Camping 101 for girly girls among us

While I am not actually a girly girl I know plenty of women who are and at the urging of my editor for a column with more humor than I normally write, I am compiling a guide of essentials for girly girl camping.

I think I will begin this little soiree with properly girly accessories for those wanting the comforts of their plush, pink vanity chairs in the great outdoors and end with the more basic materials for those trying to achieve the "natural look" during their camping experience.

For those not willing to give up the modern comforts of a regular wake up routine, it can be taken with you. Several camping gear suppliers offer battery-powered showers and curling irons, acrylic camping mirrors and other bathroom necessities for the less outdoorsy.

There are also the kind of accessories a girly girl cannot resist on hand in most outdoor supply stores. Everything from clothing to belts and handbags are available to make your camping experience as chic and fashionable as a trip to the mall. Shoes, an essential part of any woman's wardrobe, are also readily available in various forms from the strappy sandal to a chunky boot.

Backpacks for women range in colors from fucshia to purple to pink to light blue and often have matching self-inflating sleeping pads — to ensure you get the beauty rest you need.

Speaking of beauty rest, there are innumerable versions of tents from the deluxe mansion model with various rooms and zippers so that you can set up your own suite away from home to the cuter compact version that is little more than a small bubble of space depending upon what your sherpa is willing to carry for you.

One can also procure other items to outfit a tent with the luxuries of home. Aside from self-inflating sleeping mats, there are down sleeping bags in every shade imaginable, tables, chairs, all manner of lanterns, lights, cooking stoves and coolers. In short, everything a girl could need in a home away from home.

As for fare on this excursion into the wilderness, there are plenty of diet-friendly choices. If you've a handy fisherman along to bait your hook and clean your catch, fish is an excellent meal while camping. Other, less labor-intensive choices include GORP (good 'ol raisins and peanuts) and protein bars. While one cannot live on any of those items for a lifetime, they are great considering their ease of preparation and lack of weight (who wants to carry a three-piece pan set on their backs for miles at a time?).

For those who are less girly, there are all of the above items but there are also several less pink versions that can be found.

One can find biodegradable soaps, sunscreens that double as moisturizers and other items to maintain some sembelance of a feminine experience while camping without losing the enjoyment of the trip.

No matter what your preference is, girly girl or regular camper, be sure to be safe while out doors this summer.

Pam Robel is the sports editor and resident non-girly girl of the Columbia Basin Herald newsroom.