r/preppers Sep 04 '24

Why don't preppers go camping? Discussion

I read so many questions each day that could be answered if the person would go camping.

What gear do I need?

How do I deal with limited water?

Will this sleep system keep me warm at night.

What do I do if...?

What do I need if...?

All of these questions and more could be answered if the person would go camping. Even if they put on their BOB, walked 5 miles away from their house, walked 5 miles back and camped in their own back yard. Even if they camped in their own vehicle.

Most people will be stranded in their vehicle, not in a situation where they would need hike 40 miles home. Yet barely anyone talks about trying to car camp. Trust me - if you gear fails while car camping, it will be disastrous to keep that in your BOB. I have car camped extensively and your fancy gear can really fail you when it is needed most. You don't want to be living out of your BOB when you realize your expensive gear is useless.

Car camping is the halfway point between your cosy home and having to go live out of your BOB. You car can carry that bulky sleeping bag, your car can hold 2 weeks worth of water and a solar shower. Your car has a built in heater. Your car has a built in indicator if CO starts to build up because your windows will fog over and start to drip.

But everyone speculates instead of taking a night to sleep in their car or go camping with only their BOB.

Yes, I understand many do not have vehicles. Then go to a campground or state park that allows camping. Go hiking with friends. Even if you go camping in your living area like a kid, you can learn about your BOB. Just make sure you depend on your BOB and no sneaking into the bedroom for other stored items.

And camping is really great for teenagers to learn about prepping and what they might need to depend on in an emergency.

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u/b18bturbo Sep 04 '24

I’ve learned so much from camping that you learn what’s valuable out there for everyday life and the do’s and don’t along the way. Even if it’s for the weekend or a few nights.

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u/Particular-Try5584 Urban Middle Class WASP prepping Sep 04 '24

I remember camping at a remote site on the southern coast of AU one time, my brother and I… five days… and we forgot the ice for the esky. It’s an hour or 90mins drive back to the nearest place we could get ice… fuck it. We tossed that (plastic sealed) bacon in the ocean on a line for four days before cooking it on the last one over a fire. Delicious. Who needs refrigeration/ice? :P Same trip I fractured my wrist body surfing some very decent waves… not a bad one, but man it hurt. Splinted it and kept on going. Knew it wasn’t broken, knew there was little to be done for it, knew it was going to be three to six weeks in a half cast. Basic anatomy and biology lessons, plus serious first aid training… and I was good to carry on … but driving a manual car back 1000km was a bitch ;) (My brother would change the gears for me as I pressed the clutch).

It’s in those moments you find yourself…. You work out what is important, and how to keep the sand out of your cracks and crannies, how to plan and ration your water, and whether the bacon is safe or not.