Long term camping [First timer], Would like tips

[Big Bud Bear]

When: From either September 15 to October 1st, or October 20th to November 3rd

I am leaning towards November, As It will give me more time to prepare, and more money. I've had recent legal financial obligations come up in July.


I will be camping on an island off of the coast of Maine.

I've had some experience before camping, and contain the barbaric characteristics to easily adapt to a technology lacking world. I've never dealt with it this long. A few days hear and there at most.

I need tips, suggestions, I also need to buy camping gear. I have none. I want to be set up for life, and be able to live in the woods at a monuments notice.

So I am willing to go big and expensive on gear. I will be buying a 6-8 person tent. Just because, I buy it once, but it for life.

I also want this gear to be capable of surviving out in Alaska. I plan on going there in late winter/early fall next year.

 

[Guest]

So I am willing to go big and expensive on gear. I will be buying a 6-8 person tent. Just because, I buy it once, but it for life.

In that case, I'd have to assume you're not backpack camping.
An 8 person tent will probably require a 30 year mortgage!!

But seriously, check out the REI website. They have everything & I think you can get expert advice as well. If you join, you can get rebates on your purchases at the end of the year.

If I was going to provide only one piece of camping advice it would be to ensure you can sleep comfortably. I take at least 2 or 3 different sleeping pads when car camping & make sure your sleeping bag is rated for the temps you'll have to deal with at night. If you suffer trying to sleep you will have a miserable time.

Have fun.

Bh

 

[Fidel Castro]

are you going to be backpacking? Its probably going to be pretty cold... maybe too cold for a 8 person tent, unless youve got a few people in it. heres all I can think of:

mummy bag
GPS is always fun
dehydrated fruit! (great for backpacking)
pasta
mini-stove that takes those mini green coleman propane tanks
water purification/filtration
dry warm clothes and socks

GPS is really fun for camping, you can mark your campsite coordinates and wander off into the woods at night and not have to worry about finding your way back. And you can mark any cool places you find... theyre only like $60 for a cheap handheld GPS

 

[The Uncola]

I have never had a tent that big- but I usually do backpacking since much heavier equipment ties you to locations that are easily accessed by road. I have had to replace both tents and sleeping bags since they are used so heavily the sleeping bags loose loft and don't insulate as well and the tent zippers get hopelessly screwed up after a few years. Down sleeping bags are more compressible and have excellent warmth but loose insulating ability when wet. Polar guard bags are cheaper and maintain their insulation better when wet. 2-3 person tents are standard for backpacking.

Freeze dried food can be good but usually is pretty expensive. I have dried my own before hand and this works very well but is time consuming. I have used tennis shoes instead of big heavy hiking boots as they have given me less problems with blisters. I don't care how good the ankle support is if my feet are so raw that walking is miserable. campmor.com is another good site to visit to look at equipment

 

[teddybud]

2 weeks solid on an island on the rivers the most of my long term.. twas wonderful though.. food, something to gather rain water... or just get a filter and some cleansing tabs.. good spot for fire wood, tarp hung in the trees... its a blast... goin out campin for the weeked this week.

 

[JJDubz]

If you plan to do ANY back country camping a 6-8 man tent is a huge mistake...

The thing most people dont think about is WEIGHT...unless you do drive up "camping" (which really ISNT camping) weight is a huge issue...

We used to have a 6 person tent, weighed about 24lbs...was a bitch to carry in my bag...so we decided for real camping when my gf and I just sleep together, all we need is a 3 man tent - (dont get a 1 man, if its only you get 2 man - you and the gf get 3 man) so we got this Eureka! 3 man tent, aluminum poles, this baby weighs 8lbs!

Also, Ide suggest a Lowe Alpine bag, I just got one at the start of this year and even though they are pricey, their new adjustable back system is so comfortable.

Good luck...take pics, and dont let the bears eat you!

 

[ElGato]

a 6-8 person tent by a reputable manufacturer will cost you a fookin bundle bro

you'd be better off buying a smaller freestanding tent...look for mtn hardware , northface , marmot , seirra designs>>>those are all top notch
also make sure you get a "footprint" for your tent...it'll protect the bottom against wear n tear

and when ya look for a tent , make sure it has a nice sized vestibule...to store gear in when it rains or what not..you'll be glad ya did

like bipedal said REI is a good place to look....also you may have luck with 'sierra trading post"...they sell closeouts and 2nd's and i've had great luck with them

get a good pair of lightweight hiking boots and make damn sure they are well broken in before you go and a decent firstaid kit is an absolute must

good luck to ya



El

 

[Hal]

Maine is pretty far north....find out what the minimum temps for that time of year are, and the earliest snowfall, and buy your eqipment to handle those extremes. I bet snowfall is not unusual that time of year in Main.

