flavour.
Bringing fresh food reduces plastic waste, tastes better, and should be the preferred option for camping trips.
Don't forget your snacks
Always have snacks each day for between meals, when you need an energy boost climbing over a steep hill. Museli bars, crackers or lollies work great. Chocolate may melt on warmer days, but is also great to bring along. It's always good to have a few snack items in a pouch easily accessible when you walk, rather than having to dig through the entire pack for a quick snack.
Filtering water
Filtering water
Filter water before you drink it. You can bring a water filter, share one with someone, or use water purification tablets. In most cases someone will have one so there's no need to worry. If you want to bring one, squeeze bottle filters are the most common. Simply fill them up, squeeze, and you get drinking water. Filtering isn't foolproof, so always check the catchment of where you're drinking from for safety.
Unless you plan to camp a lot it's best to share a filter or buy water purification tablets from Chemist Warehouse (check stock before going). Normally, 20L of filtering capacity is recommended for a 2-3 day trip
Image: Katadyn BeFree 1L. It's a good filter to buy if you're getting into camping.
Which one should I buy, filter or tablets? If you camp frequently, eg. 10 times a year, filters will end up cheaper. If you only camp occasionally, tablets.
This is how to filter water using a water filter. For purification tablets, simply fill in a water bottle with water, then depending on the volume of water, add in tablets as per manufacturer's instructions. Purification tablets can give a chloride taste similar to swimming pool water, and some people like to cover it with electrolytes.
Only professionally made filters designed for the outdoors will work to keep water clean. Major brands include Katadyn, Sawyer, MSR, Hydrapak, Lifestraw and Platypus. Tap water filters will not work.
Water bottles and bladders both work well in carrying water. Most packs have a pouch for water bladders, usually towards the very back of the pack, with space for the straw to be routed around. You can even put boiling water in some water bottles, making them good places to store hot water, or to be used as a hand warmer.
Similar to a day walk, you should carry 2L of water, or 3-4L on warm days. There's no need to carry all the water for the entire trip, as there are usually numerous places to get water along the way.
Tip: If your backpack's water bottle pouch looks like this, this means it has a feature called quick access. Slide your bottle through the side hole towards yourself (when wearing the pack), and you can easily access your bottle without taking off your pack.
Clothing & Layers
Clothing & Layers
How many layers to bring is a personal decision and highly dependent on how you feel. Most people bring three layers:
Outer shell: a rain jacket that blocks wind and rain
Mid-layer: a fleece that can be mixed and matched with other layers to keep warm
Insulating layer: a down jacket to be used when you're not walking, ie. at night, while resting or while having lunch.
On warmer summer days where there's no rain forecast, you can even leave all your layers at home. It's still best to bring one layer (fleece or down jacket) in case it gets cold. On days when it's not too cold, you can skip the fleece and only bring what you feel like. Limit the number of jackets to 3 to keep your pack light.
In winter, bring a down jacket warm enough for the night. This is important as there is barely any movement at camp, and it can quickly get cold. In Blue Mountains, a Macpac Uber Light or Decathlon MT100 down jacket equivalent will be fine, along with a fleece. In colder areas or higher altitudes, this will not be enough.
Be flexible with your layers. Leave your chunky big coat or ski jacket at home, as you will most likely not need it or overheat in it. Bring multiple layers, ie. a fleece, a rain jacket etc, and switch around as you like. As you walk, your body generates heat, and all you will need is a rain jacket, possibly a fleece at most. Don't wear your down jacket or ski jacket when you walk, as you will be sweating in it. Only when you stay still at camp will a down jacket become handy.
Extra change of clothes is also up to you. Merino wool base layers can last a long time (usually 2-3 days) as they are odour-resistant, and you'll likely not need to bring any. It's worthwhile, however, to bring extra pairs of socks. The most important body part in a camping trip is your feet, and it's worthwhile to take good care of them.
Try not to wear merino wool t-shirts as an outer layer, as they can be easily damaged. Normal t-shirts, or merino t-shirts with a synthetic blend, will be fine. Synthetic layers dry quicker than merino when they are wet, but merino works better at limiting odour; therefore, it's good to decide based on what you value more.
