Preparing for the 2012 Camping Year

With the new year and many of us making (and breaking) new year resolutions remember to review your camping resolutions. Often you think about camping during the summer when the days are warm and long. However , now is a good time to check your camping gear when you are not in a hurry heading out the door. Review your camping gear before you realize you did not remember to fix or fix something.

Pretty much everybody has the list of ‘I’ll Remember That’. What is the ‘I’ll Remember That ‘ list you ask? Well that is the list of things you do not need to write down as you will never forget that thing. You know, like picking up stamps or that item from the corner shop whatever it was. Don’t worry, you will remember it when you go to find those stamps and realize you are out of them. So let’s set the ego aside for a bit and review the camping gear to start preparing for the following year.

If you are like many of us, by this time much of your gear is stored away wrapped up until better weather has you bringing your gear out to load up for the 1st trip of the season. You might have even abused some of your gear by stacking holiday decorations on it, left it laying on the ground or even crushed in some corner. Take some time to drag out the gear you can reach and review it. First list out your gear and separate it into different categories:

Must have “these are items you used on every trip.

Nice to bring “items you sometimes use but can survive without.

Do not need “These are items you either got or somebody gave you and you never use them and will not use them.

First the simple part, the do not need pile. Lose it. I do not care how much it cost or who gave it to you. If you’re not using it and don’t plan to use it, it is a waste of space, time and a lot of other things. I had a water resistant backpack I had picked up before having a family, meaning to do all sorts of camping in the boundary waters of Minnesota. Priorities changed and what I would have liked to do modified but I kept the pack. Wisest thing I did was give that pack to a buddy who would use it. Trade that gear that you don’t use and get something that you will use or give it to someone who will use it. Let go of the guilt; you will be a more content person and have more storage, too.

Now for the list that’s tough to go through: Nice to bring. This list gets long, and campers often excuse it, saying they have the space so they may just as well keep it. Look at each item and be honest if you actually need it. Ask yourself if you have another item that may replace the item. A classic example is a hammer and camp hatchet. Both can be used to pound in stakes and help pull them out. But the hatchet can also chop and split wood. If you are not sure you will need it, try bringing the item although not using it. If you do not use it after 1 or 2 trips, ditch it!

Must haves are all the items you are keeping. Review those items for damage or upkeep that could be required. Ascertain what can be fixed and what items you want to replace, for example a tarp. If you need to replace items, you can watch for sales and score some deals. The choice might be finding out last minute, as you are setting up, that you need to replace items. Then you are at the beck and call of the closest store, where you may not find what you need, or you’ve got to spend more money than anticipated.

Happy camping!

About the Writer Bob Langdale has been a camping fan his whole life. On his web site he’s got more articles to give suggestions on camping and camping tarps.
His website is intended to help both newbies at camping and those with more experience looking to learn new tricks.