for those who go camping: help me with a checklist? - YouLookFab Forum

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for those who go camping: help me with a checklist?

hanna

(website)

hi guys!

well, it's almost time, and next week i am off on a 10-day roadtrippin' extravaganza through south dakota, wyoming and montana, including all the big sites: mt rushmore, the badlands, custer state park, yellowstone, devils tower, glacier national park, you name it, if it's big in those three states it's probably built into our itinerary! we are car camping throughout for the experience.

now, i am covered in terms of the actual equipment - i have exhaustive checklists for that - but i can't find any one complete clothing checklist though, and that's where i wondered if you could help. so if you were me - travelling for more than a week in a car, and packing as lightly as possible while still keeping in mind temperature and weather variations... what would you pack? number of bottoms, number of tops, long sleeves, short sleeves... most of it is already in my closet - i just wanted to make sure i pack it!

thanks for the time

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14 replies

Latest reply was from hanna

Louise

Veteran

Oooh i love camping hope you have a great time. I usually try and pack light (my other half would disagree, every holiday he can be heard to shout LOUISE WE CAN'T GET ANY MORE IN THE CAR!) Sorry i digress! Here's a few things i always take for a week
Enough knickers for every day
Wellies
Plastic flip flops for in the shower
Warm pyjamas and socks
1 skirt
1 pair jeans
1 pair cropped/ shorts
Tops- 1 per day
Comfy walking shoes, leather flip flops

cciele

Veteran

Sounds like a great roadtrip Hanna! How often you do you plan on doing laundry (if at all)? That might determine how much you pack, as well as how many cubic inches of space you have for clothes, your tolerance for wearing grubby clothes, and what kind of activities you'll be doing.

I go through this dilemma every year; we roadtrip to Oregon every summer for two weeks, camping either on the coast or in the Gorge, with a stay in the Eugene area. Lots of weather variation between coastal and inland Oregon. This year's packing is compounded by the fact that afterwards we're driving directly to a family reunion in Monterey, California!

But enough about my itinerary! Here's what I typically pack:

Bottoms:
- Fleece long pants (if you think it's going to be cold)
- One pair capri-length, quick dry pants
- One pair of shorts
- One pair of jeans (although sometimes I don't bother, since they're bulky)
- One pair of sweats that can double as PJ bottoms

Tops:
- One or two short-sleeve t-shirts
- One or two long-sleeve t-shirts (one can double as PJ top)
- One tank top

Outerwear: (these can all be layered together, as needed)
- One hoodie
- One fleece pullover or zip-up
- One lightweight rain jacket (zips into its own pocket)
- One cardi (optional)

Other:
- Casual dress or skirt (optional; in case we go out to a nice restaurant)
- Underwear
- Swimsuit
- Socks
- Pair of campsite shoes (clogs or Croc sandals)
- Pair of hiking shoes
- Pair of nicer sandals (optional)

My mantra in camp packing is: Layer layer layer!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

10 days is a long time Hanna- I assume you're going to stop and do laundry at some point. I usually bring
one pair of jeans
one pair of shorts
a sweatsuit for cold mornings/evenings and sleeping in
a light jacket or sweater
a heavy jacket if you think you will need it
a beanie and gloves because I always get cold
enough short sleeved tops for each day between washes
couple of cami's/tanks for layering or if it's hot
a couple of long sleeved shirts for layering
gear shoes
socks- 2 pair per day because I sleep in them
undies/bras (very important!)
Have fun- it sounds like a greattrip!

Chris

You can always find a laundry in a town or campground (if you use a KOA they usually have wash machines) or at Yellowstone.
The others gave you good lists but I will add a light windbreaker/rain poncho to the mix. Afternoon storms are common in Dakotas.

Beautiful places to visit - I am jealous.

shana

Veteran

Hanna, I am so jealous!!! I love our National Parks and have been to many of the places that you are visiting. Yellowstone is awesome as is the Grand Tetons - one of my favorite trips ever! But I have to ask -no Utah??? Just asking because I think Utah has some of the absolute loveliest National Parks - Arches & the Canyonlands (Island in the Sky is my favorite of the three parts of the Canyonlands). My husband & I have been dreaming of a trip to Glacier National Park for ages - have to wait until the rugrats get a little older I guess.

