RE: Tents, Camping (Full Version)

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DomMeinCT -> RE: Tents, Camping (8/20/2009 8:46:17 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: hizgeorgiapeach

(and btw, DMiCT - I figure if a tent says it sleeps 4, then it's barely adequate for 1 - but then, I camp by myself in a 15x17 that claims it sleeps 8 to 10, and it's barely adequate for myself and my gear when I go to SCA events.....  that queen size pop up camp cot and air mattress takes up half the friggin floor space, and barely leaves enough room  for my folding camp endtable that I use as a dressing table, the stool that I use with it, my clothes trunk, and the cooler that is Specifically for my booze for the event.... the cooler for Food is stored seperately, with my full camp kitchen that typically goes with me, under a 10x10 gazebo that has it's own removable walls.)


*laughs* You're a woman after my own heart - the bigger the tent, the better.  I have a very detailed spreadsheet/checklist of every possible item necessary for my camping trips....can't stand to forget things.  Have the gazebo as well, but want your camp kitchen!




LdyyR -> RE: Tents, Camping (8/20/2009 8:48:02 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: FangsNfeet

Is this a weekend ordeal or something to last over a week?

Time plays a role in what you should and shouldn't have at a beach camp out. I'm guessing you're leaving with friends who already have cooking supplies, fire/heat source, flash lights/lighting, and a food storage/cooler container.

Just about any tent should do for you. Since this is a beach camp out, it'll be important to know how high the water rises during high tide. The location of your tent will be very important. You'll want to aviod sleeping on crab homes.

Putting your tent on top of some wooden loading pallots is a good idea.

Personal items: Flash Light, first aide kit, broom, baby wipes, sun block, battery powered fan, coconut rum, and minor essentials.

I don't know how you plan on eating food. Will you be going out to eat, cooking store goods over a fire, or catching sea food? [sm=rofl.gif] Excuse me while I compose myself. Did you say catching sea food. Not I, there will be food to buy and I will be bringing snacks and such.

Whatever your means to eat are, it wouldn't hurt to bring some can goods, bottled water, powdered milk, cereal, beef jerky, and some nuts. This way, you know you're not going to starve to death.

A cheap way to prevent clothes from getting unexpectently wet is to pack them in 2.5 gallon zip lock bags.  

Good luck on this adventure. I'm sure you'll have fun. Remember to give us all the details. 



Seriously, those are excellent suggestions. I couldn't help myself, I was salivating on the coconut rum then bit my tongue when I red the catching food sentencing. But who knows, maybe I'll love camping so much that next time, I'll let someone catch me some food.

But hear me now, I'm always going to stay where there are some amenities within reasonable walking or driving distance. I'm not going anywhere deep into the woods, just aint gonna happen.

This is a weekend adventure and those I'm going with are advanced campers and I don't want to appear like a complete dope when I show up at the site. At least not a bigger dope than I'm going to show myself to be as a camper/outdoors person.




Rhodes85 -> RE: Tents, Camping (8/20/2009 8:53:49 PM)

For a tent I suggest anything made by Cabellas. You can't get higher quality in outdoors gear, though it is generally a tad bit more expensive.

Depending on where you planning to camp I also suggest bringing a capgun, as I have from personal experience, found it a good addition to my camping gear because it is an excellent way of scaring any bear or wild animal away from your tent if they should wander into your camp looking for food. On a related note, never EVER store any kind of food in the tent with you. Not even stuff as small as a chocolate bar or beef jerky

A flint firestarter is always handy to have too for starting a fire. Believe me, if you try starting one in the rain with a lighter or matches you'll have a hell of a struggle. A flint firestarter works in any weather.

one of those cheap plastic fold up ponchos is always a good idea to have with you too. Very inexpensive and easy to find, and worth its weight in gold if you get caught in a downpour




LdyyR -> RE: Tents, Camping (8/20/2009 9:02:25 PM)

hizgeorgiapeach said: and btw, DMiCT - I figure if a tent says it sleeps 4, then it's barely adequate for 1 - but then, I camp by myself in a 15x17 that claims it sleeps 8 to 10, and it's barely adequate for myself and my gear when I go to SCA events..... that queen size pop up camp cot and air mattress takes up half the friggin floor space, and barely leaves enough room for my folding camp endtable that I use as a dressing table, the stool that I use with it, my clothes trunk, and the cooler that is Specifically for my booze for the event.... the cooler for Food is stored seperately, with my full camp kitchen that typically goes with me, under a 10x10 gazebo that has it's own removable walls.)


