Bring a tent that fits the number of people in your camping party. Make sure the tent is waterproof, with no tears or holes that might create a leak inside the tent walls. Practice setting up the tent before the trip to verify that all parts are included. Carry a rain fly, the tarplike flap that covers the tent and adds a layer that protects you from heat and rain.
Pack clothes for all types of inclement weather, no matter which season you decide to camp in. Expect the possibility of snow year-round, especially at high altitudes, even in summer. Plan to carry raingear in the summer months, as thunderstorms or rain squalls frequently appear in the afternoon and evening. Carry ample clothing for cold weather in winter months, including thermal underwear, gloves, mittens, ski hats, wool socks, insulated boots, down jackets and other gear that is rated for temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Purchase gear made of synthetic material, because it dries faster when it gets wet from snow, rain or sweat.
Make sure all sleeping bags are properly rated for the temperatures you will encounter during the season you go camping. Bring a sleeping pad to lay flat underneath each sleeping bag for insulation against the cold ground and moisture.
Plan meals for the number of campers in the party. Select items that correspond to the type of camping you expect to undertake. Do not carry heavy food supplies for extended hiking trips. Consult recreational stores for the latest in freeze-dried meals, which offer lightweight dining options in secure packaging. Purchase nonperishable food that is packaged to prevent spoiling without refrigeration. Obtain a propane cookstove and fuel that is appropriate in terms of weight to the type of camping you will undertake, as well as lightweight cooking gear.
Carry iodine tablets or a water filtering pump to treat water for giardia and other possible microorganisms found in stream water. Use your stove and lightweight cooking gear in winter months to boil snow for water. Heat water until it comes to a full rolling boil so that all microorganisms are killed and the water is purified, a technique that can be effective year-round.
Bring a wilderness-endorsed first aid kit, something most recreational suppliers sell. Make sure to remember necessary prescriptions and medication for encounters with pollen, grasses, trees and the like. Pack a supply of bug spray for mosquitoes, deerflies and horseflies.
Research necessary permits and fees for state or federal campsites. Purchase or reserve necessary backpacking permits if camping will take place in the backcountry. Buy necessary maps and a compass or GPS unit before travel to practice using technical mapping techniques and understanding geographic concepts.
Bring a stuff sack and lightweight rope that you can use to hang your food 10 to 12 feet off the ground to protect it from bears. Purchase bear spray from a local recreational supplier. Hike in a group and talk loudly as you go to alert bears to your presence. If attacked by a bear, do not fight back. Play dead by tightening into a tucked position, bringing your knees to your chest and your arms around your face.
