I've been going over my gear, trying to figure out what I need (tax money will be here soon!)... and I discovered I don't actually NEED anything, beyond a pair of pants. Which I have covered now. (Being the GM of four thrift stores is da bomb diggity!)
But there are a few things I'd like to have in my closet for certain trips, and I was wondering if anyone has some ideas or comments about them.
The first is that I'd like a camp chair or sit pad. Now, I know I could get a blue Wally-world pad and cut it up. I've also looked at those foam stadium seats. But they're not quite what I'm looking for. Weight and comfort are my two issues, at the moment. Any suggestions?
(ETA: It would be really cool if I could also use this when canoeing. Also, the reason I rejected the blue pad and stadium seat was comfort. I like a bit more cushion for my tushie.)
The next is that I'd like a tarp to use as a kitchen/common area. I occasionally go on overnighters with several family members, and it would be good to have a common area to play cards, cook, talk, etc. on rainy evenings. This is the sort of thing I'd leave home for solo trips, since my hammock tarp does just fine for that. MYOG occurred to me, though in my case it would be GMMG (grandmother make my gear) Cost is my concern here. I'm not willing to spend very much for what amounts to a uni-tasker.
The final thing, but perhaps the thing I'd like the most, is a GPS. I want to get into some geo-cashing, and it would be nice to have a supplement (not replacement!) to my map and compass. Nothing will ever replace those two, but I think for the areas where I spend my time a GPS would be right handy. I've played around with apps for my BlackBerry, but it drains the battery too quickly and I can't find one I like.
I've looked at a Garmin eTrex H, as well as a couple others, online. It seems to me like what I want is one where I punch in a set of coordinates and it says "go that way x miles" or feet or whatever. I also want it to tell me where I am now. Downloadable maps would be awesome, too. I hike in forest mostly, if that matters. I played with a simple b/w screened GPS once as a class project in Geography 112, but that's about it. So any suggestions you have about a good unit are much appreciated.
Oh, and one last thing. I came here a complete newbie, and the wonderful folks on this forum have been so very helpful. Thank you. I know answering the same newbie questions over and over gets tiresome... y'all are good people. Thanks for all your help.
Edited by Bear (02/20/1108:17 PM)
_________________________
"Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls."
Now I feel like an idiot... I just answered all but my GPS questions...
_________________________
"Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls."
1. Can't help you there, I take a blue foam square or nothing. Have been known to throw down my rain jacket to sit on the grass or a rock. I b'lieve NeoAir makes a sit pad, might check that out.
2. Why not a poncho with tie out loops? Plenty of those around. Tie off the hood and suspend between trees with cord, or use a long stick or extended trekking pole for a center pole.
3. Lots of options, the Garmin 60csx is the one I'm most familiar with as our SAR team uses them. It's one of the more fully featured ones, does everything you want plus some, and I've seen it on sale at Cabelas and REI for around $200 (full retail is listed to be $500). It works pretty well, have yet to lose a satellite signal (common complaint with a lot of GPS units). It's a battery pig, but I have yet to meet a GPS that isn't.
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"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki
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"Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls."
That's the one. It's survived being dropped and dangled and tossed around pretty well. It uses AA batteries and you can get a bigger capacity SD card - we have a spare card taped in the battery compartment with all the maps duped on it just for backup.
I've uploaded/downloaded tracks a few times - works pretty well with the cable that I got with my Canon ELPH so did not need to buy a "special" USB cable.
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"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki
The next is that I'd like a tarp to use as a kitchen/common area. I occasionally go on overnighters with several family members, and it would be good to have a common area to play cards, cook, talk, etc. on rainy evenings. This is the sort of thing I'd leave home for solo trips, since my hammock tarp does just fine for that. MYOG occurred to me, though in my case it would be GMMG (grandmother make my gear) Cost is my concern here. I'm not willing to spend very much for what amounts to a uni-tasker.
Although I think you answered your question, I use my little integral designs silponcho for this - it's small but works well for this for a couple of people. I do have a bigger 10x12 silnylon job for serious group outings, but that's pretty much a uni-tasker.
I have actually been on a a number of trips where I've used the silponcho as raingear, packcover, kitchen tarp, and hammock ungerquilt a-la garrington insulator all in the same trip.
Phat: I was thinking about this one: Integral Designs Siltarp 2. Backcountry.com is out of stock, but Amazon has it for $135 and change, plus shipping. This is the sort of thing I'd take if hanging were not an option, or if setting up a base camp, or with the family trip I outlined above. The price is way beyond what I thought I wanted to spend, but from what I can see it may be worth it. I'll be looking around some more before I jump.
