Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Mostly covered but it was breezy and i didn't secure the sides at all.

 

Okay, I am officially a "doofus." A week or so ago, I asked about cleaning the the drinking tube on a hydration bladder. I was seeing a section with what I thought was mildew growing in it. I'd run hot, soapy water through it, to no avail, so I bought a little cheap cleaning kit for a hydration bladder, ran one of the cleaning tablets and hot water through, used the little brush on the inside, but still had this one section with something black, on what I thought was the inside of the tube. Closer examination in good light revealed what I had been missing. The black I was seeing was actually the remnant of lettering on the outside of the tube!

Needless to say, I might now have the cleanest drinking tube in existence.

 

LOL!!

 

Your mom would be proud.

 

What are you guys using for mats? I just pulled the trigger and ordered a thermarest trail pro 2017 model

 

I use the NeoAir XTherm

 

Ironic - For an upcoming fly-fishing trip where space/weight are limited, I just picked up this. I like that it folds in half lengthwise before being rolled up. Nice and compact.

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/118...g-pad&csp=a&attrValue_0=Red&productId=1623415

 

I splurged for comfort this year and got the NeoAir XTherm Max in the large size. It's huge and has a super high R value of 5.7. Long, wide, thick and warm. It's the one piece I won't compromise on in my kit because sleep comes at a premium on long trips. 23.8oz is crazy heavy for an inflatable, but I think it's worth it after suffering on lighter, thinner and colder pads like the Klymit Static V. I like my feet to be on the pad, and I love how wide this thing is so I don't roll off of it when I move around. I can tuck my arm under my head/pillow and not have it on the cold ground.

 

Gear for our weekend.

AGG hammocks
GoLoite and ThermaRest TQs
Hammock Gear UQs
JiffyPop


EDIT. Much bourbon and beer too!

 

Perfection.

 

Yea that's what seems to be the ticket right now, just couldn't get myself to spend that on a pad yet

 

Yeah it was painful to fork out $220 for a pad, but I don't have much of a choice as I'm a heavier guy and I side or stomach sleep a lot. Plus I use a quilt so I need the insulation under me. Buy once, cry once.

 

Anyone have strong recommendations on a 2-person 3 season backpacking tent?
The Eureka and Big Agnes are getting old...like almost a decade old with holes and such...

 

I really like our MSR Hubba Hubba NX for 2 people, and it's a common one for couples. It sets up fast in multiple configurations (with or without the tent body, with or without the rainfly) and comes in packed up at right at 4lbs. Splitting up the weight, each person carries right around 2lbs each (one with the tent body, the other with everything else). If you have the $$, I recommend the Zpacks Duplex tent for a fully waterproof and very lightweight 2 person solution, coming in UNDER 2lbs.

 

Rei passage 2 or half dome 2. Great value for price. Comes down to ur weight concerns really

 

Heading to sequoia early Friday. Staying at Dorst Creek walk in campsites. Will be attempting fly fishing for the first time. anyone know of good streams or lakes to fish at around there? taking my parents so something that's not too hard of a hike.

 

Amazon has a Gold Box going on for Klymit sleeping pads and a few other things.

https://www.amazon.com/s/browse/ref...k[p|1796294930[au|5727177402741770316[b|deals

 

Their pads are pretty tough, lightweight and reasonably comfortable for summer trips considering their low cost. I have an old Static V and it still works great after many backpacking trips and loan-outs to friends. That Dash 10 running pack would make a great little summit bag. I like how it holds 2 smaller water bottles right on the shoulder straps. Normally you have to attach something like that onto a pack. Looks like it has an air bladder so you can pump it up to tighten the load for running, too. Not sure how small it rolls up though.

Klymit Dash Day Pack, Lightweight Outdoor Backpack For Running With Air Frame Technology, 10 L

https://www.amazon.com/Klymit-Dash-Running-Backpack-Charcoal/dp/B0167O1PPG

 

If I wanted to get into camping, what are the bare basics I would need? Obviously tent and cooler, but beyond that I have no clue on where to start.

 

depends on the type of camping really. are you parking at the campsite or walking to it? do you have running water at the site? power? a pooper facility?