Camping Skills

A ferro rod is more reliable than matches in Utah's windy, high-altitude conditions. Look for a kit that includes the rod, a striker, and natural tinder like fatwood sticks. Lasts thousands of strikes and works wet.

Hands-free lighting is essential for setting up camp after dark, cooking, and middle-of-the-night trips to the bathroom. Red light mode preserves your night vision. Look for at least 200 lumens and a 40-hour battery life.

Utah's backcountry water sources in the Uintas and Wasatch are beautiful but can harbor giardia. A Sawyer Squeeze filters directly from a stream or lake into your bottle — no pumping, no chemicals, no waiting. Rated to 100,000 gallons.