Gear Checklist for Your Ultimate Year-End Camping Adventure
Soon, the snow will fall, and the regular camping season will end. In the northern regions of the United States, the weather has been unusually pleasant, so it’s a good time to slip out for one last weekend campout.
It’s nice to get away out in the woods during this time of year, as there are fewer people, resulting in extra solitude. So, I picked a nice little spot in the pines for a dispersed campsite.
One tradeoff for having the woods to myself is that there is no fire ring, water, or latrine. That means extra work, and I have to pack the right tools for the job. The first tool I’m glad to have is my Survival Camp Shovel. One of its best features is that it is a folding shovel, fitting nicely into a hand-sized carrying pouch. Its small size means it’s no imposition to throw it in for every adventure.
My first task is to dig a shallow fire pit for cooking and warmth late in the day. The Survival Camp Shovel helps me scrape the ground clean in the middle of the campsite to lessen the chance that my campfire will spread out of control. When I run into rocks, the built-in pick helps me dislodge them.
I excavate a shallow pit about 6 inches deep, piling the dirt neatly around the edges. Not only will this allow me to scoop and throw dirt if the fire gets out of hand, but it will also be ready to fill in the hole when I go home, allowing me to ultimately leave no trace of my visit.
After preparing the fire pit, firewood needs to be gathered. You can’t warm yourself or cook any food without fuel, after all. My Folding Limb Saw, and I make quick work of a couple armfuls of dry branches, which are stacked up near the cooking area.
With most of the day still ahead of me, I’d love to take a hike. There is a trail system in the river valley not far from here, and there are still bright leaves hanging onto some of the trees. If I’m lucky, I might see some wildlife. It’s a beautiful day, though, and he crisp air invites a walk in the woods.
Whenever I camp and hike alone, safety and preparing for the unknown become more important. So, in addition to rain gear and a first aid kit, I throw my Pocket Pal X2 into my backpack. That compact little gadget has many survival features packed into it.
In case of an emergency in the woods, it has a diamond rod, which produces lots of sparks when drawn across one of the knife-sharpening slots. If I get turned around on the trails, a compass and built-in LED flashlight can help me get back on track. Because it’s so small, it goes with me everywhere, including day hiking, camping, and hunting outings.
After the hike, it’s a little early for supper, but I’ve worked up an appetite. I prepare a fire as soon as I get back to the campsite.
It hasn’t rained lately, so dry grasses and twigs are easy to come by. I arrange them in the middle of the fire pit and pull out my Tinder Maker with Fire Starter. I’ve stashed a little wad of steel wool inside its compartment, which catches sparks easily and burns hot and fast to get the fire started.
This little multitool can be especially helpful in wet conditions when dry tinder is unavailable. Simply by splitting open a dry log or branch, you can make wood shavings with the Tinder Maker’s stainless steel grater. Its fire starter and striker are reliable for producing enough sparks to get things going. In the event that I forget to bring my Tinder Maker, the Folding Limb Saw also has a diamond striker, which can be drawn across the teeth to make sparks.
After the fire is burning hot, I get to work on the meal.
Cooking over a fire is an essential part of the camping experience. Kabobs are a great way to get the whole meal done at once. Sometimes, I bring cut-up meat and vegetables in plastic bags with a simple marinade like teriyaki or Italian dressing.
Other times, I don’t have time at home and need to do all my food prep in the woods. My Camp Cleaver is sturdy and extremely sharp, which helps chop any meats and vegetables safely and easily into skewer-ready pieces.
In any case, I have found Fire Wire Flexible Skewers to be the perfect tool for the job. They fit beautifully on a hanging campfire grill. They also hold twice as much food as ordinary skewers.
In addition, for those times I manage to cut up meats and vegetables at home, I can put the loaded stainless steel skewers into the zippered plastic bags with the marinade. It is incredibly convenient and time-efficient. When I go home, I simply zip them back into the bags until they enter the dishwasher.
There isn’t much to do after dinner other than keep warm by the fire. So I feed it from my wood stash as the forest grows dark. I prop my feet close to the flames and pull a blanket over my lap. As the stars come out to play, I reflect on the day and dream of everything next camping season has in store.
For more information about Smith’s Sporting Group, please contact Dena Vick, at dena@kingeiderpr.com
ABOUT SMITH’S SPORTING GROUP
Smith’s Sporting Group is a multifaceted, diversified company that supports a lifetime of outdoor pursuits and includes Smith’s Consumer Products and Tanners Team Sports. Tracing its roots to 1886, Smith’s Sporting Group designs, manufactures, and distributes key products and accessories for anglers, hunters, campers, and hikers, as well as those that love baseball, softball, and pickleball.
