Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

I never thought of it that way and honestly, I may take a similar approach moving forward: Keep the GPS on for tracking and such, but only look at it if needed and instead just use the map as my default nav option.

 

I found the gps excellent at where I am.
The map excellent for where to go and how to get there.
Using both gave me easy navigation.

 

Agreed! I like Avenza for near the truck. One can upload a geo referenced PDF and follow along with the phone and use the paper copy to help get ya to a feature you want to get to. GPS and paper further out. I frequently need to find camp in the dark or return to a deer/elk in the morning. ESRIs Field Maps is the best way to navigate but the license is steep if you’re not writing it off as a business expense.

 

I did an off-trail trip in death valley years ago. Just a map and compass. Near Furnace Creek, about 7 mile drive away.
I did not get to the spring, so I camped and returned, a day early, the next day.
I had water for 2 days, but not for 3 days.

The ranger asked (assuming) if I got lost.
I said that I was not lost. But I could not find a drainage that I could get up to the spring.
Navigation is 2 things.
Knowing where you are.
Being able to get where you want to be, safely.

 

I’ll need to eat my words about those stupid InReach things.

I went on a solo trip the other week. Friends, family, everyone threw a hissy fit (hello, solo backpacked for months through Asia in the aughts with no phone?! Climbed and hiked all sorts of stuff all over the country solo? No?) My favorite jacket fell out of my pack. It had a friend-forced InReach zipped in it.

Three texts, two hikers, and a bear (?) going nom-nom on the elbow later, it has been returned to me. I guess InReaches CAN save something. Glad I don’t have to buy my buddy a new one. Glad to have my jacket back.

Tenacious Tape—sponsor me.

 

Nice local CL find for $200. Kodiak Canvas 10' x 10' Deluxe. It's the older model with the nylon webbing loops vs D Rings for the stakes. But otherwise it's in like new condition.

Quick initial setup in my yard. No musty smells at all.

 

Nice

 

How easy/hard is it to setup? Can you do that by yourself or do you need 2 people.
I looked at canvas tents but figured they'd be too much of a hassle to setup due to the weight?

 

After a quick glance at the instructions, I set it up in 15 minutes by myself. Was my first time ever setting one up.

 

That’s a great find for cheap

 

We went with this REI , instead of a Kodiak . It has a removable partition, one side sleeping, one side bathroom, old people

 

Looks like the Kingdom 4?

 

Freedom 6, wet hairy dog. We got some heavy duty canvas tarps for the floor, dog claws. Hopefully leaving tomorrow AM for a week

 

I also have the LL Bean King Pine Dome 4. Has 1 full room and a front screen room.

 

Nice!

 

Nice

 

Being over 50, my backpack/camping days are mostly behind me. It's now 95% truck camping. I wanna stand up in a tent and sleep on a comfortable cot, have a chair and little table.

 

I'm 58 - just got back into camping via the local Toyota club.... First trip in many, many years was in a borrowed tent on an air mattress.. Upgraded to a 2P Big Agnes, haven't tried it yet. Since my wife won't camp, I won't be out much, so I did not want to get a larger tent... might come back to that. Still debating cot vs mattress/pad.
Also got a cheap(ish) Walmart canope to cover the area between the truck bed and the tent... will try all this out on my next short trip in 2 weeks
Honestly, trying to figure out what works and not is half the fun. Well, maybe 1/4th...

 

My Springbar Outfitter is easy. My wife could not set it up alone, I can.
Some physical limitations might prevent that.

Us, too.
The Springbar Outfitter...
Stand up
Cots
Tables

Truck is getting a higher cap. A custom platform is almost done.

Best of both worlds.