Surly official camping and backpacking thread

[utee94 15746]

On 3/26/2018 at 9:29 AM, mackavelli said:

I need some travel trailer talk.  been looking at little ultra-lite travel trailers that my 4runner could pull.  ~ 3500 lb trailer.  

I'm cool with blending the RV talk here on the camping thread, if others are? 

I love the little Casitas and Scamps, those are great trailers.  The new Aistream Nest is in that same family of small fiberglass trailers, but if the Casitas and Scamps are a little pricey, the Airstream is bust-the-bank type stuff.  Very cool, though.

[Anton Chigurh 3319]

Are  any of y'all using Hiker Direct?

The prices seem genuinely insane compared to retail & I'm about to pull the trigger on lighter weight sleeping bags (2) & maybe an internal frame backpack for the boy.  The hard part on a backpack for him is he's 11 years old, 5 ft. tall (just measured his height @ the 'robbery strip' @ Whataburger tonight) & I'd like to get one that is going to handle age changes as much as possible.
 

 

Features

• 380T 20D nylon fabric
• TechLoft Micro insulation
• Two-layer offset construction
• Full length #8 separating zippers
• Insulated chest, foot and zipper baffles
• Sleeping bag has open ends that feature versatile drawstrings for easy comfort adjustment
• Elastic loops are placed along the zippered edges for use as a hammock sleeping bag or quilt
• Compression stuff sack

Specs

Dimensions: 35" x 82"
Fill weight: 28 oz.
Weight: 2 lbs. 12 oz.

 
Retails for $ 110.00, buying for $ 40.00.

I just buy from wherever is cheapest. I’ve used CampSaver.com a lot in the past. Sometimes it’s REI, sometimes it’s Backcountry, sometimes it’s Amazon.

[UnivTex34 1763]

2 hours ago, utee94 said:

I'm cool with blending the RV talk here on the camping thread, if others are? 

I love the little Casitas and Scamps, those are great trailers.  The new Aistream Nest is in that same family of small fiberglass trailers, but if the Casitas and Scamps are a little pricey, the Airstream is bust-the-bank type stuff.  Very cool, though.

Yeah, a small teardrop style camper may be in my future. But I'm talking super small, like just the bed/sleeping area inside, have the kitchen outside. I want something super light.

[utee94 15746]

6 minutes ago, UnivTex34 said:

Yeah, a small teardrop style camper may be in my future. But I'm talking super small, like just the bed/sleeping area inside, have the kitchen outside. I want something super light.

Those were relegated to DIY kits or renovating vintage units for a long time, but now there are quite a few new options on the market. It's been a lot of fun seeing some of the vintage styles (and sensibilities) return to the industry in recent years. 

 

Edited April 18, 2018 by utee94

[UnivTex34 1763]

yeah, tons of options

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4968]

Would love something small like a Casita, but there are two and a half of us now and possibly more coming. Been kinda on the lookout for a small popup that is light weight. Would love one with a deck on the front. Do an axle flip so we can take it down rougher forest service and BLM roads, toss a generator and a small water tank on the deck and we could go pretty much anywhere.

[ROFL BOX 6647]

Hiker Direct gear arrived yesterday;  haven't had an opportunity to open the box.  Will advise & post pics when I do.

 

Looking @ a tent now, REI has a Big Agnes Chimney Creek Mountain Glo (has LED's integrated inside the rig) for $ 375.  Considering it... Shag 2.0'ers, convince me to buy (or not buy) this tent.

Would be for up to 2 to use, mostly me & the son or my wife & daughter, prob. not the 4 of us @ once due to space internal, etc. (i.e. a 6 person fits 4+ gear, etc).

 

 

 

https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/108450/big-agnes-chimney-creek-4-mtnglo-tent

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

We call it camping.......  Warm Springs, Va. on the Jackson river.

The annual Tribute to Brown Liquor and Red Meat weekend.  No vegetables allowed except onions, peppers, mushrooms, and corn on the cob if there's a low country boil thrown in for fun.

 

 

 

 

Edited April 23, 2018 by Onboard 2.0

[Bone3421 716]

Pic looks great rofl...cant advise you not to ....and havent heard a bad word on big agnes brands

[Bone3421 716]

Nice onboard....dont know what you did to get -12(maybe its calling that camping lol) ... but its - 11 now

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

9 hours ago, Bone3421 said:

Nice onboard....dont know what you did to get -12(maybe its calling that camping lol) ... but its - 11 now

Thanks, Apparently I pissed off at least one poster with a lot of time on his hands.

