Camping and stuff

[JeratBP]

I'm not sure this is the right place for this, but figured it would be cool to share and get some ideas for camping. My son joined Scouts, so know I feel obligated to learn what I can so we can get out and camp.

COOKING:
There's a ton of Youtube videos out there, and I'm sure most people carry stoves in their vehicles. We haven't picked one yet.

Any suggestions?

FIRE:
Last night we decided to test some options - dryer lint vs cotton ball and vaseline. Not sure if others have tried this, but the cotton ball and vaseline lights and stays lit much better than dryer lint.

Feather sticks also help to get the fire started, and you can check out Youtube videos by Joe Robinet or Survival Lilly and others on these topics.

TENT:
I don't see myself spending $1600+ on a roof top tent plus the rack to hold the weight..... unless someone wants to hook me up.
We went with a Coleman tent, two Outdoor Vitals sleeping bags and sleeping pads. I chose Outdoor Vitals based on the price point ($50 each) figuring we were getting better bags than we could get at Bass Pro or Dicks Sporting Goods.

I also recently purchased a hammock from an Algonquin Outfitters store while in Canada, and ordered some MalloMe tree straps off Amazon. So I'm looking forward to testing that out and consider hammock camping.

STORAGE:
Plastic Bins

BUG OUT BAGS AND CONTENTS:
This is where I need help. I have an idea of what should be in my bag, but haven't found a decent bag to keep in my car. I don't want a military (camo) bag but I do really like the molle style pouches. For me, I'm also budget conscious. At this point, I'll see if I can use an old Swiss laptop backpack.

List of contents:
Knife and multi tool
Flash light and headlamps
Fire starting kit - includes matches and lighter
Medical kit
Water and water purification - Sawyer products sound good
Energy bars
Compass
Whistle
Tarp - heavy duty tarp from Home Depot
Trash bag - large, has several uses
Parachord - I got some 550 mil-spec
Bug spray - Repel Lemon Eucalyptus works and Sawyer Permethrin Clothes spray
Hygiene kit - Coleman Biowipes included

Folding saw
Axe - maybe Fiskars X7 or X15, good price
Coleman camp stove

KNOTS:
Learn some knots and the various uses. Youtube - Survival Lilly and Joe Robinet show good uses for various knots and there are a bunch of people showing how to's.
Bowline
Truckers Hitch
Prusik
Double Fisherman

What else?

 

[BrianSD_42]

This thread should probably be in the off topic or general section.

With camping I always find myself buying more gear. The most important thing is to have a good time out in nature and remember NO phones or devices at the campsite. I keep em put away except for navigation on the trail.

Fire ... Not sure how old your kid is but I'd suggest The small twigs/sticks in a teepee or log cabin plus some paper to start the fire. Take either a paper grocery bag and tear into small pieces then twist each and use for fire. Paper towels can work to, always twist tight.

 

[FrenchToasty]

An Eagle here, I am all about Dutch ovens, no not the trick I play on the old lady. They are great for camp cooking, one pot, set it and forget it. Soooo many options for breakfast, lunch/dinner and dessert. Don't get me wrong, a lil 2 burner Coleman should be brought too but Dutch ovens are super versitile.

I know this isn't super boy scouty, but, Road flares!
Twigs and bits and lint are great, but when it's cold or wet or windy you want a fire now!

Hope you and your son can learn a lot and enjoy yourselves, it's a great program

 

[BrianSD_42]

Road flares... Wtf man. Lol. That is not a good thing to teach kids and could cause a Forest fire because you can't easily put them out. Also they emit pretty terrible chemicals to breathe. The adults in my day would use a small amount of white gas if absolutely needed.

Also an Eagle scout but I don't believe it means as much as it used to. The idiots who pushed over that rock in Utah were scout leaders.

 

[RAD4Runner]

Admins, please move to off-topic.

Meanwhile...

FIRE:...

That's what you could start by letting kids use road flares
IF you expect good weather, AND most especially if you are going to grille over that fire, instead of using nasty chemicals or lighter fluid, save bacon grease before you go camping. At camp, save paper/cardboard trash, soak with bacon grease to start a good-tasting fire.
If expecting bad weather when everything is wet, consider the inexpensive magnesium fire starters. Water cannot effectively extinguish magnesium fire.

