The Camping Forum

[feeblecat]

I'm exploring the possibilities of camping by plane - e.g taking advantage of cheap flights and camping somewhere abroad, handy especially when time is limited to save on the long drives. How practical is this? Anyone done it? Comments/exeiences please. thanks in advance.

http:www.tinascamping.com

[Camp Moose]

You've already asked that on this thread.

post31826.html#p31826

I replied, yes but not since the 1990s.

[feeblecat]

I'm so sorry. I did read your reply and it was useful. I am still looking for up-to-date info though especially on how to do it with the very, very low luggage allowance etc nowadays. Canada has always been a dream of mine but maybe too far to take my own gear so maybe hiring a motorhome if I can ever manage to afford it! I would like to try out plane camping in Europe though for starters.

[Wayne]

I have never done it, but if I were to do it I would think of it in terms of light weight camping.

Basically what I'm saying is, I would ignore the plane part and consider what I need and what I am capable of carrying over a great distance on my back.

The only concerns I would have regarding the plane are:

What if any camping gas can I take on the plane (although I imagine its none and therefore I would make sure I can source it at my destination.
What is the maximum weight I can take including my hand luggage and if its equal or less to the amount I can manage.
Is there anything else in my kit that might cause a problem when trying to board the plane, I would actually speak to a travel agent who could advice better, then speak to a second travel agent for a further opinion.

[feeblecat]

Advice about what not to take on plane - thanks - I hadn't thought of that apart from gas. It may be too much trouble I think to camp by plane and not practical. I had thought about going down the "ready erected" route but had wanted to try doing it from scratch so to speak. Though, thinking about Camp Moose post buying tent in Vancouver, my brother did that when he visited us and gave the tent away before he left. I wonder how it would pan out buying some of the stuff once there e.g cheap tent from Decathlon and passing on when leaving. Cheap flights, cheap tent etc must work out cheaper than driving to the continent - we were over £600 on fuel itself this year!
Enjoyed your camping diaries Wayne.

[Camp Moose]

How many of you are going?
When I did it there were 2 of us.
You can share taking what you need.
We both had backpacks, I had/still have my old Berghaus Cyclpos Roc , it's up in the loft now.
On the second trip I took the tent with us.
Packed very light of clothes , took sleeping-bag , roll mat & my 2 man tent .
Either packed inside or securly straped to the side.
We had the basics for camping which means cheap overnight accomodation.
That left money for eating out.
Didn't bother cooking.
One day in Canada I had steak for breakfast , steak at lunchtime & steak dinner in the evening.

We had hire car so stocking up with stuff from supermarkets & liquor stores was no problem.

[Wayne]

Advice about what not to take on plane - thanks - I hadn't thought of that apart from gas. It may be too much trouble I think to camp by plane and not practical. I had thought about going down the "ready erected" route but had wanted to try doing it from scratch so to speak. Though, thinking about Camp Moose post buying tent in Vancouver, my brother did that when he visited us and gave the tent away before he left. I wonder how it would pan out buying some of the stuff once there e.g cheap tent from Decathlon and passing on when leaving. Cheap flights, cheap tent etc must work out cheaper than driving to the continent - we were over £600 on fuel itself this year!
Enjoyed your camping diaries Wayne.

I wouldn't give up on a fly camp. You hear of lots of people trekking in the outback etc. I think buying some gear once there is a good idea and probably the most practical and simplest idea. Don't do the ready erected, its just wouldn't be the same.

Thanks for the diary comment