Camping Gear - Anything that I HAVE to have?

[drumonay]

love that someone finally said a hatchet...great for cutting tinder and wood to keep that fire going. A good knife and a dependable headlamp are equally important too. I use my headlamp all the time, even at home. You never realize how nice it is to be handsfree in the dark. For a knife, I picked up a nice fixed blade before a camping trip and it has lasted great. I went with the Gerber Big Rock since it was cheap and had great reviews. I think I actually ended up getting it at Walmart on sale too. Also if car camping I would throw a tarp and some paracord in the car, incase the weather doenst cooperate. You can string that up over a picknick table or something to give you guys some shelter.

[powderhound]

A nice headlamp is the only "gadget" that you need.

This is what I came in to post. Don't go camping without a headlamp.

and some

[Paul@VWvortex]

This is what I came in to post. Don't go camping without a headlamp.

and some

Agreed, I find that the closer I get to 45 the more I need it not only to camp but around the house to do things like wire up my new home theatre when there is no real direct light to help read the polarity codes on the wiring.. or vaccuming out black carpet in my cars at night in the garage, etc...

Oddly enough Harbor Freight makes a great inexpensive headlamp that is about $3.00 each and if you lose it it won't make you cry.

[Mk1Racer]

I almost forgot, I bring a Fiskars hatchet with me.

I have this that I use. Picked it up at a flear market for $5 ~15 years ago. Looked like it had never been used!