TENT:
I don't see myself spending $1600+ on a roof top tent ...

The wind does not care about the logo on tent; How you set up and guy-out your tent is more important, so Coleman is a good choice. HOWEVER, does it have a rain fly that goes all the way down to the ground? If not, you will get wet if it rains hard. Not bad if you're truck camping when you can simply retreat inside the truck.

RTT is "cool to have", but even if I had extra money I would spend it on more essential off-roading/reliability projects, not on a RTT for a few reasons:
1) My $1500 will sit unused at the parking lot a 10-minute walk from this camp...

2) $700 can get me a tent that I can take to, and handle even a storm, here...

3) Friend says it robs 2MPG in gas mileage...

4) Oh wait!... WHAT IF I'VE ALREADY SET UP CAMP AND REALIZE I'M OUT OF BEER?

BUG OUT BAGS AND CONTENTS
This is where I need help. I have an idea of what should be in my bag, ...haven't found a decent bag to keep in my car...
...(camo) ... molle style pouches...
...I'm also budget conscious.

By bug-out, I think you mean something you will always have in truck no matter what the even is, correct?
Consider adding a small stove and magnesium fire starter to your list. I already have an excellent backpacking stove but would like to have a Jetboil always in the truck.

For organization, I use plastic bins like the black ones you can get at Home Depot/Costco. They double as tables/chairs in camp and are water-proof so I put them on roof rack when it's time to sleep in the truck, and to keep rodents away.
I use one for each purpose so I can customize and bring / leave depending on what trip:
1) Plastic bin - Kayaking and other water activities.
2) Plastic bin - Fishing to keep wet, smelly stuff off my kayaking stuff.
3) Plastic bin -Cooking equipment. I'm considering a separate empty bin for messy stuff so if I'm in a rush, I can simply throw messy cookware with some soapy water in it, drive on rough roads, rinse - LOL!
4) Duffle bag - Camping Equipment like tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pads
5) Smaller backpack - Clothes

MOLLE is cool but may get expensive, and would it contain all you need so you simply grab one bag and go?

KNOTS:... still learning

Good but learn them before your next camping trip. It's funny to watch buddies who could not setup their guy lines when it gets windy.

 

[JeratBP]

[MENTION=80771]RAD4Runner[/MENTION] - Excellent points, thanks.

I like your idea of bacon grease. I'll have to try it.

I do have a couple of clear plastic bins, but thinking I should go get the ones you described.

What roof rack do you have? I've got the stock rack and a Yakima basket (roughly 37" x 39"). I like the Plano cases Mike from Overland Bound uses, and I think he has a Gobi rack.

What small stove do you like? I found the Etekcity for $9, and a small propane tank could nest inside my Stanley Cook Set.


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[RAD4Runner]

[MENTION=80771]RAD4Runner[/MENTION] -
I do have a couple of clear plastic bins, but thinking I should go get the ones you described.

What roof rack do you have? I've got the stock rack and a Yakima basket (roughly 37" x 39"). I like the Plano cases Mike from Overland Bound uses, and I think he has a Gobi rack.

What small stove do you like? I found the Etekcity for $9, and a small propane tank could nest inside my Stanley Cook Set.

Yes (https://youtu.be/K8nDOIttSjM) Rather than weigh down the truck with everything, just get them ready to load like Overland Bound does.

I just installed raised-rails from a Chevy Blazer on my first-gen. No load basket; just a plastic bakery crate for putting stuff on to dry as I drive : Works for what do.

Oh yeah, that pocket-rocket style stove and nesting cook-set are a good value. I already have a hard-core MSR Dragonfly stove (simmers - yeah!) for backcountry trips that I use for truck camping, but would like to get the less-fuzz Jet-boil I can leave in the truck. Nice to have a stove always handy for hot food/drinks when starting our early or ending a trip late, especially when cold.

Ideally, I'd like a full-length but low-profile roof-rack but that's low on my to-do list. Like I mention, I focus on reliability and I like to spend ore time going places than working on upgrades. Just little things here and there that need to be done on a 30-YO vehicle; but she's a project I am confident of driving across the country

 

[n2advnture]

...

COOKING:
There's a ton of Youtube videos out there, and I'm sure most people carry stoves in their vehicles. We haven't picked one yet.

Any suggestions?

