Corrections, cautions, and further recommendations are welcomed. The only thing I do not have which I still need to get, is some kind of bear protection for my camping/motorcycle trip to Wyoming and Montana. Suggestions are welcomed for that as well.
Here's some of my gear all set up and ready for a campout!!
Tent The tent - left over from last year - (and still makes me smile every time I set it up, even in my office!) - is theSierra Designs Sirius 2 Tent Sure, it says 2 man (or 1 man/1woman or well, whom ever, what ever) - but after getting yourself plus your gear inside there - there is no room for another person.
Storage This year, I've added to my tent, an Attic/Loft. It is the Mountain Hardwear Gear Loft There are pockets that you could stuff things in on the top side. I just plan to put a weapon and my flashlight up there - and don't want to go fumbling through pockets for those when/if I need them!
Light Hanging in front of the attic is my Lantern, a Freeplay Indigo Lantern No batteries. The charge lasts a long time and if you do run out, you just wind it up and it will give out more light till you can recharge.
I also have a Headlamp, the Petzl Myo XP LED Headlamp for trips about the campsite in the dark - or for finding my way back if I'm out fishing past dark.
Navigation Aids (besides maps) Hanging on the tent is a GPS given to me by a friend: Garmin etrex Vista and SPOT, my Personal Satellite Messenger which is always on my bike, on my pack, or on me since losing the first one. This one is complete with a phone # and reward statement written on the back now (thanks for that tip, Taosport).
Sleeping Pad -recycled from last year, but still just as good! 1.5 is kind of thin, but okay for me. REI Lite Core 1.5 Self Inflating Pad But Reggie, the cat, will not be traveling with me. He just enjoys camping in my office. I won't be taking a pillow along with me anymore. I found that just stuffing some of my close into a compression bag and then covering it with one of my t-shirts was more comfortable and saved space.
Sleeping Bag I've ordered a synthetic sleeping bag that stuffs into a 10" x 7" stuff sack. I think I could compress it more with a compression bag. It's only rated for +45, but I think thermals and perhaps a fleece liner, or those chemical warmers stuffed in the bag with me would keep me warm enough. No picture because it has not arrived yet.
Water Purifying System This year, I'm taking the Katadyn Hiker Pro Micro Filter. I know there will be places where I will not be able to carry enough water with me when I hike in for fishing, so this will be an easy way to stay hydrated. It got very good reviews and came highly recommended.
Cooking/Food/Drink I'm pretty excited about getting the Jetboil Backcountry Gourmet Cooking System to use for cooking this time. Fried fish! Poached fish! I was lucky enough to pick it up when REI had their big sale last week. This thing is FAST! And it too gets great reviews. I'm very pleased with it so far.
It comes with the stove, the frying pan, utensils, plate, and the 'cup' or pot for boiling water, and the wider base for a more sturdy stove. I was anxious to see how it worked, so I tried it the day I bought it. Fires up fast and furious (I'll do it outside from now on). And I was able to cook a regular meal with just this kit.
That's chicken alfredo with broccoli, and coffee in the thermos. On shorter trips when I do not plan to fish, I'll leave the frying pan at home and take only the personal cooking system. Everything fits into the one Black "cup" -
- everything!!! That's the stove, fuel, and pot all in one piece. Cool! Even without the frying pan, I could poach trout with onions and potatoes in that pot. mmmmmm. But, in case it's a bad day fishing, I thought I'd try some of these Meals Ready to Eat by Mountain House Freeze Dried Pouched Meals. I'll split them into 2 bags each before I go since they serve 2 people. I got them on sale at REI for 4.80. So six meals for $14.40 is a pretty cheap way to go! Although 2 jars of peanut butter is still cheaper and would last longer! I was told these three are pretty good. The Beef Stroganoff, the Chicken & Rice, and the King Ranch Chicken
Because I knew I would want coffee often, and didn't want my cooking pot to taste like coffee, I decided to go with a REI Vacuum Infuser Mug-12oz from REI.
This is cool: Simply drop your tea leaves or fresh coffee grounds inside the cylinder and pour hot water on top; your drink then steeps inside. You steep it for about 4 minutes and then it's ready to drink. The metal screen filters the leaves or grounds as you drink through the bottom half of the two-part lid, or simply pour beverage into another cup. The top lid is a spill proof lid and helps keep the drink warm. It's a regular thermos too, so the drink stays really warm. I need to get the measurement down a little better though. The first try - the coffee was pretty strong!!!
Seating I found this chair, but don't know anything about it. It may or may not go with me. If there is room - it can come. I suppose it might come in handy once in a while. But if it's a hassle to pack, it will stay home. I don't know anything about it, except that it holds me up.
EntertainmentThe last time I went camping, I got pretty bored once it got dark. I tried to stay busy either riding or fishing until dusk, so I would not have so much time with nothing to do. This time, I'm taking this along with me for entertainment. My iPhone or iPod will work with it. It runs on batteries, and the sound is actually very good for as small as it it. I took a picture of it with my iPhone in it so you could get a perspective of how small this speaker system Sonic Impact Portable iPod Speakers
really is.
I was really, really surprised at how good it sounded. I don't like to be far from my music, so this was worth every dollar I spent on it!
I've tested some of the above equipment in real camping situations and can recommend those without hesitation - the speakers, the tent, the sleeping pad, and the headlamp. The others have only been tested in my office or kitchen - so they still need a true field test for an honest recommendation. However, I will say they passed the kitchen and office test easily.
More ideas or recommendations for camping equipment are welcomed. (especially for New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana!!!)
I always try to keep all of my gear safe and use the PacSafe steel mesh to secure anything loose. Here's a photo that shows it around my sleeping bag and tent. (blue and yellow bags) Hard to see the mesh in this photo, but it's there under the black webbing.
