Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Yeah I'm not worried about the ones still in their foil packs. These had been rebagged in early August without dessicant packs or oxy absorbers so the #10 cans of freeze dried meat that I boosted them with had gone funky.

 

Ooh that looks like they jumped on the DCF train. Interesting...

 

@Cuffs any idea if Zion will be open tomorrow and this weekend? was planning to head up there tomorrow at 12pm from Orange County. But just realized that the govt shut down is this weekend.

 

No Shutdown, 2 year budget deal passed and signed last night.

 

Yes!!! Heard about it this morning. Will be heading out shortly!!

 

This is great! My serious gf is in Veterinary school currently and studies non-stop. On our camping trips I have been trying to think of a way she can study while sitting by the campfire, this may be the ticket!

Did you buy this locally? Seems they're a small fortune online

 

Has anyone done a boundary waters paddle trip? Looking for intel for planning a trip

 

Yes, but many years ago. Awesome trip. Early is good (May), miss the black flies

 

That's what i was looking at, earlier to avoid black flies and the crowds/flies/skeeters that start in June.

 

Was there in the late 50's with the boy scouts; started at the BSA camp north of Ely. Went back there a couple of years later with my brother. I moved to WY and he stayed in IA. For years he went back, mostly to the Sawbill entry point. (West of Tofte which is on Lk Superior.

BWCAW is a busy place and entry permits are required. The permits allow access but your route will be whatever you want it to be.
Here are some links to get you stated:
http://bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=outfitting.outfitters
http://www.boundarywatersoutfitters.com/boundary-waters-map.htm
http://bwca.com/

 

Thanks, started looking into it and looks like it'll be a bit of research to find a spot to launch from.

I got the drift that you floated down there rivers but much cooler that you can do your own thing and do whatever works for the group.

Gonna have to check with the others and see what they think.

 

Most all of the area is lakes and while there is water movement you certainly can't count on it for your progress (are you familiar with a paddle). Also once you get beyond the first two or three portages (less people) you should have good map and know how to use a compass. Some of the of the portages are really well disguised. It's a really neat place!

 

Not really any rivers, all lakes, connected with portages (boat on your shoulder). When I went in 60 or 61 it was not yet a park, we saw one canoe in 10 days and spent all our nights on islands as there were still too many critters on land to snag your food.

 

Try progressive. My pop ups only 100.00 a year, with all the extras.

 

Can anyone recommend remote rivers to take a fishing kayak on?

I am looking to spend a week or so on river that will allow me to set up a tent each night at a different location on the shore.

Prefer trout fishing but open to anything. Thanks in advance for the support!

 

Don’t know where you are but we used to kayak camp the Wisconsin River. Many islands to camp on. The Wisconsin isn’t exactly remote but some of the islands are.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the response. I am in ARIZONA, but willing to travel.

 

Anyone get any good REI garage sale snags lately?

Stumbled upon this in the last 15 minutes of the sale this weekend: Exped MegaMat Duo 10 Sleeping Pad

4” thick double sleeping pad, normally $369!!, paid less than $33. Not sure who’d ever pay that much for the original price but I’m glad I saw it. We’ll use it for car camping either in the ground tent or in the back of the truck in the topper on the sleeping platform. I tried it at the store to make sure it didn’t have any problems and it’s more comfortable than our mattress at home I think! Blows our backpacking Therm-a-Rest ProLite pads that we use all the time out of the water. Can’t wait to test it out camping soon.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

This is the best car camping pad that has ever been created. I have the regular solo version. I did not pay full price either (like $53 after a REI garage discount and using last year's REI dividend), but I think it would absolutely still be worth it at full price because it is so damn comfortable.

Funny story, when I was at Big Bend back in December, I was coming back from my overnight on the rim and had just come down from climbing up Emory peak as a side trip. There was a small group from some small college that was about to head up and had removed their packs and they were laying scattered around on the ground. As I was putting my pack and gear back on, I noticed one of the packs had one of the MegaMat 10s rolled up and strapped to the bottom. That MFer weighs 5 lbs on its own! That is some dedication.