Camping is all about immersing oneself in the beauty of nature, connecting with it, and putting your resourcefulness to the test. However, what do you do when you suddenly realise that you have left behind some of your camping essentials? Our recent adventure at Mount Crawford became a story of improvisation and creativity as we discovered we were missing a few crucial items.
The Missing Essentials :
1. Loo Bucket:
Before going to the campground, I did some research and found out that there was a toilet available. However, the toilet is located far away from our campsite. Since it's quite dark in the evening, no one likes to go to the toilet. In such a situation, a portable loo bucket can be a camper's best friend. Unfortunately, we didn't have one. So, my mother improvised by using a small plastic round container in her car and turned it into our temporary loo bucket.
2. Inflatable Pillow
During our trip, we realised that we had forgotten to bring pillows with us, though we did have a mattress. It was quite difficult to use our arms or a bag as a pillow. This made us realise that carrying an inflatable pillow is necessary when travelling or camping. Another option is to stack clothing for a pillow, but we did not pack up any clothing.
3. Power Station
As a power station is a costly item, we made a decision not to purchase one for our two-day camping trip. Instead, we relied on solar power banks to charge our devices. However, portable solar panels and power stations would have been very convenient during a prolonged camping trip.
4. Water Boiler
Preparing warm beverages and quick meals is easy with a water boiler, but unfortunately, we do not have one. Instead, we used a small camping pot to boil water over a campfire.
5. Cups
We love to drink coffee, but I forgot to bring some cups, so we had to make do with what we had. We used a camping pot and a bottle to drink our coffee. We could have used the cup noodles as well, but I threw them away.
6. Foldable Table
A compact, foldable table is a convenient surface for meal preparation, dining, and playing games. Unfortunately, we had forgotten to pack one for our camping trip. As a temporary solution, we used the blocks of wood we bought from OTR to set up a temporary mini table to place our coffee and food. We also utilised a cut tree trunk of wood near our tent as a makeshift surface for playing sungka or Mandala.
7. Claw and hammer
Setting up a tent without a claw and hammer may seem like an adventure. However, since there were several rocks in the area, we used them to secure the pegs. Additionally, we utilized the curved part of the pegs to remove them from the ground. This minor inconvenience turned into an opportunity to showcase our resourcefulness.
Our adventure at Mount Crawford taught us some valuable lessons. While we may have missed a few camping essentials, we learned the importance of being adaptable, creative, and making the most of every situation. Sometimes, unexpected challenges and creative solutions are what make a camping trip truly memorable.
If you find yourself missing a camping must-have, don't despair. Embrace the opportunity to improvise, connect with nature, and create unique memories that will last a lifetime. Remember that it's not the gear that defines the experience, but rather the spirit of adventure and the company you keep.