Blog: A Guide to Filming in the Wilderness – The Complete and Not So Complete Gear List

The Not So Complete Camping List (Back-country Camping List):

The length of your trip is the main determining factor when packing. However, there are a few essential items that must be part of your kit, no matter how long you are headed out. I will go into detail about a few of the items but if you would like more information on recommendations or anything else, I am working on a more extensive write-up on 3minuteshorts.ca. This post is long enough as it is!

Comfortable and sturdy footwear are a necessity and it is another part of your kit that you should not skimp on. I would venture to say that your footwear is the most important piece of your kit — even more important than the camera as you need to get to your location in order to film it! Buy your hiking boots 1/2 a size larger than your typical shoe size as your feet will swell. Also, invest in a good pair of marina wool socks as they will help wick the water away from your feet if they are to get wet. On one of my first filming trips, I didn’t have the marina wool socks and ended up will a bunch of blisters from my feet being damp.

Clothing choices are very important. Many thin layers are much better than a warm sweater as you are unable to adjust to the climate in stages. If you have many layers, you can slowly adapt to the climate to avoid sweating. When it comes to packing, any clothes that you are not using to protect your camera gear should be placed in ziplock bags to keep them dry and compact. I am a fan of Gore-Tex clothing as it’s main function is to keep you dry. Like mentioned earlier, rain gear must always be with you. You can never predict the weather you will run into as it changes in an instant.

When it comes to food, there are many options that exist. Pre-plan your meals by doing a quick internet search to find solutions that work for you. Ensure you have lots of snacks that provide lots of energy. I tend to lean towards soups, dried fruits, nuts, jerky, and any type of trail mix bars. Water purification tabs are also very important. They are compact and allow you to drink water that you gather from fresh sources.

As for cooking, I always pack a cast iron frying pan (although heavy, it is indestructible and is great for both open fire and propane stove), a few utensils and a backpacking camp stove (lightweight device that screws onto top of propane bottle).

When it comes to setting up camp for longer trips, it is essential that you pack a tent, sleeping bag (with compression straps), sleeping matte, tarps, rope, and flashlight. I can’t count how many times I have set-up camp in the dark. It is not fun!

Other miscellaneous gear that I also bring along are mosquito spray, a hatchet, sunglasses, lip balm, a utility knife, a first aid kit, a compass, and most importantly, a map. I have been lost a few times while hiking and it is a scary feeling not knowing where you are! All the items listed above take up approximately 1/4 of my pack.

Now the fun part! Filming in the wilderness poses some challenges when it comes to gear. You are exposed to the elements and therefore are forced to protect yourself and your gear from any situation that you are presented with. The biggest obstacle is keeping your gear dry and safe from the elements. I will touch on power and data management in the MOBILE EDITING STATION section below. When it comes to shooting, make sure to pack twice as many plastic rain sleeve covers for your cameras as you think you will need. They are very inexpensive. You will be surprised how handy they will be! Another helpful tip when filming in heavy rain or heat is setting up a tarp above you to protect you from the elements. Tarps are easy to hang and make filming much more enjoyable. When shooting outdoors, no matter where you are, it is a little more challenging keeping your sensor and lenses clean so having extra cleaning materials will always come in handy.

I often find myself shooting a lot of timelapses when back-country filming as it is very freeing. I am sure you will find a style that works for you but for me, back-country filming without timelapsing is not back-country filming .

Below is the COMPLETE CAMPING LIST that my parents have adapted over time. It is NOT a list for back-country camping. Definitely didn’t rough it when I was younger . It is a list for camping with a vehicle. I have also included some of their notes at the bottom!

THE COMPLETE LIST:

1. Rubber Boots
2. Propane Tank – 20 lb.
3. Swimming Trunks
4. Tarp & rope
5. Sunglasses
6. Golf Clubs
7. Sweat suits
8. Axe
9. Warm clothes
10. Tent
11. Jackets
12. Jackall Jack,compressor,tools
13. Pot Holders
14. Bush pie maker
15. Shoes & Sandles
16. Bikes
17. Rags
18. Tire Wrench
19. Sleeping Bags & Pillows
20. Bar-B-Q
21. Mattresses & Pump
22. White Gas & propane torch
23. Dishtowels & Cloths
24. Newspapers
25. Bath Towels/Wash Cloths
26. Wooden Matches
27. Dish Soap
28. Radio & Batteries
29. Bar Soap
30. Flashlight
31. Kleenex
32. Lawn Chairs (4)
33. Toilet Tissue
34. Marshmallow holder
35. Off & Raid
36. Gloves/Bat/Ball
37. Sun Tan Lotion
38. Lantern, Mantle (286A)
39. Shampoo
40. Campstove
41. Tablecloth
42. Fishing supplies
43. Coolers
44. Dishpan
45. Garbage Bags
46. Camera, film
47. Water Jugs
48. Fillet Knife
49. Freezer Block/Ice
50. Journal Book
51. Fishing License
52. Cutlery
53. 2 Mats – In and Out
54. Pots and Pans
55. Large Knives
56. Pancake flipper
57. Frying Pans
58. Peeler
59. Coffee Pot
60. Cards
61. Can Opener
62. Plastic Cutlery
63. Needle & Thread
64. Paper Plates/Cups
65. SOS Pads
66. Tin Foil
67. Toothpicks
68. Paper Towel
69. Cheese Slices
70. Ketchup & Mustard
71. Bacon
72. Eggs
73. Cereal & Porridge
74. Bacon Bits
75. Slicing Meat
76. Cheese Whiz
77. Steak
78. Smokies
79. Pork Chops
80. Coffee
81. Water
82. Onions
83. Fruit
84. Margarine
85. Salmon
86. Bread & Buns
87. Canned Milk
88. Flour
89. Soup
90. Pie Filling
91. Crackers
92. Pancake Mix & Syrup
93. Hard Cheese
94. Lettuce/Radishes
95. Onions
96. Relish
97. Mushrooms
98. Peanut Butter & Jam
99. Barbecue Sauce
100. Snacks
101. Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder
102. Juice
103. Potatoes
104. Brown/White Sugar
105. Marshmallows
106. Weiners
107. Pork & Beans
108. Hamburgers
109. Macaroni/Kraft Dinner
110. Garlic Sausage
111. Liquor

NOTES:
- Less parishable meat, e.g. steak, porkchops, etc.
- Freeze juice and water ahead of time in plastic containers.
- Empty 5 gallon pail to carry water at campsite for dishes, etc.
- If you go a long distance, take two large water containers full of water.
- Bring lots of pop.
- Start out with small container of milk.
- Take canned beer.
- Less things in my bag for a shower and remember shaver.
- Maybe get an electric compressor to blow up mattresses.
- Propane torch to light fires works great.
- Small tupperware containers for the food and large ones for boxes of dishes and food.
- Buy lots of film at home – expensive on the road.
- Bring noxema or vinegar for sunburn. But remember to put lots of suntan lotion on.
- Use paper plates and cups/glasses