FIRE:
Last night we decided to test some options - dryer lint vs cotton ball and vaseline. Not sure if others have tried this, but the cotton ball and vaseline lights and stays lit much better than dryer lint.

Feather sticks also help to get the fire started, and you can check out Youtube videos by Joe Robinet or Survival Lilly and others on these topics.
...

This
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005OU9D/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This
Fatwood Firestarter 35 lb. | Kindling & Fire Starters | Plow & Hearth

This
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014CA3JQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Or this
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001IX7OW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001...words=bk+9&dpPl=1&dpID=31OQhzSjCBL&ref=plSrch

This
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001...ven+f1+pro&dpPl=1&dpID=41BlkNY8VfL&ref=plSrch

And an axe and/or hatchet

Paracord
Tarps (plural)
Lantern
Headlamp

 

[Sleeter]

Cooking: Patner stove and GSI bugaboo kit

Fire: Fatwood

Tent: hammock with bug-net and tarp are awesome, cheap, and comfortable.

Bug-out-bag: keep a plastic tote ready to go with camping supplies for 3 days. This should cover you for most "bug out" situations.

 

[BlackCloud]

Road flares... Wtf man. Lol. That is not a good thing to teach kids and could cause a Forest fire because you can't easily put them out. Also they emit pretty terrible chemicals to breathe. The adults in my day would use a small amount of white gas if absolutely needed.

Also an Eagle scout but I don't believe it means as much as it used to. The idiots who pushed over that rock in Utah were scout leaders.

Yeah, they were scout leaders, not Eagle Scouts. That's all the difference in the world.

 

[MissouriBreaks]

You are going to laugh at this, but for starting a campfire, use Potato Chips/Doritos/etc. The oil in the chips will start the kindling and keep it burning. My next door neighbor showed me that trick and I was surprised how easy it started the fire and kept it going.

As for sleeping in a tent, I have a coleman cot with foam mattress. My back cannot take the hard ground anymore. However, the cots take up space in the car, so your foam sleeping pad may be a better alternative.

 

[Drunner97]

Sleeping bags: I have a 30 degree bag that works well with layers down to about 40. After that I have a microfiber liner that I insert which brings it down to a 0 degree and keeps me nice and toasty.

Tent: Ozark 6 man pop up tent. Takes me longer to put it back in the bag than it does to take up and tear down. For 100 bucks it's replaceable and after almost a years worth of running it I do have some holes in the bottom from my cot feet.

Comfort: Cots as mentioned above (hence the 6 man tent as well for space). It's my son and I and personally I'm not a big fan of sleeping on the ground. Air mattresses are noisy to fill up and usually lose air over night. Pads work well, but you can roll off or lose air in those as well. The cots are perfect. The only downfall is you do get air coming up through the bottom and if the 30 degree bag + liner aren't enough I do keep a sleeping pad to use as a buffer.


Cooking: I use everything from a 2 burner white gas coleman stove from the 80s, to a propane bbq, to the campfire. Last time I camped recently we literally cooked everything over the fire. My bbq is falling apart so I'll be in the market for a smaller more compact version soon, but I like to have it for lunch breaks on the trail.

Fire: Since I usually have 1 lb propane tanks for the bbq, I carry a torch attachment. Rain, sun, snow, wind. Doesn't matter. I can get a fire started in just about anything. And while I realize that's not the point of being in scouts, One trick I learned was to strip down the Christmas tree branches while it's still green. Bundle needles/branches tightly together with fishing line. Then let it dry out in the sun for a month or two. The amount of sap in the branches combined with the dry needles make for a quick and easy fire starter in all conditions.

I keep all of my camping gear in two tubs. One contains the sleeping bags/liners/pad. The other one carries all my cooking gear, knives, skillet, stove, etc. along with whatever other misc trash bags, soap, utensils, propane and whatnot.

 

[mgreen6616]

Yeah, they were scout leaders, not Eagle Scouts. That's all the difference in the world.

Exactly! And it is wrong to diminish the value of an achievement for an entire group of people for the foolish actions of a few. $.02 from a fellow Eagle.

 

[Bodie the Dog]

The adults in my day would use a small amount of white gas if absolutely needed.

Small amount of white gas mixed with oil. But I take pride in being able to start a fire in any weather conditions. Living in the redwoods will teach you that skill.