If the weather is warm and you want to swim, bring swimsuits. On warm days, any clothing that's not cotton (eg. synthetic/merino) will dry quickly, and it'll be fine to swim in them. It's a good shower for your body as well :)
First Aid, Personal Care and Electronics
First Aid, Personal Care and Electronics
Bring all the medication you'll need. Trip leaders will have a first aid pack so there usually isn't a need to have one, but the more the merrier. Emergency blankets are good to have but not essential. Some people bring over-the-counter medications eg. ibuprofen as pain relief, but it's a personal decision. Instead of bringing a pre-packed first aid pack straight from a pharmacy, it'll be good to have a think of what you actually need (eg. Do you need 5 different types of bandages in the pack?) and pack them into a small zipped bag. Keep this minimal, as most likely it'll be sitting untouched throughout the entire trip.
Power banks are good to have so your phone can keep taking pictures. Most phones can last a long time when turned into aeroplane mode. A 10,000 mAh power bank will easily last 3 days, while a 20,000 mAh one can last 6 days, provided that your phone stays mostly in aeroplane mode, and you only use it for taking pictures and using GPS maps.
Bring head torches to be used at night. Don't rely on your phone's flashlight as it drains its battery, and it's a pain to walk around at night holding onto your phone.
Bring toilet paper. Trowels (ie. a shovel to dig a toilet) are good to have. You can always improvise with a stick but that can be a bit hard. You can't improvise toilet paper, however. Some people bring an entire roll since toilet needs can be unpredictable.
You will need to pack out all the trash you created during the trip. Bringing a few trash bags will help manage this (plus managing items in case they spill).
Keep your oral health in good shape- bring a toothbrush and toothpaste. You can use toothpaste tabs which are easier to carry around. It might not matter if it's one night, but it'll be important on longer trips.
Extra tips for women, poster from Melbourne Uni Mountaineering Club:
Weighting everything
Weighting everything
Now that you've packed everything. Use your bathroom scale to weigh how much your pack weighs. If it's too heavy, you might consider taking out the extra mandarins, chocolates or clothes. Replace bulky gear with lightweight alternatives. Consider sharing tents and cooking equipment with others.
Ideally, it should not be more than 15% of your body weight, 20% at a maximum. Average adults in Sydney usually weigh around 70-80kg, which translates to 10-12kg of pack weight. A weight of 7-10kg is great for beginners, 10-15kg is ok, and 15-20kg for really long multi-day hikes. For every additional kilogram of weight, the knees experience four times the force.
What not to bring
What not to bring
Key to a bush camping trip is keeping your pack light. In hiking stores there's a lot of camping products, but many them are more for car camping use (ie. you drive to a campground and camp next to your car) where weight isn't an issue.
Should I bring card games? It's up to you, but from experience most people wouldn't have time to touch them.
Hammer/Mullet for tent pegs: use your foot or a rock instead.
Solar panels/Power generator: use power banks instead
Big torch/lantern: headlights are good enough
Should I buy something?
Should I buy something?
It's very important to note that the purpose of this page isn't to make you buy new gear/equipment. They are big investments and can easily cost thousands of dollars. Many people will sell you the idea of "gear up for your next trip", but it's not a great way to justify new spending. I personally like to think about a few things before I even look for new gear:
Will this fulfil a need I had before today? Let's say we're buying a new ultralight tent. Have you been needing this for quite a while, eg. for the past 3 camping trips?
Will I use it frequently enough? Most technical gear is designed for multiple uses. Frequency is fairly subjective and is something you should personally decide. Personally I'd say 10 camping trips per year is a good benchmark, that's on average once a month and you'll be easily clocking 15-20 nights on your new fancy tent per year.
Do I not have something similar? Is it just a sleeping bag that's not warm enough, a pack that just doesn't look outdoorsy, or a jacket that has a few tears? Instead of investing in something completely new, it's cheaper to just add on to your existing gear. A sleeping bag liner with your sleeping bag, or a few repair patches for your jacket will save you on a new one.
