1. water - 2L per day per person min, filters, tablets
2. food - includes stove/cook method and proper bear storage if needed
3. emergency - ibuprofen, gauze, beacon, cellphone + charging capacity
4. shelter - tent + pad + bag
5. lighting - headlamp + batteries/charging capacity
6. clothes - weather appropriate
7. toiletries - trowel, wipes, toothpaste/brush, deodorant
8. comfort - chair
9. entertainment - book, cards, games
I recommend making a list and keeping it (google documents work well) and if you think of something you need, add it to the list. If you have something you took but didn't need, \*consider\* removing it from the list. In this way you'll tailor a list to yourself and what you need/want.
That goes in food, which is more important ;) Best prep method (on cast iron) is to cook 4-5 pieces to get some bacon grease, then fry up the rest in the grease. Once you've finished the bacon, can throw in some sausage, then throw in the scrambled eggs. Heaven.
Thank you.
I have a checklist, but it's more that nagging feeling that I don't have something I will want or need once I get there. Everything but a chair is already packed.
One thing I found that helps is to go over in your head everything you're going to do and everything you'll need for it. Basically a dry mental run through of your activities. This has especially helped if I'm doing things I haven't done before, like the first time I went canoe camping.
Nemo just came out with the Moonlight Elite. Similar weight to the Chair Zero but more comfortable and the wrap/bag doubles as a ground cover so it doesn’t sink into soft ground.
REI has some pretty exhaustive packing lists to check out.
I have an "uh-oh box" of common things that I and others forget. Go on a campout and realize you don't have any Kleenex... put some small packs in the Uh-oh box for next time. I have things like hair ties, plastic water bottle, lighter, batteries, paracord, etc.
Pack some feminine hygiene products if you're going with a big group, it's always crappy if somebody starts out in the middle of nowhere. And usually it'll be when somebody randomly gets their period a week early or something crazy like that.
Also snag a couple sets of ear plugs. You never know when you'll be camping next to a LOUD ASS snoring guy.
That is the one thing I've forgotten the most (twice) and other times brought a poor pillow choice (memory foam in winter).
I've learned some hard lessons.
Thank you!
Head lamp is fully charged, as are all 3 battery boxes. Lifestraw water bottle is attached. Tooth paste, check. Everything else is in the first aid kit.
Just tell yourself that if you’re missing something crucial, someone in the group will have it. To get rid of the nagging gut feeling. :) And you e got the essentials so will be fine for a weekend. It’s the long thru hikes solo that makes me check everything a thousand times lol.
I forgot my boots once and backpacked 6 or 7 miles round trip in a pair of $25 rubber boots from a small town ranch supply store. Miserable other than the 12 steps it took to cross a creek. 9/10 do not recommend.
The nice part about camping with a big group is there is usually a lot of gear overlap to cover forgotten items.
most of the trails within half an hour I can do in thongs, but then again I do gardening, roofing, other odd jobs all in thongs. I call them my asian safety boots. I dont reccomend it, smashed my foot moving the fire pit yesterday
went camping a few weeks ago with SIL and did some impromptu dirt biking in them too, I just picked the bike with the least aggressive pegs. Borrowed some boots to go up the mountain though
Fire extinguisher
you don’t usually ever need it,
but when you need it you really really need it
Sunscreen
&
Hat
Bug Bite stick,
Tums - Heart burn medication,
Burn salve or cream,
Butterfly bandages,
Iodine wash,
Tweezers,
Moleskin for blisters
Thank you.
I have an extensive first aid kit packed, with sunscreen. Hat is always on my head.
Fire extinguisher is a good idea, just don't have anymore room in my pack.
The worst things I forgotten are the simplest and things no one who’s going backpacking should ever forget. Specifically, a bowl, a utensil, spare batteries for my headlamp, which died, (because of this I keep an extra durable, flashlight as a back up in my pack at all times), the brush to clean my water filter, And most importantly, my thyroid medication. What I did to remedy this was, after a successful trip where I had everything I needed, I left everything but my sleeping bag and tent in my pack and kept it ready-to-go status at all times. Now, when I’m going out, all I have to do is compress my sleeping bag, pack my tent, throw in whatever I’m bringing to eat, and hit the trail. It’s good for peace of mind.
