Okay Campers....give me a checklist.

[JPalmer]

I'm going on a week-long excursion to Palo Duro Canyon starting Monday. I think I've got most of the equipment I'm going to need for a backpacking trip.

But...just in case I've left something off the list, give me a few items that you think you'd need for a good solid week of camping.

go...

[iCe]

Palo Duro for a week. That's going to be a blast. I was only there for a couple of hours and I loved it.

There are some really good checklists on this site: LINK

Look about 1/2 way down on the side menu.

[ratbert]

Backpacking? Make sure you have extra wool socks, polypropolene liners and plenty of moleskin. Very important to keep your feet dry.

[Dobick]

Bugspray and water -- everything else is a luxury item

I'm not much on camping, and when I do, it is usually out of the truck, so I end up taking more gear than is possible to carry.
You didn't say whether you would be camping near the vehicle or not, but if near it, here is a list of things that I took with me on a two week road trip a few years back.

Food for a week was be the following:
Pre cooked 1 lb vaccuum packages of hamburger -- found them at walmart -- (they were heat and eat, and made a very very good meal at the end of the day)
Pre cooked vacuum packages of rice (they had different types)
jello cups for desert
cans of mixed fruit
some granola/fruit bars to snack on
tea bags and coffee bags (I actually brought instant coffee, and couldn't drink it, but the coffee bags are good)
cocoa
season salt, and a seasoning call "Nature's Seasoning"
beef and chicken bullion cubes
Gatorade drink mix (save one or two of the bottles from the water)

I have a burner that attaches directly to the top of a small propane bottle (brought three of the bottles)
I brought a very small skillet (six inch)
I brought a kettle
I brought a bowl
I brought a soup mug
several spoons and forks
two rolls of paper towls
I had two boxes of gallon sized zip lock bags to store the opened food
I kept almost all of the food stuffs and cooking utensiles in a plastic rubbermaid box with the lid on it.

I brought a roll of trash bags (used one bag for trash, the other for stinky clothes)

Hygeine
couple of wash cloths
a box of individually wrapped Purell sanitizing wipes (bought them at sams, and they worked great to keep your hands and face clean and fresh, and worked wonders on the hot spots)
bar of soap
toothbrush and toothpaste
deodorant

My list usually includes a case or two of bottled water, a well insulated ice chest filled to the rim with ice, and a waterjug type cooler, that I also fill with ice and water.

Clothes
two pair of convertible pants (the kind that zip off into shorts)
A hoody of some sort
my army issue gortex jacket
a shirt per day
pair socks per day
pair underwear per day
two pair of good boots/shoes that I changed everyday

Equipment
tent
thermal blanket
inflatable airmattress
sleeping bag
indian weave blanket for inside the sleeping bag for additional insulation
and a folding chair

Like I said, more than I could carry, but being that I was by myself, and near the vehicle, I wanted to be certain that I would be comfortable.

[Debbi]

Palo Duro Canyon is such a wonderful place. Camped there once over July 4th weekend. Won't ever do that again. Not fond of camping on the face of the sun! Find an insulated bottle to carry water in if you plan on hiking at all. You can get them with a shoulder strap to make it easier to carry. Bug spray is a definite. Most other things are pretty obvious. Keep in mind there is no cell service at the bottom (a good thing I believe). Don't forget to walk around the general camp ground. The deer are pretty used to people so there's generally quite a few where they think they may find food.

A wide angle lens and polarizer!

Have fun!

[Chief]

snakebite kit / space blanket/ mono pod or good walking stick / map / gps or compass/ do a google search for solar battery chargers ( just an idea )/ bug spray / 50 ft. of rope. Remember your still in Texas and 99% of the locals are friendly. if you need help go uphill to the north that's where most people live. I always tell hikers to contact someone daily by phone if possible to let em know your ok and where you are. I also advise to plan your trip on paper and leave a copy with someone in case something happens. I don't mean to sound like a smart alec, but I teach a survival course in the four corners and this is what I mainly tell everyone. It's Severe rainy season so watch out for the flash floods .

It's to early in the season but you definately need to see the show TEXAS sometime

MOST IMPORTANT THING :

HAVE FUN.........

Gordon

[Jezebel]

- camera

:D

[Resa]

First Aid Kit

Resa

[JohnRushing]

First aid kit for sure. I don't know how many streams or water holes there are in that area but water purifacation tablets are always a good idea to have with you. Some type of signal mirror, compass, a good knife, spare matches in a water proof container, and some steel wool comes in handy for getting a fire going sometimes. Also have you checked these out http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives...ng_device.html. They look like they could be a life saver in case tthe unthinkable happens.

[KaraM]

Definitely check in with someone every day. If you are staying in the state park, make sure the rangers know where you are staying and where you plan to hike. They will check on you every day and come to inform you of incoming thunderstorms/tornados (at least they did when I spent a few nights there).

[Orogeny]

Keep a VERY close eye on the weather. This is a potentially dangerous time of year to be in the canyon because of thunderstorms and subsequent flash floods. If you are back country camping, make sure you are on high ground.

Oh, and bring your camera!

Tim

[east_tx]

make sure you take sunglasses. Also, take along a big tube of sunscreen.

[Chief]

I forgot the most important thing!!!!!!




Toilet paper. Those prickly pear leaves hurt.


Have Fun
Gordon

[tjavery]

Originally Posted by Chief

Toilet paper. Those prickly pear leaves hurt.

Rocks aren't so great either

Wet-wipes and a small bottle of hand-sanitizer are pretty nice to have. If you can't get to a shower at night, then a good wipe-down and a fresh pair of underwear are the second best thing.

[Ropinamoment]

We've had some wild weater up here lately, it can spring on someone down in the canyon quickly. One of those weather radios wouldn't hurt. The canyon does flood every quickly.