[ROFL BOX 6647]

Too bad Shag2.0 doesn't have the ability to enter any comments that go along with the specific rep whatever.

[davidg 4032]

ROFL,

Is the tent mainly for scout camping?  If so, consider going ahead and moving to a backpacking style tent.  When out troop first started, most of the dad's were using their big 4-6 person family tents that they had used in cubs/webelos.  We would have a bunch of big tents with 1 person in them.  As we started moving toward more backpacking activities, the tents sizes started dropping, even for trailer based campouts.      Now, most of the tents are 1 or  2 person backpacking tents.   They are easier to pack and put up than the bigger tents and we don't look like the Ringling Bros with all the big top tents.

The REI Half Dome 2+ is big enough for for most site camping and still can be used for backpacking in a pinch.  My goto for most scout campouts is an REI Quarter Dome 2+ and on backpacking trips I go lightweight with a Tarp Tent Protrail.    

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

1 hour ago, davidg said:

ROFL,

Is the tent mainly for scout camping?  If so, consider going ahead and moving to a backpacking style tent.  When out troop first started, most of the dad's were using their big 4-6 person family tents that they had used in cubs/webelos.  We would have a bunch of big tents with 1 person in them.  As we started moving toward more backpacking activities, the tents sizes started dropping, even for trailer based campouts.      Now, most of the tents are 1 or  2 person backpacking tents.   They are easier to pack and put up than the bigger tents and we don't look like the Ringling Bros with all the big top tents.

The REI Half Dome 2+ is big enough for for most site camping and still can be used for backpacking in a pinch.  My goto for most scout campouts is an REI Quarter Dome 2+ and on backpacking trips I go lightweight with a Tarp Tent Protrail.    

Several of the guys in our sons troop went to hammock style tents.  That's what he's been using since his last days in Boy Scouts right up to our camping trip this past weekend (SEE:  Above).

 

Keeps you up off there hard and or wet ground, very comfortable to sleep in, and a rain fly acts to hold in heat as well.  It rolls up into a poncho sized soft pack.  You do need 2 trees of course, but they're usually all over the forest.....

[Bone3421 716]

I want a hammock tent .... Will have to wait a bit though as i read they arent practical for my summer trip due to being above tree line for stretches (colorado trail)

[davidg 4032]

I have a hammock and a good sill-nylon tarp but  I mainly use it in  warmer weather.  In winter, I prefer to be on a pad on the ground .  Some of the state parks are not allowing tying off to trees so that can also become an issue. 

[ROFL BOX 6647]

6 minutes ago, davidg said:

I have a hammock and a good sill-nylon tarp but  I mainly use it in  warmer weather.  In winter, I prefer to be on a pad on the ground .  Some of the state parks are not allowing tying off to trees so that can also become an issue. 

Yeah, it would be OK if *everyone* did the right thing & wasn't girdling tree trunks, but then it only takes one fly to spoil the whole pot of soup.

 

As to the tent, this would be a car camping type item & I also have plans for a pair of lightweight tents once he gets into the backpacking.  I'm going to take a few looks @ CraigsList & see what I can find as far away as San Antonio & maybe on up to Temple, over to Marble Falls or Fredricksburg, etc.

[ROFL BOX 6647]

Oh, & I've heard from more than a few people that said hammock camping absolutely crushed their backs in the AM.

[Biff Tannen 45512]

2 hours ago, Bone3421 said:

I want a hammock tent .... Will have to wait a bit though as i read they arent practical for my summer trip due to being above tree line for stretches (colorado trail)

How far are you going?

[Bone3421 716]

Denver to durango...

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

2 hours ago, ROFL BOX said:

Oh, & I've heard from more than a few people that said hammock camping absolutely crushed their backs in the AM.

If you have a good pad to keep cold away the hammock is great. My back gets jacked being on the ground .

[Anton Chigurh 3319]

Ideally you wouldn’t even use a pad, but an underquilt. Hammock sleeping is supposed to be fantastic, but I haven’t personally tried it.

[wd40 1976]

2 hours ago, ROFL BOX said:

Oh, & I've heard from more than a few people that said hammock camping absolutely crushed their backs in the AM.

only problem I've had as far as that goes is sleeping so deep and still in the same position for so long (i'm a side sleeper) is I'll wake up with a numb hand or shoulder.

in most Texas weather, I skip the under quilt and just use an extra-wide 3/8" foam pad I bought from Gossemer Gear.  CO is a different deal.  definitely needed the UQ in April.  but if  you're above treeline most of the time I've heard good things about the Neoair.