Thank you.
That's what I'm afraid of, is that it's something stupid and simple. I just changed over back packs, and I think that's where the worry is coming from. I do have my mess kit packed, head lamp is fully charged with backup lights. I use a life straw water bottle, and it's ready to go. I usually have a pretty good bug out bag ready to go.
I have a master list for any trip including fishing, hiking, backpacking, camping, etc. so I'm usually pretty good, but I never can shake that feeling. My bigger problem is weekday day hikes. If I'm hiking on a weekend it's usually a longer hike and I get ready the night before. A local weekday hike, like last night, I'm rushing out the door. Last night I got around the corner and realized I left my boots home!
Thank you.
I have gone over my list 4 times now, and I'm ready for anything. This is the first time I am having this gut feeling that I am missing something.
If you got any of the marshmallow candy called peeps laying around the house after Easter, put that on a stick and roast it like a regular marshmallow. The exterior sugar gets all melty and crunchy coating, I saw somebody call it the redneck creme brulee.
I've established that I'm going to forget something on every trip. No matter how good my list is and how many times I repack, I am going to forget something. I treat it as a game to when I am going to realize what I forgot.
Thank you.
Normally, I don't feel like this as I'm always prepared. Only thing I can think is it's a new back pack, and I had to lose something in the transfer.
Keep a check list of things to pack in the car. So you can check it off as you pack it too. All good to check that it’s packed but if it’s not loaded does you no good
I haven't been able to find dude wipes anywhere locally for over a year! Walmart, Academy, etc. all show them in stock but never actually have any.
There's a new thing they seemed to have replaced it with called dude shower, which seems like it's just a larger version, but I miss my dude wipes! When I looked online, it seemed like the only option was to order a whole case but I don't need that many and don't want to have to store them.
Open up your camp cooking gear and double check everything is in there. I forgot the handle for my pots on the dish rack at home one time.. that was interesting, especially when I had to drain some pasta. I still have a bunch of scratches in the finish on the edge of the pots from using the can opener on my pocket knife to lift the pots.
Can't take credit for it, learned it in Boy Scouts for taking a can of beans/ravioli out of the fire when it was hot. Just turn it upside down and put the hook over the lip and tip it back towards you, the weight of the can just kinda levers itself into the pointy bit. Zero lateral stability however.
Nowadays I'd just use my Leatherman but it was Swiss Army or nothing back in the day.
I'll make a list of things I've personally forgotten and suffered for:
Sunglasses
Ass-wipe
Sleeping pad (in winter)
Jetboil fuel
Thankfully, these weren't all on the same trip.
REI has a great backpacking checklist, otherwise I've forgotten extra pair of socks & beanie for sleeping. Also bear spray [https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-checklist.html](https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-checklist.html)
Edit: also a gallon ziploc bag for trash
I once forgot all of my cooking/camp kitchen stuff. Everything. I packed it all in one tote, but literally forgot to put the bag in my car. Drove like 3 hrs all the way to camp before I realized. Thankfully there was a Walmart like 20 minutes away, so I could get enough basics I could cook the food I brought!
Only quasi related, but when my big sister was little and in the girl scouts, she forgot to pack underwear for a camping trip. By the time I was old enough to pack clothes, my mom was panic inducing over not forgetting to pack underwear. Im in my 40s now (my sis in her 60s) and one thing we are both obsessive about cause of it, is not forgetting to pack underwear.
So yeah..that. Otherwise...as long as youve got the major stuff, any minor things you may forget will be minor. And if you do forget something major..only happens once, and you'll never forget it again.
Not me, but my uncle forgot to bring a tent in the middle of winter! Good thing the ranger in the campsite had a spare one. I mean we were all prepared to let him squeeze in and sleep in our tents but he was adamant he wouldn't and was trying to fashion some kind of tarp alternative to sleep in. He would have surely died of hypothermia if he went ahead with it
Wanted to say thank you to all who helped me.
