Ultimate Camping Thread

Did you take the dog with you?

Today was the day they conducted the snow survey for water content. Normally, they use a tube and weigh the contents of the tube. Today, if they used anything, it was a ruler--something like 25% of normal was the estimate in the Sierra

 

Did you take the dog with you?

Today was the day they conducted the snow survey for water content. Normally, they use a tube and weigh the contents of the tube. Today, if they used anything, it was a ruler--something like 25% of normal was the estimate in the Sierra

 

im jelly lisa...you live in a awesome spot....ill i got is a river. if i want hills i gotta drive 2 or 3 hours, and they only reach about 4500 feet tops. Its cold here tonight...gonna be about 15 degrees... wish i would of ordered my new sleeping bag and tent a little earlier.

 

How does the snow affect the forest fires? I Learned something new today.

 

Well I hope you get some snow then.

 

I thought I saw paw prints? Maybe someone else's dog.

The other problem with low or no snow/rain is that the fire season is extended into the winter. In many areas in CA at least, this means the seasonal firefighters have gone leaving fewer fire crews to deal with any winter fires. We've had a few fires since fire season officially closed.

Also of note, Tioga Pass (through Yosemite National Park) is still open--it normally closes between late October and mid November.

 

i love winter camping, but im not really properly equipped for temps in the teens. i don't like to go out when i dont have the right things but i usually go anyway and just make sure i have plenty of woods for a good sized fire all night long.

 

A friend and I went backpacking a few days ago, attempting to do a 41 mile trail. We had to cut it short though because I got some kind of stomach bug and was throwing up the second night. We did 6 miles the first night, and 16 the next day and into the night, which I learned is way too far if you're not used to backpacking, even if you're in shape. It wouldn't have been near as bad if my pack hadn't have weighed so much. I didn't weigh it but I would guess it was around 45lbs! I'll post pics in a few days, but here are some short reviews.

Marmot Aspen 2 person tent: some would probably say this is a 3 season tent, but it's good all year around in Mississippi. I'm not sure of the temp the first night, but it was below freezing. With two people in there and me being in my "0" degree bag, I was fairly comfortable. It's light enough as far as I'm concerned and packs up small if you put it in a compression bag. The vestibules have plenty of room; each have enough for a pack, boots, and enough left over to lean out and hurl without getting any on your stuff...

High Sierra Sentinal: I can't remember if I've posted on this before, but in case I didn't... It's been a really good pack so far. The hip belt was definitely made for larger folks. I have a 30in waist and the two ends touch. I'm going to try to shorten it in a few weeks though. It could also use some side pockets to keep snacks and what not easily accessable. Might try to make some that the compression straps slide through. The shoulder straps slip a little every now and then.

Water: I've always used iodine tablets, but I was wondering if this could be the cause of my sickness. I've had the same bottle for over a year now. In terms of safety, are filter-pumps or tablets better? The streams are always crystal clear. Also, is it safe for dogs to drink straight from the stream?

I guess that's all for now. I'm hoping to go back and finish the trail before school starts back.

 

Cool trip man! Sucks about the vomiting...

I prefer Iodine as they kill more stuff than the filters. Some of the UV pens are supposed to get near everything, but they don't last as long as the filters.

If the streams are clear (and FLOWING -- this is important), then a filter will be fine. Stay away from areas where water has sat or is pooling, ever if it's clear.

I try not to let my dog drink anything I wouldn't drink, but I haven't taken her backpacking yet. I'm not sure how Iodine will affect her stomach. Generally, as long as the stream is clear and flowing fast, it should be okay for him to drink. Again, avoid pools or stagnant water. Dogs are just as susceptible to Giardia as people are.

 

anyone get any good gear for xmas? to lazy to read back...

Got one of these! http://www.survivalstraps.com/

Awesome.. hopefully i dont have to use it... (actually i want to!!!)

 

I have the Katadyne bottle/filter and love it. Never have gotten sick from it and I have drank out of about 30 different streams with it. I try to pull from a clear stream as much as possible that way the filter doesn't clog or wear out prematurely.

I just have trust issues with the tablets. You don't know if they are really working. Same goes for those light pens. I really don't trust those. With the katadyne, I at least know that it is getting through a filter and carbon and stuff. About the safest possible way to drink water is to boil though.

 

I made a bunch of them. 6 bucks at Bass Pro for 100' of paracord. Super easy to make!

 

6$. Even the Walmart stuff is more than that here! Want to make me. Dog collar? Or do you have a link showing how to weave them?

 

glad to you made it out man.....in terms of filtering i like pumps because you get your water much faster that tablets, but if im suspicious i filter 2xs. if you filter something and it dont quite look right, or it looks funny just filter it again. in terms of dogs, i usually just let them drink what ever. a dogs digestion is way different than a humans. i have seen my dogs drink some nasty nasty stuff and they were just fine. aint no way im filtering water for ym dog, but thats just me

 

got a sleeping bag liner that is supposed to ass 15 degrees to your bag....also picked up a lansky sharpening system and the best mountain house ever!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPO19rXgaIo

That is the one that I was able to follow when I first started. You don't NEED to do the whole clothes hangar thing but it helps when learning. As for the dog collar- I just tie a knot (like seen in the video) and do not know how to do the buckle type fixtures. I think for a dog you would want to do the buckle. Lots of how-to's out there on how to make the different weaves,lengths, and connectors!

 

Yeah all the snow is down in AZ and NM. But the Sierras and Cascades and Central Rockies north are deserts so far. Down where I am, we see a lot of wraparound from the storms in the SW, so we've actually had more snow in town than Breckenridge so far. Never seen that happen. Places like Breck of course are very worried, because the beetle kill is so bad. One really dry winter could set up the perfect firestorm. Not good at all. Pray for late season moisture.

Mmmmmmmmmm... Stroganoff x1000

Will be curious to hear your review. So far, everything I've read gives that liner a big thumbs up.