Post by: Clear_Ice on March 18, 2016, 02:54:39 AM
What size of a tarp would you guys recommend? I'm probably going to get another cheap tarp for the next few months but going to splurge after that on a nice silnylon tarp. Is 8x10 a good size for just me, or too big?
Also, what do you guys use to sit on in the bush? I seem to have bad luck picking spots to set up camp with solid downed trees for seats ...
Finally, what do you guys use for packs? I'm looking at military surplus rucksacks as a rugged and cheap solution, but haven't pick anything up yet. I don't ever stay in the woods for more than 1 night so I don't need anything huge.. I'm open to any suggestion.
Thanks guys and gals!
Post by: Grathr on March 18, 2016, 07:03:57 AM
That really is up to what you like, and how you use your tarp. The one I use is 3x4m if I rember correctly.
I either sit on a folding styrofoam mat, if I have one with me, but I usually dont on overnight hikes.
On canoe trips I often sit on my life west. Other than that, I usually set up my camp were there is naturally something to sit on, be it a fallen tree, some rocks or just the way the terrain slopes.
I have several packs. A 85litre Norrøna pack for longer heavy carry trips.
A 45 litre Deuter pack for light carry hikes and a ceapo surplus store pack that was of surprisingly good quality.
Surplus military packs can be a good way to start. Just make sure its complete with all straps and fastenings intact. Surplus stores can also be a great source for a lot of cheap gear like canteens, cooksets etc.
Post by: Gerhard Gerber on March 18, 2016, 07:05:26 AM
Wish I could go that minimalist, but the creepy-crawlies are a major issue as I found out again recently.
Post by: Corwyn on March 18, 2016, 08:34:33 AM
I'm probably going to get another cheap tarp for the next few months
I read "I'm going to get another cheap tart" :facepalm: and I was thinking.. hey I need one of those too :D
Post by: styx on March 18, 2016, 08:39:45 AM
as Gathr said, inexpensive mats can be found. or if you have access to an old yoga mat, that can work well for sitting.
Post by: ducttapetech on March 18, 2016, 10:38:00 AM
As far as packs go, I use an old military Alice pack.
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Post by: Gerhard Gerber on March 18, 2016, 12:23:57 PM
Post by: Huntsman on March 18, 2016, 01:24:02 PM
You can be completely enclosed in a double skin with a sewn in groundsheet and external flysheet. You will be warm and dry and protected from the elements and creepy crawlies.
These things can be picked up for a reasonable price, and can weigh next to nothing - probably not much more than a tarp!
For me a (sealed cell) foam mattress is essential.
When you sleep in the outdoors all your heat is lost through your contact with the ground - not to the cool air around you - So insulation from the ground is absolutely necessary.
Post by: Clear_Ice on March 18, 2016, 06:19:29 PM
I'd love to get a silnylon tarp now but I wanna try a bigger sized cheap tarp first before I pull the trigger on a nice one. I wanna get the best size figured out in the cheapest way possible haha
Post by: ducttapetech on March 18, 2016, 06:25:44 PM
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Post by: styx on March 18, 2016, 08:38:53 PM
http://sectionhiker.com/square-tarp-pitches/
Post by: Clear_Ice on March 18, 2016, 11:37:07 PM
Surplus Italian Tactical Backpack, the same as in the link below:
http://store.oldgrouch.biz/itarcamopa.html
Sawyer Mini water filter for some piece of mind and so that I don't have to pack so much dang heavy water
200 feet of paracord so I should be set for a while. I've been using cheap polyester rope for the last year and it's time to quit screwing around! Also got a couple buckles to maybe make a bracelet or two out of the stuff.
Finally, I also purchased a $8 8x10ft camo tarp. Nothing special but I want to try out the size and see how it goes. If it craps out on me right away, I will have learned my lesson haha.
When I hopefully get out this week, I will show all this new gear in action! No time to try it out now, plus it's snowing here anyways :rant:
Thanks for the comments everyone!
Post by: ducttapetech on March 18, 2016, 11:56:18 PM
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Post by: Alan K. on March 19, 2016, 03:25:20 AM
Post by: Clear_Ice on March 19, 2016, 04:00:27 AM
What to sit on so your backside stays dry? Cheap plastic shower curtains can be had for under $5.00 in stores such as Family Dollar and Big Lots. You can cut one in half so you can put half under your ground pad for sleeping and half to fold into a square to sit on.
