camping thread

[matt-o]

well i want to go camping over spring break, i live in minnesota so it will be cold (~30) at night and warm (~65) during the day. it will be short range backpacking (about 3/4ths mile). i was just wondering what kinda suggestions i can get. it will probably be 6 or 7 people. i have a backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and all the clothes ill need, but i could use input on a tent and stove. im not looking for a huge expedition but just some relaxation and outdoorsey stuff. if its warm enough i might just sleep outside.

to sum it up any camping gear info and general knowhow would be appreciated

[gamarada717]

https://www.rei.com

That's the site that has everything that you'll need. Tent wise, Eureka makes excellent tents, and so does Mountain Hardware, but they're both pretty expensive. Just go to wal mart and get a tent if you aren't serious, they'll hold up for a good while, and since you aren't doing any heavy hiking, that extra couple pounds you'll have from not getting a lightweight tent isn't going to matter. On to stoves....I can't give you a brand, but whatever runs off of the Coleman fuel in the silver bottles...that stuff is amazing. One of the big bottles lasted for a week, cooking dinner for 12 every night, and boiling at least 2 big pots of water.

[matt-o]

yeah rei is my lair these days. i want to get a decent tent that will hold up over the years, but the fact that i am going with about 6 other people is kinda screwing me up for that. a for a stove where im camping has a grille over the firepit so i might just use the firepit. specifically how do you suggest i get around the cold? i camped out in a small bedsheet a couple weeks ago in 20* or so weather but i promised myself i would never do anything that stupid ever again and i dont feel like staying awake all night tending a fire like that. is a decent tent and a sleeping bag gonna be enough for that not to be a problem?

[kosmo]

Personally, I dont really give a hoot what Im sleeping under as much as what Im sleeping in. A good sleeping bag makes up for the crappiest of tents. I havent used any of that REI stuff, but I can tell you the sleeping bags the Army uses right now are really nice. Its two different bags and a third waterproof shell. Ive slept through everything in these ranging from Korean monsoons that blew the tent away to -30* Canadian blizzards. Id reccomend picking one of these, or something similar up. Definitely a good investment, methinks.

[Jeffy-CanCon]

If your sleeping bag is rated for the expected temperatures, and you have a pad to go underneath, you should not have a problem. Make sure you strip down to your underwear when you sleep, or else you will sweat, and eventually freeze.

When you are up and about, dress in layers to stay warm and dry. Plan as if you expect the temperatures to be colder than forecast, and you should be fine. Long periods outdoors will feel colder than how you normally perceive the same temperature when you are only out for short periods. Keep moving, too. Sitting around a fire is cozy, but is not a very good way to stay warm all day. You will feel really cold when you leave that fire!

Advice on buying a tent: Get one that is described as a four-season tent. The lighter-weight spring/summer tents tend to have mesh vents, which will cost you a lot of heat. Get one with a 3/4 or full fly, if you can. Get a tent for the number of people who will be in it. Body heat will kep the tent pretty warm at night, but not if you have too few people. For practicality, you may want to consider two smaller-size tents for you group. It will give you more flexibity for future trips, and they will be easier to carry, too. Also, buy a tarpaulin, or two. You can use one as a groundsheet under the tent to prevent any moisture in the ground from soaking into your tent floor, and the other can be rigged on a line to provide overhead shelter for you cooking & eating area.

[gamarada717]

To get around the cold, just do layers in the day. Have seperate sleeping cloths, that you do nothing but sleeping in, because you won't like sleeping in nasty cloths. To sleep in, just a pair of wool socks and long johns will work...in the summer, I just do gym shorts and a t shirt. Winter, I do what I said above, but depending on the temperature, you might want to do lighter socks. Your tent isn't really going to do a whole lot heat wise...it's not going to be cold enough to notice.

[matt-o]

well im trying to pack light here because me and my other guy buddy are the only one with packs able to hold all of this stuff, its me, him and 4 girls that dont really know what they are doing. so me and him will probably split the heavy loads of food, the tent, stove, and that kinda stuff. its only a 3/4ths mile hike. i carried a canoe and a pack for on a mile long portage once without breaks so i can handle the extra load, but i definitly have restriced spece. i have a 4 person tent which pisses me off because i can either try to pack it with 6 people or buy another tent.