[Axle Hongsnort 208]

Went to Zion a few weeks ago, spectacular. The final half mile of Angels Landing was closed for repairs.

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4968]

My Neoair is good and works well, but there are plenty of other pads that style on the market these days. Just look for something thick and light with a good R value. Some get better reviews for comfort than others based on the shapes of baffles and stuff.

[davidg 4032]

I've got Neoair Trekker for backpacking comfort and use either my old Big Agnes Insulated AirCore or  a Thermarest Luxury Map XL  plus a blue eggcrate pad for car camping.  When I bought the Neoair, it was the lightest on the market except for a couple of the exo-frame pads that require you to sleep on your back.  

[Bone3421 716]

Sucks you couldnt do all of it axle...but now you can go back 

[Bone3421 716]

I have a rei brand pad but to big for colorado trail so buying lightweight one when i go get my pack...trying to go light as possible so looking at 50L 

Have been contemplating my 40L marmot but pretty sure i need a bit more

[Anton Chigurh 3319]

I have a rei brand pad but to big for colorado trail so buying lightweight one when i go get my pack...trying to go light as possible so looking at 50L 
Have been contemplating my 40L marmot but pretty sure i need a bit more

How light is all of your gear?

[Bone3421 716]

Not light at moment...most of it is just standard camping gear

Pad is about 2lbs so getting that down for sure...rest is kinda in the air at moment

Have a one man tent but also thinking of just a pad and bivy ...i have until july 10th to decide 

Have all my clothes and headlights jetboil...just need to decide on sleeping plans

 

[Biff Tannen 45512]

2 minutes ago, Bone3421 said:

Not light at moment...most of it is just standard camping gear

Pad is about 2lbs so getting that down for sure...rest is kinda in the air at moment

Have a one man tent but also thinking of just a pad and bivy ...i have until july 10th to decide 

Have all my clothes and headlights jetboil...just need to decide on sleeping plans

 

I've got an Exos 58 and Neoair Xlite that I absolutely love.  If your tent is just a 1 person or bivy, you could probably look at the Exos 48 instead.  Pretty light for a pack (not Gossamer Gear light, but good) and great support.

[Anton Chigurh 3319]

I've got an Exos 58 and Neoair Xlite that I absolutely love.  If your tent is just a 1 person or bivy, you could probably look at the Exos 48 instead.  Pretty light for a pack (not Gossamer Gear light, but good) and great support.

I also have an Exos 58. I use it without the brain and it’s 38oz. I like it. It’s comfy and has plenty of space.

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4968]

Your pack will contribute to a lot of weight for longer trails as well. So make sure you pay attention to that when looking. If you want extremely light weight go with Z Packs.

[Anton Chigurh 3319]

At the same time, you have to make sure your other gear is light enough to use in a SL or UL pack. They can usually hold up to 30-35 lbs comfortably. In the desert where water is an issue you may bump up against that having to carry it all unless you’re pretty light already.

[Bone3421 716]

Yeah with adding my estimate 5/6 days of food and 4 liters of water at max...i believe im at around 45lbs 

Need to pack it up after i get new pack and see the weight 

[TwiceHorn 31314]

I have a hennesey hammock.  It's great.  A pad does work in moderately cool temps, say around 40, but much lower than that, and you need the other cold-weather solutions like the underquilt.  In warm weather, it's fantastic.  It also uses straps rather than rope or cord to tie to trees, so it minimizes the impact.

 

The key to avoiding busting your back is to choose trees that are far enough apart.  If the hammock is hanging in a U, you are going to be in for it.  If you can get it to a reasonable catenary curve, it sleeps great.

[davidg 4032]

53 minutes ago, TwiceHorn said:

I have a hennesey hammock.  It's great.  A pad does work in moderately cool temps, say around 40, but much lower than that, and you need the other cold-weather solutions like the underquilt.  In warm weather, it's fantastic.  It also uses straps rather than rope or cord to tie to trees, so it minimizes the impact.

 

The key to avoiding busting your back is to choose trees that are far enough apart.  If the hammock is hanging in a U, you are going to be in for it.  If you can get it to a reasonable catenary curve, it sleeps great.

The key is lying cattycorner in the hammock where your head is on side of the center line and feet on the other. Use a ridgeline system to ensure the hammock can be set to the right amount of slack regardless of the tree separation distance.  With my hammock set up correctly, I can lie almost flat.

