Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Friday thread bump.


Anybody besides me still use one of these?


http://shop.industrialrev.com/p/original-candle-lantern?pp=12

I've had once since I was in the scouts, and I take it and a few spare candles whenever I go backpacking or winter camping (believe it or not, one of these in a 2-man tent provides enough light to read by and keeps the tent comfortably warm too), and I keep one in the GHB in my truck. I like that it's light and compact, and the fact that it's a candle rather than a liquid is a bonus because I don't have to worry about fuel leaks or punctured containers.

 

I've always wanted to try one whenever I see them online, but I've never pulled the trigger. Generally just use a headlamp outside, and I have an ASP type clip on LED light attached to the center ceiling of my tent, which is perfect and weighs nothing so it stays there even when tent is being stored.

 

Me and my wife picked this up not too long ago before one of our camping trips. I posted some pics in one of the camping threads a while back and someone asked about it. REI took it off their site for a while but it's back now. Works pretty great and cleans up nicely too.



REI link is http://www.rei.com/product/843003/rei-nesting-tableware-set-service-for-4

 

Nice.
The biggest reason we use the candle lantern when we're winter camping is because we don't have to worry about frozen batteries, haha!
I have an LED headlamp (that I keep in an inside coat pocket to keep the batteries warm) for use outside the tent that's kind of neat. It's got the option of blue or red LED's with two different light levels, plus the blue LED has a flash and an SOS function.

 

Haha I forgot you were in Maine. What's the coldest you camp in in?

 

Well I've got two records.
A couple of years ago we were tenting it (find a sheltered clearing, dig down to bare ground, lay out the groundcloth and backfill snow around the tent for extra insulation and windblocking) and it hit -19 overnight.

The last couple of seasons his wife has tagged along, and as a courtesy to her we've been using her family's camp instead. The coldest that we've had there was -24 overnight, but the camp has a woodstove so we were plenty comfortable. The only inconvenience was that everything we had on the floor (water bottles, food, etc) froze overnight.

 

You ever seen the Frozen Butt Hang in Minnesota on YouTube? Hammockers out in -40F!

Fuck that!

 

Yeah, no thanks.

But really, once you get down below -15 or -20, it's just cold. You don't really notice the difference between -20 and -40, you just know that you don't want to go outside, haha!

 

I've used one for decades, what's nice is that these candles are longer lasting than regular candles.

 

yeah, they say they're good for 9 hours, but it seems like they last longer than that, even.

 

Bump

 

Damn it, I got all excited that somebody had posted something new, haha!

 

Sorry

 

It was me and thanks!

 

Picked up a Benchmade mini-barage today!

 

One of the better investments i've made for camping / wheeling trips! all goes into one small pot! http://gsioutdoors.com/products/pdp/bugaboo_camper

 

Might check into this as well! Thanks^

 

As for sleeping bag, I'm still using my North Face down bag I bought in 1973. Had it refurbed about 10 years ago by North Face. For free. It's a backpack bag only. Mummy style.

 

Same can be said for my truck and my guns.