Recommend equipment for light camping
August 10, 2007 11:23 AM Subscribe
What are the essentials for camping in the mountains of Colorado in mid-September?
I'm going to be camping for a few days around Telluride, not so much for camping's sake, but as a cheap place to sleep during the Blues and Brews fest.
I'm used to camping in the not-so-light sense, bringing a pickup truck full of anything I could want. This, though, is going to have to be as light as possible, since I'm flying and want to fit everything I need in one checked bag. My companion has done this before and says we can sleep under the stars, but I want to be responsible for my own comfort. I've read this post, but I'm not sure if it gives me all the answers I'm looking for. I'm looking to put together a shopping/packing list with specific recommended products, like:
- Backpack and/or modular bag that will hold everything I need, including a smaller bag to have essentials on hand.
- Sleeping/Mummy bag that will keep me warm and dry. I guess even if it's warm during the day it can hit the thirties there at night in Sept, so a 20 degree bag?
- Sleeping mat?
- Oxygen? I have been to Colorado a couple times and it takes me a couple days before I can do much. I don't want elevation sickness to ruin my day. I never bought oxygen before, though.
- Bivy tent or tarps and rope? I know my bud wants to sleep under the stars, but if it rains this ain't happenin for me, and we'll be awful cuddly in a rented subaru with all our gear.
- other misc stuff: knife, lighter, gloves, wipes, led flashlight. Anything else?
I'm going to be camping for a few days around Telluride, not so much for camping's sake, but as a cheap place to sleep during the Blues and Brews fest.
I'm used to camping in the not-so-light sense, bringing a pickup truck full of anything I could want. This, though, is going to have to be as light as possible, since I'm flying and want to fit everything I need in one checked bag. My companion has done this before and says we can sleep under the stars, but I want to be responsible for my own comfort. I've read this post, but I'm not sure if it gives me all the answers I'm looking for. I'm looking to put together a shopping/packing list with specific recommended products, like:
- Backpack and/or modular bag that will hold everything I need, including a smaller bag to have essentials on hand.
- Sleeping/Mummy bag that will keep me warm and dry. I guess even if it's warm during the day it can hit the thirties there at night in Sept, so a 20 degree bag?
- Sleeping mat?
- Oxygen? I have been to Colorado a couple times and it takes me a couple days before I can do much. I don't want elevation sickness to ruin my day. I never bought oxygen before, though.
- Bivy tent or tarps and rope? I know my bud wants to sleep under the stars, but if it rains this ain't happenin for me, and we'll be awful cuddly in a rented subaru with all our gear.
- other misc stuff: knife, lighter, gloves, wipes, led flashlight. Anything else?
You're acquiring a sleeping bag for this trip? I'd get a ten-degree bag or warmer to put a more comfortable margin between you and the night temperatures. If you already have a twenty-degree bag, though, don't worry -- it'll be fine. Having a stocking cap to wear to bed makes a huge comfort difference.
Don't bring a tent, tarp, or sleeping mat. Instead, drive up to a store that sells huge blue plastic tarps for $10 and get one of those. Look behind the store for big, knocked-down cardboard boxes and grab a couple of layers of those -- that's your sleeping mat. You can fold and tie a tarp all sorts of interesting ways to keep yourself dry and comfortable -- especially if you opt for a really big tarp.
That leaves room to bring more layers of clothes, which completes the comfort formula.
There will be no bugs. You may get rain or snow, but the odds are against it. There's a nice warm car to use as a survival pod in case of a freak blizzard, and the interesting memory of that uncomfortable night will be worth the lost sleep.
At the end of the trip, donate the tarp to your next-door neighbor in the campground and dispose of the cardboard responsibly (along with your empty oxygen tanks). Mission accomplished!
posted by gum at 12:01 PM on August 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
Don't bring a tent, tarp, or sleeping mat. Instead, drive up to a store that sells huge blue plastic tarps for $10 and get one of those. Look behind the store for big, knocked-down cardboard boxes and grab a couple of layers of those -- that's your sleeping mat. You can fold and tie a tarp all sorts of interesting ways to keep yourself dry and comfortable -- especially if you opt for a really big tarp.
That leaves room to bring more layers of clothes, which completes the comfort formula.
There will be no bugs. You may get rain or snow, but the odds are against it. There's a nice warm car to use as a survival pod in case of a freak blizzard, and the interesting memory of that uncomfortable night will be worth the lost sleep.
At the end of the trip, donate the tarp to your next-door neighbor in the campground and dispose of the cardboard responsibly (along with your empty oxygen tanks). Mission accomplished!
posted by gum at 12:01 PM on August 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
It may sound silly or shill to mention it, but get some long underwear. I stayed a couple nights down near Montrose at the end of last september, and my Capilene midweight long-underwear shirt kept me at just the right snuggly temperature all night.
posted by notsnot at 12:28 PM on August 10, 2007
posted by notsnot at 12:28 PM on August 10, 2007
Response by poster: Shill away. I'm looking for specific manufacturers/models.
posted by CaptainZingo at 12:29 PM on August 10, 2007
posted by CaptainZingo at 12:29 PM on August 10, 2007
Best answer: If you drink a good two liters of water when you first get there (actually... keep drinking until your pee is clear), you should have too much trouble acclimating and shouldn't need to buy oxygen.
don't know what your budget is for acquiring items, but here are some light-weight options:
pack - a mid-sized light pack like the Osprey or GoLite should hold all your gear, but might be a bit of overkill. If you're needing a little better back support, I'd recommend an Arc'teryx or Osprey pack. Sure, you're going to pay a bit more, but the comfort is phenomenal and if you buy from a good dealer, they should custom fit the pack for you.
Mountain Hardware make some great lightweight bags (you won't need lower than a 32°F bag, even if it does snow) and used to make sleeping pads that convert into camp chairs (although I can't find them anymore on their website.) Marmot also have a great range of lightweight bags and have a bag/sleeping pad system that is integrated so you don't slide off your pad in the middle of the night. You'll probably be fine with a synthetic fill if you're trying to budget, but down will definitely be lighter. Buy some synthetic or silk thermals to wear if the temperatures do drop and if you're into overkill, a silk bag liner will add 5-10° to the bag.
Bivys are hard-core solo hiking gear and if you have any issue with cramped spaces, I wouldn't recommend one. If you'll have the benefit of a couple of trees, the Hennessy Hammock is a great solo sleeping option that you'll have trouble waking up from.
posted by medium format at 12:30 PM on August 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
don't know what your budget is for acquiring items, but here are some light-weight options:
pack - a mid-sized light pack like the Osprey or GoLite should hold all your gear, but might be a bit of overkill. If you're needing a little better back support, I'd recommend an Arc'teryx or Osprey pack. Sure, you're going to pay a bit more, but the comfort is phenomenal and if you buy from a good dealer, they should custom fit the pack for you.
Mountain Hardware make some great lightweight bags (you won't need lower than a 32°F bag, even if it does snow) and used to make sleeping pads that convert into camp chairs (although I can't find them anymore on their website.) Marmot also have a great range of lightweight bags and have a bag/sleeping pad system that is integrated so you don't slide off your pad in the middle of the night. You'll probably be fine with a synthetic fill if you're trying to budget, but down will definitely be lighter. Buy some synthetic or silk thermals to wear if the temperatures do drop and if you're into overkill, a silk bag liner will add 5-10° to the bag.
Bivys are hard-core solo hiking gear and if you have any issue with cramped spaces, I wouldn't recommend one. If you'll have the benefit of a couple of trees, the Hennessy Hammock is a great solo sleeping option that you'll have trouble waking up from.
posted by medium format at 12:30 PM on August 10, 2007 [1 favorite]
damn... i even previewed... "you shouldn't have too much trouble acclimating"
posted by medium format at 12:32 PM on August 10, 2007
posted by medium format at 12:32 PM on August 10, 2007
Response by poster: I'm totally looking into the Hennessy Hammock! Thanks!
posted by CaptainZingo at 12:48 PM on August 10, 2007
posted by CaptainZingo at 12:48 PM on August 10, 2007
You do not need an Arc'teryx pack for the Telluride Blues and Brews festival. Arc'teryx brand is crazy expensive. Buy a cheaper little pack for taking into the festival, a Columbia brand pack would be plenty nice--really anything would work. Seriously, I would avoid buying any of the brands listed above unless you want to build up your collection of camping gear. Get (read borrow) a warm sleeping bag. A 30 degree bag is plenty warm for me for all except the coldest months here--others will require a 20 degree bag. A sleeping pad is nearly a necessity--it will keep you warmer and you'll be more comfortable. You can pick up a foam ensolite pad for cheap or splurge on a Thermarest or similar. I'd like to second the good underwear suggestion. Not cotton. Patagonia capilene (as mentioned above) is one of the few high dollar items that I think is actually nearly worth the price--it will last for years.
You can pack all this stuff in a duffel bag (no need for a big backpack) since you will be car camping. I would do my comparison shopping at an REI or EMS and figure out what I wanted then do my purchasing from Campmor or Sierra Trading Post if possible (save lots of cash).
I think you might want to take a tent. You can split the weight up between the two of you if that is really a concern. One person can put the poles in their luggage and the other can take the tent material. I'm all for sleeping under the stars, too. But, if there is any weather (and yes it could snow - though unlikely) you will be in the high country and it would be best to be prepared. And, you'll just be more comfortable if you have a tent pitched and you are sleeping outside and you feel a few drops you can just duck inside the already pitched tent instead of having to scrunch in the Subaru for a sleepless night.
I've spent quite a bit of time in SW Colorado camping (and I've lived in Durango, Grand Junction and Gunnison). Email me if I can help.
posted by fieldtrip at 7:48 PM on August 10, 2007
You can pack all this stuff in a duffel bag (no need for a big backpack) since you will be car camping. I would do my comparison shopping at an REI or EMS and figure out what I wanted then do my purchasing from Campmor or Sierra Trading Post if possible (save lots of cash).
I think you might want to take a tent. You can split the weight up between the two of you if that is really a concern. One person can put the poles in their luggage and the other can take the tent material. I'm all for sleeping under the stars, too. But, if there is any weather (and yes it could snow - though unlikely) you will be in the high country and it would be best to be prepared. And, you'll just be more comfortable if you have a tent pitched and you are sleeping outside and you feel a few drops you can just duck inside the already pitched tent instead of having to scrunch in the Subaru for a sleepless night.
I've spent quite a bit of time in SW Colorado camping (and I've lived in Durango, Grand Junction and Gunnison). Email me if I can help.
posted by fieldtrip at 7:48 PM on August 10, 2007
If you get the Hennesy they are a bit cold on the bottom, a mylar space blanket loosely hung under makes a lot of difference, hammocks rock.
posted by hortense at 8:31 PM on August 10, 2007
posted by hortense at 8:31 PM on August 10, 2007
I've had years of good service from a Slumberjack sleeping bag. Their bags are a great value. I recommend synthetic because it insulates even if wet. Mine came from Campmor a looooong time ago when that was the only way a small town kid could get real outdoor gear. As mentioned above, they're still a great vendor.
I also consider a Therm-a-rest to be a great investment. Don't go all hardcore like I did with a 3/4 length one, get full length.
After years of being a name-brand-gear-only guy, we bought a bigger tent when my wife got tired of snuggling up in my small, lightweight backpacking tent. We bought a $99 dome tent at Target, and it's been great. The brand was Equipt, I'm not sure if it still exists (it's not the vehicle-based gear that comes up via Google).
The tip on wearing a stocking cap if it gets cold at night is invaluable.
A headlamp is super-handy (actually, not "handy" per se, as it's handfree!) since you're usually doing something with your hands if you need a light. Mine has 3 LEDs, there are many, many choices there.
You have a lot of choices as far as a bag goes for this trip. There are some multi-use luggage pieces from Eagle Creek and other brands that are really versatile - they have good backpack straps, but also wheels for the airport and handles to haul like a duffel. Some have day packs that attach - perfect for carrying into the festival. Sounds like lots of different things would work for you on this trip, so think about what you'll like to own for your later travels down the road.
posted by altcountryman at 8:58 PM on August 10, 2007
I also consider a Therm-a-rest to be a great investment. Don't go all hardcore like I did with a 3/4 length one, get full length.
After years of being a name-brand-gear-only guy, we bought a bigger tent when my wife got tired of snuggling up in my small, lightweight backpacking tent. We bought a $99 dome tent at Target, and it's been great. The brand was Equipt, I'm not sure if it still exists (it's not the vehicle-based gear that comes up via Google).
The tip on wearing a stocking cap if it gets cold at night is invaluable.
A headlamp is super-handy (actually, not "handy" per se, as it's handfree!) since you're usually doing something with your hands if you need a light. Mine has 3 LEDs, there are many, many choices there.
You have a lot of choices as far as a bag goes for this trip. There are some multi-use luggage pieces from Eagle Creek and other brands that are really versatile - they have good backpack straps, but also wheels for the airport and handles to haul like a duffel. Some have day packs that attach - perfect for carrying into the festival. Sounds like lots of different things would work for you on this trip, so think about what you'll like to own for your later travels down the road.
posted by altcountryman at 8:58 PM on August 10, 2007
If you can, wait a day or two before you have your first brew at the Blues and Brews. Alcohol packs more of a punch at altitude, and Telluride is at almost 9000 feet.
posted by lukemeister at 9:52 PM on August 10, 2007
posted by lukemeister at 9:52 PM on August 10, 2007
You are car-camping so you don't need a pack of any kind beyond what you check on the plane. A suitcase will be fine. Sleeping under the stars sounds reasonable to me but I'd bring a tent with a rainfly just in case. Of course, I own two already. If you own none, either rent or borrow or plan on sleeping in the suby if the weather goes to crap for some reason.
Oxygen is, um, massive overkill: altitude kicks my ass too but get there a day or so early and take some ginseng, don't party too hard and all should be good. Plus it's not like they're going to let you check it on the plane.
posted by fshgrl at 1:36 AM on August 11, 2007
Oxygen is, um, massive overkill: altitude kicks my ass too but get there a day or so early and take some ginseng, don't party too hard and all should be good. Plus it's not like they're going to let you check it on the plane.
posted by fshgrl at 1:36 AM on August 11, 2007
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posted by Good Brain at 11:35 AM on August 10, 2007