Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

I try to put nothing on the outside. If it rains, wet. If a branch grabs it, tears/holes or totally removes it. Set pack down, dirt.

 

Had a great time camping this weekend. Tent worked out great. Got there a little late and had the rain fly in the wrong direction, decided to just live with it for the sake of saving time. Only difference was direction of entry in the door.



Set it back up at the house to clean it out and took a few more shots.




Looking forward to going again soon.

 

Nice! Is that the Elixir 3?

 

Yeah, my first MSR tent. Really impressed with it.

 

I agree 100%, and I would never put my sleeping bag outside of my pack anymore. Water, damage, putting the pack off-balance, etc. If it's too big to fit inside the pack, it's too big and heavy to bring. Even inside of my pack, I still have a dry bag around my sleeping bag. It's the last piece of gear you want to get wet or get damaged. Time to upgrade to something that fits in your pack. If it's a small bag, you need to reevaluate the contents of your pack that are filling it up too much.

 

I agree 100%

 

What those guys (and girl) said^!!!

 

Thanks for all the input. I said you folks were pretty hardcore campers...but I meant it in a good way. I'd actually already started thinking that was a bad idea, so I bought a compression sack. The bag actually did fit in my pack, but I was hard-pressed to get other essentials in it. I've decided that I'm going to use a different bed mat. Since the one I had is the kind that self inflates, I'd put it inside the pack to protect it. Now I'm going to use one that doesn't inflate and I won't have to worry about snagging it and causing a leak. I'll strap it on top of my pack and open up a lot of room inside. Should take care of my problems. I'd also decided to leave out a few things I'd tried to pack. I mean, really, who needs clothes...lol.

 

What sleeping bag and pack are you using?

Post a gear list?

 

That's funny. After reading some of the posts about how many different packs some of you have. I'm definitely not in the same class with most of you. The backpack is borrowed and it's from Eddie Bauer. I couldn't tell you what the sleeping bag is. It's just a generic rectangular bag that I've had for 10 years or so. It's pretty light.

 

Pretty light to you and me would be like a metric ton to most of the peeps in here.

 

Truth!

 

I strap a lot of crap on to my backpack that I can't fit in it. Water bottles go in there pockets and strapped on. Filter gets strapped. Generally you can strap hard things that can get rained on.

 

Not so much. My cook kit goes inside. My Snow Peak stove is there and I don't want it getting wet or falling out.

 

My "backpacking" list easily fits in my pack but when I add in fishing or hunting gear I start strapping to the outside. I normally strap my tent, stove, and poles on the outside. Not worried about those getting wet. I also have a simple cover that I can put over it in less than a minute to keep everything dry. Never ripped anything or damaged gear in anyway by doing it. I hate strapping things on the bottom just because it sucks not being able to stand your pack up right when you take it off.

 

Most casual trails would be just fine to carrry a sleeping bag outside of the bag if the weather allows it.

Don't want to throw a figure out but most backpackers aren't super crazy about bushwhacking or new technology and most people stick to well used and groomed trails that aren't backcountry footpaths.

If your pack doesn't make it easy to fit all your stuff, bungee cords on a sleeping bag outside the pack are just fine - but, keep it in a sack or contractor bag to keep the dirt out of it and keep it clean, and make sure it's still there every so often.

 

For backpackers... thoughts on solar? lightweight portable solar panels and a small battery to charge non essential electronics such as phone or camera. worth the weight? my only use would be to charge a phone for the sake of picture taking and possibly gps.

 

I'd probably buy 2 of

FosPower 10050mAh USB C Power Bank, 2.1A Dual USB Output Portable Charger (IP67 Rating Water/Shock/Dust Proof) Rugged Heavy Duty External Battery Phone Charger for Outdoor Camping Emergency

these (or something similar) way before a solar panel. Same weight, but with 20k mah you can fully charge your phone 5+ times depending on battery size.

Solar sucks.

 

Well, I leave tonight for the Grand Canyon. We'll do 3 nights in the canyon. I've packed and re packed and I'm coming out about 4 or 5 lbs heavier than I'd like. I'd hoped for less than 35, but I'm at 36 before I add water bottles. I'm 6'1" and weigh a little over 225. Is that weight (the pack, not mine) reasonable for a guy my size?

Clothing is not the issue...I'm down to the bare minimum, if you'll pardon my pun. You've got to have food, and I've planned my menu pretty carefully, with not much extra. I may cut back on the trail mix and forego the hot chocolate packets but at best I'm only gaining ounces there.

I've got a small zippered bag with my first aid stuff in it. I may lose the bag and put those things in a ziplock bag. I guess most of my problem is that my basic equipment, i.e. pack, tent and sleeping bag are a little heavy. Not much I can do about that now.