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Off Grid Camping Essentials: The Complete Guide to Thriving in the Wilderness
Heading out into the wilderness for an off-the-grid camping adventure requires careful preparation if you want to stay safe and comfortable away from civilization. While traditional car camping has easy access to supplies, going off grid means you must bring all necessary gear along from the start.
From choosing suitable equipment to packing adequate food and navigation tools, an off-grid excursion requires forethought and planning. Follow this guide to rugged camping away from it all, and you’ll be well-equipped for an epic adventure off the beaten path.
Before you head off into the wilderness, there are some things that you need to be sure of. There are many different types of camping, and it can be hard to know what type is best for your situation. For example, if you want to go car-camping with a group of people driving in their vehicles, this may not work if everyone wants to camp away from each other. If this is the case, then backpacking or boondocking might suit your needs better.
Proper Clothing
You need to be sure that you have the proper clothing for your camping trip. It is so important to bring layers and extra clothes in case it gets cold or wet. This can include but isn’t limited to hiking boots, coat/rain jacket, hat and gloves, change of socks and underwear just in case they get wet, long sleeve shirts to protect your skin from the sun or bugs or even if it gets chilly at night. Before heading out for a camping trip, you should think about this because having one more petite shirt can be very frustrating!
Hiking Boots
Hiking boots are an absolute necessity when going backpacking or boondocking – this includes off-the-grid camping. However, a good pair of hiking boots should be comfortable and durable enough to withstand trails, rocks, sticks, mud puddles – you name it! But most importantly, they need to support your ankle so that when you step on something sharp or twist an ankle while climbing over branches or roots – you will not get hurt.
Waterproof Tent
A waterproof tent is an absolute necessity for any off-the-grid camping trip. If you don’t have one, it will be nearly impossible to maintain your camp in good condition when the rain starts up or if there are other forms of wet weather. Waterproofing a regular old tent can get expensive and take forever, so do yourself a favor and get one of these for your next trip!
Lightweight Sleeping Bags
This is another thing you’ll need to consider if you want to go off-the-grid camping. Many people have tried using regular, heavy sleeping bags for this type of travel, but they won’t last long without being placed in proper storage during the day. Your best bet is to get a lightweight sleeping bag that can be folded up tightly, weighing less than five pounds. Another thing you’ll need with this type of camping is at least one or two blankets because they will keep you warm during cold nights and provide additional padding on the ground if needed.
Water Bottles
To get water from the campground faucet, you need a filter. In addition, it is essential to have reusable bottles or something that can hold purified or filtered water because plastic waste is an environmental disaster. A metal bottle would also be good, but some campgrounds don’t allow them.
Food and Cooking Supplies
It is wise to bring some food for camping. You can either pre-pack meals or go with the option of stopping on your way to a supermarket, but remember that supermarkets are not open 24 hours during your trip, so be sure you get there before they close!
Binoculars
If you want to see the animals in and around your campground, binoculars will be a must. Not only do they help when there is something specific you want to see closely, but they can also add to the overall experience of camping if you get an up-close look at some local wildlife.
Camping Chairs
A good camping chair or stool is a must for those hot summer days. There’s nothing worse than sitting on the hard ground and getting dirt everywhere, so bring some folding chairs with you to your campsite. Or, if you’re feeling extra outdoorsy and having a campfire, sit on some logs. I don’t recommend it, but you can also bring an inflatable mattress with you to lie down and sleep on if the ground is too hard or dirty for your taste.
Water Filter
A water filter is necessary for off-grid camping because it can remove bacteria and parasites from dirty sources. You need a high-quality filter that will not break or wear out quickly, so you should look into the best product available on the market today.
Quality Flashlight
A professional led tactical flashlight is an absolute necessity for off-the-grid camping. A professional LED light will provide a bright beam that can be seen from miles away and eliminate any darkness in your campsite. The light is bright enough to help you be aware of your surroundings and give off a beam that can reach up to 600 feet. It’s also vital that the flashlight has an adjustable focus to be used both as a spotlight or simply as a regular flashlight, depending on its needs at any given moment.
Emergency Flare
Emergency flare is essential for off-the-grid camping because when something goes wrong, you will want some way of being found. The Emergency Flare will emit a red signal that can be seen from miles away in either direction. You should also have one on your boat if you go boating or fishing so that someone who may come across your boat can see that you are in trouble.
Flint Firestarter
A flint fire starter is a must-have for any off-the-grid camping trip. You can start a fire quickly and easily with this device as long as you have some tinder to begin the process. This works best when it’s been raining or snowing because your wood will be wet, but if you’re stranded in those conditions, you’ll be glad you brought this along.
British Army Survival Tin
This British army survival tin is another excellent addition to your camping gear because it contains many necessities. This is a wax-coated metal container that will keep all contents dry, including matches, tinder cubes, safety pins, and needles with threading material. It also includes a stainless steel wire saw that easily fits into the container.
Rope
A rope is one of the most essentials for off-the-grid camping. You should not go on a trip without it! First and foremost, the rope can attach your shelter to trees or other structures to keep it from blowing away while being exposed to strong winds. It will also come in handy when trying to hang food at night to keep it out of reach from wild animals.
In conclusion, camping can be a lot of fun, but it is different than traditional camping. There are many things that you need to remember when heading out for an off-the-grid camping trip. If you don’t bring these items with you, your experience will not be as enjoyable and may even put yourself or others in danger.