Do you have a system for setting up camp? Priorities? does it all depend on weather or can a person formulate a general plan?

I don't think I really have any set order of business, but sitting back and thinking about it, I usually go in the following order.

Tarp (if threatening rain)
Tent
Kitchen/figure out how to secure food
Water and firewood - if burning
Inside of tent (pad, bag, etc)
Tarp (if not already done and staying more than one night)

JD

Shelter is the first thing I set up, whether that means hanging the tarp in a hurry if it's raining or my tent on most other days.

about the same here..if it's raining--i hate wet camps--i'll get the Baker shelter up and get the packs inside and start a cup of tea having brought a bucket of water up.the canoe of course is pulled up and tied off...then break time.if it's nice i'll set up the chair,the folding nylon one that sits on the ground,and relax a bit after getting the packs into camp.then pick out tent and shelter spots.if rain i'll wait until it lets up before pitching the tent and even then i don't lay out the mat and bag but wait until bed time so they are not out in the damp air.if nice i'll air them out before setting them up.next is a look around for wood and a place for the bear rope.i'm never i a hurry to set up camp and there are days when the gear pack just sits in the general area where the tent might go up for hours.the nice thing about my Baker shelter and a gas stove is that i never feel like i have to hurry things,the Baker is a walled shelter and the stove gets the meals without having to hunt for wood.on a cool day i'll make a fire at some point if there is wood around.sometimes in a busy spot like Loon Lake i'll make a fire just so the smoke lets people know the camp is in use.
..that was sort of a run-on..in short it's---carry all the packs into camp,get water,set up shelter,set up tent,bear rope and wood and between all that take breaks and enjoy the view.

I think Jim has a good recommendation.

I usually familarize myself with the site first - kind of check out its features. Then I'll fill my collapsable bucket and all my pans with lake water. Then, if the weather is nice and I have arrived fairly early, I set up my chair, change shoes, and relax for awhile. Have a snack and some flavored water. Filter/refill my water bottles.

Next I'll set up my tarp if I think I'll need it. If I don't think it'll rain or have a heavt dew, I won't set it up but will use it as a covering for packs and such (weighted down with rocks).

Then set up the tent, inflate the matress, spread out my bag, and in general get everything set for bed.

After that I play it by ear; get the kitchen ready, heat water, collect firewood, prepare a meal, explore, fish, paddle, .....

If it's raining, or threatening, then tarp up first.

I get necessary water in the middle of the lake where the site is and then the first order of business - on landing - is the tent. Weather changes quickly and I've had to scramble too many times!

1. Take the packs out of the canoe
2. Set up the tarp if it's raining.
3. "peruse" the camp (find the biff, figure out where to set up my tent)
4. Set up my tent
5. Situate everything in my tent (Sleeping bag, pad, pack)
6. Set up tarp
7. Filter water

Unlike some, I put up my tarp last. Unless it's raining. Then it'll be first.

Check out the site, including latrine, for trash, bear scat/sign.

If it looks good, unload canoe.

If raining, set up tarp; otherwise, put on camp shoes (ahhh), then fill and hang gravity filter.

Set up tent, inflate sleeping pad, unpack bag to loft and air out.

Put dry clothes bag in tent for protection.

If rain seems far off, I'll usually just chill, unpack the stove and have a cup of coffee while I wander around the site.

Maybe set up the tarp if it seems like it might be necessary.

When I'm done with the canoe for the day, it gets carried up and tied down.

i usually mix one first thing. :)

quote kanoes: "i usually mix one first thing. :)"

And then light the cigar...under a tarp...

The first thing I do is look around and check the site out to see if it is suitable for me. I use a hammock for sleeping so I will locate suitable trees for hanging.
I set the rain fly up first thing whether it is raining or not.
Then I hang my hammock under it.
All my gear goes under the hammock so it is protected from rain.
When all this is in place then I set my chair up and maybe make a cup of coffee and think about what might be on my busy schedule:)
Dick

If the weather is threatening when I arrive at camp, the first thing I'll do is quickly unload the gear and secure the canoe. Then, I'[ll check the site for any widowmakers and set up a tarp. If it's raining, I can sit under the tarp until there's a break, and then set up the tent.

If it's near dark when I arrive a camp, I'll secure the canoe, look for widowmakers, set up the tent and then maybe a small tarp to put the gear under.

If the weather's nice and its mid- or late-afternoon, I'll usually set up the tarp first, then the tent. The last thing I usually do is arrange the firepit/kitchen area the way I like it.

* First thing I do is Pump Water before coming into camp.
* Unload Canoe
* Set up Tent and/or Tarp Sometimes I set up tarp sometimes not.
* get sleeping pad ready and sleeping bag (as ussually tired I get
this done right away)
* Gather wood and get firepit ready
* Relax and have a drink
* Cook dinner
* Tie down boat
* Start fire and have a drink and write in my journal
* Have trouble sleeping toss turn, eventually snore and sleep :)

SunCatcher

My pattern is close to SunCatcher's here, one difference is I usually head up the trail to find the biffy before I set up the tent or tarp. I like to know what I'm dealing with before the first time I need it.

quote SunCatcher: "*
* Have trouble sleeping toss turn, eventually snore and sleep :)


SunCatcher"

You left out: wake up in an hour because you have to pee. Repeat every two hours. Get tired of doing this and eventually just decide to get up.

P. S. You probably won't have this problem, nojo. But if you do, you'll get rich selling your "story".

Tarp / Porch goes up first. I then put bags under tarp then put tent up while standing under tarp. I tpically do not carry an extra tarp when soloing. Just a solo tent and a 10 X 10 for a porch.