camping/tent stuff question

[wELLsculptedbrows]

Here's a secret-

If you can't get a cot, bring an inflatable pool bed thingy. It's like $4 and easy to pack.

Sage advice, in a pinch.

But don't let your terrible night's sleep tarnish your notions of what a real air mattress can provide.

[Dr Rick Daris]

how many nights in a row do you guys think you could sleep in a tent out by a lake or something? me? i'd say three.

One summer, I spent over 90 nights in a tent (with a cot), with a few trips to civilization/indoor beds sprinkled in.

I've done a few 10-day (9 night?) backcountry trips (no cot).

if my current life set up was different, i would love to do something like this. sounds amazing. also recommend the most comfortable air/tent mattress thing you can think of along with one that is not as good but costs half as much.

[ew2x4]

Here's a secret-

If you can't get a cot, bring an inflatable pool bed thingy. It's like $4 and easy to pack.

Sage advice, in a pinch.

But don't let your terrible night's sleep tarnish your notions of what a real air mattress can provide.

Absolutely. I can't see the pool thingy lasting more than a night or two. Air mattress or cot all the way for more than a couple nights.

[Emo EMAW]

I had a really bad experience with an inflatable mattress.  I much prefer an inflatable Thermarest.

[Dr Rick Daris]

i have a couple of twin sized air mattresses in my basement that i never use. maybe strap one to my sled and then take it out and load it up in the tent. thoughts? will park rangers cuss me out or other campers make fun of me though? that worries me.

[wELLsculptedbrows]

recommend the most comfortable air/tent mattress thing you can think of along with one that is not as good but costs half as much.

I have Big Agnes air mattress right now, which is super comfortable, pretty easy to blow up even after a day of backpacking (but I would spring for self inflating if I was still doing this a lot) and folds up to the size of a Nalgene bottle. 

It's great, but I wish I had known about this one before I bought it:

http://www.klymit.com/index.php/products-1/sleeping-pads/static-v.html

Would love to have this chamber pattern, so you don't slip around.

They don't get a whole lot cheaper than $60, but there are always end-of-year sales, Sierra Trading Post, Steep and Cheap, The Clymb, etc.

Actually this sounds like a hell of deal (half the price of original recommendation as requested) and has great reviews, and Sierra Trading Post has 35% off promo codes on the reg.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/hyalite-equipment-classic-sleeping-pad-regular-air-channel~p~5825k/?filterString=sleeping-pads~d~210%2F&colorFamily=01

i have a couple of twin sized air mattresses in my basement that i never use. maybe strap one to my sled and then take it out and load it up in the tent. thoughts? will park rangers cuss me out or other campers make fun of me though? that worries me.

Totally acceptable.

For car camping/cuddling, I bought this: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/alps-mountaineering-air-bed-queen-rechargeable-pump~p~4195f/?filterString=sleeping-pads~d~210%2F S'ok, I dunno. Rechargeable battery lasts forever. Seems to hold air reasonably well, but it will still be relatively soft in the morning.

[slucat]

how many nights in a row do you guys think you could sleep in a tent out by a lake or something? me? i'd say three.

One summer, I spent over 90 nights in a tent (with a cot), with a few trips to civilization/indoor beds sprinkled in.

I've done a few 10-day (9 night?) backcountry trips (no cot).

if my current life set up was different, i would love to do something like this. sounds amazing. also recommend the most comfortable air/tent mattress thing you can think of along with one that is not as good but costs half as much.

eELL- are you a geo major/MS student?  I did a similar 3 month stint in the woods (no cot) with a few nights in a bed mixed in.  The campground had no ice, but did have potable water and vault toilets.  I went to nearby hot springs to wash up on occasion. 

Back to the point-a self inflating mattress is a necessity to sleep well in a tent.  Last summer 176 and I camped in a National Park (fairly primitive digs) and we brought a queen blowup mattress-it was great.  For backpacking tho, can't go wrong with a simple 3/4 length self inflating one (thermarest).

[AST]

how many nights in a row do you guys think you could sleep in a tent out by a lake or something? me? i'd say three.

One summer, I spent over 90 nights in a tent (with a cot), with a few trips to civilization/indoor beds sprinkled in.
 

we r same.  mix in about 20 of those 90 days under the stars no tent no cot though

[wELLsculptedbrows]

eELL- are you a geo major/MS student?  I did a similar 3 month stint in the woods (no cot) with a few nights in a bed mixed in.  The campground had no ice, but did have potable water and vault toilets.  I went to nearby hot springs to wash up on occasion. 

Nope, journo major.

Spent a summer building/repairing trail at Philmont in New Mexico. Had pretty much all the same aforementioned amenities, and somewhat regular access to (cold) showers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sys]

In what mosquito-free areas are you pitching your cot?

most of western north america.  the midwest sucks for outdoor sleeping (too humid).

i've hardly ever camped in state or natl parks.  don't see the point in paying to sleep next to strangers outdoors.  for us-based recreation, blm or fs dispersed.  or wherever i can find an seemingly empty spot if it's just a place to crash.

[#LIFE]

Go grab a $3-5 bag of wood chips.  Find out where the wind is blowing and set up shop upwind. Let that crap simmer on ur campire all night long....

[pissclams]

boy oh boy, there's all sorts of do it yourself bug avoiders here on goEMAW, who knew?  not me, that's what i always say.

[slobber]

boy oh boy, there's all sorts of do it yourself bug avoiders here on goEMAW, who knew?  not me, that's what i always say.

I'm a killer not an avoider.