Hypothermia is nothing to fool around with, it can kill ya.

 

[Big Bud Bear]

Maine is pretty far north....find out what the minimum temps for that time of year are, and the earliest snowfall, and buy your eqipment to handle those extremes. I bet snowfall is not unusual that time of year in Main.

Hypothermia is nothing to fool around with, it can kill ya.

 

[9Lives]

Certainly get a good multifuel stove...MSR or Primus... Or if possible Trangia is a good company for an all year use spirit stove..

You will need a tent that has a large vestibule area...for cooking and gear. Possibly a tunnel tent. Its not such a hassle if you dont move around alot with it. If you really want something special get a Hilleberg tent. Alaska will be no problem..and you can even take it to the Everest if you want to. DO NOT get a 6-8 person tent..you will hate yourself later. These things wheigh a ton..and are no means suited for colder climates. 4 person tents or smaller...i prefer smaller!

For food MountainHouse dried foods...one of the best. If its cold...whatever food you want to carry. But if the weather really kicked your ass there is nothing better than to simply boil some water for food...

Good clothing is essential..


Oh man im so going camping this winter

 

[Lucius]

if you don't already know exactly what you need, then you don't know what you're doing

my advice would be to spend some time in the backwoods with some more experienced outdoorsmen so that you can learn how to handle the problems and even more mundane tasks that are necessary when surviving outdoors; this will also give you an opportunity to see what is needed, what works and what doesn't

 

[NserUame]

Hate to break it to you buddy, but you wont wanna be lugging around an eight person tent in Maine, let alone in Alaska. I've read some books on Alaska, never been there, but I've heard that tents are somewhat frowned upon up there. Bears get pretty curious and then you're trapped in a synthetic enclosure with a pissed off mamma outside. Like I said, just things I read and bears just like drugs are often sold off as being more dangerous than they are...I just don't like Grizzlies...dirty ****ing animals.

Anyways other than that I suggest you start learning how to build fires. There's a couple designs that work exceptionally well in rainy weather and windy days, incredibly useful to have when it's pouring buckets out. Learn how to use flint and steel, takes up less room than matches. Personally I wouldn't bring a stove with me, it'd be nice but again more shit to lug around.

Ditch the hatchet and bring an axe. Hatchets are ****ing useless, I don't care what any young adult book has to say on the subject they're ****ing junk. Goes against my whole not carrying bulky items, but you can strap it to the side of your pack no problem.

More of a skiing or snowboarding tip, but dress in layers. Remember you lose most of the heat from your body off your head and extremities so bring a good hat and gloves as well as warm boots.

Bring whatever you carry in out. I hate seeing ****wads ruining a pristine piece of land with empty beer bottles and chip bags. Pisses me of something terrible.

 

[NOKUY]

Hate to break it to you buddy, but you wont wanna be lugging around an eight person tent in Maine, let alone in Alaska. I've read some books on Alaska, never been there, but I've heard that tents are somewhat frowned upon up there. Bears get pretty curious and then you're trapped in a synthetic enclosure with a pissed off mamma outside. Like I said, just things I read and bears just like drugs are often sold off as being more dangerous than they are...I just don't like Grizzlies...dirty ****ing animals.

"Big bud bear" you came to the right spot bro....u knew that tho

when I cliked on this thread I was prepared to give that same advice that "nseruame" did about tents.

I know some people love them, but bein' from Alaska myself...I gotta tell ya that "NU" is spot on. The Only people in Alaska I know of who use tents are "cannery workers" lured up with big squashed dreams of commercial fishing fortune with no other choice.

I've camped in tents of every shape and size, and when I go camping anymore I just pitch my sleeping bag where ever I think looks nice. (always under the stars)...if its raining or snowin' ill make a quicK "lean-to" (A QUALITY sleeping bag is the key to comfort camping) and a nice Iso-mat (foam pad). my bag came from "Cabelas".

my bag is a mummy bag rated to -40 deg F...and I got the canvas bag protector for when I gotta sleep on rough terrain. (If its a warm night I just unzip the bag and use it like a blanket, or sleep on top of it).

last time I used my bag was last winter, and I slept outside in Breckenridge Colorado in december, under clear skies, (about 15 degrees out, and on a snow drift, next to my buddies car. (He slept in his car and woke up cold and with a stiff neck...lol)

most of my camping wisdom comes from Alaska tho so I apologize if its overboard for what your gonna be doin.

2 weeks camping to me isn't all that long (sure would be nice tho). I've done REALLY long term camping.

-6 months in the back of a truck w/ just a shell (not a camper) (in seward alaska during a serious housing shortage)(with girlfriend and big dog)(long fookin' story)...and both us working more than full time jobs.

