Planning a Camping Trip - How Do I Not Die?

[Fenixgoon]

Texas is home to Big Bend national park - I'm planning on heading out there with a lady friend. I legit have 0 camping experience and 0 camping equipment. What do I need to know about camping for 2 people?
Weather isn't supposed to be too terrible - average high is 65, average low is 40.

 

[MrSquished]

If you are planning to camp with just a lady friend get a 4 man tent for the two of you. Plus an airbed and 2 pretty high quality sleeping bags. 40 degrees be cold when you are nappin. Get some firestarter as well, because without a fire, it's just sitting around in the dark. And a good flashlight. Those are the most basic necessities. A propane stove would be a bonus for cooking up some eggs and bacon in the morning.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Need more info:

Are you car camping (like, pitching your tent in the near vicinity of your vehicle)? Is this at a maintained campground or just a bare spot on the ground out in the boonies? Is the expectation to leave your car and hike some/any distance to your final campsite?

For having 0 experience, I suggest car camping at a maintained campground, and I'll assume that's what you're doing.

The poster above covered shelter, sleeping arrangements, lights and fire. Get plenty of firewood and a reliable method to start the fire. MOAR LIGHTS. No such thing as too many lanterns or flashlights.

Get a big cooler or even several and plan your meals. ICE. You can survive for a couple nights on cold shit straight outta the cooler if you plan well enough, but that kinda sucks. Better is to get a propane stove and some cookware so you can have at least a few hot meals. I've found you can do awesome stir fry in a single pan, I just cut up the veggies in advance and throw them in a gallon freezer bag. Don't plan on cooking over the fire, although that can work. Many campgorunds have built-in charcoal grills that you just need to bring the charcoal for, but you'll need to find that out.

Get some jugs of drinking water. Camp chairs or at least something to sit on around the campfire.

There's probably outhouses, but if not it'd be a good idea to have a camp shovel to dig a hole and bury your shit. Burn your TP in the fire or pack it out is general good stewardship.

 

[Ns1]

Pics of lady friend?

 

[FerrelGeek]

The above advice is all good. But I'll be more emphatic. If you have 0 camping skills, don't go out on your own; the car camping advice already given is spot on. Also, bring along a Swiss army knife or Leatherman plus a good fixed blade or quality lockblade knife; a hatchet isn't a bad idea either. If you're pitching your tent near the base of an incline, bring a camp shovel and dig a small trench to channel rain runoff away from your tent; and for that matter, don't pitch your tent in a declivity. For 40 degree nights, have jackets and hats. If something happens and you're stuck outside, you lose much of your body heat through your head.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

This might be obvious but, have you asked your lady friend if she has any camping experience ?

 

[Jeeebus]

bring nothing but 1 sleeping bag and spend the weekend having sexy time. not sure why you'd need anything else.

 

[PottedMeat]

if you've never done any hiking before don't do something stupid like go up emory peak late into the afternoon as fast as possible. wandering back down a jagged trail in the dark tired as hell isn't cool. the view at the top (after a ~20ft climb) is worth it though.

check out mcdonald observatory while you're down there

 

[cbrunny]

Please come back and give us the play by play. Excruciating detail preferred.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Camping can be an affordable way to spend time together outdoors, but be prepared for the worst: "This sucks, let's pack up, find a Holiday Inn and hit up the Waffle House."

If you stay on marked trails and stuff, you probably won't die. Staying in a park with cell phone service is helpful too.

 

[dullard]

Camping is easy: go outside, wait until morning.

The main difference is if the waiting is enjoyable or a complete misery. That comes down to attitude and equipment. If you go in demanding a 5-star hotel treatment with a spa bath, pedicures, and catered breakfast, then you probably won't like camping. But if you go in with an open mind (as my wife surprised me with a comment "it is nice when the wind blows yourself dry while using the bucket") then you can find camping to be extremely fun.

 

[tynopik]

practice setting up and breaking down the tent
and again
and again
and again

 

[IronWing]

practice setting up and breaking down the tent
and again
and again
and again

That would be cheating.

 

[Ruptga]

Bring lots of booze and make out in the woods. That always works out in the movies.

 

[Stopsignhank]

Rent an RV and stay at the Rio Grande Village RV park.

https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/campground_reservations.htm

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

Don't listen to these cowards. Go to your general area, park the car on the side of the road, strip naked, and walk to your camp spot. Do not come back until you have found an animal eating another animal, taken his meal, then killed and eaten said animal.

 

[mundane]

bring nothing but 1 sleeping bag and spend the weekend having sexy time. not sure why you'd need anything else.

If it's anything like my last "lady friend camping experience", you'll also want wet wipes and lots of booze.

 

[PricklyPete]

Does your lady friend have any camping experience? Camping in a moderate temperature area is pretty fool proof. Tent (or back of SUV), sleeping bags, and some random food is more than enough to enjoy.