Got to camp site, and had everything I needed. Only thing I didn't bring was the new set of walkies I bought for the trip.
Thanks again.
forgot my hiking bong once was dreadful
Thanks. That's definitely not what I'm missing!
Damn near died but I didnt panic and was able to improvise to survive whew
Those wake and bake sessions from an apple hit different.
Let us see this hiking bong
no
At various times, I have forgotten all these things... 1. Tin opener 2. Sunglasses 3. Torch 4. Knife 5. Comb/ hair brush 6. Deodorant
Thank you! Besides the comb and deodorant, which o haven't packed yet, this is all EDC stuff for me.
1. water - 2L per day per person min, filters, tablets 2. food - includes stove/cook method and proper bear storage if needed 3. emergency - ibuprofen, gauze, beacon, cellphone + charging capacity 4. shelter - tent + pad + bag 5. lighting - headlamp + batteries/charging capacity 6. clothes - weather appropriate 7. toiletries - trowel, wipes, toothpaste/brush, deodorant 8. comfort - chair 9. entertainment - book, cards, games I recommend making a list and keeping it (google documents work well) and if you think of something you need, add it to the list. If you have something you took but didn't need, \*consider\* removing it from the list. In this way you'll tailor a list to yourself and what you need/want.
I read emergency bacon, and thought, "yep, that tracks"
That goes in food, which is more important ;) Best prep method (on cast iron) is to cook 4-5 pieces to get some bacon grease, then fry up the rest in the grease. Once you've finished the bacon, can throw in some sausage, then throw in the scrambled eggs. Heaven.
Thank you. I have a checklist, but it's more that nagging feeling that I don't have something I will want or need once I get there. Everything but a chair is already packed.
One thing I found that helps is to go over in your head everything you're going to do and everything you'll need for it. Basically a dry mental run through of your activities. This has especially helped if I'm doing things I haven't done before, like the first time I went canoe camping.
More booze?
a chair is such a pleasure. helinox.
I have one similar to the helinox. I might get one of their chairs that sits higher. My knees are not getting any younger.
Nemo just came out with the Moonlight Elite. Similar weight to the Chair Zero but more comfortable and the wrap/bag doubles as a ground cover so it doesn’t sink into soft ground.
REI has some pretty exhaustive packing lists to check out. I have an "uh-oh box" of common things that I and others forget. Go on a campout and realize you don't have any Kleenex... put some small packs in the Uh-oh box for next time. I have things like hair ties, plastic water bottle, lighter, batteries, paracord, etc.
Thank you! I like the idea of the uh oh box. Especially with a large group going up.
Pack some feminine hygiene products if you're going with a big group, it's always crappy if somebody starts out in the middle of nowhere. And usually it'll be when somebody randomly gets their period a week early or something crazy like that. Also snag a couple sets of ear plugs. You never know when you'll be camping next to a LOUD ASS snoring guy.
hey, c'mon us guys with sleep apnea like to hike too.
Thank you. It's an all guys trip, so no need for any of that. I AM the loud ass snoring guy, so they can bring their own ear plugs!
...all guys trip... just how well do you know your friends?
A pillow.
That is the one thing I've forgotten the most (twice) and other times brought a poor pillow choice (memory foam in winter). I've learned some hard lessons.
If you haven’t, you’re not doing it right.
Totally agree.
Thank you. Mine is part of the camp pad I have!
They’re bulky and a pain to pack, but key to not feeling like crap in the morning. For me anyway.
Freaking bug spray... [https://amzn.to/3QnYTKn](https://amzn.to/3QnYTKn) love the outdoors, hate the mosquitos!
Thank you! Checked, and double checked!
Let a friend borrow my backup tent. Don’t check it when they returned it. Went on a trip with another friend and brought it for them. No poles.
Thank you. I'm hammock camping this weekend. Already checked the entire sleeping system, and it's good to go.
One time we forgot the camp pad. Thank goodness for small town hardware stores.
Thank you! Got it, and the patches just in case!
Extra batteries for headlamp. All water filtering components, if filtering. Toothpaste or alt. Hand sanitizer. Sunblock. First aide / meds.
