Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Biggest differences are that Colorado is dry and likely higher altitude than you’re used to. To me the dryness makes the cold feel less cold, but the altitude can be strenuous on your body. If you’ll be “car camping” rather than backpacking I’d suggest just supplementing your current bag as you mentioned.

 

We are going to have a base camp RV but will likely end up backpacking and hunting remotely for a couple days at a time.
Thanks for the info!

 

If you're worried about your bag, double up on your sleeping pad. Most heat is lost through the bottom as your body weight compresses the bag. I've use a 20º bag at 17,000' with three pads. The above post was correct, that our drier climate will not feel as cold as a more humid one and it will warm up much more quickly when the sun comes up.

 

@Dangerdave I have had the truck for a few years. 3+? The walk-in door on the ARE cap about 2+?
Usually seen at Panacea on Frog Level.
You probably did see me. Old guy, brown hair, with a silver beard.

Best to you on the elk hunt.

More thoughts for the cold at night:
A really good warm beanie with a strap/drawstring to keep it on your head helps a lot.
A quart bottle with boiled water at your feet. Also serves as warm/hot water to drink in the AM.
Dry thermals, change when you go to bed.
A bivy bag.
Space blanket under the pad. Silver up.
Exped downmat or synmat.
Chocolate before bed.

 

Another thought on cold weather camping is to avoid low spots, drainages, etc for campsite. A little farther up a hill will be warmer. Cold sinks. We see differences of 5-12º F just from different locations in town depending on how close they are to the rivers (low) or up on the benches.

 

Oh yea, I definitely know that one. Those low spots are nice for wind breaks but they still get cold

 

The dry thermal at bedtime idea alone changed my camping life...

 

That and some big fluffy socks that live in the sleeping bag. I’ve got a pair that have been in my bag for years. Obviously I wash them but they go back in the bag once they are clean

 

Throw out for you car campers.. I have found myself without a full size stove.

I’ve considered the usual dual burners but frankly, don’t like packing pots and pans and therefore having to clean them. I once had a griddle side and a burner side, the griddle being permanent and not a burner cover like the current stuff seems to come with. That’s the best of both worlds, except griddles tend to be pretty pricey now as an add on item.

I have been thinking of possibly getting a Blackstone table top griddle and using that for camping, then using an iso-stove as a water boiler should the need arise.

Has anybody else gone does this route or have input on the matter?

 

Have a Blackstone griddle. 17", single burner.

Works great as long as there is no wind.
Sometimes difficult to regulate temperature evenly.
If using as a "base camp" stove it would be ok. Too bulky to load/unload every night.
Running full power I get 4-5 uses out of single 1# bottle.

Obligatory food photo.

 

Any regrets?

I have a third kid due in a few weeks (my oldest just turned 4 at the end of July), so part of my mental reasoning is that it’s more efficient use of cooking space also. Breakfasts usually cooked, lunch likely not, and then dinner being kid food staples like burgers and hot dogs, grilled vegetables, and the like. I feel like a double burner wont offer as much in the way of efficient cooking space or time.

 

It was a gift so no regrets on that front.
As long as you are willing to mitigate the wind there isn't anything for me to say it would be a bad purchase.

 

How does the griddle handle storage? Rust?

 

I have the Blackstone double burner griddle. I couldn’t be happier with it. Haven’t had any issues with wind yet, although I’m typically cooking in a somewhat protected area. The one downside is storage. It’s a little awkward with the way the griddle is shaped, however, I’ve seemed to make it work.

No issues with rust. You just need to make sure you season it properly and always store it with a little oil on the surface. The more you use it, the better the seasoning on the griddle surface gets.

 

For those searching for mountain hardwear sleeping bags, I suggest waiting until blackfriday.

They usually have 20%-25% off sales and you can easily get 20% off Columbia gift cards which can all be stacked for nearly 40% - 45% off.

Maybe more if you use ebates or another cashback portal.

I picked up my ghost whisperer last year on a deal like this.

 

Bought a 50 dollar Shrade hatchet from REI, splits wood like a champ.

Then i bought a full size axe at a hardware store, splits wood like a chaaaaammp

Cant go back to a hatchet after that

 

I have a Camp Chef Pro 30 single burner and a Camp Chef SG30 Griddle. It’s definitely not the smallest or lightest, but I still find a way to pack it and it can make anything. I’ve tried smaller stoves like the Coleman dual burners and things of that sort and you don’t get the same temperature range out of that as you do this. The griddle also has a storage bag that I use for easy transport and so I don’t have to worry about getting dirty or greasy every time I transport it.

 

About the griddle, pots and pans question.
A post a bit back said they get 4 to 5 uses on a 1 lb propane tank. People complain about the cost of Coleman fuel. How much is the propane going to cost?

An old Coleman 413 series stove with a cast iron griddle should do the job.
I hope that I did not miss the point. I am on my phone, so being brief.

An FYI ....
Magma makes awesome nesting pots and pan sets for marine use.
https://www.magmaproducts.com/marine-nesting-cookware

 

I’ve got a cast iron griddle top I can use on a campfire or on a prop stove. Both work great with that griddle top. Plus since it’s cast iron it’s pretty easy to heat, scrape, oil, then put away.

as far as compact stoves, I use my pocket rocket for everything.. takes some getting used to when cooking with a larger pot but Still doable

 

Those pots/pans are legit as hell.