Camping advice

Well, the recent split of my relationship (again), has shown me that I need a new hobby. Camping has struck a nerve, and reading the Fav Things thread it is apparent that many of you enjoy camping. I have been looking at camping places, where I could also go hiking. I just don't know exactly what all I should bring, and what I shouldn't bring. Is there a good website or book/magazine that can help a camping noob? I need to know the basics on camping and hiking. I eventually want to start mountain biking and rock climbing. I use to love riding bikes, and I think rock climbing would be a really enjoyable hobby for myself.

Also, attending my first BJJ class tonight, so if I enjoy it, it might be my new thing.

DUDE JUST GET A TENT AND A LANTERN,SLEEPING BAG COOKING ACCESORIES. DO A SEARCH ON CAMPING

A LIGHTER, SOME WOOD, A TENT AND A GIRL = CAMPING!! :)

THATS FUN!

STAY BUSY DO YOU DONT GET DOWN IN THE DUMPS OVER THAT GIRL!

A lot of people overkill when campling. You need a tent, bag, fire starter, flashlight, food and if neccesary a way to cook the food. It all depends on what you bring. I have a Coleman Fold-n-Go twin burner. The thing is compact and easy to carry. You need to plan based on your trip. If you plan to hike into camp, then you don't want to be lugging 100 lbs of equipment. What we like to do is hit more of the public camp sites because our son is only 4. I'm not going to take a chance of going out in the wild with him. There was an 11 year old boy eaten alive by a beat this year in Utah. The bear took him right out of the tent with his parents right there. I'm not sure how that happened because if it was me, I would be the bait while the wife and son ran. No damn way would I sit by and let my son die while I watch. Anyways, if you go out, and I mean way out, bring an air horn. Bears usually battle one another by intimidating each other with growls. You blow an air horn at a bear and it will scar the hell out of it. This is becoming a must bring item in Colorado. But, we have mountain lions, bears and coyotes all over the place. You could also bring a high caliber hand gun too.

As for searching, I would see what the Boy Scouts web site has. I'm sure they have all kinds of advice.

PS- if you can find a Coleman store and Coleman Outlet store, go there. They have a company policy that states if any box is even slightly damaged they sell it for 40 to 50% off. I got my Fold-n-Go for $35 and it was $79 at Dick's Sporting Goods. I was in there the other day and they had all kinds of things marked in half because of 'Blemished Package'.

your gonna love bjj just dont get frustrated when 120lbs guys are rolling you up....as for camping tman has some good points

Depends on what kind of camping you wanna do,..truck, backpacking ? just you alone ? what kinda gear do you have now ?

i am a huge camper. I have a 25' camp trailer, and an outdoor cooking setup that any chef would drool over,lol....plus i always tow all the 4 wheelers(atv's) behind so during the day we are either riding quads, fishing, or just sitting around drinking beer and visiting with family and friends. Its a big social deal for us. We go camping for 3-4 days with a bunch of friends and family most of the time. We kind of over do it, but it is our favorite thing to do...no campgrounds though. Here in Utah, you can just pull of the gravel roads and camp in a primitive/private area, so if i want to stack a bunch of beer cans up on the log and let my kids shoot at them with the .22's we dont bother anybody...Utah and Colorado are by far the best places in the country to go camping.Oh, a big campfire is a must....sets the mood!

Thanks guys for the replies.

Gonna first go to a public site and get the feel for it, then later venture out. Gonna keep it simple and fun. Go with friends, talk and drink.

My BJJ class was great, I hurt in places I never knew I could hurt. It was fun, but I am such a beginner, no wrestling background at all. I do feel out of my element, but I enjoyed it. Trying to decide if it is worth the money and the 20 min drive, but they also have a weight room there, so I could train there also. One of the most exciting things I have done in forever. It was great. I just know that my lifting goals will kind of suffer, I will get leaner just from BJJ, and I have to increase flexibility a ton. I think it will be worth it, can't seem to push my body past the 200lb plateau no matter what I do.

camping....hmmm...travel trailor w/tv, dvd and satalite. microwave oven. refridgerator. jetski, life jackets and gas can (bring injection oil), gonna need bug light, masquito repelent, ant spray and some of those crappy smelling candles. coolers, cooley cups, plastic silverware, plates, seasoning for steaks/chicken breast's. muzzle for the kids and booze for the ol' lady (might as well try getting lucky while i'm there)...

tent
sleeping bag (inflatable pad for under is nice too)
folding camping chair
lantern
hotdogs or brats.... easy to cook on a stick

borrow what you will need, basics mentioned above, and get a feel for it. I got into hiking and mountainering when i first was in college. I started off with the basics and upgraded to top notch stuff over the years. If your just camping then heavy stuff will work but when your hiking 10+ miles a day it won't. So borrow your buddies gear until you find out if your into it or not. IF you get in to serious hiking definatley go for lightness and functionality. It costs more but worth it in the end.

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Originally Posted by daved150

camping....hmmm...travel trailor w/tv, dvd and satalite. microwave oven. refridgerator. jetski, life jackets and gas can (bring injection oil), gonna need bug light, masquito repelent, ant spray and some of those crappy smelling candles. coolers, cooley cups, plastic silverware, plates, seasoning for steaks/chicken breast's. muzzle for the kids and booze for the ol' lady (might as well try getting lucky while i'm there)...

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damn sounds like you go camping with my brother!

Ok, Well I personally don't know why you are taking a BJ class but to each his own... :D