========================================================
[sm=yourock.gif]

Though, I'm begining to think I have ADD, as I scrolled back through your post to copy and paste, I was stuck on the words D batteries. [:D]. I think my list is getting a bit long as well, I've been trying to think where to get those butane curling irons, a large enough mirror to view full face. If I keep this up, I might as well stay at a hotel.




FangsNfeet -> RE: Tents, Camping (8/20/2009 9:05:49 PM)

You can't go wrong with renting an RV or Pop Up camping trailer.




LdyyR -> RE: Tents, Camping (8/20/2009 9:09:51 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Rhodes85

For a tent I suggest anything made by Cabellas. You can't get higher quality in outdoors gear, though it is generally a tad bit more expensive.

Depending on where you planning to camp I also suggest bringing a capgun, as I have from personal experience, found it a good addition to my camping gear because it is an excellent way of scaring any bear or wild animal away from your tent if they should wander into your camp looking for food. On a related note, never EVER store any kind of food in the tent with you. Not even stuff as small as a chocolate bar or beef jerky

A flint firestarter is always handy to have too for starting a fire. Believe me, if you try starting one in the rain with a lighter or matches you'll have a hell of a struggle. A flint firestarter works in any weather.

one of those cheap plastic fold up ponchos is always a good idea to have with you too. Very inexpensive and easy to find, and worth its weight in gold if you get caught in a downpour



Had to go there? [:(]

Not going where bears roam. Not gonna do it. But I was thinking why the hell do people worry about starting up their camp fires when they have lighters. Duh me, guess you answered that. I have the cheap ponchos, they've saved me many a down pour, people stare in awe when I manage to walk where they can't venture in a thunder storm. Amazing how such a inexpensive little thing can make one feel so powerful for a moment.

The good info just keeps coming.




LdyyR -> RE: Tents, Camping (8/20/2009 9:13:07 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: FangsNfeet

You can't go wrong with renting an RV or Pop Up camping trailer.



That's cold [:D] I am not backing up a truck onto a beach site.




hizgeorgiapeach -> RE: Tents, Camping (8/20/2009 9:49:30 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: LdyyR

(and btw, DMiCT - I figure if a tent says it sleeps 4, then it's barely adequate for 1 - but then, I camp by myself in a 15x17 that claims it sleeps 8 to 10, and it's barely adequate for myself and my gear when I go to SCA events..... that queen size pop up camp cot and air mattress takes up half the friggin floor space, and barely leaves enough room for my folding camp endtable that I use as a dressing table, the stool that I use with it, my clothes trunk, and the cooler that is Specifically for my booze for the event.... the cooler for Food is stored seperately, with my full camp kitchen that typically goes with me, under a 10x10 gazebo that has it's own removable walls.)

[sm=yourock.gif]

Though, I'm begining to think I have ADD, as I scrolled back through your post to copy and paste, I was stuck on the words D batteries. [:D]. I think my list is getting a bit long as well, I've been trying to think where to get those butane curling irons, a large enough mirror to view full face. If I keep this up, I might as well stay at a hotel.



When I go camping for an SCA event - which is specifically with the Medieval Group that I've been playing with for nearly 25 years - I do Not "rough it."  My camp is typically one of the most comfortable, especially when you figure in the extended (chosen) family that I tend to camp with - none of whom believe in "roughing it" unless we Have to do so.  
 
