Basic camping essentials.

[cobrat]

Isn't the point with down that it still keeps you warm even if it does get wet. Like a duck? Did I see torch on the list?

[rawprawn]

I go camping at least once every couple of months. Where I go there is no power, water or mobile coverage. I started taking a lot but the more I go the less I take. I’m generally in the bush and not near water or a Kayak but this is generally what I take.
Esky (only if you need to keep something cold) Plenty of options for canned food etc.
Food, water and a few beers
Bowl, Cup and fork, pan, billy
Swag with Pillow and bedding
Torch
Dunny Paper
Multi Tool
First Aid (small kit)
Matches or lighter
Small axe if you think you are going to need a fire
A jumper/jacket if it’s going to get cold. I generally come home in the cloths I leave in. Can be gone 3 days. Generally not many people around to offend with my smell.

[McGinnis]

I always take with me a tube of petroleum jelly (it's not how it sounds ) and a mentos tin stuffed with cotton buds (both in a ziplock bag). Fantastic firestarter without having to shell out for hexamine blocks. Smother the cotton balls with the petro jelly and rip them open a little, and they'll ignite with a single spark from a flint and steel or shorted battery or anything.

I've been saved from uncomfortable nights a few times by that little setup. I always keep a bic lighter on me, but if it gets wet, it's next to useless.

[yaker]

Some interestng stuff here:
http://www.canoekayak.com/skills/virtual-coach-how-to-self-support/

[TheFishinMusician]

Top tip McGinnis!
Thanks

[rawprawn]

I always take with me a tube of petroleum jelly (it's not how it sounds ) and a mentos tin stuffed with cotton buds (both in a ziplock bag). Fantastic firestarter without having to shell out for hexamine blocks. Smother the cotton balls with the petro jelly and rip them open a little, and they'll ignite with a single spark from a flint and steel or shorted battery or anything.

I've been saved from uncomfortable nights a few times by that little setup. I always keep a bic lighter on me, but if it gets wet, it's next to useless.

That is gold...thanks for that

[TheFishinMusician]

Some interestng stuff here:
http://www.canoekayak.com/skills/virtual-coach-how-to-self-support/

good link yaker, also one on there on how to pack a sot fishing yak http://www.canoekayak.com/skills/virtua ... ing-kayak/

its one of those things that takes experience & gets better each time you go out.

[dru]

Eth

My advice. Take an amalgamated list from this lot, then cut it in half. What's left is 80% too heavy, OR you need a larger group with back up. Simplicity is the key for guys like us. Max on the safety stuff, be bitchy with everything else.

Doesn't hurt to have an extravagance though, mine is espresso coffee (thanks Indiedog).

And when you turn to the sea kayak dudes, just remember that you have another 5 or 6 kg of fishing crap on board compared to them.

Camps can be made more comfortable quite easily, but when you paddle distance (I reckon you will my friend with any trip needing camping)... Think about paddling comfort as well.

Keep the weight down, load light, check where you can reinforce on the way.

[neilmny]

I always take with me a tube of petroleum jelly (it's not how it sounds ) and a mentos tin stuffed with cotton buds (both in a ziplock bag). Fantastic firestarter without having to shell out for hexamine blocks. Smother the cotton balls with the petro jelly and rip them open a little, and they'll ignite with a single spark from a flint and steel or shorted battery or anything.

I've been saved from uncomfortable nights a few times by that little setup. I always keep a bic lighter on me, but if it gets wet, it's next to useless.

Great tip and you're spot on (I didn't doubt it just had to try it )..... one spark is all it took. Thanks for posting.

[TheFishinMusician]

I always take with me a tube of petroleum jelly (it's not how it sounds ) and a mentos tin stuffed with cotton buds (both in a ziplock bag). Fantastic firestarter without having to shell out for hexamine blocks. Smother the cotton balls with the petro jelly and rip them open a little, and they'll ignite with a single spark from a flint and steel or shorted battery or anything.

I've been saved from uncomfortable nights a few times by that little setup. I always keep a bic lighter on me, but if it gets wet, it's next to useless.

Great tip and you're spot on (I didn't doubt it just had to try it )..... one spark is all it took. Thanks for posting.

Had a try of this last night too. Works a treat & they burn for ages!
I used vapor rub, melted it in a bowl over water & soaked the balls in it.
Used a fire steel to spark it & yep you do need to open them up to get some fine fibers to catch the spark.

[mingle]

I used vapor rub, melted it in a bowl over water & soaked the balls in it.

That'd have to make your eyes water, surely?

[TheFishinMusician]

I used vapor rub, melted it in a bowl over water & soaked the balls in it.

That'd have to make your eyes water, surely?

Actually, it's quite refreshing.

Dencorub/deep heat on the other hand .......

[mingle]

It'd be nice to have one of these next time...

[GMansfish]

Mingle great camping bags. Happy trials err trails.

[rawprawn]

My wife likes to get up early and have a hot cup of coffee. I like to sleep in late and take the edge off my hang over. To boil the billy she has to get a decent fire started which can be a pain if we used all the wood the night before (even the reserves supposed to be used for the morning). Those little gas jobbies don’t work in the winter and she doesn’t like lighting my dual fuel stove because its a bit fiddly to get going...Anyhow I got her one of those Kelly Kettles this week. We will give it a go this weekend and see if I can get my sleep in.

http://www.kellykettle.com/