-16 months in a campervan in Kasilof Alaska (another long story)


-over a year in a cabin w/ no running water or electric (kodiak alaska) (we had a landline phone, but I don't use the phone..lol) ...we had a generator, but only fired it up when I wanted on the net...lol

-many many many 1 or 2 week hunting trips that usually had me sleepin in a "wall tent" (canvas outfitter tent)...they are nice , and some u can have a small woodstove in.

-I spent a a month or so in a tipi, near Laramie Wyoming (veedawoo) w/ a long ago X girlfriend...who prolly still lives in that tipi.

I could go on and on...

anyway a cpl. lil' bits of advice from my "self-imposed hardships"/"camping" adventures.

WATER WATER WATER (you'll never have enuf FRESH water).... get a couple/few of those great big 5 gallon water coolers that u see on the sides of construction trucks (the gatorade cooler lookin things like the ones they dump on football coaches) w/ the little push button spout at the bottom. fill them with fresh water every time u have a chance. (walmart sells them).

lots of ICE...and buy either "dry ice" or at least "block ice" if dry isnt avail. (don't waste time w/ cubed ice...it melts too fast)

A good cooler or 2 is worth its weight in gold (avoid cheap ones w/ lids that just sit in place....you want a good solid cooler that has a positive/solid locking mechanism) and a drain at the bottom end (unless you like to dig for your food in an "ice bath" (if your a beer drinker the ice bath cooler may be nice tho)

I'm trying to hit on things that may not be "obvious" to some

-BLUE TARPS....you gotta have a few blue tarps....I shoulden't have to tell ya all the uses for them, but #1 is under your sleeping bag, or tent if u do that.

-those handi wipes are nice too...i'd never buy them at home, but you'll def. use them if your camping.

-pringles potato chips (in the can) BBQ flavor (sometimes the only thing I'd eat all day)

-the multi-fuel camp stove mentioned above was a good call...mine is a single burner coleman, and it runs on either "unleaded gasoline" or "coleman fuel"

-fishing and hunting gear as needed

-deck of cards

-bb/pellet gun for plinkin

-slingshot for plinkin

-a really good book or 2 or 3

-a dog or 2

-a camera

-bug dope

-dope

-mx bike or atv or bicycle

-a love of nature

-a nice knife

-a fillet knife

-a chainsaw

-an ax


...I love camping and I know some places that I'll never tell another person about.

getting into the wilderness is VERY good for your soul!

I'd suggest that you leave the TV, radio, CD's (unless its bob marley on headphones) at home. ....you'll come out of the woods w/ a new energy.

...and don't make/keep a schedule.....ya dig? (wake up when u want, go to sleep when u want, eat when you want, listen to the sounds of the night when you want, DO what you want)

I hope you have an awesome campout bro

 

[Guest]

Under the stars bro is the only way. Never camped in extreme cold but been in jungles, a few hills here and there. Used to really get into this kind of camping. This was years ago when me the boys would save all year for the big trip and leave the ladies behind. Had a farging blast, but if you have not roughed it like this before get you some practice first.

The jungle was when I was in the Marines in the Panama jungle and got caught in there after dark ... big fooking mistake lemme tell ya.

Any way have fun but school yourself first Bro.

Mo,

 

[NOKUY]

the BIG mag-lite flashlite

 

[Guest]

Some good hiking footwear. Things can get quite slippery, falling down a hill is no fun.

 

[NOKUY]

...if im not gonna just throw my bag down under the stars, I would rather be in a camper (hardsided not tent trailer). I really really really hate tents.

 

[NOKUY]

Some good hiking footwear. Things can get quite slippery, falling down a hill is no fun.

good call...and at least a cpl pairs (gotta have a dry pair when the other is wet)

also... you may want/need a "warm shower" every cpl. days (and your camping buddies may think u need it too)


most community "rec. centers" will let you just drop in and shower for $1 or so.

thats what we did when we lived w/out that. (then sneak into their swimming pool when no one is lookin...lol)

 

[Big Bud Bear]

Damn. You people are the most helpful people I've come across yet!

I will respond to each of your posts this weekend.

NOKUY, I knew you would come off with a PHD on this type of subject.
Your location really does ring true..

Best regards, I shall return soon with some conversation from my end.

 

[Martha Stewart]

How about getting Amateur radio license?
It's easy, at least the "Technician" lic. is.
You could keep in contact with the mainland if anything bad ever happened, cures boredom, and make some friends as well.
A simple 2 meter Handi, to a small external antenna, You're good, and it's light to pack.

Just some food for thought, as I've done things like this before.
Good Luck!

Martha S.