Category — camping supplies

Going on a camping trip is supposed to be a natural experience, but some things can be a little too natural. If you’re like me, you don’t enjoy searching for bushes to squat in or the idea of not being able to shower for days on end, so here are some affordable portable products you can bring on your next trip.

This is a portable toilet that is used by the FBI, FEMA, and the military. It’s a Phillips Environmental PETT Portable Environmental Toilet and it looks a lot like a regular toilet; it even folds up into a briefcase (easy to pack and unnoticeable). There is a little baggie underneath that is easily removable, so make sure to do so before folding! Also, the baggie is environmentally friendly and keeps all waste inside to minimize contamination.

There’s nothing like being able to take a shower out in the wild. This is a Bivouac Buddy portable shower that comes with an on/off switch, overhead reservoir, plastic floor and a towel rope. You can easily hang it up on a tree branch and the process of getting it up and running is very quick. It holds 8 gallons of water, which will offer a 12-minute shower – no electricity needed (just heat the water in your camper or with a solar heater). The curtain isn’t only great for showering privacy, but you can also use it as a private area for your port-a-potty.

Likely if you’re reading this blog, you already have your own camping checklist to adhere to. But there are some other items you should consider bringing besides the usual tents, sleeping bags, food, water bottles and bug spray. To make things a bit more different this time around, consider bringing along these items:

Having an outdoor gas grill could really come in handy, especially if you are running out of food. Packed sandwiches and meat can last but for so long, so if you are planning to stay more than a couple of days and are by a river, go fishing and bring back the bacon! You can also use it as a way to warm up food you already have. Or bring a cooler with some steaks, fish or chicken. A portable gas grill is always a yummy way to eat while out and on the go.

If you decided to take that trip with man’s best friend, why should you take on all the weight? Have you pup help by toting its own necessities with this dog backpack.

Having your hygienic products with you is also very important, especially if you are planning to stay outdoors for days at a time. Trust me, by the time you get back home, you’d be unrecognizable (or unbearable). Make sure to bring along a comb, brush, toothbrush and toothpaste. You can even bring along a bottle of water to rinse your mouth with. Shampoo and conditioner shouldn’t be necessary, after all when camping out you have to leave some room for a little grunge.

If you’re like me, you enjoy the great outdoors, but the idea of leaving behind your precious iPod or laptop may not be too tempting. True, there are inverters that are used to plug in your home items in your car, but what about after you begin hiking to your camp out spot?

Having a charger to keep your necessities (GPS and cell phone) and valuables fully charged is ideal for everyone. Since there aren’t any convenient spots to plug in your inverter or home devices, you can use a solar charger.

This is a 15-watt solar charger from Brunton, costing just under $150. You can easily use this charger in and outside your RV or car. It is weather proof and is used to charge up 12-volt batteries and other smaller devices.

This Solio Solar Charger is small enough to fit into your pocket, but it still offers enough juice to charge up handheld items like game players, digital cameras, iPods and PDAs. Costs under $70. Take this with you while you’re on the trail.

Hitting the outdoors is always a fun experience, but some of us need our modern everyday electronics, so consider one of these solar powered items to keep your trip super charged!

The LifeStraw was developed in order to provide clean water to people in developing countries, but it is inspiring me to think about water filtration options for camping and hiking trips, or even for my earthquake emergency kit, because you never know when you’ll need potable water.

I like the Hydro Photo SteriPen Hand Held UV water purifier because it seems really effective, but it uses batteries, and I want something that doesn’t require an energy source.

The Katadyn Exstream XR Water Purifier might be the ideal option for me. It is the only EPA Registered purifier bottle, and it doesn’t need batteries, which is great. It’s also BPA-free, which is even better. But I have read a few reviews that aren’t that great, so I am a bit hesitant to drop the cash on it.

I also really like the MST Hyperflow Microfilter Water Filter, but you need to provide a container like a water bottle in order to use it, which you might not have in a water emergency.

I haven’t found anything quite like the LifeStraw that is available for retail purchase in the US, but I will keep my fingers crossed, because it is really an ideal water purification device.

