I'm going to camp at Yosemite (CA) in 2-3 weeks for the first time (there) and generally this is my 2nd time camping ever. First time was 3 years ago in Big Sur. It was less complicated then expected.
I'm an outdoorsman since I grew up next to forests in Austria and Poland but if it comes to camping I'm a newbie simply because there was never any use to do it (wanna go to the forest -> walk 5 minutes and be gone for the rest of the day or drive to desired other location and return same day).
If you can think of anything that might come in handy and is budget priced ... feel free to give me your personal advice what to take care of.
I have enough lights, haha. I also have a tent already with a sleeping bag, outdoor friendly / ready cosmetics incl. bug spray, 2 high end Camelbaks (Talon and BFM plus 0.6l insulated bottle), good clothes, knifes.
Planning to buy a used Coleman Butane stove off ebay so I can use regular pans to warm up food and water. I'm not cooking with Aluminum pans etc. (because of BPA risks) so I think that's the easiest solution for me.
Do you have a means of water purification? I personally like the Katadyn Hiker. I also carry purification tablets to use overnight. :)
I mean, I take it that the camping trip will be a few days, right? :) Wouldn't want to carry all that water in your Camelbak into the camping area... that's heavy!
I don't know what the rating on your sleeping bag is, but a sleeping mat and an extra mylar emergency blanket wouldn't hurt either. :D
An extra bit of rope? 550 cord? More than one way to start a campfire? (matches, lighter, flint, etc.)
:D What kind of snacks have you got? Maybe some portable games (cards, dice) to pass the time? A book, maybe?
Sunscreen! :) OTC/prescription/allergy medications? Definitely would want a small first aid kit.
My Rabies shots were not that bad, I only cried a little; expensive, though. And unlike a normal post, I'm not joking. :((
Anzycpethian, are you car camping, (i.e. you will stay near the car) or are you hiking in the backcountry? Makes a big difference in the advice I'd give. Either way, I'd add a ground sheet for the tent and some type of sleeping pad for you. No cotton clothing if you are hiking! Also, for safety, make sure someone you trust knows where you are going and when you will be back.
I'm in a hurry now so I'm just gonna give a quick answer:
I have enough firestarters (emergency versions and "easy" lighters).
I'm going to drive there with the car, park it and sleep for 2 days in a tent which is going to be not that far away from the car.
Conc. water I'm taking some from home. 5 gallons. But I'm not sure if that's worth the afford transporting it (gas) or maybe there is local drinkable water there. Not sure yet.
Snacks... I have no idea yet. Some bread and canned tuna, preboiled eggs maybe.
Typhoid and rabies... argh, have to get informed about that. Never thought of that.
What would you guys recommend for boiling water there (that's not made out of aluminum)?
I rely heavily on Katadyn filters for my outdoor needs. I have a Hiker for day hikes and short trips and a Pocket for longer trips. Carry chemicals for a backup. I think (as in, this in this is my experience and what I do, BUT NO ONE ELSE SHOULD DO IT) that those filters are plenty fine so long as you are not in a 3rd world country or camping in some other sketchy place. I'm no scientist, but this is what Katadyn claims on their website.
How does the Katadyn ceramic retain viruses?
Due to their tiny size, viruses can theoretically not be removed with a 0.2 micron (or any physical) filter. Nevertheless, long-term experience in the field has indicated that Katadyn Filters can retain viruses. This surprising fact can be explained: Viruses have an electrical surface charge that attaches them to other particles or materials. Therefore, the tight pore-structure of the Katadyn Filters removes the viruses attached to particles from your drinking water.
I'm pretty sure they would not claim things that would surely open them up to lawsuits if they felt you could get a virus after filtering water with one of their products. Of course, some clever lawyer used the word "can" (which I highlighted) in the answer, so that would likely give them wiggle room. I fully understand the better safe than sorry philosophy, but I feel like filtering alone is fine the vast majority of the time.
Like I said, EVERYBODY ELSE SHOULD BOIL OR USE CHEMICALS. DON'T LISTEN TO ME, EVER! I'm just having a debate with Don.
Kinda a moot point since Anzycpethian said the advice had to be budget orientated and that precludes most of the Katadyn product line.
I like to burn stuff. The campfire is the one of the best parts of camping.
These common chemicals look cool when you toss them in the fire. I use cheap sandwich baggies w/ a few tablespoons in each bag.
copper sulfate in swimming pool supplies. Potassium chloride is used as a salt substitute (grocery store, spice section). Epsom salts,borax, and calcium chloride may be found with laundry/cleaning supplies. Others, including strontium chloride, can be obtained from stores that specialize in rocketry or firework supplies.