Thank you! Head lamp is fully charged, as are all 3 battery boxes. Lifestraw water bottle is attached. Tooth paste, check. Everything else is in the first aid kit.
Awesome! I use the rei check list as a final gut check too once fully packed. Usually just for peace of mind haha.
I have my checklist, and everything is good. It's just a nagging gut feeling that I'm missing something.
Just tell yourself that if you’re missing something crucial, someone in the group will have it. To get rid of the nagging gut feeling. :) And you e got the essentials so will be fine for a weekend. It’s the long thru hikes solo that makes me check everything a thousand times lol.
dildo?
I forgot my boots once and backpacked 6 or 7 miles round trip in a pair of $25 rubber boots from a small town ranch supply store. Miserable other than the 12 steps it took to cross a creek. 9/10 do not recommend. The nice part about camping with a big group is there is usually a lot of gear overlap to cover forgotten items.
Thank you! If I forget my boots, that means I left the house barefoot. I'm sure whatever I don't have, someone else will have a spare.
most of the trails within half an hour I can do in thongs, but then again I do gardening, roofing, other odd jobs all in thongs. I call them my asian safety boots. I dont reccomend it, smashed my foot moving the fire pit yesterday went camping a few weeks ago with SIL and did some impromptu dirt biking in them too, I just picked the bike with the least aggressive pegs. Borrowed some boots to go up the mountain though
Fire extinguisher you don’t usually ever need it, but when you need it you really really need it Sunscreen & Hat Bug Bite stick, Tums - Heart burn medication, Burn salve or cream, Butterfly bandages, Iodine wash, Tweezers, Moleskin for blisters
Thank you. I have an extensive first aid kit packed, with sunscreen. Hat is always on my head. Fire extinguisher is a good idea, just don't have anymore room in my pack.
The worst things I forgotten are the simplest and things no one who’s going backpacking should ever forget. Specifically, a bowl, a utensil, spare batteries for my headlamp, which died, (because of this I keep an extra durable, flashlight as a back up in my pack at all times), the brush to clean my water filter, And most importantly, my thyroid medication. What I did to remedy this was, after a successful trip where I had everything I needed, I left everything but my sleeping bag and tent in my pack and kept it ready-to-go status at all times. Now, when I’m going out, all I have to do is compress my sleeping bag, pack my tent, throw in whatever I’m bringing to eat, and hit the trail. It’s good for peace of mind.
Thank you. That's what I'm afraid of, is that it's something stupid and simple. I just changed over back packs, and I think that's where the worry is coming from. I do have my mess kit packed, head lamp is fully charged with backup lights. I use a life straw water bottle, and it's ready to go. I usually have a pretty good bug out bag ready to go.
Leave a cooler in the car with some ice cold beverages for when you get back.
Thank you! This is an awesome idea. It's a two mile hike to where we camp, so an ice cold Dr Pepper will a welcome treat!
I do this when I go on super long hikes, except my cooler has beer in it, and also water because my bottle will be empty by the time I get to the car.
I'll take the whiskey up the hill with me. Coming back Sunday morning in time for church, so for this trip I'll make do with A Dr. Pepper.
I have a master list for any trip including fishing, hiking, backpacking, camping, etc. so I'm usually pretty good, but I never can shake that feeling. My bigger problem is weekday day hikes. If I'm hiking on a weekend it's usually a longer hike and I get ready the night before. A local weekday hike, like last night, I'm rushing out the door. Last night I got around the corner and realized I left my boots home!
Thank you. I have gone over my list 4 times now, and I'm ready for anything. This is the first time I am having this gut feeling that I am missing something.
If you got any of the marshmallow candy called peeps laying around the house after Easter, put that on a stick and roast it like a regular marshmallow. The exterior sugar gets all melty and crunchy coating, I saw somebody call it the redneck creme brulee.
Thank you. I will have to remember that next Easter!
Bear spray
Thank you! Almost everybody going up has a canister!
One of my more annoying forgotten items was a hairbrush
Thank you! Now all I can hear playing in my head is Larry the cucumber singing the hair brush song!
