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re: Tent camping essentials

Posted on 3/10/16 at 7:05 am to
Posted by jimbeam
University of LSU
Member since Oct 2011
75703 posts
Posted on 3/10/16 at 7:05 am to
You guys take way too much shite camping
Posted by Ace Midnight
Between sanity and madness
Member since Dec 2006
89531 posts
Posted on 3/10/16 at 7:18 am to
quote:

A high quality sleeping pad is more important than a high quality sleeping bag.


This is true for 3-season camping.

quote:

Car camping and canoe camping allow for you to bring just about anything you want.


And this is an important distinction, too. If you're hiking in/hiking out, you need to stick more to backpacking principles (every ounce counts) - but if you're going in by vehicle - you don't want to go overboard, but you also have to make fewer compromises.

I like multiple tents/flys for a family campsite, although obviously some of the "all in ones" are very nice and convenient. But, I'm old school - I like to keep cooking/food/fire a good distance away from sleeping - for a shite ton of good reasons.
Posted by Jcorye1
Tom Brady = GoAT
Member since Dec 2007
71402 posts
Posted on 3/10/16 at 7:57 am to
I've been doing some backpacking at a primitive campsite and taking the loaded bag hiking the next day (getting ready to do a 2 day backpacking trip soon with the dog) and you aren't kidding. If I can shave oz's off, I am. Right now, the most bulky part of my kit is the pad, but it's an inexpensive Ozark trail self inflating one.
Posted by Nodust
Member since Aug 2010
22631 posts
Posted on 3/10/16 at 8:50 am to
quote:

You guys take way too much shite camping

The thought of unloading all that crap makes me queasy.
Posted by TU Rob
Birmingham
Member since Nov 2008
12738 posts
Posted on 3/10/16 at 11:58 am to
quote:

Yep, definitely two tents. One for the kids and the other for you and the SO


We actually bought a 4 man tent so we'd all have room, and the air mattress fit in there nicely. Then I remembered I have an old pop-up two man tent in the basement. Took it out, and it is in excellent condition. I'm definitely taking it on the next trip. Much lighter and folds down flat. It may just be a father daughter trip since the wife isn't all that into it, but if she does come, we'll have the big 4-man one all to ourselves.
Posted by Bleeding purple
Athens, Texas
Member since Sep 2007
25315 posts
Posted on 3/10/16 at 3:11 pm to
good list added some suggestions in bold



tent and a tarp that the tent can fit oncooler
fishing gear
22 rifle not in state parks
plenty of food (weiners, buns, debbie cakes, marshmellows, variety pack of tater chips, jerkey, peanuts)
plenty of drinks
lighter wood plumbers propane torch with click start is an awesome addition
air mattress with battery or electric pump
electric extension cord if any equipment electric
cig lighter
hatchet with good flat side for pounding in tent stakes
thermocell
flashlights
bug spray
sleeping bags and pillows
any condiments kids will need (we just take bbq sauce)
instant coffee and cups
paper plates
paper towels
disposable utensils
we actually use the medium weight plastic stuff from walmart plates, bowls, and utensils and simply wipe them off with a paper towel after each meal.
germex
knife heavy duty drop point and a filet knife
depends on where you are going (grill, tin foil, propane tank, fish cooker)
plastic forks/spoons
cooking oil and corn mill if frying fish
long wood handle grilling tongs, fork, and spatula
a thin wire rack used to make toast by fire.

roll of 30 gallon lawn bags
a locking lid water tight container for all gear
coleman lantern and propane for it
extra rope and/or paracord good for making clothes lines and such


many camp sights have group restrooms with showers if going to one of those bring a bar of soap, bath towels, and shower shoes.

extra duct tape and carabineers are always a good addition also








Posted by ctiger69
Member since May 2005
30616 posts
Posted on 3/10/16 at 5:44 pm to
Be sure they have several USB ports in your tent. This way they can play on their tablets and smart phones. Might need to get something to boost the wifi signal for streaming movies.
Posted by TigerOnTheMountain
Higher Elevation
Member since Oct 2014
41773 posts
Posted on 3/10/16 at 10:30 pm to
Tablets? Rookie move. Bring the whole damn TV with satellite.
Posted by TigerOnTheMountain
Higher Elevation
Member since Oct 2014
41773 posts
Posted on 3/10/16 at 10:37 pm to
I've had my neo air down into the teens and snowing, with a cheap, synthetic 0 degree bag, under nothing but a tarp, and never had an issue. I forget the R value of my pad, but a high quality pad really makes a difference. I don't think OP will experience that sort of extreme weather.

My pack is the same for most trips, whether I'm car camping or backpacking 100 miles. I don't understand the need or want to bring the entire kitchen and everything from your backyard with you on a trip but hey, hike your own hike, I guess.

