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UER Forum > Rookie Forum > Overnight Camping Help (Viewed 1695 times)
Hoover 


Location: Michigan
Gender: Male
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Quiet as a dang churchmouse

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Overnight Camping Help
< on 3/14/2018 8:18 PM >
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A few friends and myself are planning a UE roadtrip this summer. Our idea is that we'll start off in Michigan, then travel through the UP, tour some mines and rural areas, then dip down through Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana and come back through the LP, basically running a lap around Lake Michigan.

Since this would take 15 hours of pure driving without stopping, we're going to be on the road for a few days. We'd like to camp at a few abandonments, both for the fun of it and so we don't have to rent a room every night.

Does anyone have any experience doing this safely, or any tips for what to bring and what to expect? I don't want to overlook any details and end up screwed for the rest of the trip any advice is appreciated!



[last edit 3/14/2018 8:20 PM by Hoover - edited 1 times]

TakesWalks 


Location: Topeka
Gender: Male
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Re: Overnight Camping Help
< Reply # 1 on 3/15/2018 12:09 AM >
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Finally! A chance to break out my Eagle Scout knowledge for real. I don't have any experience sleeping in abandonments specifically, but I do have some wilderness and generic camping experience, seeing as you sound like the type of guy who's done a bit of generic camping I'll skip to the rules for more dangerous places.

Beyond the basic Ideas like packing lights, maps, lots of water, etc, make sure you have some bear spray. There are a lot of animals that could sneak up on you and ruin your evening, wild dogs, and in Michigan it's reasonable some actual bears. Barring a hefty supply of water in your vehicle, Bring purification tablets and a filtration system, in case you do get lost, they're almost weightless and could literally save your life.

Fires. Learn to make them, learn to be safe around them,learn how to clean up after it's gone, always build a rock ring; never leave a fire open, and NEVER leave a fire unattended. Also burn bundles of sage to keep mosquitoes away. Works wonders and cheaper than repellent, you can find it naturally pretty much everywhere but unless you have experience I don't recommend trying. Also keep a big bucket of emergency water ear it at all times.

Use tents, it may be tempting to sleep under the stars, but you'll wake up the next day with half your face numb from bug bites and it's not a fun time. Avoid sleeping inside any buildings, unless you know for certain the air is safe for an overnight stay, a respiratory infection will ruin the trip and your next month. Buildings can usually be used for cover from the storms, but if it looks like I could collapse best to just get in your car and sleep there.

Entertainment! Every camp needs it, electronics not allowed! Playing cards are great,endless games with those, also bring a ball, just for fun.

Carry cash, lots of cash. Never know when some Podunk gas station never updated to card readers, or the internet will be down and it's cash only for the day.

Misc items people forget: Duct tape, candy for road snacks, rope, big knife (6" blade is my personal favorite), Separate backpacks for hiking and walking around. First Aid kit with Gauze; Moleskin; antiseptic; bandaids; scissors; all the normal drugs plus a generous supply of itch cream; Cold compress; sheet of paper with emergency numbers on it; and a little booklet that tells you what to do (best to practice beforehand), Next a journal and pen, and some ziplock bags to waterproof stuff.

Those are most of my tips, but I'm happy to answer any questions! as sort of a P.S. the BSA handbook is available pretty cheap and has a really great mix of first aid, tent pitching, firebuilding, and general outdoor instructions that a lot of other books are too specific to have all of together. It's great for a beginner or a quick reference for someone who just needs a refresher. Plus diagrams designed so that kids can read them never hurt.

Happy trails!




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Stam 


Location: Utah, U.S.A
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Did you hear that?

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Re: Overnight Camping Help
< Reply # 2 on 3/15/2018 6:00 PM >
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Make sure your automobile is in tip top shape, especially if you haven't checked in a while or if it's an older car. Nothing sucks more than breaking down in the middle of a trip!

I'd check: all the fluids, make sure the tires are in good condition, bring a tire repair kit, a tire infiltrator, a jumper kit, oil, coolant, a small gas tank, duct tape, a spare key, make sure your car jack and spare are in good condition and that the tire is inflated to its proper psi (Along with the rest of the tires!), and toolkit can go a long way if available. If there's snow, you'll want to prep for that with some gravel, a shovel and plenty of warm clothing. If you can, also ask a reputable mechanic to look at the car and let you know if he sees any possible issues you might encounter on your drive. If you have roadside assistance, that could really help you in a bind.

You could prep to whatever level you feel, just make sure you have any probable risks covered. It'd be essential to bring the basics, like: first aid, water, food, light, and energy. But most important of all: have fun and don't forget to take some shots to show us!




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AnAppleSnail 


Location: Charlotte, NC
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Re: Overnight Camping Help
< Reply # 3 on 3/16/2018 12:40 AM >
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Pack good water containers and fill up before your stops.

Pack TP and be courteous where you go.

Bring more warmth than you expect, be ready to not make a fucking fire for Kek's sake. Kids these days love rocket alcohol stoves anyway. Structures are good for low wind.

I made storm drain s'mores and that was cool.

Buy 70% DEET or whatever bug spray you like best, or have good friends who will check your nude body for ticks. Or both.

Solar chargers aren't worth crap, bring spare batteries and a good way to charge in the car. New inverters are pretty quiet.




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blitz 


Location: Cumberland, ME
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Good news!

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Re: Overnight Camping Help
< Reply # 4 on 3/16/2018 2:54 PM >
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Posted by Hoover
Does anyone have any experience doing this safely, or any tips for what to bring and what to expect? I don't want to overlook any details and end up screwed for the rest of the trip any advice is appreciated!


