WHAT DO I NEED TO COME ON A TRIP?

The C.A.M.O. Essentials

The idea of traveling into the unknown, far away from civilization with nothing but what you bring, can be intimidating at first. Especially when sites like facebook, Instagram, and reddit are filled with pictures that would lead you to believe that a $20,000 loadout is required in order to survive a trip into your local national forest. The truth is, none of that is reality.

The following list is a compilation of items that should be considered “Must Haves.” Everything else is just a luxury.

Before we start, I want to reaffirm that in no place in this article do I mention off-road bumpers, winches, scottles, roof top tents, lockers, skid plates, etc. Remember, 90% of the roads that you’re going to be driving are routinely traveled in a 2008 F150 owned by the DCNR on the cheapest all terrain tires on the market. 

Part 1: Your Vehicle: 

1. Maintenance: 
   1. It doesn’t matter how badass your rig is if it’s going to crap a ball joint out on the first rut or pothole. Take time to go over your vehicle. If it’s on the back of your mind worrying you, fix it before you go.
2. Road Legal
   1. Inspected (if required), registered, with proper documentation in the vehicle
3. A structural Recovery Point
   1. This is a safe rigging point should you become stuck or immobilized
      1. Tow hook is the minimum
      1. Hitch mounted shackle works great
4. Quality All Terrain Tires
5. Spare Fuel in a safely secured gas can
6. A decent tool set *hint* Granddad’s SAE Craftsman set isn’t going to help you.
7. Spare common failure parts
   1. Headlight 
   1. Serpentine Belt
   1. Fuses
   1. Etc.
8. Some way to get your vehicle “unstuck” if you’re by yourself. “But Nick, yOu cAnT gO eXpLoRe aLoNe.” Sure, tell yourself that on a boring Saturday when your friends aren’t available. Obviously, hitting designated off-road trails alone is a bad idea, but taking forest roads and fire roads by yourself is completely acceptable. Tell someone before you go and have a means of communication. Usually, when you’re “stuck,” you only need a few feet of assistance to get moving again.
   1. A Shovel
   1. A come along and rope
   1. A Hi-lift and rope

Part 2: Your Gear

1. A Fire extinguisher
2. A Tent 
   1. I’ve camped about 50 nights in a 35-dollar Ozark Trail tent from Walmart, one of those nights were in negative temperatures. Spending Hundreds isn’t a necessity.
3. 6×6 Tarp
4. A camp chair, or sit on your cooler
5. A sleeping bag
6. Pillow
7. Toothbrush/paste
8. Deodorant (please?)
9. Bug Spray
10. Rain Poncho
11. A Stocked First Aid Kit and any prescriptions 
12. Spare Chargers for your electronics
13. A paper map or atlas
14. A flashlight and headlamp
15. Bathroom Toiletries and Feminine Care. Never Leave home without wet wipes!
16. A collection of garbage bags and plastic trash bags. This is for your body waste* (*in some places) as well as any garbage you make.
17. Cash. Sometimes the small towns don’t accept a card.

Part 3: Food and Cooking

1. A Cooler large enough to be filled halfway with ice and halfway with your cold food (notice how I didn’t mention a refrigerator)
2. A propane/camp fuel burner stove. WalMart currently sells single burners for about 14 dollars.
3. Quick snacks that you can munch on while driving
4. Foods that won’t turn your stomach into an unstable super volcano 
5. Water to sustain each vehicle occupant. (At minimum, 1 liter per person per day. This is a bare minimum)
6. Options
   1. If its pouring rain, you wont be setting up over a fire to cook, so it’s time to bust out those lunchables or sandwiches. 
7. Some really good, cold beer

That’s it. Leave the glitz and glam for Instagram. Getting out with your setup will dictate what additional parts and gear you need to suit your situation and your interests.