[Emo EMAW]

In what mosquito-free areas are you pitching your cot?

most of western north america.  the midwest sucks for outdoor sleeping (too humid).

i've hardly ever camped in state or natl parks.  don't see the point in paying to sleep next to strangers outdoors.  for us-based recreation, blm or fs dispersed.  or wherever i can find an seemingly empty spot if it's just a place to crash.

One time in Wyoming mosquitoes literally picked me up and carried me back to my tent. 

[pissclams]

In what mosquito-free areas are you pitching your cot?

most of western north america.  the midwest sucks for outdoor sleeping (too humid).

i've hardly ever camped in state or natl parks.  don't see the point in paying to sleep next to strangers outdoors.  for us-based recreation, blm or fs dispersed.  or wherever i can find an seemingly empty spot if it's just a place to crash.

One time in Wyoming mosquitoes literally picked me up and carried me back to my tent. 

you really need to up your do-it-yourself mosquito avoidance game

i bet you're the only person i know who's been bit by a mosquito in wyoming.  disgusting.

[Dr Rick Daris]

In what mosquito-free areas are you pitching your cot?

most of western north america.  the midwest sucks for outdoor sleeping (too humid).

i've hardly ever camped in state or natl parks.  don't see the point in paying to sleep next to strangers outdoors.  for us-based recreation, blm or fs dispersed.  or wherever i can find an seemingly empty spot if it's just a place to crash.

One time in Wyoming mosquitoes literally picked me up and carried me back to my tent. 

you really need to up your do-it-yourself mosquito avoidance game

or just camp by yourself in the western half of the united states on free dispersed property is what i always say.

[Emo EMAW]

In what mosquito-free areas are you pitching your cot?

most of western north america.  the midwest sucks for outdoor sleeping (too humid).

i've hardly ever camped in state or natl parks.  don't see the point in paying to sleep next to strangers outdoors.  for us-based recreation, blm or fs dispersed.  or wherever i can find an seemingly empty spot if it's just a place to crash.

One time in Wyoming mosquitoes literally picked me up and carried me back to my tent. 

you really need to up your do-it-yourself mosquito avoidance game

I mean there I was fishing trickles for pickles and the sun went behind the canyon wall and out they came.  Very vampire like.  It was out in the middle of nowhere so it's not like a park ranger could have warned me.  I'm packing a farmer's almanac next time.  I bet they have a mosquito section.

[Dr Rick Daris]

so now that we are 8 pages in, i'm becoming much more of a camping pro. still can't believe i ever considered that coleman stove thing. i mean omg you guys. just wtf was i thinking?


anyway, i've moved on and am now thinking about a dutch oven. this one specifically. thoughts?



http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-L8DO3-Pre-Seasoned-Dutch-5-Quart/dp/B00006JSUF/ref=pd_sim_k_48?ie=UTF8&refRID=1C8QKKA6FFPXQ7XK07N6

[asava]

so now that we are 8 pages in, i'm becoming much more of a camping pro. still can't believe i ever considered that coleman stove thing. i mean omg you guys. just wtf was i thinking?


anyway, i've moved on and am now thinking about a dutch oven. this one specifically. thoughts?



http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-L8DO3-Pre-Seasoned-Dutch-5-Quart/dp/B00006JSUF/ref=pd_sim_k_48?ie=UTF8&refRID=1C8QKKA6FFPXQ7XK07N6

cast iron is a must for car camping. i'd probably just go with a skillet though, unless you plan on making stew, chilli or similar all the time.

[pissclams]

heavy.  do not want to carry.

[asava]

hence "car camping."

[wELLsculptedbrows]

anyway, i've moved on and am now thinking about a dutch oven. this one specifically. thoughts?

http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-L8DO3-Pre-Seasoned-Dutch-5-Quart/dp/B00006JSUF/ref=pd_sim_k_48?ie=UTF8&refRID=1C8QKKA6FFPXQ7XK07N6

Wise decision. In addition to stews and chilli, dutch ovens are great for baking biscuits, cobblers, cinnamon rolls, etc.

But, I would recommend one with a rimmed lid. So you can put charcoal briquettes on top, for even heat and crispy cobblers. (You can even use the lid as a griddle)



Maybe one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Deep-Camp-Dutch-Oven/dp/B00008GKDW/ref=pd_sim_k_20?ie=UTF8&refRID=1SPZNDMW0WNQAWGE1F9T

Smaller version:

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_27837_-1__?N=395477678&affcode=42&kwid=ps_cse&cid=PLA_014002414&gclid=CLjWy_Pulb4CFUNqOgod-iAABA

Or there's the Texsport that I recommended a couple of pages ago for even cheaper.
http://www.amazon.com/Texsport-Pre-Seasoned-Cast-Iron-Dutch/dp/B004H10HCY/ref=sr_1_10?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1399329872&sr=1-10&keywords=texsport+dutch+oven
Nevermind, get the Lodge.

[Dr Rick Daris]

following classic stevedave mode i asked for advice and then ignored everyone and did what i wanted. got the coleman 8man instant tent thing. pretty nice. took it out last weekend and it survived some rain and stuff w/ no problem. caught some fish. 1 bass. 6 cat. 3 bluegill. also a caught a turtle. also you guys guess what? they make glow in the dark bobbers. mind blown. what a country!

[chum1]

My neighbor just got one of these. I can't decide if I think it's really cool or not. I don't think it would be worthwhile for me unless I planned to spend at least a month or two on the road. Also not sure I see much benefit in the collapsibility feature. Just seems like a pain in the ass.



http://www.gizmag.com/alto-teardrop-trailer-safari-condo/31178/

[star seed 7]

Better than a tent