OP, have you chosen a destination? That could impact what you should bring.
This post was edited on 3/10/16 at 10:46 pm
Posted by Tdot_RiverDawg
Member since May 2015
1701 posts
Posted on 3/11/16 at 8:56 am to



Posted by Nado Jenkins83
Land of the Free
Member since Nov 2012
59651 posts
Posted on 3/11/16 at 10:06 am to
That's pretty nice
Posted by Bleeding purple
Athens, Texas
Member since Sep 2007
25315 posts
Posted on 3/11/16 at 11:49 am to
quote:

My pack is the same for most trips, whether I'm car camping or backpacking 100 miles. I don't understand the need or want to bring the entire kitchen and everything from your backyard with you on a trip but hey, hike your own hike, I guess



How often do bring a wife and sub 10 yr old child along on your hikes?

How flexible are you with your scheduling based on weather when camping, vs the inflexibility of school breaks.

How many decades and pounds do you have on your body? it makes a serious difference when you are a large person and approaching 40 vs 5'10 150 and mid 20's?

Posted by TigerOnTheMountain
Higher Elevation
Member since Oct 2014
41773 posts
Posted on 3/11/16 at 1:28 pm to
My wife accompanies me on a lot of trips and she carries a sub 20lb base weight pack of her own. Our son is only five months old. Not camping, yet. Obviously base weight will increase with his gear, but will not reach the weight I've seen some people carry.

I backpack year round. On a rare occasion, I won't go due to weather. I'm a business owner, so no school schedule to conflict with.

Late 20's, 5'10, 165. I am still young and recover much quicker than older hikers. I'm sure a lot of that can also be attributed to my low carry weight as well. I would suspect that an older hiker would want to carry less weight, but that's often not the case. There have been a few times when an old bastard with an external frame pack from the 80's, has absolutely destroyed me on the trail. In most cases, lighter base weights will benefit all ages and skill level. It's different for everyone, thus, hike your own hike.
This post was edited on 3/11/16 at 1:33 pm
Posted by Bleeding purple
Athens, Texas
Member since Sep 2007
25315 posts
Posted on 3/11/16 at 3:48 pm to
Sounds like a blast. I agree you are running a great setup. And if hiking low weight minimalistic packs are the way to go.

For camping at a state Park where most places have only designated camping spots no more than a 100 yards from vehicle access, your list can expand greatly.
Posted by Tiger4Liberty
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2015
2423 posts
Posted on 3/11/16 at 4:09 pm to
I camp pretty often. A few things that I love include a solar powered light weight tent light (inflatable ones are cheap online), a headlamp is better than a flashlight, small camp chairs. A must have is a Slatgrill (look them up online).

You can eat well with a little planning. Wrap potatoes or sweet potatoes in foil and cook directly in the coals of your campfire. Chop assorted bell peppers, with green onions, and zucchini, mix together with oil and vinegar for a great salad. Cook a steak on your Slatgrill.
Posted by TU Rob
Birmingham
Member since Nov 2008
12738 posts
Posted on 3/11/16 at 4:09 pm to
quote:

For camping at a state Park where most places have only designated camping spots no more than a 100 yards from vehicle access, your list can expand greatly.


Yup. That's about all we do with the kids. I'd like to get out and hike some, and our state park does have some primitive sites. But that would probably just be a trip with my daughter and not the whole family.
Posted by Nodust
Member since Aug 2010
22631 posts
Posted on 3/11/16 at 6:19 pm to
I'm early 40's and backpack year round. I rather temps in the 30's than hot. I just add a few items of clothing to keep warm. Most of my pack stays the same at about 10 to 15 pounds.

My kids have been backpacking since the youngest was 8, that's when I started. I love the simplicity of backpacking. Just a small pack to unload after a trip. So much to explore by foot. The wife isn't in to walking. She will camp with us at campgrounds but not much backpacking. But that makes her available to be shuttle driver.

When you get to the point where all you think about is where you will get water, sleep, and take a crap you are far enough from civilization.
Posted by TigerOnTheMountain
Higher Elevation
Member since Oct 2014
41773 posts
Posted on 3/11/16 at 8:38 pm to
10 to 15 pounds? That's incredible. How? I carry a Cuban fiber tarp, blackbird hammock with whoopie sling suspension, 850 goose down under and top quilt, mini bull design alcohol stove, Snow peak 700ml pot, sawyer filter and other odds and ends and I hover around 20 pounds.
Posted by Coon
La 56 Southbound
Member since Feb 2005
18492 posts
Posted on 3/11/16 at 9:30 pm to
Thanks guys, this is a wealth of information.

Plan on starting out in south east la then branching out from there in the coming years. All by car/canoe in the next few years. My kids are >5 so I've got time to learn. No plan on hiking currently but in the future, yes. Their teens will definitely include an Alaskan canoe trip.
Posted by TigerOnTheMountain
Higher Elevation
Member since Oct 2014
41773 posts
Posted on 3/11/16 at 9:49 pm to


Fausse Point is a great place to start. Bring bug spray.
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