How to Camp Like a Millionaire

	Roughing It in Style

Here's the best way to grab the last bit of summer: Run down to the outdoor gear store, buy a bunch of cool stuff and hit the hills.

All month, I've been breaking down what's hot in the latest in backcountry clothing, shoes and bags. Learn the word Pro Shell from Gore-Tex -- you'll want a jacket made from it. And give Helly Hansen's new line of hybrid base-layers a try: merino wool on the outside, polyester on the inside. They officially pass the Blum family stink test ... and that, dear friends, is saying a lot.

Today, in my final salute to Action August, I focus on the gear and goodies that turn a mere camping trip into a luxurious experience.

The secret to truly low-stress, high fun -- dare I say elegant? -- camping starts with planning, and getting moving.

The basic rule of thumb is to spend the same number of hours on a plane, in the car or hiking the trail as the number of nights you spend out. Say you have one night available this weekend -- fly one hour, drive one hour and hike one hour to your destination of choice. From New York City, that's a flight to say, Albany, an easy drive into the southern Adirondacks and a reasonable hike to any one of several perfectly lovely campsites.

If that still sounds like too much exercise, swap the hiking for a bit of kayaking and let the boats do the lugging. My wife and I are having a blast loading up a ton of stuff and paddling around the St. George River in Maine. We're testing a new set of his-and-hers touring kayaks from Old Town Canoes and its sister brand Necky Kayaks. Necky's line of for-ladies-only Eliza boats ($1,100 with rudder) can turn even the most severe hydrophobe into a proficient paddler.

Whether you're traveling on foot or by boat, the main idea in ultimate camping is not to be lugging stuff for long. So you can dispense with all this ultra-light nonsense. Go ahead -- bring along every conceivable camping luxury item.

Here, then, are my 10 "essentials."