How to ship camping gear from home when flying?
- on 03.07.10
- Camping Gear
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I’m considering a camping trip in June from the midwest to somewhere in the Rockies. I have considered shipping my gear by UPS etc. to a local office, then flying out there and picking up my gear at the shipping office. Are there other options like renting gear? Should I just drive?
Actually, you can rent gear at any REI store - and pretty cheaply. I would think that in the Rockies there would be numerous small mom & pop outfitters that would rent as well. Google the area you’re hoping to head to, find a pinpoint on the Google map, and click on the "Search Nearby" link and look for a store that might be able to help or offer local advice.
Shipping is fine too - I’d find a Kinko’s store (they are part of FedEx now) near your destination airport, and see if they’ll hold a box or two for you. For the $15-20 fee for checked bags, that may be cheaper / easier. The only thing you’d need to ship ground would be fuel canisters - or pick them up when you get to your destination.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2172340_fly-drive-camping-trip.html
You may find some of the ideas on the above link helpful if you decide to fly. I have driven to Rocky Mountain National Park from Texas several times. And I usually camp at the KOA campgrounds in Goodland, Kansas because it is a good stopover city on the way.
http://www.koa.com/where/ks/16103/
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Actually, you can rent gear at any REI store - and pretty cheaply. I would think that in the Rockies there would be numerous small mom & pop outfitters that would rent as well. Google the area you’re hoping to head to, find a pinpoint on the Google map, and click on the "Search Nearby" link and look for a store that might be able to help or offer local advice.
Shipping is fine too - I’d find a Kinko’s store (they are part of FedEx now) near your destination airport, and see if they’ll hold a box or two for you. For the $15-20 fee for checked bags, that may be cheaper / easier. The only thing you’d need to ship ground would be fuel canisters - or pick them up when you get to your destination.
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if you fly with your gear and have a utility knife you’ll either need to ship that ahead or check your baggage. Any fuel you have needs to either be ground shipped only or purchased at your destination.
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Knives, hatchets, saws, multiple-tools, etc. are fine in checked baggage, as long as they are packed in a safe and secure manner. Fuel, matches, lighters, flares and other combustable or pyrotechnics cannot fly and will have to be purchased locally at your destination.
I just pack my backpack as I would for the outing (except for the prohibited items) and stuff the whole thing with my boots in a rolling duffle bag and secure that with a TSA-approved lock and check it as luggage. I’ve never had a problem. Most of my friends do the same, although some prefer to wrap their pack in heavy plastic stretch wrap like they use to secure boxes to a pallet for shipping.
I bring my camera bag and extra clothing and stuff for the pre/post camping part of my trip in a 20" wheelie bag as carry-on and stick that in the overhead. A small laptop bag with the laptop, iPhone, reading materials and in-flight conveniences also comes on-board and stays under my seat.
I’ve shipped stuff ahead in the past but it’s very expensive and troublesome to deal with logistically. Even if you get charged $50 for checked luggage that’s cheaper, easier and more reliable.
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