I am not sure what the name of this route is because I am really bad at that sort of thing, but it is a picture of me climbing one of the bigger walls at Stoney Point in Chatsworth, CA.

Here are some photos of the same climb from different angles and positions:

Me at the start of the Climb

Partner-in-Climb on the same route

The worst part about climbing at Stoney Point is chasing the shade to minimize exposure to the heat and sunlight. I recommend lots of good sunblock, a hat and something to sit on when you’re not climbing because the rocks get REALLY hot. A towel is OK, but I recommend a good camping chair like a Crazy Creek chair or some other collapsible chair. That little added bit of comfort helps make the heat and the waits between climbs more comfortable. I especially recommend one if you plan on doing any belaying.

It’s a good idea to get to Stoney Point early, to beat both the heat and some of the crowd. It is a really popular destination for climbers and families just out for a hike or a picnic, in addition to some weekend climbing schools. If you have your heart set on top roping one of the bigger walls, it is essential to get there before the crowd to get a route. Otherwise, be prepared to boulder.

It has been SOOOO long since I have been to Joshua Tree. At this time last year, I was making plans to move to J Tree by September 2007. Obviously that didn’t happen. I am not too sad about it, because I really like where I am at right now, but I do miss Joshua Tree and I am always up for a trip to the high desert. So I think we will be heading out this weekend in spite of the gas-induced crunch on our budget. It will be so nice to climb, but I am feeling a little out of shape. I did some yoga and weights this weekend to start unwinding from our road trip, and I am feeling it today. Plus, I know from the last time we went to Stoney Point that my grip strength has really decreased since I stopped doing hang board training. So it may be a humbling climbing trip, but at least it will be fun.

I think most of the wildflowers will be gone by now, but as long as we get the chance to climb, I’ll be happy. I had the chance to test out my new sleeping bag on our recent whirlwind road trip, and I am pretty confident it will be perfect for the weather at Joshua Tree this weekend. I am also really excited to pay another visit to Country Kitchen for breakfast. The restaurant is super tiny and usually very crowded but their delicious homemade food makes the wait worthwhile. Their light, buttery biscuits and gravy are pure heaven; my mouth is watering just thinking about them. And they are the perfect energy boost after climbing.

Ok, I am getting super excited about heading out to J Tree this weekend. I need to focus on work for a while. Will write more soon.

Check this out: Brunton makes a solar-charged portable power plant that supposedly has enough juice to power or recharge a laptop. This brings a whole new meaning to the word “telecommute.” You can charge up the Brunton Solo 7.5 from any regular household outlet, or even better, with Brunton’s Solar Rolls or Solaris Foldable Solar Panel.

Think of the possibilities: movies on a portable DVD player by the campfire, web meetings from the middle of the forest or desert, endless music from an iPod. All the comforts of home.

I am so in love with the Garmin Colorado 400t that I have decided to start a new page on the blog to serve as my Wish List, in case Santa or the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy is reading and feeling particularly generous. This Garmin hand held GPS is the perfect inaugural item for my wish list because:

a) it’s a little pricey for my budget and therefore something I am unlikely to buy for myself within the next 2 months.*

b) it is DURABLE and WATERPROOF, which is great for someone as clumsy as I am.

c) it has a ton of pre-loaded 3D Elevation/Topo maps and wireless features that let users exchange routes instantly.

d) it has an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter for really accurate readings.

What I love most about the Garmin Colorado is that it jams so many useful features into such a tiny, lightweight body. Much nicer than unwieldy paper maps that need to unfolded and refolded over and over, and protected from moisture, etc. I will keep dreaming about the day when my Garmin wish comes true….

*Unless I find a REALLY good deal on a Garmin before then.

I am so excited for the long President’s Day weekend! Partner-in-Climb(PIC) and I have talked about camping and climbing at Ojai, Joshua Tree and a variety of other places, but we have just decided that we will play it by ear tomorrow morning. I hope the weather holds out because I am so anxious to try out my new sleeping bag. I got it for Christmas from my mom, but I haven’t been camping since then, so I have not had a chance to use it out. It’s from LL Bean and has a very soft fleece lining… Should be cozy!

I’ll post more Monday about my adventures!