Where exactly are you talking about? In the middle of absolutely nowhere, or in an urban or semi-urban setting? Will you have permission to be staying there?

If you don't have permission, and especially if you're in a non-rural setting, acknowledge that your behavior is going to be treated like squatting - not camping - if you're caught.

To that end, don't bring a bright orange tent. Remain discrete. Absolutely DO NOT build a campfire, as this will certainly give you away if there is even the slightest semblance of security. Use a camp stove instead. Be discrete with where you park your car. Hide or don't bring anything that could be construed as a tool for B&E (crowbar or screwdrivers). Common sense stuff.

Very fun as long as you follow basic precautions and are discrete.






I may not believe in marriage, but I do believe in best men.
Saturn_Sayerz 


Location: Wonderland
Gender: Female
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Adventure is the air in my lungs and the blood in my veins

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Re: Overnight Camping Help
< Reply # 5 on 3/16/2018 4:03 PM >
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I did two of these types of road trips in the fall!!! Don;t over think it too much just be prepared. The biggest thing I learned is if you are camping overnight at an abandonment watch where you park your car! Learned that one the hard way




Hoover 


Location: Michigan
Gender: Male
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Quiet as a dang churchmouse

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Re: Overnight Camping Help
< Reply # 6 on 3/17/2018 4:31 PM >
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Wow! Thank you all for the advice. I'd have to agree with the campfire, though I guess the entire concept of camping in an abandonment changes for each situation.

But thanks! This is some great info. My biggest concern is my car overnight. I'd have to worry about a bear breaking into it before I have to worry about other humans, but it's still a concern. We're probably going to have to play that part, and a few other parts, by ear.

Post by blitz

Where exactly are you talking about? In the middle of absolutely nowhere, or in an urban or semi-urban setting? Will you have permission to be staying there?


The middle of no-where. Michigan's Upper Peninsula is pretty sparse. When we pass through the big cities we're going to do motels, as none of us have explored Chicago before. We wouldn't want to jump right into squatting.




heinrick 


Location: Cascadia
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Re: Overnight Camping Help
< Reply # 7 on 3/17/2018 4:59 PM >
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I've bando-camped throughout Michigan, mostly along the rural White Pine Trail (I grew up in Cadillac). There's a house near Reed City (conveniently halfway between Grand Rapids and my former home) that I often used as a stop. It had cushy beds and "fresh" folded sheets. Plenty of old books to read and photo albums to look at as the sun sets.

Some places have a hand-pump on the well that still give water, and in October, there are apples to eat!

I've seen some relatively clean and fresh buildings in the UP that I would have overnighted in, mostly along Highway 28.

Like others have said, just be discreet; park your vehicle some distance away and hoof (or bike) your gear in.

Most importantly, have fun!




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Abby Normal 


Location: Las Vegas
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Re: Overnight Camping Help
< Reply # 8 on 3/19/2018 12:56 AM >
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Hoover, it sounds like you are going to have a good time. I really enjoy exploring and camping combined. There are many schools of thought about camping but I'll talk about two at opposite ends of the spectrum. 1 - Take everything you can think of. 2 - Pack half of what you think you will need, then take only half of that.


1 - Take everything you can think of

If space is not an issue, then you can haul along pretty much everything you may need along the way. Camp stoves, cooking gear, tents, cameras, tripods, hot weather clothes, cold weather clothes, rain gear, on and on. Nothing wrong with this style. If I'm heading somewhere super remote for more than a couple of days, I do over pack. Better safe than sorry, right?

Do the google search for 'car camping packing list' and start your packing list from there.


2 - Pack half of what you think you will need, then take only half of that

I don't do this as much as I used to, but it's amazing just how little you actually need. I used to jump into my SUV with a pad, sleeping bag, a bag of bagels, a couple cans of tuna, a can opener, and a flashlight. I'm good for two or three days like that. If you can grab meals along the way, you can do this for an extended period.

Do a google search for 'ultralight backpacking gear list' and see what they include and exclude. Being in a vehicle you can add some extras, but watch out for "just in case" items that start to creep in. Remember, other than prescription medication, you can usually buy an item along the way if you just can't live without it.


Every trip is a learning experience. Good stories are often the result of mishaps along the way. Go with the flow. A trip is as much fun as you make it. Our scuba diving club used to have the motto, "You are responsible for your fun".


Can't wait to hear how your trip turns out.

Abby Normal




"Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem." Ronald Reagan
Ace3 


Location: Dallas, Texas
Gender: Male
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Art reflects life

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Re: Overnight Camping Help
< Reply # 9 on 3/22/2018 7:51 PM >
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Ok, so just my general thoughts on this.
First off DON'T build a fire. It's not worth the risk of attracting attention, nor having to maintain and watch it. Keep it light with what you bring out of your car. It'll make it easier if you need to leave quickly and allows you to set up and pack up quicker. But definitely bring extras of anything you'll be relying on(just in case). Bring a first aid kit and duct tape as you never know when you'll need them till you do. They definitely save you from stuff going south. As for bears I'd be less worried about bears breaking into your car. Not saying it's not possible but as long as you don't have unsealed food in your car it shouldn't be a main concern. Be extremely careful though that you and who ever your going with do NOT have food on them or near where your sleeping.

Hope this helps. Just use your common sense and you should be alright.




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UER Forum > Rookie Forum > Overnight Camping Help (Viewed 1695 times)


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