Some camping foods can now be heated with a heating pouch by adding water to a chemical heating source. The advantage is there's no flame. The drawback is they weigh more than pouch by itself and there's more trash to dispose of properly. So it may be better to just bring a small stove if you're backpacking.

Camping food offers tradeoffs. While it isn't usually gourmet that doesn't mean it has to be bad. After all a gourmet meal would make for a lot of extra weight and inconvenience. Not my idea of a fun trip. The reason people buy it is because it's light, convenient, and it can provide a quick hot meal. As for taste...

If you'd like more information on camping food please click here for complete article. Also you may want to take a look at a related article on camping stove performance, ease-of-use & what to avoid.

6. Water purification. A filter works, but they clog and break so often that you should have a small bottle of iodine tablets or other water purification as back up.

7. Rainwear. One of biggest killers in woods is hypothermia, and it often starts when you get wet. Try to stay dry.

8. Shelter. This can be a tent, tarp or bivy sack. Just be sure you know how to use it.

9. Sleeping bag. Down bags are warmest for their weight, but be sure you know how to keep it dry, or bring a synthetic bag.

10. Specific trip items. For backpacking trips in Michigan in May, bring insect repellant. In June in Arizona, bring sunblock. Think about specific conditions for time and place of your trip.

Make your own list if you take regular backpacking trips. It's no fun when a friend tells us ten miles down trail that he's allergic to bees and forgot his medicine. A little planning means less worries, and a better trip.