In light of the recent search and rescue operation that occurred in Lebanon’s Nahr Ibrahim-Shuwen area, we thought we would compile a camper’s checklist to serve as a basic guideline for inexperienced, future campers.
Before we get into the list, here is the most important camping tip: KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND CHOOSE YOUR LOCATION WISELY!
If it’s your first outdoor experience, ask someone who knows more on the subject to lead you to the safest, most beginner friendly location, or to accompany you themselves! You can always learn more basics for your future trips from the more experienced.
Notify your loved ones of your exact location. It will help should things go downhill.
Make sure your location has apt phone coverage and carry extra phone batteries with you, maybe even a $20 Nokia basic phone can do the trick since their battery lasts up to 4 days!
Do a weather check. This will help you know what to pack and where to go.
What you need:
Shelter: Tent, sleeping bag, yoga mat to make for a better sleeping place underneath the sleeping bag.
Camp Safety:
Candles, bug spray, snake repellent, first aid kit, sunscreen, supply of prescription medication (depending on individual), soap or wet wipes/tissues.
Camp essentials: Fire starters, flare gun, batteries, flashlights, Swiss knife, axe, small saw, set of tongs, cooler, adhesive tape for tent emergency quick fixes.
Other essentials: Gloves, biodegradable plastic bags (YES WE HAVE THOSE), biodegradable/disposable cups, plates.
Clothes:
Sunglasses, tight ankle cargo pants, long sleeves to cover extremities (preferably tight wrist to prevent the entry of creepy crawlies), gloves, and hiking shoes.
Hat or beanie depending on weather conditions.
Know how to build your camp site/fire:
Gather wood from site. Combing the surrounding forest for dry woods helps alleviate the risk of forest fires in the dry, arid Lebanese summers.
It wouldn’t hurt to also clean other people’s garbage as you comb through the forest.
While doing so always go in pairs, in the case that one should fall the other can get help.
Make sure your tents are built and your firewood gathered before sundown. Also circle your camp site with snake repellent.
Using stones you find on site create a circle to contain the fire.
Make sure you put it out before you leave.
Food-Water:
Keep all your food in the cooler- all in one place- for easy access. Perfect camping food includes potatoes, bread and processed cheese. In short, things that don’t spoil should you run out of ice in your cooler.
Stay hydrated! Wear sunscreen during the day/ insect repellant during the night.
Should the fire go out, assign guarding shifts until sunrise. Use flashlights attached to adjustable head straps to make your life easier.