>>789972Tents are nice, but theres no reason why you cant go with just a tarp. Theyre so cheap, compact, and you can just find a tall stick while out as a support pool, and carve tent pegs out of smaller ones to fit in the tarp grommets. Just make sure you practice this at home before going out or you'll probably look silly with a first attempt.
A small amount of cordage can help you out with other tarp tent setups. A sleeping mat will make you more comfy, but not necessary. Pick up a cheap hammock in addition to this and you'll have a really cheap and versatile sleeping system - hammock, ridge line and tarp hanging over, or use tarp as tent.
If you layer clothing well for the evening you probably can just bring a cozy blanket and avoid having to buy a sleeping bag. Absolute worst case scenario, at that temperature and barring rain, you can just curl up in the blanket and stoke the fire through the night. Its actually a lot more comfy than it sounds.
Get a super cheap poncho in case it rains.
A really cheap knife, a small kitchen knife laying around if you want
Simple first aid kit, bandaids, gauze, sterile wipes, ibuprofen, stomach medicine, etc.
toilet paper, hand sanitizer
Some kind of flashlight or something
Things that will make firestarting easy for you, lighter, matches, cotton balls and vaseline
food, optional lightweight stuff to cook in, and soap to clean it. A garbage bag to hang the stuff away from camp at night
A metal water bottle or container that you can purify water by boiling in, unless you just want to carry all the water in with you.
liquor if you drink
Thats pretty much what I take with me for weekend trips. If youre just testing the waters, this is a good way to keep your budget pretty low, depending on how careful you are and how much stuff you already own. Good luck
