Adirondack Camping Traditions

Over the last 100 years most people have moved into urban and suburban surroundings. Gone are the days when we have direct contact with the natural world around us, except when we mow our grass or drive a scenic highway. Separated from nature, we now strive to get back in touch with nature as a leisure activity. One hundred years ago, farmers after a hard day at work would read, or find an intellectual or social pursuit.

Back in the early 20th century, urbanites discovered camping as a way to escape from the stresses of the city. But city dwellers didn't just up and walk out into nature: They needed all kinds of items to make it possible for their concrete-jungle selves to survive overnight in a woodland.

The business of camping gear is a multibillion dollar industry that feeds the amateur hiker's or campers desire to Early camping gear developed in the Adirondacks when nature lovers set out for days of fishing, hunting, and hiking through the lakes and woodlands of upper New York State.

Heavy baskets lined with rubber tarp were first strapped to hikers' backs, aluminum kits gave you cooking ware, plates and knives all in a single container that clasped with a screw. Camping gear had to include tents, which before the days of plastics were heavy tarpaulins outfitted with metal poles and stakes, and cloth roping. Smart Adirondack adventurers would take up canoeing. Heavy tents and woven reed proto-backpacks were still the equipment needed , but they could

all be packed into the canoe instead of toted on the back. And there could be room left over for a fishing tackle box and wooden fishing pools.

Although my grandparents and parents enjoyed outfitting themselves then exploring the backwoods and many lakes around Lake Saranac and the Finger Lakes, canoeing, hiking, even snowshoeing, my own lust for nature took a different turn. After riding a road bike as a commuting urbanite in Chicago and Los Angeles, I decided to outfit myself with camping gear for biking, and set off for a tour of Northern California. Still using my father's aluminum mess kit from the 1930s but using nylon bike panniers, a one-man tent that weighed literally ounces, and the latest in polymer biking outfits.

Instead of lakes and woods, I rode through the vineyards of Napa Valley, and climbed the hills surrounding the Russian River. One essential additional bit of gear was a wine opener. And I had to make room in the panniers for a couple of choice bottles of Pinot Grigio.

In recent years I've discovered the highly equipped approach to camping of the French and Belgians. Like any other urban-dominated culture, these Europeans love to get away from it all, but the camping gear they bring to their campsites is beyond thorough. My favorite party are the eating accessories. Whereas I will show up at a campsite with my metal mess kit (yes, it still survives) and a couple of sterno cans , with lentils and rice and a few spices in Baggies, my fellow campers have a folding table, linen napkins, several wear, and at least two pieces of stemware per person for water and wine. Roughing it is fine, but don't make them mix water and wine, for pity's sake!

European camping can be beautiful and augmented with canal barge rides or encountering a run-down castle to explore. No matter the gear, no matter the continent, the all-too-human desire to commune quietly with nature will push us to return from time to time to the wilderness we are still lucky enough to have preserved.

This article is brought to you courtesy of Camp Spot, a website which offers free information and resources related to camping, hiking, and outdoors gear. For more information visit: http://www.my-favorite-camping-store.com

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