It is time to pack that pack and hike around the neighborhood to see what needs to be left behind. A not so easy exercise is to put a 5 gallon jug of water in the pack and hike with that.

At Philmont I took a page from the Bible and packed the food which got lighter everyday. My partners pack never got lighter.

Quick update - the air mattress is wonderful. First morning in the woods that I'm not in pain. Might need a bigger tent though. This bad mamma jamma takes up lots of room.

Camp pillow is working out, too, but mostly as a prop up for the sheet I'm using on top of it.

I didn't use my sleeping bag last night cause I was hot. Now, I'm cold. Gonna use it tonight.

Dumb question - if the outside of tent gets wet, are you supposed to feel the wet on the inner walls?

Sent from my tent

Sent from your tent!

Awesome that you slept well.


You ask a simple question, but the answer is more complicated. Nobody wants the inner walls of their tent to get wet, but it sometimes happens.

You get two kinds of wet in a tent. Rain getting in and condensation. In your situation last night it was probably the rain. Your rainfly, if I recall correctly, doesn't cover your entire tent. The parts of your tent that are exposed will get wet in the rain, and if the rain is long enough, the water soaks into the fabric wicks its way into the inside and beads up. A good design of a tent will have a rainfly that covers the entire tent, but is some distance away from the tent, so when the water soaks into the rainfly and beads up on the underside, it doesn't touch the inner tent to get it wet.

Condensation is usually a bigger problem. It's almost always warmer and more humid inside a tent than outside the tent. It's most pronounced in cooler weather, but can happen on a hot summer night too. Moisture from your breath collects on the inside of the tent and condenses there where it meets the slightly cooler temperature from the outside.

The ideal way to avoid condensation is to have lots of ventilation. Not ideal on a cold night. Again, the best tents for fighting moisture have a nice big rainfly that stands off the tent by several inches. The fly will get wet from rain or condensation, but the inner tent stays dry. Helps if the inner tent has a lot of screening.

I have a Slumberjack Trail 3 that is rellly good at keeping me dry in rain and condensation situations. But it's a heavy 8 pounds. Not too expensive at around $110.

Pffft, why spend $110 for a Slumberjack Trail 3 when for less than a bitcoin you can get one of these single wall, waterproof/windproof, vapor permeable tents⸮

Thanks for the info. I'll respond longer when I'm out of the woods. Debating leaving early again. Bugs are bad. Either tent or bug net are my only options. I don't want to eat dinner in a bug net

So, the wet was not condensation. I actually leave a bit of the doors open (there's screens for venting) even when it's cold or it gets too hot and stuffy in the tent. This wet was more from the water hitting the ground and splashing up, I guess. The rainfly on the tent goes a bit over the front and back, but not as far over the sides. It's not flush with the sides, it just doesn't stick out as far. I guess that's why the walls there aren't protected as well?

Well, good to know, anyways. I thought it was because I bought a cheap tent or something. 8 pounds is only 1 pound more than what I have now. I think I can handle that :D

I have some pictures, but I'm in the woods in the mountains (in an Airbnb) trying to digest my dinner. I feel like a python.

I did end up leaving. It was a good thing, I got more than double the bug bites while packing up. I'm up to 21. Including one on my foot arch. Unbelievable. I'm pretty sure I'm going to cancel my next camping trip at a lake and just do day trips instead. It'll waste some gas, but I won't be miserable, so it's a win, I think. Plus, I'll save 40 bucks.......and use it for the gas.

You've attacked this like it's mission from your commanding officer. STOP!
It's supposed to be a fun weekend, not a suicide mission to win some war.
The original point was to camp so you could see more territory, camping was the method, not the goal.

But, but, if she does a hitch in the military, she'll get one of those great tents like in the video above and see lots of new territory!

What's that from? Full Metal Jacket, maybe?

?? I'm not sure what you're trying to say?

I think he's saying that camping is a means more than an end. Over planning and overpacking and over expecting....



you're going about it like the goal is to do normal things outside. Which is all fine if you're practicing for something, but the idea of camping is so you can go do something for a few days where it would not work if you had to go home to sleep each night. at least it is t me....
but maybe you are enamored with the adventure of the logistics. It sure looks like you're having fun obsessing about each detail. you do you, and don't worry about what we think of WHY.

also, that video up there^


the pciture is SO clear on my monitor. it's like i could reach in and poke the guy in the head. high def stuff

I started to say what time is it, but I see its not 9pm yet. ^^^.

