Wilderness camping is all about getting off the beaten path and making your own way in places few people care to go. I am on a temporary work assignment in the great State of Montana, and I'd like to share with you some of the lessons I've learned as I have begun to participate in wilderness camping. Montana has a great deal of Federally owned land overseen by the Forestry Service and the Bureau of Land Management. This land is open to hikers and campers. I have hiked for hours into canyons in the Bitterroot Valley in Montana and camped above the waterfalls of creeks running at full capacity as a result of the spring snow melt. Many National Parks allow wilderness camping, although you may need to secure a permit prior to your trip. Wilderness camping does not need to be a long trip. Most of my experiences have been for one or two nights.
In many of the places I go, there is actually a path to follow. I have simply packed my backpack, put on my shoes and headed down the path. When I had hiked as far as I wanted to go, I found a suitable site for my campsite. This is the cool part about wilderness camping. You can pick a spot where no one has camped before. There is no fire pit, no sleeping platform, no pit toilet and no shower. Of course, there have been times when I have found a previous campers site and used it. It seemed needless to set up a new site when one was available. Really, all this means is that there was a circle of stones in which to build a fire. If you want to head out on your first wilderness camping experience, here are a few things you will want to pick up for the adventure.
Lightweight sleeping bag appropriate for the temperature in which you will be camping. Down packs smaller, but if it gets wet, it just won't work. Synthetic fill will continue to keep you warm even if wet. It doesn't pack as small, but it is worth the peace of mind. Sleeping pad or mat. There are a variety of inflatable sleeping pads that pack down into a small bag. These can be carried inside your backpack. See the add below on this page for the Thermarest XLite. It is what I use and it has significant insulating value to keep the cold from the ground away from you as you sleep. Pillow. Thermarest and other companies carry inflatable pillows that take up very little space in your backpack. Use one of these or just roll up a sweatshirt and use it as a pillow. Lighter. Save the flint and magnesium fire starter for after you become proficient with it.
Take a bit of paper for starting your fire. Later you will learn about natural tinder. Compact cooking pot, bowls and utensils. Portable cooking stove and gas. This is not the stove you would car camp with. Mine is called a Pocket Rocket and fits in my pants pocket. Food to cook. You will want a good healthy, substantial meal after your hike. To conserve space and minimize weight, take dry ingredients pre-measured in plastic bags which can be mixed with boiling water at mealtime. Food that does not require cooking. Peanut butter, bread, cheese, energy bars, snack mix and dried fruit are good for energy and are filling. Cheese is good out of the refrigerator for a long time. It might get a little soft and oily, but it does not need to be refrigerated. Water. There are a number of water transport containers by companies such as Katadyn, Camelback, Platypus and others. But these may not provide enough water for your outing, so consider a water filter system.
They are small and very effective.The same companies listed above for water containers, carry water filters as well. Clothing. Be minimalistic here. I take extra socks and an extra shirt for one or two nights. Hiking boots/shoes and socks. Don't skimp here. Research and shop around. Good socks are as vital as good boots. Tent. If you will be camping all year round, including in the cold and snow, you will need a four season tent. Otherwise, a good three season tent will do the trick. A one person tent with a good rainfly will be enough room for you and your gear. I put my backpack and boots outside the tent under the rainfly. So far this has worked well. Flashlight. There is no replacement for a good headlamp. It frees your hands up for building the fire, cooking, collecting firewood and fighting with bears. Lumens is a measurement of the total light a flashlight will produce.

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