I suppose i have a black trash bag i carry anyways... that would work too! :tu:
Post by: Clear_Ice on March 22, 2016, 05:19:22 AM
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160322/4c651ca1f1926d7cff5a0004c3128bf2.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160322/bbab2da9e027ae0233ce78129522f009.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160322/b6d2a4a2fd7a7b054a8d584c5c8f2606.jpg)
I'm gonna get out to the woods all day Friday for just a day trip, and packed tonight in anticipation
Thanks for the advice everyone, all I need to find now is a good sleeping bag and foam mat setup!
Post by: Grathr on March 22, 2016, 09:25:24 AM
Post by: ducttapetech on March 22, 2016, 01:14:18 PM
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Post by: Clear_Ice on March 22, 2016, 01:48:46 PM
I probably should pick up a dry sack or two just in case it rains...
Post by: Grathr on March 22, 2016, 01:51:02 PM
Post by: magentus on March 22, 2016, 05:00:49 PM
While not in-action pictures, here's the picture of the pack and tarp I picked up, along with the rest of my gear besides food:C-I those Italian packs are very sought after here in the UK - I know loads of people who are after one (myself included) so well done on finding one!
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160322/4c651ca1f1926d7cff5a0004c3128bf2.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160322/bbab2da9e027ae0233ce78129522f009.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160322/b6d2a4a2fd7a7b054a8d584c5c8f2606.jpg)
I'm gonna get out to the woods all day Friday for just a day trip, and packed tonight in anticipation
Thanks for the advice everyone, all I need to find now is a good sleeping bag and foam mat setup!
Post by: Aloha on March 22, 2016, 05:28:40 PM
Post by: SAK Guy on March 22, 2016, 05:37:48 PM
Post by: styx on March 22, 2016, 06:00:09 PM
Post by: SteveC on March 22, 2016, 09:19:10 PM
What to sit on so your backside stays dry? Cheap plastic shower curtains can be had for under $5.00 in stores such as Family Dollar and Big Lots. You can cut one in half so you can put half under your ground pad for sleeping and half to fold into a square to sit on.
Back when I did a lot of back country skiing I used to carry the empty bladder from a box of wine for sitting on. You can partially inflate it and it gives a nice cushion to sit on, keeps your behind dry and insulated from the snow or cold ground.
(http://g03.s.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1AU.VFFXXXXXMXVXXq6xXFXXXx/200502771/HTB1AU.VFFXXXXXMXVXXq6xXFXXXx.jpg)
Post by: Aloha on March 23, 2016, 12:19:11 AM
Post by: Clear_Ice on March 23, 2016, 12:46:01 AM
Aloha- my cook kit is just a stripped down pot and lid from a Swedish army surplus mess kit. I added a bail to it and I cook over the fire with it. Also, I've been looking at thermarests, they seem nice!
Steve- I'm gonna try and improvise and get a sleeping pad I can fold up for sitting, but your idea is a good one! Besides the fact I would have to buy a box of wine haha
Thanks for the compliments everyone!
Post by: Aloha on March 23, 2016, 12:57:44 AM
Post by: ducttapetech on March 23, 2016, 01:35:40 AM
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Post by: magentus on March 23, 2016, 09:47:17 AM
Went to Fleet Farm today and bought the following:I've emailed that link to see if they would ship to the UK and whether it's not going to bump the cost up more than I can afford. The backpack is a seriously nice one. There's one going on a bushcraft site here for £55.00!
Surplus Italian Tactical Backpack, the same as in the link below:
http://store.oldgrouch.biz/itarcamopa.html
Sawyer Mini water filter for some piece of mind and so that I don't have to pack so much dang heavy water
200 feet of paracord so I should be set for a while. I've been using cheap polyester rope for the last year and it's time to quit screwing around! Also got a couple buckles to maybe make a bracelet or two out of the stuff.
Finally, I also purchased a $8 8x10ft camo tarp. Nothing special but I want to try out the size and see how it goes. If it craps out on me right away, I will have learned my lesson haha.
When I hopefully get out this week, I will show all this new gear in action! No time to try it out now, plus it's snowing here anyways :rant:
Thanks for the comments everyone!
Post by: Clear_Ice on March 23, 2016, 02:36:38 PM
I've emailed that link to see if they would ship to the UK and whether it's not going to bump the cost up more than I can afford. The backpack is a seriously nice one. There's one going on a bushcraft site here for £55.00!
