I'd like to ask what the essentials of a camping kit are, and how lightweight one could make it. I've done a lot of writing, mostly in the post-apocalyptic genre, so I figure any answers could also help me get a little more realistic approach on gearing up.

I've done family camping trips in the past, strung up hammocks and roughed it near yearly, but we still have fancy gadgets. And sometimes electricity. All I could think about as we packed an SUV full of stuff is "how little could I do this on, alone?"

Anyways, I've rambled. Thanks in advance for any responses :)