In order to enjoy a safe and fun camping trip, it is really important that you are always aware of your surroundings. Animals and certain plants can become a problem if you get too close to them. It is also important to pay attention to what you eat and drink.

It is important to plan ahead about what you will eat and drink on your camping trip. It is wise to assume that all wilderness creeks and streams are potentially contaminated by parasites such as Giardia lamblia which can cause nausea, bloating, gas, stomach cramps, and explosive diarrhea. Don’t drink from wilderness water sources. It is best to bring bottled water with you. If that is impossible, then you can buy iodine tablets that dissolve in the water, which is an inexpensive and easy way to purify it; or you can use water filters. Boiling water is okay; but it does take a lot of time, energy, and resources, and it is difficult to determine appropriate boiling times because boiling points change with your elevation.

Camping Gear Necessities

If it’s your first camping trip of the season or you are a first timer, you want to make sure that you have the necessary camping gear and equipment. Some equipment can be rather expensive, but you should be able to get the best from your purchase by being knowledgeable. Even though you can buy cheaper gear, typically cheap camping gear falls apart quicker and is less dependable, so that is not always the way to go.

Camping Gear And Your Budget

If you, like most people, have limited budgets, you will need to plan carefully before you go to shop for your camping gear.
You need to do some research on things like the climatic conditions of the places you intend on visiting.

At one point, the only recreation camping opportunity on offer was tents or the open air. A century ago, you would have been privileged to own a canvas tent. Camping, as a vocational pastime, truly took off approximately fifty years ago. At that time hundreds of trucks were equipped with a camper shell; however, the sleeping space was still rather cramped.

Nowadays, there are a variety of choices available to build a home away from home.

Recently completing our 10 year anniversary of the inaugural Death Trip a couple weeks ago, we started reminiscing about previous trips. A common theme of unfortunate mishaps have come to the forefront having to do with our food preparation and cooking skills (or lack there of). Being the oldest and the founder of the Death Trips, I am the primary chef on these trips with my #1 backup, Drew. Now, we are no slouches around the campfire when it comes to cooking, but when quantity takes precedence over quality, with up to 8 guys eating, we have had our share of “learning experiences”. Over the past 10 years, we have learned: