Food and Camping

[Catrin]

Catrin,

I'm glad that you are enjoying camping; it truly is such a relaxing atmosphere! I agree with many here that "camping" means something different to everyone, but in reality it's simply about getting " outside." Perhaps the same thought process as people riding... it's about the adventure NOT about what you are using or not using. So enjoy yourself and have a great time!!

Keep us in the loop as to how your weekend goes; I'll definitely look forward to reading it!

I've done it a few times now, never camped in my life before this summer - just learning so many new things at 51 The main purpose is to give me more time to mountain bike and not have to burn a ton of gas rushing back and forth from Indianapolis. It is very nice to be able to relax before and after riding, and just being able to take my time riding and not having to worry about how long it is taking me. Mtb for a few hours, go relax and have a snack, go riding some more or perhaps go for a hike...repeat the relaxing bit...sweet!

As it turned out my new tent is a few inches shorter than advertised. Backcountry.com apparently had incorrect information from Kelty, and they are going to allow me to return it after my trip. I no longer have the box (figured I couldn't return it after using it), but that doesn't matter. Since their information was wrong they are even going to refund the shipping charges. This is great, it is still a 4 person tent so will have plenty of room for my gear, and it is only 5 inches shorter than me rather than a foot, so it could be worse...

[limewave]

I love camping too. We travel with an RV with our two youngsters. It's incredibly convenient. Before the kids we had a tiny RV that we'd take up into the mountains and do long day hikes. We would do 10-hour grueling hikes on the AT. I loved having the luxury of a hot shower and full kitchen when we got home in the evening. It was so much fun. I miss back-packing, but I'm sure as the kids get older we'll start doing that again.

It is all about the outdoors

[goldfinch]

Yes, my chosen site offers 30 amps. I do know massive RVs park in that campground, I've friends who are there almost every weekend with theirs.

These plug in boxes also have a 15 amp outlet to plug in your extension cord. You don't need an expensive landscape cord, but the longer the cord the higher the gauge you may need. Here, I found a handy chart: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...atalogId=10053

My experience with sleeping bags is that the temperature ratings are inconsistent and inaccurate. So toss in a blanket or two.

[ridebikeme]

The temperature ratings on sleeping bags are indeed a challenge! What I have found that works well is taking an insulating layer for both top and bottom, that way if the temps are cooler you an wear either one piece or two. It's also something fairly light to carry if you are backpacking or riding self contained. And as always, it can double for simply sitting around the campsite.

Hope the weather forecast is cooler than last weekend Catrin! It's too bad that we didn't live closer; we are about to do an overnight mtb trip going self contained.

Jackie
http://chasecyclery.blogspot.com

[indysteel]

Last year, DH and I went camping in early October with our 40-degree bags. I'll admit that we were somewhat novice campers, and I didn't appreciate that the bags are probably only good to 50 degrees. Well, the temperature overnight dropped about 10 degrees colder than anticipated on top of that. It was a very long night, even with a lot of layers, hats and gloves. We now have true winter bags, in addition to our summer bags. Given when we do most of our camping--mid summer and fall--I'm hoping the bags will cover us. When it's truly hot out, we usually bring bag liners, too.

My advice is to bring more layers/blankets than you think you'll need for fall or early spring camping, just in case it turns colder than forecast. Bring a hat and gloves, too.

[Catrin]

Thanks for the advice Indy - I don't have much in the way of warm outside clothing that isn't bike specific - but I've enough for a weekend. The highs are supposed to be in the upper 70's, the lows in the upper 50's, but of course that can change. My new sleeping bag is a 30 degree bag that I hope is worth the price I paid for it.

I am taking extra clothing in case I get wet - there is only a 30% chance of thunderstorms each day, which means there is a 70% chance it won't storm I did purchase a couple of campfire cooking tools, and I will have a fire this time - so I can do some rudimentary cooking/warming up over the fire and that will be just fine.

I've learned the hard way that I hate to leave the park once I am there - even to eat, so I am making certain that I am taking enough food in this time, not just bike fuel. Nothing fancy, but anything tastes good alongside a fire on an early fall evening with a beer

[Irulan]

Last year, DH and I went camping in early October with our 40-degree bags. I'll admit that we were somewhat novice campers, and I didn't appreciate that the bags are probably only good to 50 degrees. Well, the temperature overnight dropped about 10 degrees colder than anticipated on top of that. It was a very long night, even with a lot of layers, hats and gloves. We now have true winter bags, in addition to our summer bags. Given when we do most of our camping--mid summer and fall--I'm hoping the bags will cover us. When it's truly hot out, we usually bring bag liners, too.

My advice is to bring more layers/blankets than you think you'll need for fall or early spring camping, just in case it turns colder than forecast. Bring a hat and gloves, too.

The quality of your insulation/pad UNDERNEATH your bag is an important factor in warmth. Regular blowup air mattresses are not very insulating, and neither is regular opeen cell (egg crate) style foam. What will keep you warmest aside from the bag is something that has a closed cell foam component. My favorite is my "Luxury Rest" by Thermarest.

Stay away from cotton blankets, sleeping bags and jammies. Wool or synthetics provide the best insulation without holding moisture.

I don't see how one could not want at least a cup of hot tea or coffee in the morning. Plus, I think the body needs hot food to regenerate. I don't suppose there's any science to that. I just think eating cold food a few days in a row would be tiresome.

[Catrin]

The quality of your insulation/pad UNDERNEATH your bag is an important factor in warmth. Regular blowup air mattresses are not very insulating, and neither is regular opeen cell (egg crate) style foam. What will keep you warmest aside from the bag is something that has a closed cell foam component. My favorite is my "Luxury Rest" by Thermarest.

Stay away from cotton blankets, sleeping bags and jammies. Wool or synthetics provide the best insulation without holding moisture.

I don't see how one could not want at least a cup of hot tea or coffee in the morning. Plus, I think the body needs hot food to regenerate. I don't suppose there's any science to that. I just think eating cold food a few days in a row would be tiresome.

Thanks for the tip on insulation. I do have an air mattress...

I am getting a "hot pot" for hot water for coffee, and will be able to heat up/cook stuff in my campfire. I purchased a set of long metal sticks with forks on them (whatever they are called) and a cast-iron double-sided thing that allows me to make hot sandwiches. I suspect that either will allow me to heat up pre-roasted chicken, and am taking some chicken sausages. I won't be eating all cold food...

[indysteel]

The quality of your insulation/pad UNDERNEATH your bag is an important factor in warmth. Regular blowup air mattresses are not very insulating, and neither is regular opeen cell (egg crate) style foam. What will keep you warmest aside from the bag is something that has a closed cell foam component. My favorite is my "Luxury Rest" by Thermarest.

Stay away from cotton blankets, sleeping bags and jammies. Wool or synthetics provide the best insulation without holding moisture.

I don't see how one could not want at least a cup of hot tea or coffee in the morning. Plus, I think the body needs hot food to regenerate. I don't suppose there's any science to that. I just think eating cold food a few days in a row would be tiresome.

Thanks for the recommendation as to the Luxury Rest. We have cots for car camping, but need to buy sleeping padd for a trip to Utah next April. We otherwise have wool blankets from an Army surplus store that we throw into the car for good measure. Still, I'm looking forward to finally having a toasty winter bag this year.

[Irulan]

I've been camping (tent/backpack/primitive/rafting) for some 35 years.
IMSHO, I think fires are way more work than a stove and I never make them.
-you can't see the stars at night
-dangerous: even campground campfires can start wildfires. Most people don't really put them all the way out with a bucket of water when they leave.
-dirty: ash floating around and melting your clothes, soot on all your pots and pans. People attempt to burn trash that doesn't really burn.
-destructive: some people strip the forest for their campfires, cutting green trees etc. Multiple fire rings get built, and the fires scar the campsites.
-cost, some places you buy wood to burn.

This is why we ( DH and I) do not make fires when camping. Whatever makes you happy, though. Some people really like the atmosphere of one, however, I don't need it.

[limewave]

I've been camping (tent/backpack/primitive/rafting) for some 35 years.
IMSHO, I think fires are way more work than a stove and I never make them.
-you can't see the stars at night
-dangerous: even campground campfires can start wildfires. Most people

We had campfires every night last weekend and we spent most of our time around the fire looking at the stars. No trouble seeing them at all.

[Irulan]

You see a lot more of them without the ambient light of a fire.

[indysteel]

Okay; I now have my eye on Thermarest's Prolite Plus pad for our trip to Utah. It's supposed to be warm, easy to pack, and comfortable.

One thing that confuses me though, Irulan. REI lists mosts Thermarest pads, including the one you mentioned (which they call Luxury Map) as open cell. Certain pads list warmth as a feature, even though they're open cell pads. Am I not understanding something? Thermarest's own website does not list open or closed cell in their own specs--unless I'm just not reading their specs correctly. In any event, I can get the Prolite Plus pad for a good price at a couple of different places.

[Irulan]

Okay; I now have my eye on Thermarest's Prolite Plus pad for our trip to Utah. It's supposed to be warm, easy to pack, and comfortable.

One thing that confuses me though, Irulan. REI lists mosts Thermarest pads, including the one you mentioned (which they call Luxury Map) as open cell. Certain pads list warmth as a feature, even though they're open cell pads. Am I not understanding something? Thermarest's own website does not list open or closed cell in their own specs--unless I'm just not reading their specs correctly. In any event, I can get the Prolite Plus pad for a good price at a couple of different places.

The open cell foam I refer is used by itself, not encased in a waterproof shell. Example - using a foam rectangle of egg crate for your mattress. It absorb damp which transfers to your body. Remember the old Ensolite pads we'd take backpacking 25 years ago? They were closed cell foam. So,even though it was only 1/2" thick, it didn't transmit moisture.

Anything REI carries is going to be fine. It comes down to cost, weight and level of comfort that you want.

[Catrin]

Camping trip went well, and I like the tent so much I've decided to keep it. I can still stand and change, just have to bend my head a little. It would be nice if I didn't have to bend so low to get in/out but frankly that isn't a problem. I paid a very good price for a quality tent, and I had it up in <25 minutes. For someone who has never pitched a tent before I thought that awesome!

Food was fine, got a new cooler and the temps weren't hot anyway. Did a little camp-fire cooking, and had my morning coffee. Air mattress was a washout though - nothing wrong with it but I've already ordered a cot to replace it. Besides cooler weather is coming and I just don't want to be on the ground sleeping. At least I now have a good air mattress for visitors

All in all a great weekend - lots of fun on the mountain bike with only a few new scratches.