Do you have what it takes to survive in the urban jungle?
Please read over this comprehensive list of equipment for the guerrilla urban camper. In it you will find the similarities as well as the differences between normal wildnerss camping gear and urban camping gear. Although some of the differences may be drastic, othersmay be more subtle, so paying attention to details now may save you much time and greif later.
Comprehensive List of Urban Camping Equipment
Framepack: This one's essential. It determines how much you can take with you, how far you can carry it, and how comfortable you'll be doing it.
Tarps: This should be at least 10 ft. by 10 ft. or similar size. Should definitely be camouflage.
Rope: Medium size, black or camo colored nylon cord is best. About 100 feet or more.
Hammock: Once again, this one's essential as it allows you the ability to camp in many more locations than a tent can be pitched. Try to stay away from netted hammocks as they can be a pain if they get tangled and the netting usually breaks or wears faster than a solid sheet hammock.
Sleeping Bag: This should be rated as low as possible, to zero degrees would be best. You may add a silk liner to imrove the effeciency of the sleeping bag at minimal expense.
Clothes: Should be a minimal set of clothing, only enough to survive a week; 2 pairs of lightweight pants (not jeans as they are too heavy, but cargo pants or canvas pants are fine), 3-4 shirts, 7 pairs of socks, 1 pair of wool socks, 1 full set of thermal underwear, 7 pairs underpants.
Flashlight: Prefferably a wind up flashlight, or a headband flashlight (worn like a miner's headlamp).
1 - 2 Wool Blankets: For winter camping; also helps with chilly nights to put a wool blanket between your sleeping bag and your hammock.
Hygene Kit: A small zippered bag into which you have all of your personal effects. Those should include: toothbrush, travel size tube toothpaste, comb, small bottle Dr. Bronners Pure Castile Soap, toenail clippers, mudium sized REI compact travel towel; small plastic bottle of: shampoo, tea tree oil, hand lotion, suntan lotion; and any other cosmetic or medications. And don't forget a roll of toilet paper!
First Aid Kit: which includes: band aids, gauze strips, gauze tape, triple antibiotic, burn cream, tweezers, small bottle of asprin/ibuprofin, small bottle of iodine pills.
Personal Mess Kit: which includes: 1 plate, 1 bowl, 1 spoon, 1 fork, 1 knife. All of these items can come in many compact camping variations, but I personally prefer the oragami dishware, 1 spoon, 1 fork, and a folding buck knife.
Coat and Rain Gear: 2 dark colored hoodys, one think, one thin, worn in layers. 1 good ($30 or more) plastic rain poncho with extendible flap in back for covering your pack as well; boots, hats, gloves.
Daypack: A small pack for carrying arround only that which you need while away from camp. When moving the whole camp you will need to pack this away into a smaller pack so be sure it's durable but lightweight and easy to fold.
Pocket Shower: Very handy, 10 Liter collapsible solar shower bag. I just heat up a few pots of water to boiling and throw that in with the cold water in the bag and it comes out to just the right temperature.
Portable Camp Stove: Even considering the cost of white gas fuel, this cuts down considerable on the cost of living as eating in the urban environment can be expensive.
*Inflatible Air Mattress: Now I mean a small, lightweight one, not the giant inflatible mattresses that come with the electric pump and blow up to the size of a queen size bed. I mean the something like the ThermaRest from REI, even the child size version works for adults. My legs extend off the end but with my back and chest comfortable it's usually just fine. It's also a great chair or couch. * I put the astrisk to note this was optional.
Please read over this comprehensive list of equipment for the guerrilla urban camper. In it you will find the similarities as well as the differences between normal wildnerss camping gear and urban camping gear. Although some of the differences may be drastic, othersmay be more subtle, so paying attention to details now may save you much time and greif later.
