Let’s Go Camping!
Camping’s got to be one of the best parts about summer time. S’mores, campfires, no cell phones – it’s the raddest. But if you’ve never been camping before, it can also be intimidating. Have no fear! We talked to some house team members about their favorite camping experiences and places.
Tom Hamilton
Horseshoe Meadows. Easy 4 hour drive from LA, plenty of campsites, and day hikes into the High Sierras. Every time I watch the sun set from a pile of rocks in the south part of the meadow, I invariably get joined by a flock of mountain bluebirds.
What’s the number one thing you bring camping?
A tent.
How would you fight a bear in the woods?
If it’s a black bear, tell it firmly to leave me alone. A grizzly bear, shoot it in the face with a shotgun. But if it’s a panda bear, give it a bundle of bamboo and slowly back away.
Randy Thompson
Favorite place to camp?
I like the Angeles National Forest because it’s close enough for a quick weekend trip, but still feels like actual camping with bears. I’ve been to a few sites, but Buckhorn is probably my favorite and is a good place to bring first-timers.
Must have item?
I always bring a hatchet and I think I’ve used it…once. In terms of something actually useful, I’d say I always want a headlamp. I forgo any notion of looking good while camping and a headlamp is the cargo shorts of lighting.
How would you fight a bear in the woods?
I’d make myself look as big and threatening as possible while pooping my pants.
Molly Wixon
Favorite place to camp?
Willow Creek, CA! It’s Bigfoot Country so much so that they have a Bigfoot Museum that you won’t want to miss. Top notch.
Must have item?
A white board for late night Pictionary battles!
How would you fight a bear in the woods?
I’d challenge my friend to a game to of Chubby Bunny. We always have a ton of marshmallows.
Dewie Sherwood
Favorite place to camp?
Lake Ediza, up in the Sierras near Mammoth Lakes. It is one of the singularly most beautiful spots I’ve ever camped. I pretty much only camp near a water feature and I love an alpine lake. A good, cold, snowmelt filled lake is the best thing after a long hike.
Must have item?
Aside from the essentials everyone brings, a game of some sort to play at the campsite; I like a cribbage board and cards. It was on a backpacking trip that I learned to play cribbage so I just forever associate it with camping. I have also had success with a bag of dice for Liars’ Dice, but what you are looking for is a group activity that brings people together to hang out while not hiking.
How would you fight a bear in the woods?
Poorly, the most dangerous animals I’ve ever seen while camping has been elk and I think I would just be way too excited by the fact that I’m seeing a bear to prepare any sort of defense until it was too late.
Some final Tom Hamilton Bear Fighting Thoughts:
If it’s a water bear, go subatomic. If it’s a Chicago Bear, score more touchdowns. If it’s a koala bear, give it a bundle of eucalyptus and slowly back away.