 

[JeratBP]

On a recent camping trip to Pocahontas State Park outside Richmond, VA my son and I found the pine needles were a great way to keep a fire going. We collected twigs and pine needles in a collapsible bucket (part of car wash kit I repurposed) and bought some firewood from the campground. We found the firewood was a bit wet and didn't want to burn well.

We updated our gear:
Estwing 26" Camp Axe
Estwing 26 in. Camper's Nylon-Vinyl Grip Handle Axe-E45A - The Home Depot

D-Rings for attic storage (9 Moon storage net rings didn't last)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DEFD3N8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Coleman Classic Stove
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005OU9D/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Stansport Family Cookset
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HK50IU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Oldmanb777]

Less is more..............try thinking like this. "If it won't fit in my backpack, it doesn't need to go"! Start there. The more stuff you take, the more stuff you have to deal with, and the less time and energy you will have left over to enjoy the ADVenture. For most in North America, you are seldom very far from services. So taking lots of food, and excess cooking gear isn't needed. Don't spend you time dealing with "stuff" when you could be spending your time exploring, or enjoying the area. Then after a few trips, you can decide what might be nice to have "around the camp fire".

 

[RAD4Runner]

Less is more...

Yes. The more you know, the less you need.
When I first started backpacking/mountaineering, I wanted all my gear to be the most lightweight, the most waterproof, the most breathable, boots with the most support... the most whatever.
Fast-forward years later, I run barefoot, wear trail runners instead of heavy boots. When I climbed Mount Rainer this year, I had to mend my ripped hiking pants the night before, my rain pants and gaiters had rips, zippers on my backpack were broken, I duct-taped crumbling soles of my double boots... In other words, things were far from perfect but I had a great time on a successful and safe climb.

... We found the firewood was a bit wet and didn't want to burn well...
Coleman Classic Stove

...
If expecting bad weather when everything is wet, consider the inexpensive magnesium fire starters. Water cannot effectively extinguish magnesium fire.

That Coleman stove is indeed a classic.

 

[tx_shooter]

Less can be more; but why make it difficult to have a good time? Everyone has different comfort levels. My wife and I have been camping together for 6 years and have found a comfortable level of equipment. We really love our RTT (purchased last year) for comfort, packing, and ease of travel. The Dometic fridge we bought early this year has really changed food prep and packing. Now I take orange juice on the trips to have with breakfast because we have the room.

I did the whole "live out of a bag" thing in the Infantry when I was in the Marine Corps. Now that I have an option to be comfortable when camping I want to be comfortable.

 

[slippers]

Cooking outdoors is a pleasure with this little stove, uses LP, has built-in windscreens. When I bought mine 3 months ago, was only $69 on Amazon Prime, bought a small 4 lb. bottle, makes breakfast, boiling water, etc., a breeze. Excellent quality, cast frame, aluminum screens, quality kit, small, not for a backpack, think car camping...

No, it's not a grill/smoker, it's a super convenient camp stove, no pumping, no expensive butane bottles that are always empty…

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camp-Che...10000002214&wl14=Ranger II camp stove&veh=sem

I hate sleeping in the dirt/mud, sets up in seconds, breaks down just as fast. Again, for car camping.

https://kamprite.com/shop/tents/tri-fold-series/kamp-rite-oversize-tent-cot/

 

[Wrighter]

Yes. The more you know, the less you need.
When I first started backpacking/mountaineering, I wanted all my gear to be the most lightweight, the most waterproof, the most breathable, boots with the most support... the most whatever.
Fast-forward years later, I run barefoot, wear trail runners instead of heavy boots. When I climbed Mount Rainer this year, I had to mend my ripped hiking pants the night before, my rain pants and gaiters had rips, zippers on my backpack were broken, I duct-taped crumbling soles of my double boots... In other words, things were far from perfect but I had a great time on a successful and safe climb.







That Coleman stove is indeed a classic.

On my first overnight backpacking trip I took two changes of clothes. One to sleep in and one for the next day. It's the outdoors equivalent of taking your first baby to the ER because he's got a 103-degree fever. The experts just roll their eyes at you.

I do still take clean underwear for every day though. Gotta have some standards.

I'd recommend a hammock over sleeping pad if it's dry.