[thrillhammer 683]

1 hour ago, Bone3421 said:

Yeah with adding my estimate 5/6 days of food and 4 liters of water at max...i believe im at around 45lbs 

Need to pack it up after i get new pack and see the weight 

you're hiking from denver to durango with 4 liters of water?

[wd40 1976]

1 hour ago, davidg said:

The key is lying cattycorner in the hammock where your head is on side of the center line and feet on the other. Use a ridgeline system to ensure the hammock can be set to the right amount of slack regardless of the tree separation distance.  With my hammock set up correctly, I can lie almost flat.

this.  my Warbonnet Blackbird actually is sewn with bulge in the side at one end for my feet.

[Bone3421 716]

4 liters max carry....can resupply water during trail with filters and/or boiling in jetboil

Edited April 24, 2018 by Bone3421

[Biff Tannen 45512]

4 hours ago, thrillhammer said:

you're hiking from denver to durango with 4 liters of water?

I laughed

[ROFL BOX 6647]

Bone, we're all going on the assumption this isn't a solo trip?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

[Shenanigans 31]

4 hours ago, davidg said:

The key is lying cattycorner in the hammock where your head is on side of the center line and feet on the other. Use a ridgeline system to ensure the hammock can be set to the right amount of slack regardless of the tree separation distance.  With my hammock set up correctly, I can lie almost flat.

100% this. I learned some rope splicing to make fixed loops and whoopie slings. With an adjustable length piece of dynaglide or high strength cord you can do wonders. The ridgeline makes your sag angle consistent regardless of distance from the trees and will significantly help with sleep comfort.

There is also a hammock sleeping pad that has wings kind of like a feminine pad that looks interesting, kind of unnecessary but it is cool that people are making more hammock gear.

In terms of using a hammock on a backpacking trip it seemed to me like getting the tarp or bug net addons make the hammock setup a similar weight to a nice backpacking tent, so you lose some benefits but on a short trip then those may not be necessary.

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4968]

I have a Mountainsmith Mountain Shelter LT that seems like a pretty decent trap shelter, although the new kid has interfered with my ability to check it out in the field. It's under two pounds and available on REI for about ninety bucks right now. You use your trekking poles as tent poles. It won't keep bugs out though, so it might not work in the summer in Colorado. Definiteky wouldn't work here for any kind of warm weather camping. But it closes up all the way around to keep out any stormy weather. Get a sheet of tyvek to use as a ground sheet and it would be a great option in bug free weather.

Edited April 25, 2018 by NotActuallyALonghorn

[It Takes Eleven 7]

On 4/24/2018 at 1:22 AM, Axle Hongsnort said:

Went to Zion a few weeks ago, spectacular. The final half mile of Angels Landing was closed for repairs.
 

 

 

 

I would've never found out that last half mile was closed.  That's unbelievable.

 

[Bone3421 716]

19 hours ago, ROFL BOX said:

Bone, we're all going on the assumption this isn't a solo trip?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
 

You know anybody else that wants to walk for 5weeks? 

Solo mainly but have a companion doing first 5 days...then have a buddy that will meet me in a town at some point(lives in boulder)

[Bone3421 716]

Ran by rei today and didnt love any of the packs...most options were osprey's,deuters and gregory at the 60L+ range....didnt see any exos but liked the kestrel(osprey also) 

Little more research and guess i will decide in a week or two

Today just bought a compression sack and a compass

[ROFL BOX 6647]

What size BP are you looking for?  The pack I just got for Monster is a 34L & it appears to be a good choice for a starter as the shoulder straps can be relocated wider & the external frame setup can expand as well.

 

http://www.alpsmountaineering.com/images/p/Red-Rock-2018.jpg

 

https://images.prod.meredith.com/product/9f4ba6ea290c73a9226b6f0d49308a27/1516592194114/l/alps-mountaineering-red-rock-34l-backpack

 

https://ssli.ebayimg.com/images/g/gAIAAOSwv95Z3lVs/s-l1600.jpg

 

[ROFL BOX 6647]

Well, dammit... WTF is going on with the images?  Are we NOW supposed to use the tags?

 

 

 

Edited April 26, 2018 by ROFL BOX

[Chuychanga 133]

I tried a hammock but I'm a stomach sleeper and just couldn't get comfortable on my back or side.  And if it's cold enough for quilting baffles underneath, heavier duty straps, a fly, a bug net, etc... you've exceeded the weight of a bivy or even a small two-man backpacking tent.  My sons love their hammocks but I know I sleep better than they do and carry the same weight.