My wife gets a tube of Procto-Med HC 2.5% for her hemorrhoids. What pray tell does this have to do with camping? Its great for ant and bug bites. It quits hurting almost immediately. A tube lasts a long time, but after trying you will want to run the prescription even if you don't need any. Now if you don't mind telling your doctor that you have a hemorrhoid on your ass you can get a script. It is doubtful the doc will look at your asshole.

The technical reason why is: it's shot at 60 frames per second. We are used to 24 frames per second (that's film), 30 frames per second digital video... 60 fps is here now

and wait til you see the 60 fps porn omg it's practically dangerous

so, of course I immediately googled 60 fps porn.


it seems to be shot to watch on the VR headgear.... all dual image like for the old stereogram viewers.... shot in first person. that must be crazy. how much are those rigs?

oh i'm not involved in production


:D

talent snobbery...

Why not? There's a fortune to be made by a stud like yourself. :confused:

Or get a couple robots and critique porn films on the screen for your own cable show.

I see. I mean, I am enjoying it for the most part. I like learning something new every time. It sucks that I keep going home, but I just couldn't deal with the bugs. I would love to figure out exactly where I can and can't camp.

I like trying to cook real food (if/when I can actually build a fire). I am slowly letting some things go - like the grill. It's just too much of a pain in the ass. I like (mostly) trying things out before I'm so far that I can't actually go home. It makes me feel like when this year is out, I can do the camping thing without thinking too much about it and just go. It also gives me an idea of the comfort level of possibly backpacking (don't think I can do that until I can get used to hammock sleeping).

I'm even taking notes!! :crazy::crazy:

And the idea of getting to all the parks? I am on a mission there! I WILL get all the stamps by the end of the year!!

:yesnod:The best way to beat the bugs is camp somewhere windy, like a mountain top or shore. But both of them bring up different shit like lightning and alligators.

I agree, camping alone the prospect of building a fire and cooking a multi course meal is far from tempting. If there's a group cooking can be a shared thing, a fun thing.

But alone, cookies and corn chips would go well with a good book. :D


edit: I've got it, you need a Faraday cage, I giant bug zapper you can sit in.

I would gladly lounge in a Faraday cage provided the NC noseeums can't get through.

I think I'm still going to try to camp at Lake Waccamaw in a couple weeks (depending on what the status of the park is after the hurricane). It'll suck to have to abandon camp again because of bugs, but if it works out, then I will be a happy camper. It's worth the risk, I think.

There are lightweight protective base layers out there that work against many, though not all, insects. They're made of nylon which dries relatively quickly if it gets wet. The main drawback is that they're expensive. You might want to peruse them. Here's one brand:

Rynoskin

They can be bought for less than what the manufacturer sells them direct (if you can find the size and color you want):

Walmart

Just some nice to know information.

First you spray the screens before bedtime and inside too. Get the liquid with the finger pump bottle as there are more oz and less aerosol.

Second I live 30 minutes from the lake. I will buy you lunch. Dales Seafood is right there at the lake. They suck. There is a decent small Chinese restaurant by Hills when you roll into town(ha). When they serve your food you have to wait for it to cool to eat. The other decent place is in Whiteville.

Rynoskin wants $15 to ship one shirt... ouch.

In a lot of size and color combinations, you can get both a better price and free shipping on Amazon. It pays to shop around.

https://www.amazon.com/RYNOSKIN-Mosq...rch&th=1&psc=1

@sexobon - Full body suit? In North Carolina summers? That is only "resistant" to mosquito bites costing $100? I think I'll just find places to camp where they don't bite me.

@captainhook455 - I'd be happy to meet up for lunch cap! Chinese is good for me. We can work out the details closer to the date.

I'd be more concerned with ticks and chiggers, but camping in campgrounds and hiking established trails is safer than wilderness stuff where it's hard to be aware of everything that might be crawling on you.