Anyway, I think cc has a good list going. Given the temperature variations in some of these places, you will definitely need lots of layers! I remember being at Yellowstone right around this time a few years ago and wearing a cute sundress & sandals during the day and needing my fleece jacket & pants in the evening.

hanna

(website)

thank you for the lists guys! that is exactly what i am looking for... personal experiences with the situations and the weather, because i've never been to those parts!

shana, i am very excited about the trip. if i could have squeezed in utah i would've! as it is i feel like we barely have enough time to see everything. lots of people tell me yellowstone or glacier would merit a week on its own! unfortunately time and finances dictate our trip, and i'd rather see it a night or two than not see it at all (am due to leave the states once my visa runs out early next year).

shana

Veteran

oh, and don't forget a hat (or two) & sunscreen. The sun can be so strong in some of these places - I actually preferred a long sleeve tee (even with shorts) when hiking for this reason. Given where you are going, I think you should err on the side of more colder weather clothes. I think you could probably layer a fleece plus a rain jacket rather than worry about a true winter jacket (though I've never been to Glacier Park & don't know how cold it gets up there). You will probably be doing alot of hiking so make sure you have some really good gear shoes. I'll post more if I have any additional ideas. Have a wonderful trip!

shell

sounds like everyone's got you covered as far as what to bring! i mentioned this in TJ's "packing for france" post, but i'd recommend color-coordinating your items so that you can mix and match easily.

have fun! i'm so jealous of your roadtrip - sounds like a blast!

Vani

Veteran

hanna, you're going to have to leave early next year? Oh no! Couldn't you extend your visa ?

hanna

(website)

thanks again for the tips! shell, i am definitely bringing coordinating colors so i have a set color scheme.

niva, yes, i could - but i've been so far from home for so long that i'd rather not. i've been in the states studying and working since 2004, and every year that passes i'm more and more conscious of my parents' age and of how much i miss back home each year - my nieces and nephews growing up, and just generally everyone being back there with just me missing. i think it's time

hanna

(website)

bumping in case anyone else has any advice for someone who hasn't been camping in ages (aka me!)...

Vani

Veteran

hanna, I completely understand and identify with that. Every week, DH and I have this conversation atleast once. The rest of my family is back home and sometimes I feel so homesick it hurts. And you are so right on about parents. My 90 yr old grandma hasn't been handling the heat very well and had a close call a few weeks ago. It just killed me to think I might not see her again. It's a tough call and I admire you for making the decision. I hope you still stick around on YLF though

I'm as amateur a camper as you are, so I will just wish you a fantabulous trip

Ariadne

Veteran

Hanna, I missed this thread earlier. I highly suggest bringing doubles of all your bottoms (at least 2 prs jeans, at least 2 prs shorts, at least 2 comfy skirts) because chances are you will slip on a trail or something and get one of them very dirty. Also a waterproof, breathable windbreaker and a fleece or zip-up sweater to layer under it, a down vest if you have one, LONG UNDERWEAR, enough regular underwear for every day plus 2 extra pairs, enough socks for every day plus 3 extra pairs, a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie for evenings, a hat, a day pack for hikes, a pair of hiking boots and a pair of hiking sandals, a pair of flip flops for around the camp site or at night when you need to go to the washroom and are still half asleep, a pair of Crocs for around the campsite too if you have them, a swimsuit, and lots of layering tops--in the evenings you may found yourself wearing a tank top, a t shirt, a long sleeve shirt, and a hoodie or fleece all layered together. Also bring gloves, a hat, and a scarf. Yes, even in the summer!

I don't have time to write more but you will have a super amazing time! I love Yellowstone especially!

hanna

(website)

thanks guys! brianna, i was hoping you'd chime in - i remember from previous threads that you are quite the camping guru

niva - i think a big part of my decision was my aunt's passing earlier this year. she and i were very, very close and yet i was barely around through much of her illness, and the guilt nearly killed me (even though i know it's not something to beat myself up about - but yeah, still gets to me). i don't want to think about going through that again with my family.