If any of them gives a No, it's probably best that you borrow gear from somewhere/someone. Alternatively, second-hand markets such as Facebook Marketplace can have good deals.
Camping doesn't have to be expensive. There's industry-standard, highly technical gear that will suit people who camp frequently enough, but if you're looking for something more casual, it's easy to find unbranded gear for a fraction of the cost. You'll, however, need to have reasonable knowledge to determine if they suit what you need, which we cover in the sections below. My favourite shopping destinations include
[Expand for more]
Aldi: a bit of try your luck, but you'll find good backpacks or camping stoves
Kmart: Gear is suitable for car camping.
Amazon: Naturehike has our favourite affordable ultralight tents. Many items are good at a fraction of the price but always check their specifications.
Anaconda: Backpacks, tents and sleeping gear are good for bush camping. Check its weight and it'll be fine
Macpac/Kathmandu: Previously known for good technical gear, they've now gone for the streetwear market and hence their quality is not as appealing. Backpacks are fine, but you'll find them cheaper and better at Decathlon/Anaconda. Probably the only reason left to go there is to buy jackets.
Decathlon: Previously our favourite, its selection has gone worse now in Australia. They still have very good backpacks and jackets/apparel. However, if you're from Hong Kong/Europe/UK, they have really good camping gear. Their MT900 series of tents and sleeping mats (probably not sleeping bags) is on par with highly technical gear of big brands (without the big brands tax). The MT900 one-person tent deserves a special mention- it's one of the best ultralight tents you can get.
Aliexpress/Taobao: There's a lot of good stuff at cheap prices but you'll need to be fairly knowledged to know what you're buying. A bit of Chinese language skills helps. Be aware that fake product reviews, ratings and sales figures are common in Taobao. The risk may not be worthwhile adding the shipping time/cost and you might be better off supporting your local store.
Your local asian general store tends to have a mix of everything, from tiny cooking pots to backpacks good enough for camping.
Big brands don't necessarily mean quality, and by shopping at these alternative places, you'll actually get better products for less. Of course you'll always need the knowledge, eg. for a backpack, check if its straps, frame, volume and size fit you. Somehow big brand stuff is only designed for 30-40 uses- to many people this can be decades of use, but frequent hikers will quickly spot the actual quality of the gear. If buying expensive technical gear, it's always good to consult experienced people around you for a second opinion. Longstanding hiking stores tend to have shopkeepers who can give really good advice but the quality has gone down and it's best to know a few things before going to a store.
On the walk
On the walk
If the backpack becomes slightly uncomfortable on the walk, here is how a quickfix might solve the issue:
Redo hip belts to a position more comfortable/ more on the hip
loosen shoulder straps and retighten
Rearrange load inside the backpack such that heavier loads are closer towards you
It's hard to dump weight once on the walk, but excess items like extra mandarins or extra water can be dumped/consumed to shed weight. Think twice before dumping water, as water once gone is gone.
Campsite etiquette: be mindful of noise after 10pm. People tend to sleep earlier than usual in camp so it's always good to keep conversation volumes low. Tents are not soundproof and any noise you make in your tent (phone calls, music etc) will be heard. It's better to move away from the campsite if you wish to talk/make calls late at night.
Many campgrounds have animals that feed on human food and have been accustomed to human presence. Secure your food in your tent, zipped backpack or hard plastic container. Many animals can chew through plastic covers to access food. Don't feed animals, as once they're accustomed to this, they cannot unlearn the behaviour and will be an annoyance for other people.
If you snore, it'll be nice to pitch your tent a bit further away from everyone else.
This page is designed as a shared resource for people leading trips. Feel free to share this page around and we can all simplify the preparation process. This page is designed for first-time campers, and is regularly updated with best practices and through the experiences of running beginner camping trips. This page encourages the adaptation and reuse of everyday items in camping trips, which may not align with ultralight philosophies of experienced campers.
If there's anything that may be a useful addition to this page (eg. your favourite camping food/recipes), feel free to contact me at webmaster@err404notfound.net. All effort has been made for accuracy and relevance of information provided. The owner of this page appreciates feedback should there be inaccuracies.
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