I picked mine up for $21, but I had to weed through a few bad ones before on the rack before I was able to find this nice one that I bought.
Post by: Clear_Ice on March 23, 2016, 02:39:25 PM
Big advocate of the alcohol stoves. I have a Trangia which IMO is really good. I also have a mini stove that runs off mixed fuel canister ( isobutane ).
I've had the tuna can type stoves and like using them but I enjoy cooking over a fire more. It's a bit more challenging but I enjoy it! Maybe a good quality stove like you mentioned would change my views, but I'm content currently with cooking over a fire
I might piece together 3 pieces of metal grate to make a small grill to set my pot on though. Would be much easier than making a tripod every time I head into the woods
Post by: Grathr on March 24, 2016, 04:09:47 PM
As far a waxing it your rucksack, I use bees' wax.
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I have been using greenland wax with varying results.
I wonder if the liquid stuff you use on waxed jackets might be better ? :think:
Post by: Clear_Ice on March 25, 2016, 11:19:33 PM
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160325/3da3e3907834a23fca3211f616afbfa1.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160325/f5696ace744d57ef65a21804dd52b72b.jpg)
I definitely see a need now to wax my pack. Here is a before and after pic of the woods, so needless to say my pack got soaked!
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160325/36db5b42f86f29ed909984862490c1e1.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160325/d24a2cf0ddb025dcfa9fc581349cb4d2.jpg)
Post by: ducttapetech on March 29, 2016, 04:05:51 PM
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Post by: Grathr on March 29, 2016, 04:48:53 PM
Great pics man! Looks like you had some fun.
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+1 :tu:
Post by: strmliner on March 29, 2016, 05:49:46 PM
Great pics man! Looks like you had some fun.
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+1 on your adventure and pics Clear Ice!
It's all about being out there, learning, and having fun! Great start...can't wait to see how this all evolves into the summer! :cheers:
Post by: Clear_Ice on March 29, 2016, 10:14:51 PM
Great pics man! Looks like you had some fun.
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+1 on your adventure and pics Clear Ice!
It's all about being out there, learning, and having fun! Great start...can't wait to see how this all evolves into the summer! :cheers:
I'm currently at school, which has an unbelievable amount of public land just 10 minutes away. Back home, there isn't much public land. I'll be trying to cram as much time in the woods as I can before I have to head home for the year. Let's hope the weather stays nice!
Post by: Alan K. on March 31, 2016, 01:14:13 PM
Great pics man! Looks like you had some fun.
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+1 on your adventure and pics Clear Ice!
It's all about being out there, learning, and having fun! Great start...can't wait to see how this all evolves into the summer! :cheers:
I'm currently at school, which has an unbelievable amount of public land just 10 minutes away. Back home, there isn't much public land. I'll be trying to cram as much time in the woods as I can before I have to head home for the year. Let's hope the weather stays nice!
Not trying to put any ideas in your head or anything, but about 25 or 30 years ago Cody Lundin was a college student who couldn't afford an apartment so he decided to live in a bush camp in the desert and he's made quite the career out of it since then.
Post by: Clear_Ice on April 01, 2016, 03:41:40 AM
Great pics man! Looks like you had some fun.
That's us mobile
+1 on your adventure and pics Clear Ice!
It's all about being out there, learning, and having fun! Great start...can't wait to see how this all evolves into the summer! :cheers:
I'm currently at school, which has an unbelievable amount of public land just 10 minutes away. Back home, there isn't much public land. I'll be trying to cram as much time in the woods as I can before I have to head home for the year. Let's hope the weather stays nice!
Not trying to put any ideas in your head or anything, but about 25 or 30 years ago Cody Lundin was a college student who couldn't afford an apartment so he decided to live in a bush camp in the desert and he's made quite the career out of it since then.
Haha not that I wouldn't love to try it, but it probably wouldn't work that well considering how cold it gets up here for most of the school year... If anything, is live in my ice fishing house for the whole winter
Got out today and snapped a couple pics:
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160401/5a065e0ee179ba396e7cd56352dbfb50.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160401/32bc7a410468305a04b27cdbc8d5defe.jpg)
Post by: ducttapetech on April 01, 2016, 11:25:05 AM
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Post by: Grathr on April 01, 2016, 03:51:34 PM
Beautiful
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What he said :tu:
Post by: zoidberg on April 06, 2016, 10:40:21 AM