I'm a big fan of permethrin on long pants and long sleeves. I'd rather be hot than have lyme disease.

I initially bought Sawyer permethrin, but just recently discovered Martin's permethrin for about one 50th the cost, you just have to dilute it the correct amount before spraying with your own sprayer.

I used it on all my hiking clothes. Apparently, I didn't use enough. I got bit through my pants last time.

Yeah, well, the nylon weave is designed to wick moisture away from the body and help cool through evaporation. They used to advertise a comfort rating to 96° F. Nylon undergarments can work well. I know a little about what works in North Carolina summers having lived there for several years while assigned to Fort Bragg; also, going through Special Forces training at Camp Mackall and over in the Uwharrie National Forest. There are certainly less expensive alternatives for recreational ventures though.

Permethrin on clothes and Marathon 35% DEET worked in some nasty mosquito country ... but if you have the pheromones that attract mosquitoes, you may be out of luck.

Tape the legs of long pants with duct tape. Too tight on the inside to get in and too slick on the outside for a toehold.

When to want to make camp before sunset...

I AM SO ready to run away to the woods this weekend. I'll be in Pilot Mountain this time. I don't know how much hiking I'll do. It's been a stressful week and I need some relax time, but the idea of eating lunch on the some cave like spots I remember from last time is attractive. I'll have to go through my pics. I don't know how much of a view it has if you don't climb up. And you can't climb the pinnacle anymore

I'm hoping it'll be cool enough to cook on the fire with hobo packs, but I'll bring some back up soups just in case. After all, I have plenty from the hurricane.

I am nervous about the site. The pictures online don't show much. But, then I think, as long as I have somewhere to hang my hammock, I'll be good. I'm crossing my fingers that the bugs won't be bad here. I just want a nice non-stressful outing

HOOOOLY SHIT! I may not see rain until I leave this time! And I get to light a fire cause it's not gonna be hot as satan's buttcrack!!

Nice!

Have fun and be careful.

Whats a hobo pack?

20-30 minutes? No wonder my potatoes weren't done.

Also, apparently it takes me 2 hours to make a fire. Yesterday I messaged my friend for help. Got it lit right away with her help. This morning was a little harder. More smoke than fire. Apparently I picked the shitiest of the bunch to start with. Other logs are burning fine. Gonna need to buy more wood

I used to gather tinder and stuff it in a water tight bag for the morning fire. One of those $3 fireplace logs from Walmart works even better. Chip pieces off. They sell it in a pack of finger sized sticks if pressed for room. Down here I gather pine straw for the tinder. By the time I am ready to cook the pine ash has disintegrated.

It wasn't the tinder, sadly. I got that lit a couple times and it burned for a few minutes, but the wood itself just WOULDN'T light! I'll have to check out the fireplace logs. I was thinking of trying to make my own firestarter, too. Cause, why not :D

This is my last official camping trip. I'm cancelling the one I have to back pack into. It's not far, but the more I think about it, the more I am dreading it. I am not excited, so why do it? I'm thinking of hitting it on my way to the airbnb I am staying at for gorges state park. If I had someone to do it with, that would be different.

For the past weekend, though, I had a lovely time. I read and had a fire. That was IT. It was just what I needed. No hiking, just relaxing. I have some pictures on my phone, I just need to get the uploaded so I can download and attach :rolleyes: I actually cooked food! It was great!!

I also had a weird thing happened. I bought a new sleeping bag a while back, but hadn't tried it until this weekend. I used it (probably too soon) and noticed the next morning the outer shell was wet as was my air mattress. Is it like pulling my sweat away and out? Should I be concerned? Should I put something on the air mattress to protect it?

It's most likely just dew. Depending on how airtight your tent is, some mixture of your breath and the general humidity condensing.

It was only on the bottom of the sleeping bag and on the mattress, only where the two meet. If it was the dew, wouldn't it be everywhere? (I missed this clarification in my original post, sorry)

My tent is 100% NOT airtight. There's mesh coverings in the ceiling and at the floor. There's also two "windows" that I had partially open to let in the air when I slept.

Condensation.

