10 Essential Items for a Luxurious Camping Trip

Some people yearn for adventure; they want to climb the highest mountains in the most inhospitable environments, they want to explore the deepest caves in the most inaccessible locations, they want to ski the steepest slope next to the most avalanche prone gully.  What’s more they want to do it in the most lightweight way; think Everest ascents without supplemental oxygen, or solo and unsupported ascents of the Dru, carrying just what fits in a small rucksack.

Although I’ve never been involved in pushing the boundaries regarding first ascents, in years gone by the ‘frugality’ with regards to kit was definitely an approach with which I dabbled.  I’ll always remember a night spent bivvying in the French Alps, freezing in my 2 season sleeping bag, curled uncomfortably on a boulder strewn slope, whilst our French neighbours slept next door in the hut, with its wood burning stove and beds. 

Since then I’ve reconciled myself with the fact that I was built for comfort.  I’m not ashamed to say that the camping that I’ve done recently doesn’t involve a day’s walk in, and out of the back of the van I can unpack all of the things I need to make my camping a happy, comfortable and quite frankly a rather stylish experience!

Here are my top 10 essentials for a luxurious camping experience:

1.