What are the top 10 essentials for a complete beginner?

Seeking Advice
1

Hoping to have an itinerary by the end of the week when I get paid. Thanks in advance.

2

  1. Shelter (tent)

  2. Sleeping pad

  3. Sleeping bag

  4. Backpack

  5. Pocket knife

  6. Cookset

  7. Water Filter/Water bottle

  8. Lighter

  9. First Aid kit

  10. Your phone/gps/map

3

Peyton said:

  1. Shelter (tent)

  1. Sleeping pad

  2. Sleeping bag

  3. Backpack

  4. Pocket knife

  5. Cookset

  6. Water Filter/Water bottle

  7. Lighter

  8. First Aid kit

  9. Your phone/gps/map

7b. Water filter

4

@Wei
ah good call…im spoiled in Finland. I never bring a filter

5

Peyton said:
@Wei
ah good call…im spoiled in Finland. I never bring a filter

I’m genuinely curious about your statement. Is that because in Finland you have lots of fresh spring sources you can access where water collection is directly from where it is coming up from the ground?

When I was a kid, it was a common thing to drink from water sources in the backcountry, knowing they were not polluted. Since, I’ve learned that animals do pee/poop in water, some die in water or near water sources and leech into those water sources. I don’t take chances any longer.

6

@Perrin
Many ponds and lakes are spring fed and once you are in lapland then there is no agriculture. Water is safe, of course there could be a dead reindeer higher up stream but I guess there is always the chance.

Plus I worked in some dodgy places and my gut biom seems to take everything.

Of course this could eventually fuck me. But it’s been years so far

7

@Peyton
Ha, yeah. Good luck and definitely don’t get sick.

EDIT: And off-topic, big fan of your fellow countrymen Rantenan, Lehkone, Kiviranta, Annunen and Kahkonen!

8

Peyton said:

  1. Shelter (tent)

  1. Sleeping pad

  2. Sleeping bag

  3. Backpack

  4. Pocket knife

  5. Cookset

  6. Water Filter/Water bottle

  7. Lighter

  8. First Aid kit

  9. Your phone/gps/map

Headlamp

Food

9

@Torin
Yea definitely key, what would you remove?

10

Peyton said:
@Torin
Yea definitely key, what would you remove?

As a knife collector and enthusiast, I might remove the knife.

11

Torin said:

Peyton said:
@Torin
Yea definitely key, what would you remove?

As a knife collector and enthusiast, I might remove the knife.

Why remove the knife?

12

Joss said:

Torin said:
Peyton said:
@Torin
Yea definitely key, what would you remove?

As a knife collector and enthusiast, I might remove the knife.

Why remove the knife?

Can’t eat it.

13

Peyton said:

  1. Shelter (tent)

  1. Sleeping pad

  2. Sleeping bag

  3. Backpack

  4. Pocket knife

  5. Cookset

  6. Water Filter/Water bottle

  7. Lighter

  8. First Aid kit

  9. Your phone/gps/map

Good choice, though number 1 can be a tarp. Many tarp shelters exist.

14

@Shannon
Depending on the weather and the persons skill base. Also comfort level with nature. I would want a tent to keep bugs out.

15

Joss said:
@Shannon
Depending on the weather and the persons skill base. Also comfort level with nature. I would want a tent to keep bugs out.

Same, I’m in the swampy areas of southeast USA. Bugs and snakes even in winter.

16

Peyton said:

  1. Shelter (tent)

  1. Sleeping pad

  2. Sleeping bag

  3. Backpack

  4. Pocket knife

  5. Cookset

  6. Water Filter/Water bottle

  7. Lighter

  8. First Aid kit

  9. Your phone/gps/map

i would move “cookset” out and put tarps+poles in. Especially if it gets wet. Cooking can be done basically on the fire, maybe buy a grille or something

17
18

Depends on what kind of camping you are doing, backpacking, car camping, over landing, canoe camping, many ways to camp.

In general

  1. Shelter (tent, tarp, hammock, etc…)
  2. Sleep system ( pad, cot, sleeping bag, quilt, etc…)
  3. Cook set up (stove, utensils, pot, etc…)
  4. Water (filtration, container, or bring it with you)
  5. Light (headlamp, lantern, flashlight etc…)
  6. First aid
  7. Footwear
  8. Clothes
  9. Bathroom kit (trowel, paper, bidet, soap, etc…)
  10. Storage (backpack, cooler, organizer, etc…)
19

Are you backpacking camping or car camping? That makes a difference.

20
  1. Google basic questions
  2. Use the search function on subreddits to check if it has been asked before
  3. Ask specific advice questions on subreddits to get specific answers
  4. make a list