Lori: That sounds like just what I want, then. My BlackBerry uses a USB for charging and connecting to the computer, and if the ports are the same size then the car charger I have will work. If not, no biggie. I have used both Energizer Lithiums and the rechargeables in my camera, which is a power hog, and I like the lithiums better. They last much longer than both alkaline and rechargeables. Since both camera and GPS use the same size, taking spares is less of a hassle.
Thanks for your help so far!
_________________________
"Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls."
Aha! Thanks for the links, especially the second one. Very informative.
Looks like the maps for my area are an additional $108 from Amazon. Not too bad, considering I was thinking GPS + maps would run upwards of $400 or so. I'll do some looking around to see if I can find it cheaper anywhere.
_________________________
"Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls."
Phat: I was thinking about this one: Integral Designs Siltarp 2. Backcountry.com is out of stock, but Amazon has it for $135 and change, plus shipping. This is the sort of thing I'd take if hanging were not an option, or if setting up a base camp, or with the family trip I outlined above. The price is way beyond what I thought I wanted to spend, but from what I can see it may be worth it. I'll be looking around some more before I jump.
You can probably find other 8x10 silicone tarps cheaper.
For that price you could buy two silponchos, and tie them together when you want the family size tarp, or use them individually (and multi-use) when you go smaller
Yeah I found Bill Stephenson's post about one he made for $25. That actually might do the trick.
_________________________
"Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls."
I like the look of that Equinox 10'X12', especially for $99. Does anyone have any personal experience with them? Like the OP, I'm looking for a "common area" cover when family backpacking.
Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
I just got the Campmor (Equinox) 8x10 foot silnylon tarp, 14.0 oz. before seam sealing, $80. You only need to seam seal where the ties are sewn to the middle seam. That's probably about as cheap as you're going to get a silnylon tarp. I've been using a 6x8 foot tarp for several years and it's fine as a cooking/dining tarp for 4 (2 adults, 2 kids), but I need the bigger one now that my son's whole family (1 more adult and 1 more kid) will be going on trips.
Edited by OregonMouse (02/21/1103:33 PM)
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey
Registered: 12/26/08
Posts: 382
Loc: Maine/New Jersey
Originally Posted By Bear
The first is that I'd like a camp chair or sit pad. Now, I know I could get a blue Wally-world pad and cut it up. I've also looked at those foam stadium seats. But they're not quite what I'm looking for. Weight and comfort are my two issues, at the moment. Any suggestions?
I am not sure what sleeping pad you use, but I just recently bought a Thermarest Compak which turns a 20" wide Thermarest pad in to a chair using a sleeve type thing. http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___40787
Thought I would throw that out there. GL on your gear hunt.
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"To me, hammocking is relaxing, laying, swaying. A steady slow morphine drip without the risk of renal failure." - Dale Gribbel
While I like and still use my Garmin etrex vista, I now have a Delorme pn-40 (also a pn-30) After a huge learning curve at the computer, I find that I really like this thing. I also like the way it geocaches even though that is third or so on my list of what I do with it. The maps are great, I can download a lot of different styles from topo to aerial. It is a battery hog but I have seen that the newer pn-60 is much more battery efficient than the older models. They also sell a nice rechargeable battery for it.
Yes it is heavy but the quality is good and the price is right. If you are not splitting ounces and need a lot of coverage this is the ticket. I love mine. It's more like $25 with shipping but still a great bargain. They go fast.
_________________________ If you only travel on sunny days you will never reach your destination.*
* May not apply at certain latitudes in Canada and elsewhere.
GDeadphans: I don't actually use a sleep pad. I have an ENO hammock, and with summer temps and humidity being what they are around here, I find I don't need/want one.
That being said, I found a Thermarest sit pad on Backcountry.com that looked interesting. Next time I'm in a brick-and-mortar store that has them, I'll give them a look to see if it's what I really want. I may also try MYOG.
RHodo: Now that looks like it might be something I'd be interested in. I'll give it a closer look when I have some time.
Thanks everyone for your help... any further info is always appreciated!
_________________________
"Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls."
Also take a gander at the Garmin Oregon 450. I find the bigger screen (than e.g., the etrex series) is a big help for navigating using base maps. While the more expensive 450T comes loaded with North American topographic base maps, the USGS 1:24k topo maps are now generally available on line for free and can be uploaded to the basic 450.
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