(This is not backpacking on the trail!) — Mark R. Turner, July 2024
6 Person Tent
  • (with room to stand straight and extended handle for zipper to minimize bending over with back problems)
Air beds with motorized pump
  • (regular bed height, not air mattresses!)
Sleeping bags
Pillows
Long electric cord & power strip
  • (plugged into an adapter in the car for air pump and charging phones and iPads; after charging we turn our old fashioned car engine on for about a minute – you can also get a wide variety of rechargeable power banks which can provide power for many days and take only a small footprint in the campsite)
Porta-potty with its own collapsible tent-booth
Folding Stools beside beds and for Porta-potty booth
Trash bags
  • For recyclables
  • For compostables
  • For trash
  • For toilet paper in Porta-potty booth
Canopy
  • (10-foot square or larger, 4-post collapsible with a case on wheels)
Folding Tables
  • (supplement the picnic table provided by the campground with tables for fixing food, meals, and washing)
Chairs
  • 2 zero gravity chairs with attachable side shelves,
  • Folding uprights for sitting at table
A pack loaded with
  • Ax
  • Hammer
  • Screwdrivers (flat and Philips)
  • Pliers (regular and needle nose)
  • Wire cutters
  • Wire
  • Ropes,
  • Clips,
  • Bungee cords
  • etc.
Sweeping brush with dustpan
Insect Repellent (natural/organic)
Sunscreen Lotion (natural/organic)
Cooler on wheels
  • (ours is the deep Igloo brand)
  • blue-ice
  • Precooked meals frozen
Easy Lunch fixings
Protein snacks
Breakfast supplies
Simplified Coffee Making
  • “Cold Brew” in shelf-stable packaging and heated
Propane stove with Propane bottles
Matches and auto-lighter
Cooking gear for minimal cooking and clean up
  • A pan or two
  • Tea Kettle
  • Stirring/serving spoon/fork
  • Tongs
  • Sharp knife
  • Hot pads/gloves
Compostable eating utensils to minimize wash-up
A collapsible stand to hang lantern, etc. on
Umbrellas
Walking poles
Walking stools (made for the trail)
Lanterns and Flashlights
Batteries
Hats
Gloves (hand protection)
Coats for morning and night
Individual Water Bottles
Camera Tripods for each (and cameras if you use more than the phone)
Fold-up wagon to transport heavy items
  • (water jug filling, unloading and loading the car, emptying the porta-potty, etc.)
Water jug (3.2 gallon or larger)
Washing tubs (for dishes and personal hygiene)
Shower bag (fill with water, warm in the sun, hang and shower)
Washcloths, hand towels, and bath towels 
Hand Mirror (which can be hung)
Games
  • Scrabble is our traditional game
  • we have also invented our own
iPhones and iPads with chargers (unless we decide to disconnect)
Books
Art supplies
  • Tablet/sketch book
  • pencils, pens, chalk, etc.
  • If you’re a painter, bring your painting kit.
Lap desks