Flame Colorants
Color
Chemical
Carmine
Lithium Chloride
Red
Strontium Chloride or Strontium Nitrate
Orange
Calcium Chloride (a bleaching powder)
Yellow
Sodium Chloride (table salt)
or Sodium Carbonate
Yellowish Green
Borax
Green
Copper Sulfate or Boric Acid
Blue
Copper Chloride
Violet
3 parts Potassium Sulfate
1 part Potassium Nitrate (saltpeter)
Purple
Potassium Chloride
White
Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom salts)
as far as more practical advice...not sure if it is too arid there to need to worry about this, but figure out how you'll deal with biting insects - cintronella, bug repellent you wear, propane fueled fogger, cigars, etc.
they can get pretty bad in NY (really bad actually, but I have seen worse elsewhere). Often, I'll build a campfire and then smother it with leaves and go fish somehwere else for awhile. This can really clear an area out, but is obviously very dependent on wind directions...
Since you're staying right by the car, just bring a stainless pot from home. Weight, generally, isn't an issue if you don't have to hump it yourself. Personally, I don't think the occasional use of aluminum containers is statistically harmful. You are likely in far more danger driving there then using an aluminum pot for two or three days.
Also, if there is room in the car, I'd bring more water than you think. Better to have and not need than need and not have; and you can always dump what you don't use before you come home.
You could also call the campground ahead of time and ask if potable water is available on site. That eliminates the transportation problems, such as they may be.
It is often overlooked but a tarp or waterproof pancho has a bunch of uses. I use a space blanket or a disposable pancho. They fold up small and provide a clean dry area to sit down and arrange items or just relax. They also can rain off you or your gear if you get caught in a shower.
Also, a small bottle of lotion. My hands get really dry when camping and it is nice not to have to deal with finger tips that feel like they are made rom paper.
Small wash cloth, TP, wet wipes, sleeping pad, hand sanitizer, small flask of rum, coffee,
Sounds like you will be camping in the valley floor, that's easy. Not like you are packing in for a 4-day, no civilization trek. Lots of places to eat there, or you can do the cookout thing. If you are there for 4 days there is some great hiking to do, lots of good half and full day hikes.
I would worry more about bringing a good camera and a good pad or cot to sleep on then the other stuff. Lots of available public water that is fine to drink, or buy a case of water bottles and stick them in your trunk. It can still get very cold at night, so be prepared.
If you get a chance Hwy 49 through the goldrush country is a nice drive there, as opposed to the 4-lane usual route.
I doubt that rabies would be the big deal it was living in a 3rd world country. Though apparently in the southern US recently there has been an influx of skunks seeking water.
The rabies vaccine used to be hideously expensive, it may have got cheaper since the last time I looked. I just looked it up and the NHS cost is around $200 for the four shots of the vaccine - and that's cost price for the vaccine itself, not what anyone is going to charge you to administer it. I'd guess it would cost a lot more than that.
Watch out for ticks if there is much livestock or wildlife around.
What I used to use when I lived in a 3rd world country was boil the water, filter it, then toss some bleach or water purification tablets in it prior to drinking.
Rabies shots will cost around $20K. In New Jersey, at least, the can only be administered at the hospital and not at the doctor's office. This is what drives the price up. Also, you will get a series of shots over the course of a few weeks. You contracting rabies is like the hospital winning the lottery (very low chance of you getting it, but a big pay out for the bank).
The best part of getting bit by an animal is that you are getting the rabies shots regardless of whether the critter has them or not. Why, because it takes longer for them to figure out if the animal is infected then it does for you to get it and you/they can't risk it. On the bright side, I can wrestle raccoon and such at the circus without worry now.
As far as the filters go, I realize they are overkill for you at the moment, especially since you said you were interested in budget items, but they are, IMHO, top notch. In any event have a great time on your trip. Sure wish I was going.
All this talk of nasty bugs makes me glad I live in the UK, worst I've had is those little ticks biting into me, which isn't a problem unless they carry something else ( I've forgotten the name of the common problem they cause)
Yeah definitively watch out for animals, those rabies shots are not fun at all.
A couple tips, first of all if your going to cook over a fire put tinfoil or rub soap on the bottom of the pot/pan so soot doesn't get stuck on it. Also a fun way to start a fire is to make a pile of wood and then dump denatured alcohol (avaible at the hardware store 5 dollars a liter) and toss a match and it will poof and then your done. Also make sure you set up your tent in a high area and not over any deppresion in the ground. Also make sure it is not over any rocks.
Also, for the fire it is useful to have an oven mitt handy for when burning logs fall out of the fire pit.
Also for the aluminum worry I would reccomend just getting a cheap steel pot somwhere like walmart and just cook in that. I personally use a surplus steel canteen cup. However if you want much more than that made of steel, well it gets expensive fast. ;)
There is anecdotal evidence that suggests a link between aluminum and Alzheimer's, but no actual research to indicate causality. The 1960's studies that discovered the link started the rumor.
In Alzheimer's patients, damage to the brain cells is caused by 'tangles' and 'plaque,' made up of proteins named 'tau' and 'beta amyloid,' respectively. Aluminum has been found in higher concentrations in these protein deposits, but there is ZERO research to indicate that this is due to increased aluminum ingestion or exposure.
Excess aluminum in the system can have neurotoxic effects....if massively overdosed.
Heck, water can be fatal, if you drink too much in one sitting.