The sleeping bag has loft, to trap air and better retain heat, except where you're laying on it compressing it. Body heat radiates through the bag more easily there carrying moisture (water vapor molecules) from your skin and trapping it along with ambient moisture, between the warm surface of the bag and cooler air mattress, where it condenses into water molecules.


Either that or it's a bladder control issue. :p:

In case you meet a moose... remember they don't knock you down and run away, they tap dance on you.

Some pics of camping from the phone
Site pics taken on the second day
Attachment 65178

Attachment 65179

Attachment 65180

First fire from the first night
Attachment 65181

I put the first dinner on the grill. It was a rush since it took so long to get the fire going, it was late. So, sorry for the blurry photos and no finished dish. I was HUNGRY
Attachment 65182

Done peppers - needed more salt
Attachment 65183

Raw potatoes. I actually put these back int he fire when I was relaxing. One of the packets ended up being ripped, so I turned potatoes into charcoal
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I used leftovers of the sausage and potatoes to go with my eggs in the morning. It took 2 hours to light the fire, but I still didn't get the sausage and potatoes heated up right. I have to work on that.
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Since it took so long to light the fire, I kept that bad boy running for about 10 hours. I used some downed wood to help (which I found out later isn't actually allowed). Oops :p:

I used the fire to cook some ham for later use (that I should really use)
Attachment 65187

I forgot a spatula to turn the burgers, so I put them on foil in case they fell apart or dropped while using the tongs. I actually ended up poking holes in the foil so the fat would drain out. I worked pretty well!
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Finished - supplemented with noodles that I didn't take a picture of because they were trader joe's instant ramen
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The fire finally dying out
Attachment 65190

Hope you enjoyed it

:thumb::thumb::thumb:

Well bbro that is about the nicest camp site I have seen in a while. I love rocks.

That is a well built fire good as a boy scout, but you are using green park wood that is bought at the country store. You have to have a helluva tinder base to get that going. Go outside the park gates to find dry wood which is easily broken into smaller pieces.

Oh by the way if you make a soap solution with bar soap and apply to the outside of the pots before cooking you will find the soot so much easier to clean.

Thanks for the cleaning tip!

My friend taught me how to build the fire, so I'll let her know you approve :D

I am using the park's wood because it's easier. It was actually kiln dried wood, so not green. Not all of the parks have anywhere close to buy wood.

You're figuring all this out!

Yes you are bbro! For the record, fire is hard. You're doing fine.

You said "last camping trip"? Not as in most recent, but the final trip? Until....? Nicer weather?

Thanks Griff! And BigV

So, by "my last camping trip", I mean the last one SCHEDULED for the year. I would like to go again, but I'm not sure if I could. I would only be able to do single night trips since I have a new job that's contract - no days off. I still will take the day after thanksgiving off, so I am thinking about taking a trip then.

I actually was thinking of going next week since I have days off I am taking before the company takes them all. Instead, I'm going to have to log in once a day. I am thinking of an overnighter at the park I went to for my very first trip. either that or I'm going to get a bunch of stamps on the parks I missed because of weather. I kind of prefer the cooler camping because of fires. And I don't sweat.

I am unexpectedly unemployed this week (New job start date was delayed), so I am going camping. I am going to the same site as last time. I still need pictures from that park and I liked it. Soooo, :)

I'm so freaking excited! I know what to expect at camp, so it's gonna be AWESOME. I can't wait. There's going to be some epic food.

Start the lunch fire at 9am.

What kind of epic food?

@Grav - lunch is soup on the stove! No fire needed. So, I'll start it at 2pm for dinner at 6pm :thumb2:

@cap - Steak! Potatoes! Chicken! Gravy! I'm so excited!!! HOT DOGS!

Buy some silver queen corn on the cob with the shucks intact. Soak in water for a hour. Put them on the coals of fire turning occasionally. The shucks will have burnt spots, but won't catch on fire and it might be burnt near the tassels. The corn steams inside the shuck. When you figure its done peel the shuck down until you have a handy handle as the corn will be HOT.

Cut a head of cabbage into eighths. Buttersaltpepperwhatever, wrap the eighths (separately) in foil, cook 'em in the fire like a baked potato.

Til they're done, that's how long.