My "list" when I go to a weekend SCA event or one of the "Wars" that we have in that group amongst more distant groups (which generally mean camping for a week to 10 days)........
  • 2 tents (my 15x17 to sleep in, and my 8x10 as a secure storage space/spare in case someone needs sleeping space)...
  • the camp kitchen 10x10 gazebo....
  • queen size pop up camp cot & air mattress, sheets, at least 2 blankets (even though the camp cot stands tall enough that the air mattress is 3 feet off the floor of the tent), queen size egg crate mattress topper, queen size memory foam mattress topper, 4 pillows (2 for me, 2 in case I decide to have "company" for one of the nights that I'm at an event) and the battery operated air pump for the mattress.....
  • my sheep skin fluffy floor rug to lay at the end of the camp cot (so it's the first thing my feet touch when I get up in the morning)....
  • an endtable sized folding, metal camp table and a backless wooden stool (which get set up just past the end of the bed - the table is convenient for my ashtray, mug, jewelry box - remember, this is for SCA events, when I'm going to be spending the whole weekend in renfaire costuming - brush and any hair ties, double sided tabletop mirror, etc)....
  • the trunk filled with my costuming, which is generally enough for 3 changes for each day I'm going to be there - day wear, something for High Court/Feast in the evening, and my belly dance stuff for the late night party..... (the trunk also doubles as extra seating)
  • 2 Large ice chests (1 strictly for alcohol which is closely guarded inside my tent, 1 for food both of the snackage type and for actual full 3 to 6 course meals for dinner each night I'm there)...
  • my smoker/grill, a coleman tabletop stove, my folding camp kitchen multi-level table (designed specifically as a camp kitchen), the coleman "oven" that fits on top of the stove to bake in, my camp kitchen utensils and cookware (which are dedicated strictly for camping - I keep them packed in their own LARGE tupperware type box with a lid, that all of it and the cans of gas for the stove store in, along with my dishes), dishes and silverware for 4 (plus I typically keep a package of paperplates and a box of plastic dinnerware as well, in case extra people show up in camp to eat), my portable/colapsable camp sink, coleman camping hot water heater (and the stuff like my herbs, soap for washing dishes, paper towels, etc.)
  • the 3x4x7 cabana tent for my camp shower, my electric (battery powered) camp shower water heater, a hanging 5 gal. solar shower (in case my batteries aren't charged enough to run the electric shower heater), bath toiletries, several towels, 2x3 cedar planked shower "floor" to stand on (so my feet don't get muddy from the shower soaking the ground under me, of course)
  • the 3x4x7 cabana tent for my chemical camp toilet (so I don't have to make a late night or first thing in the morning Hike to go to the site porta-johns or toilets) and of course the chemical that goes with it, and biodegradable RV toilet paper
  • 3 or 4 folding camp chairs, plus my pair of slot together wooden "period" throne type chairs (and the over stuffed pillows I made to go in the seats of those so they're well padded and actually more comfortable than modern outdoor folding chairs)
  • folding table, table cloth, and generally a couple of small iron candelabra (found at a garage sale) and/or a pair of oil burning hurricane lamps
  • 4 person Houka and the shesha to smoke in it (which generally ends up either on the folding table, or on a spare folding endtable with the camp chairs around it lol)
  • 2 large persian style rugs to set in front of my tent
  • my portable fire pit that normally resides in my back yard (so I don't have to dig a fire pit for the evenings) along with 4 or 5 tiki torchs and the citronella oil to burn in them to keep them lit (and camp relatively mosquito free)

When I'm just going out to the lake for a couple of nights by myself, or not going to an SCA event specifically (like going fishing) - about half (ok, maybe 3/4) of that gear stays home..




TheHeretic -> RE: Tents, Camping (8/20/2009 9:54:39 PM)

Knowing there is a real firearm around the campsite is a good thing.

Dryer lint is one of the most incredible firestarting materials you will ever find.  Put the wad from a load of towels in a sandwich baggie and it's probably all you will need.

Rain ponchos are inexpensive.  They are sold as really big black plastic trash bags .  Add head and arm holes to suit

Take a hat, and warm socks, and don't be afraid to wear them if you get cold.

Have fun, and light the whole marshmallow on fire before blowing it out, and eating just the crispy outside.  Repeat.




ThatDamnedPanda -> RE: Tents, Camping (8/20/2009 10:17:15 PM)

LadyyR,

You're going to have more fun than you can imagine, even if tons of things go wrong. Just relax, enjoy the weekend, and keep in mind that everyone you're camping with remembers the first time they ever camped in a tent, too.

I camp in a tent a total of 3 or 4 weeks each year, from May until November in Minnesota. These days, I use a Eureka Sunrsie 9, which I'm quite happy with, but it's probably out of your price range. Goes for around 200 bucks, if i recall correctly. Before that, I used an 8-foot Coleman that I bought at Target for around 30 or 40 bucks, and my ex and i camped in that for several weeks a year for 8 or 9 years. If i were you, I'd just run down to your nearest Target and look at them firsthand. Definitely get one with a full fly; don't waste your money on one with a half-fly (as many of the tents on your linked page have).

