Camper's GuideHere are some tips to help you prepare for your next hike or camping trip. Print out this entire page and use it as a handy reference guide, or use the following links to jump directly to a particular section. If you have any general questions about car camping, camping gear/equipment, carpooling, camp meals, membership benefits, or procedures specific to Great Outdoors; if you need to borrow a tent or other piece of equipment; if you'd like to meet some of the other campers at a pre-outing (warm-up) meeting ... please don't hesitate to contact your VP of Outings, Klaus Gerhart, via email at uberadventures@gmail.com. Camping Equipment Rental InformationTen Essentials to bring on all hikes/camping trips Before You Get To The Outing When You Arrive At The Outing While in Camp On the Trail Camping equipment rental information...Do you need to rent camping equipment? It is available from the stores listed below. Prices vary so you might want to shop by phone. In general, a tent costs $25-30 for one night, sleeping bags are $5-10, and foam pads about $3.
Before you get to the outing...
Be sure any physical problems or allergies are noted on your trip registration form. Please register with the trip leader before showing up at a weekend outing. Check the trip notes for the registration deadline. If you do not contact the trip leader before arriving on a weekend outing, you may be turned away due to lack of camping space. If you cannot attend the pre-outing "warm-up" (grub'n'gear) meeting, call the trip leader to verify space availability, receipt of registration fees, and other information. If you lack the proper equipment, rent equipment from stores listed here, or let the trip leader know so that some other arrangement can be made, if possible, to get the gear you need. If, after you are registered for an outing, you should decide not to go on a trip, please extend the leader the courtesy of calling. Remember your ten essentials, plus one: 1. Map If carpooling, be prepared to share the cost of gas.
When you arrive at the outing...Check in with the camp leader first.
While in camp...Please be considerate of other campers. Drugs, excessive alcohol, radios (other than "Walkman" type) and excessive noise are discouraged. Don't litter. This includes cigarette butts. Please try to leave the campsite cleaner than you found it. Conserve water when washing dishes. Avoid disposing food particles at the water source. Biodegradable soap such as "Camp Suds" is recommended. Please remember to always close the lid on a pit toilet after use. If left open, the odor can become very unpleasant.
Quiet time at the campground is usually 10:00 pm to 7:00 am as verified by the camp leader. Please respect others' right to sleep. Before leaving to go home, double-check the campground for anything left behind, such as equipment or trash. On the trail...If leaving for an extended time, please advise the camp leader. Hike with at least one other person, preferably two. No smoking on the trail. It's an extreme fire hazard, not to mention illegal on almost all trails. If you must leave the trail for any reason, place your pack near the trail so that the trail sweep won't think you're still ahead of him/her. If nature calls where there is no toilet, dig a hole six to eight inches deep, at least 100 feet from any water source, and bury your waste. Do not burn your toilet paper. If you get lost and are not proficient with a topo map and compass, stay where you are, get comfortable and wait until you're found.
Enjoy! |
If
you find an outing in the newsletter that you would like to attend,
either contact the trip leader and request trip notes and registration
forms, or download them directly from our website.
Check
the trip notes if pets are allowed on the outing. If so, it is expected
of you to keep them under control, not allowing them to become a
nuisance to other campers. During mealtime they are to be on a leash
and tethered away from the eating area.
After
checking in, get your tent set up and your gear squared away before
engaging in any activity.
Tea
time and campfire is a time for social exchange as well as a time
for sharing information about activities, etc.
Don't
litter the trail. Try to leave it cleaner than you found it. "Take
only pictures, leave only footprints."
PO Box 39470, Los Angeles, CA 90039-0470
Info Line: 213-694-2160