Has anyone ever told you that less was more? Well, they were not just telling you some cryptic, sensei type response, they may have been on to something. We are going to talk about just how much less can be more. There is a strategy of camping that eliminates and reduces your amount of gear instead of increasing your gear and believing that bigger is always better. This strategy is referred to as minimalist camping. Based on the principle that the more gear you bring with you, the less you are surrounded in your new environment, the minimalist seeks to fully understand and love nature. By decreasing the amount needed for such an endeavor, the minimalist seeks to better acquaint themselves with nature. This idea was written about by the likes of John Muir, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau.

Okay, so the less you pack, the more you get to know your surroundings. But how exactly does someone manage to bring less? What can you stand to leave home? Is there some special process I can use to limit my gear? Absolutely. Here is a list of tips and techniques:

Leave the tent at home. If it is going to be a clear night, go without the tent [http://www.moosejaw.com/Tents.html]. Nothing is better than a gorgeous night underneath the stars. By leaving the tent behind, it will not only decrease your load, but it could make you fall in love with the gorgeous nighttime sky.

Don't bring any electronics. I promise a day without the phone and iPod won't hurt you. It just might allow you to appreciate the sweet sounds of nature.

Just bring a spoon. You absolutely do not need a full set of silverwear.

Find multiple uses for items. For example, your water bottle can be your cup and also your bowl. You don't need three items, only one.

Learn how to find food. Finding your food instead of bringing it can be a great way to learn more about nature and a good way to appreciate your surroundings.

Camp without a sleeping pad. Gather some leaves or find a nice grassy spot. Instead of bringing your pad with you, let nature be your pad.

Wear your same clothing. You can stay in your same clothes for your whole trip. You do not need your full wardrobe, especially if you wear high quality clothing like The North Face Clothing.

Do not bring camp shoes. Bringing extra shoes does not make much sense if you are attempting to camp with the least amount of equipment possible. A better option is to get a pair of lightweight trail runners, such as Salomon Footwear, that will be comfortable all day.

Leave those inhibitions at home too. One of the most important skills for minimalist campers is to remember you only should take what you seriously need. Do not be afraid to leave some things out. It might be the best thing you ever did. Remember that going camping is not about what you take into the wilderness, but about the memories you take out of the wilderness.