Outfitted: Mountain camping

Somewhere between the chilly dawns and smoky twilight meals, Colorado camping weaves discomfort and beauty into a rhythm I’ve grown to love. But good gear makes all the difference between a weekend that tests your grit and one that just feels like magic. Here are five new favorites that have earned their spot in my mountain camp kit.

Luci 44′ solar string lights 

At first glance, string lights might seem frivolous in the backcountry, but hear me out — after a long day of hiking above treeline, there’s something genuinely comforting about ambient light that’s not from a headlamp or lantern glare. I strung these up between aspen trunks at a dispersed site up above Basalt, and the effect was instant: the entire camp felt like home. The integrated solar panel did the trick with full exposure during the day, and a single charge lasted well into the night. The warm white tone of the 20 shatterproof bulbs was perfect — bright enough to cook by but mellow enough to keep the mood calm. For group camps or longer basecamps, they elevate the entire experience and add that extra touch that makes a campsite seem magical. The completely detachable power source allows you to charge the hub without taking down your lights, and will power the lights for 40 hours on a full charge. Also available in a color version. $100, BioLiteEnergy.com.

MSR WindBurner® personal stove system

When it comes to cooking in unpredictable alpine wind, this little stove system has saved more dinners than I can count. I first brought it along on a shoulder-season trip near Leadville, where gusts around Turquoise Lake had blown out everything from Jetboils to lighters. The WindBurner lit instantly, even in swirling wind, and brought water to a boil before I could even dig out my dehydrated Stroganoff. The enclosed burner design and integrated pot system are rock-solid in variable conditions, and the locking mechanism adds confidence when cooking on uneven ground. It’s a bit bulkier than minimalist canister stoves and doesn’t simmer quite as well as a standard burner, but for efficiency and reliability above 10,000 feet, it’s become my go-to. I highly recommend getting the separately sold coffee press kit for quick and easy morning brew. $200, CascadeDesigns.com.

3. Snow Peak Takibi My Table

I’ve been made fun of on several occasions for bringing too much outdoor furniture to the party, and camp tables are one of those luxuries I can’t seem to get enough of. This little gem from Snow Peak is my new favorite. Made with bomber stainless steel, it’s compact, elegant, and surprisingly stable for its size. It can be used for everything from a meal prep station to a side table next to the fire pit. Unlike some camp tables, the Takibi handles hot pots and pans without damaging the surface, and the folding legs make it easy to stash in the car when space is tight. It’s not featherlight, and the price is firmly in the splurge category, but in terms of utility and aesthetic, it feels like upgrading to a real dining experience in the woods. I recommend getting the secondary tray unit for a two-tiered set-up. $216, SnowPeak.com.

4. Decathlon Forclaz Travel 500 Organizer 40L Backpack

For packing my clothes and essentials, I love using the Forclaz travel backpack from Decathlon. At just around $100, it punches well above its weight class. I love using this from single-night to multi-day camp trips for its easy organization. I typically find myself throwing a handful of clothes along with my minimal toiletries in a spare tote and then spend the weekend digging through the whole lot with frustration. The front-zip suitcase-style access of the Forclaz makes it incredibly easy to organize, and the compression straps keep everything stable as I scramble around during load-in and my frenzied inside-the-tent set up. Its durable exterior is designed to take a beating, and the interior compartments help keep dirty clothes separated from clean. The suspension system isn’t designed for heavy backcountry loads, so I wouldn’t use it for a multi-day trek into the wilderness, but for car camping and gear shuttling, it’s become a favorite. It also includes pockets for a laptop and other needs, so would be a great piece for travel. $100, Decathlon.com.

5. Heat It Classic Insect Bite Solution

There aren’t many things that vie for the prize of most annoying camping crasher than a mosquito and its pesky bite. This little gadget plugs into your phone and delivers chemical-free concentrated heat therapy to insect bites. I was skeptical until I used it on a particularly aggressive mosquito experience last month while I was in the Midwest. After 10 seconds of treatment, the itching stopped completely and didn’t return. I’ve since used it on black fly bites and even what might have been a no-see-um attack, with the same impressive results. It does require your phone to be charged, and the sensation is…intense, especially on fresh bites. But for me, it’s become an essential to my camping game. I recommend keeping it on your key-chain or attached to a carabiner since it’s pretty small and can be easy to lose. Available for phones with lightning or USB-C ports. $40 Heat-It.com.

Meg Simon is an Aspen-based freelance writer, graphic designer and founder of Simon Finch Creative. She can be reached at meg@simonfinchcreative.com.

Meg Simon is an Aspen-based freelance writer, graphic designer, and founder of Simon Finch Creative. She can be reached at meg@simonfinchcreative.com.