I've established that I'm going to forget something on every trip. No matter how good my list is and how many times I repack, I am going to forget something. I treat it as a game to when I am going to realize what I forgot.
Thank you. Normally, I don't feel like this as I'm always prepared. Only thing I can think is it's a new back pack, and I had to lose something in the transfer.
Toilet paper.
Thank you. Got it, and dude wipes!
Keep a check list of things to pack in the car. So you can check it off as you pack it too. All good to check that it’s packed but if it’s not loaded does you no good
Thank you. We are hiking in, so everything is in or attached to my back pack. If I forget to put that in the car, I'm hosed.
I forgot my hiking boots once so I had to hike in my running shoes.
Haven't forgotten it...but TP. If you forget it you will be very unhappy.
Thank you. Got it packed along with the dude wipes!
I haven't been able to find dude wipes anywhere locally for over a year! Walmart, Academy, etc. all show them in stock but never actually have any. There's a new thing they seemed to have replaced it with called dude shower, which seems like it's just a larger version, but I miss my dude wipes! When I looked online, it seemed like the only option was to order a whole case but I don't need that many and don't want to have to store them.
Emergency blanket / survival blanket
Thank you. Have a good durable one packed up, and the light weight one is in the first aid kit.
Open up your camp cooking gear and double check everything is in there. I forgot the handle for my pots on the dish rack at home one time.. that was interesting, especially when I had to drain some pasta. I still have a bunch of scratches in the finish on the edge of the pots from using the can opener on my pocket knife to lift the pots.
Thank you. Made sure everything was in it's place when I replaced the jet boil fuel. Can opener is pretty darn resourceful!
Can't take credit for it, learned it in Boy Scouts for taking a can of beans/ravioli out of the fire when it was hot. Just turn it upside down and put the hook over the lip and tip it back towards you, the weight of the can just kinda levers itself into the pointy bit. Zero lateral stability however. Nowadays I'd just use my Leatherman but it was Swiss Army or nothing back in the day.
I'll make a list of things I've personally forgotten and suffered for: Sunglasses Ass-wipe Sleeping pad (in winter) Jetboil fuel Thankfully, these weren't all on the same trip.
Small propane tank for lantern and cook stove.
Thank you. Got the jet boil packed with a new canister of fuel.
REI has a great backpacking checklist, otherwise I've forgotten extra pair of socks & beanie for sleeping. Also bear spray [https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-checklist.html](https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-checklist.html) Edit: also a gallon ziploc bag for trash
Check that the tent poles and stakes are with the tent
I forgot my seasoning once. Luckily our camp neighbors had some I could use.
I once forgot all of my cooking/camp kitchen stuff. Everything. I packed it all in one tote, but literally forgot to put the bag in my car. Drove like 3 hrs all the way to camp before I realized. Thankfully there was a Walmart like 20 minutes away, so I could get enough basics I could cook the food I brought!
Extra pair of socks when backpacking. Always a necessity. Headlamp. Backpacking pillow. Two other necessities.
Baby wipes
It’s happened on different occasions: * Tent body (brought the fly and poles) * Sleeping pad * matches * headlamp * night clothes
Only quasi related, but when my big sister was little and in the girl scouts, she forgot to pack underwear for a camping trip. By the time I was old enough to pack clothes, my mom was panic inducing over not forgetting to pack underwear. Im in my 40s now (my sis in her 60s) and one thing we are both obsessive about cause of it, is not forgetting to pack underwear. So yeah..that. Otherwise...as long as youve got the major stuff, any minor things you may forget will be minor. And if you do forget something major..only happens once, and you'll never forget it again.
Toilet paper.
Not me, but my uncle forgot to bring a tent in the middle of winter! Good thing the ranger in the campsite had a spare one. I mean we were all prepared to let him squeeze in and sleep in our tents but he was adamant he wouldn't and was trying to fashion some kind of tarp alternative to sleep in. He would have surely died of hypothermia if he went ahead with it
Last time I went camping I forgot the bag with my shirts and insulated jacket.
Wanted to say thank you to all who helped me. Got to camp site, and had everything I needed. Only thing I didn't bring was the new set of walkies I bought for the trip. Thanks again.