Do get a ground tarp. For about 5 bucks, you can get a tarpaulin the same size as the footprint of your tent, and you just lay it out on the ground under the tent when you set up. Keeps any moisture from seeping up out of the ground and through any seams or small tears in the floor of the tent. This is probably an especially good idea if you're camping on a beach. I use a ground tarp that sticks out about 2 feet from where the door of the tent is, and it provides a clean place to take off and put on shoes. Makes it easier to keep from tracking dirt and crap into the tent.

For fires, go ahead and cheat. I always pack a small bottle of charcoal lighter fluid. No matter what kind of wood you find, no matter how wet or green it may be, if you have enough charcoal lighter fluid to generate some serious flamage for a few minutes, you should be able to get your wood going.

You may have trouble getting the stakes to stay put in a sandy beach. If that's a problem, you might try setting large rocks on top of the tent stakes after you've pounded them in. If it's not too windy, that should do the trick.

Last piece of advice - you can never have too many flashlights. I use a 4-D cell police model Magnalight for my main flashlight, and always have 3 or 4 cheap 2-battery lights for backups. I keep one in the tent, one out by the fire area, etc. It always seems that whenever i need one, I can never remember where I set the last one down. And a small LED forehead light for reading or rummaging around in the dark is a nice thing to have, too.

Edit: and it's never a bad idea to take a couple extra pairs of old running shoes, too. Once your shoes get wet, it can take a day or two to fully dry them. you can never have too many shoes when you're camping!




Rhodes85 -> RE: Tents, Camping (8/20/2009 11:03:45 PM)

I forgot to mention a snakebite kit and even though you mentioned not being around any bears I also suggest bringing along a piece of rope and a large sack - best to keep your food or cooler or whatever in the sack, and use the rope to keep the sack off the ground by hauling it over a treebranch. Keeps all the animals out of it.

Oh and keep all your trash away from your camp, again cause of animals.

This thread has made me realize I think I need to include a decent section on camping equipment and supplies on my outdoors site.




EyemKnotHear -> RE: Tents, Camping (8/20/2009 11:43:48 PM)

reading this post and all the terrific suggestions and advice makes me want to go camping too



well maybe not




GreedyTop -> RE: Tents, Camping (8/20/2009 11:51:34 PM)

I'm ready to go camping again (I have a '3 room' tent).. of course, it must be a campground that offers showers and toilets...


I'm going camping next month, with my MOm and Stepdad...  but thats going to be in an RV.....  (they both feel like theyre too old for the tent thing..)




ElectraGlide -> RE: Tents, Camping (8/21/2009 12:07:20 AM)

I tow a motorcycle pop-up camper. It sleeps two very cramped, lol. Here a few pictures of it.


http://s177.photobucket.com/albums/w237/ElectraGlide_David/?action=view&current=IMG_0735.jpg


http://s177.photobucket.com/albums/w237/ElectraGlide_David/?action=view&current=IMG_4517.jpg








GreedyTop -> RE: Tents, Camping (8/21/2009 12:12:54 AM)

got any pics of the interior? I've always been curious about that.....




ElectraGlide -> RE: Tents, Camping (8/21/2009 12:46:05 AM)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11364868@N00/page5/




GreedyTop -> RE: Tents, Camping (8/21/2009 12:47:56 AM)

link didnt work :(




ElectraGlide -> RE: Tents, Camping (8/21/2009 12:53:51 AM)

Flickr wont work here, let me look, I found pictures of it in set up stage.


http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=90652966&albumId=492321&page=6




ElectraGlide -> RE: Tents, Camping (8/21/2009 1:04:05 AM)

Here is the best inside picture that I have. My slave recently sewed a smooth black cloth over that 70's looking tweed fabric.

http://s177.photobucket.com/albums/w237/ElectraGlide_David/?action=view¤t=IMG_0414.jpg




sirsholly -> RE: Tents, Camping (8/21/2009 2:55:47 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: PyrotheClown

Tents are for Pussy's the only gear you really need is a coomfy worn coat fit nuff to die in ,a working zippo, some booze and maybe some water for chaser, and a really really large knife

*smacks Pyro* Stop sounding like such a...a...MAN, damnit!

Women need certain things when camping.

-Bug free environment
-Porcelain
-Lack of insects
-flushing toilet
-no bugs
-faucets

Two words.....Holiday Inn.





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