Don't go all "internet research" on this and end up ordering $2k worth of overkill from REI.com.

If you were camping at 11k feet on the side of Mt. Yale or something...than you might need to prepare.

As mentioned already, having the ability to make a fire will greatly enhance the experience and give you something to do when it gets dark. Whiskey and condoms (especially if camping with sailors) are also important.

 

[Carson Dyle]

What, if any, camping gear do you have? Find out about her experience and what gear she has.

I'm guessing you must be car camping. What are your plans for meals? Jump in the car and go to a diner for breakfast? What's on the itinerary for the trip? Day hiking? Lounging by the car and reading?

You can rent tents and some other gear. I would guess you could rent a propane camp stove, and probably a lantern. You'll need pots, coffee mugs and dining gear if you'll be cooking. You'll want a sleeping bag rated down to at least 20-30 degrees. A sleeping pad (maybe rent one, too). A day pack for day hiking. A 1 liter water bottle for each of you. A little battery powered LED headlamp is extraordinarily valuable, and you should both have one. Even if you'll be eating in restaurants, you'll want a cooler for fruit, snacks and drinks.

If you can build fires and there's firewood available, you may want to have a small camp axe and you want to have a lighter or two. If car camping and you have the room, there's no real limit to the amenities. Folding chairs, boom box, beer, wine (don't forget the corkscrew), etc., etc.

 

[KMFJD]

Don't forget your semi automatic rifle and a couple of handguns

 

[rh71]

Bring a $50 bill for when you get held at gunpoint. You don't want to be empty-handed and piss them off more.

Watch Backcountry before you go, and do everything the exact opposite of what they do. Bear scene was brutal.

 

[Rifter]

Id take a gun for wildlife protection, i usually take a old beater russian SKS.

 

[pauldun170]

More details on your trip would be helpful
Backpacking vs Campsite close to where the car is parked. How many days?
Food?
Does the young lady know about this trip or is it going to be "a surprise her in the parking lot kinda of thing with a van"
Is she bringing a tent?
Who will be responsible for bring what?

Some helpful starter items
1 -https://www.walmart.com/ip/Intex-Twin-Classic-Downy-Airbed-Mattress/20449351 ($8 on sale)
2 - https://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-4D-Battery-Quick-Pump/895617 ( Or this one if you are impatient https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002MUAUJM/ )
3 - https://www.walmart.com/ip/Unica-Stainless-Steel-Cup-18-oz./21633441 + https://www.amazon.com/Melitta-Ready-Single-Coffee-Brewer/dp/B0014CVEH6
4 -

If its going to get down into the 40's
Remember....change into different clothes when you go to bed. At the very least change your socks.

If you are backpacking. Backpack to a cabin and then sleep in the cabin. Preferably one with electricity and water. And housekeeping. Close to a restaurant.


If you tell us what kind of camping its going to be and what the site looks like then we can get you squared away

 

[pauldun170]

If this is at Big Bend, which campground are you going to?

https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/basin_campground.htm
https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/cottonwood_campground.htm
https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/rgv_campground.htm

or are you doing this
https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/backcountry-main.htm

If you are doing backcountry as a first time camper...you will most like die or be airlifted out at some point.
Most people who camp in that part of the park die by murder but due to Texas law, it cannot be reported unless murder is performed in front of 3 male witness who have watched all episodes of Price is Right under supervision.

 

[Kaido]

Texas is home to Big Bend national park - I'm planning on heading out there with a lady friend. I legit have 0 camping experience and 0 camping equipment. What do I need to know about camping for 2 people?
Weather isn't supposed to be too terrible - average high is 65, average low is 40.

If you're buying new, get yourself a popup tent, so much easier. Like others have said, get a 4-person tent so you have some room. Amazon has a nice one for $150:

https://www.amazon.com/FiveJoy-Instant-4-Person-Pop-Tent/dp/B014A9XJIG/

If the forecast calls for rain, make sure to get a tarp as these aren't really waterproof. If you're driving & have some room, get a couple memory foam pads to put the sleeping bags on so your back won't hate you in the morning. As far as food goes, cooking over a campfire can be a bit of a pain; I cheat & use a portable butane stove, usually with a wok or skillet. $30 on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Iwatani-Corporation-America-ZA-3HP-Portable/dp/B006H42TVG

Or just pack some sandwiches or whatever & bring a cooler full of ice. Need more details though...are you hiking to a camping spot? Staying one night or a few days? You'll want to plan out to have enough stuff like water, toilet paper, trash bags, etc. Bring deodorant. Camping is kind of a pain if you haven't done it before because you have to buy & pack all your stuff, haul it out there, set it up, take it down, bring it home, clean it out, store it, etc. But once you get your workflow down, it's pretty fun & easy, especially once you get a good set of camping gear that you're comfortable using. Plus you can throw in stuff like fishing, hiking, hunting, bird-watching, photography, etc. to the mix for stuff to do while you're out there.