[matt-o]

anyone?

[Hexis]

To stay warm, stay dry. Also wool is good stuff. Even when wet it will keep most of it's insulation propteries. Don't try to put 6 people in a 4 person tent. I try to avoid putting 4 people in a 4 person tent. For warmth at night either snuggle with the ladies (that's the best option) or make sure everyone has appropiate sleeping bags rated for the weather you will be sleeping in. REI has all kinds of good sleeping bags. Thermarests for everyone. They make a huge difference on cold ground.

A note about the local (Minneapolis area) REIs, the Rosedale on is tiny compared to the Bloomington one. Go to the big one for much better product selection. Only hit up the Rosedale one for lil items you know they have in stock.

About stoves for cooking. I would suggest an MSI stove. Bring two stoves. One for cooking and one for coffee/coco/tea/whatever. REI will have a good selection. Plan your meals carefully. Good meal planning will allow you to pack light and make meal prep easy. I would suggest one pot type meals. No one will want to do dishes in cold weather.

[Cristobal]

Bring two stoves. One for cooking and one for coffee/coco/tea/whatever. REI will have a good selection. Plan your meals carefully. Good meal planning will allow you to pack light and make meal prep easy. I would suggest one pot type meals. No one will want to do dishes in cold weather.

Agreed. You'll want 2 stoves (or 3 if they're small and you're not too concerned with weight). Cooking for multiple people, you probably don't want an alcohol stove they take longer to cook stuff. I'd go with either a white gas, or canister (butane/propane mix) fuel stove. I used to be a big fan of white gas, and I still think it has its uses, but I picked up a Jetboil stove this summer and I've become a big fan of canisters as they're dead easy to use: no pouring, no pumping, no flare ups while you're lighting, no waiting for the generator tube to heat up -- just screw on the canister, open the valve and push the igniter button And the Jetboil is a phenomenal stove: light, packable, ideal for cooking for 1-2 people while backpacking, or heating lots of water fast for larger numbers. And its a miser on when it comes to fuel consumption.

[matt-o]

thanks guys, to the dude who lives in minnesota do you have anywhere somewhat close to the minnetonka area that would be good to camp in?

[Stix]

Agreed. You'll want 2 stoves (or 3 if they're small and you're not too concerned with weight). Cooking for multiple people, you probably don't want an alcohol stove they take longer to cook stuff. I'd go with either a white gas, or canister (butane/propane mix) fuel stove. I used to be a big fan of white gas, and I still think it has its uses, but I picked up a Jetboil stove this summer and I've become a big fan of canisters as they're dead easy to use: no pouring, no pumping, no flare ups while you're lighting, no waiting for the generator tube to heat up -- just screw on the canister, open the valve and push the igniter button And the Jetboil is a phenomenal stove: light, packable, ideal for cooking for 1-2 people while backpacking, or heating lots of water fast for larger numbers. And its a miser on when it comes to fuel consumption.

Another vote for the Jetboil here. That thing is amazing. Every trip I've brought it on has turned at least one person into a believer. I also agree with the whole 6 people in a 4 person tent, that it's not a good idea. Heck, 4 people already have a hard time fitting into a 4 person tent w/ all their gear.

[Muzikman]

Hell man, if you are only hiking 3/4 of a mile make multiple trips back to the car for gear and do not worry about packing light. Problem with packing light is that the equipment is more expensive and smaller which makes it harder to use in a group. I say get yourself two 4 man tents and put two people in each with gear. Get a white gas 2 burner stove. And make sure everyone's sleeping bag is warm enough.

[kosmo]

Wait wait wait... 4 girls, 2 guys? Get two one person tents and forget a couple sleeping bags, thatll keep you warm!

[matt-o]

yeah, that would be the best option but the two i know have boyfreinds that arent me or the dude thats coming and ive never met the other two before, but you never know i guess