tents for camping 4 seasons image
Tracy
I am planning to have my very first winter camping next month. I heard some people said that a four-season camping tent is necessary for a winter camping. I purchased a camping tent this summer and it's a three-season camping tent. I think it's OK because I will use my sleeping bag. Do I really have to buy a four-season camping tent?
Answer
The major differences between a 3 season and a 4 season tent are that the winter rated tents are designed to be able to support or shed a heavy snow load without the frame breaking or the tent collapsing. They also tend to have the rainfly system designed to maintain a more reliable space between the fly and inner tent wall to minimize condensation and having the fly press on the tent due to a build up of snow. Winter rated tents tend to have smaller window and ventilation areas and will more often have an exterior vestibule arrangement to block wind and to give you a place to leave snowy gear outside the sleeping area or to cook on the ground but out of the wind during storms.
Unless you expect heavy snow loads or severe blizzards and extended bivouacs, a good quality (not discount store) 3 season tent can be perfectly adequate for winter camping. I have winter camped many times with 3 season tents, in fact, probably more often than with my 4-season ones (though I own several tents of each type). If your tent pitches tight so that the fly doesn't blow around and snap in the wind and has strong poles and a vestibule or good fly overhang over the door, you will most likely be fine in it.
For winter camping in snow I always carry a microfiber towel to wipe condensation off the inside of the tent walls at night and before I get out of my bag in the morning.
Be certain you have stakes that will work in the ground conditions you will encounter. Fat plastic stakes will not work on frozen ground -- get the thin metal ones that twist in. If you will be camping in deep snowpack, you will want to be able to make "dead man" anchors by attaching the guy lines and corner staking tabs to buried stuff sacks that you fill with snow or rocks or tying your guy lines to buried branches. You will probably need to stake the tent more solidly than in warmer weather due to the higher potential for wind. Nothing is worse than watching your dome tent bounce down the mountain and out of sight over a cliff (hasn't happened to me but I've seen it happen to others).
The major differences between a 3 season and a 4 season tent are that the winter rated tents are designed to be able to support or shed a heavy snow load without the frame breaking or the tent collapsing. They also tend to have the rainfly system designed to maintain a more reliable space between the fly and inner tent wall to minimize condensation and having the fly press on the tent due to a build up of snow. Winter rated tents tend to have smaller window and ventilation areas and will more often have an exterior vestibule arrangement to block wind and to give you a place to leave snowy gear outside the sleeping area or to cook on the ground but out of the wind during storms.
Unless you expect heavy snow loads or severe blizzards and extended bivouacs, a good quality (not discount store) 3 season tent can be perfectly adequate for winter camping. I have winter camped many times with 3 season tents, in fact, probably more often than with my 4-season ones (though I own several tents of each type). If your tent pitches tight so that the fly doesn't blow around and snap in the wind and has strong poles and a vestibule or good fly overhang over the door, you will most likely be fine in it.
For winter camping in snow I always carry a microfiber towel to wipe condensation off the inside of the tent walls at night and before I get out of my bag in the morning.
Be certain you have stakes that will work in the ground conditions you will encounter. Fat plastic stakes will not work on frozen ground -- get the thin metal ones that twist in. If you will be camping in deep snowpack, you will want to be able to make "dead man" anchors by attaching the guy lines and corner staking tabs to buried stuff sacks that you fill with snow or rocks or tying your guy lines to buried branches. You will probably need to stake the tent more solidly than in warmer weather due to the higher potential for wind. Nothing is worse than watching your dome tent bounce down the mountain and out of sight over a cliff (hasn't happened to me but I've seen it happen to others).
What hiking and camping gear should I buy?
djinvincea
Ok here's the scoop...
I want to get into hiking and camping with my wife. I currently have no gear. What should I buy? I have about $800 to work with. I am planning on camping through 3 seasons, spring, summer, and fall (a little in the winter perhaps). I am going to need a two person tent, his and hers sleeping bags, and his and hers backpacks. I am looking for gear that would take me on 2-4 day hikes. Should go with internal or external backpacks. What's the difference? Is there a good rain resistant tent within my price range? I'm thinking I would want a mummy type sleeping bag. Again, not sure though. Brand names with reasons for purchasing would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Answer
Go to www.cabelas.com and browse around, or better yet request a catalog. It's the best outdoors outfitter I've ever used. First off, since you're talking about backpacking, you need to think lightweight. Interior/Exterior just has to do with whether the frame is inside or outside the "pack" on a backpack. To decide on which type is better fo you, go to a good sporting goods store in your area and look at them/try them on. Sleeping backs should definately be the "mummy" style bags. They are around $100 each, but are very lightweight and can handle moderately cold weather (sleeping bags will have a rating in degrees to how cold it can get and you can still rely on the sleeping bag). They can also be compacted better than classic sleeping bags. Any brand in Cabela's would be a good brand, including its own brand. Also buy you and your wife sleeping pads... they are light, compact, and your back is worth it. I like the self-inflating type, but you can also get foam ones. Again any brand in Cabela's (this goes for all their products) is usually a good brand.
Tents are usually rated by seasons they can be used in (summer, 3-season, or all weather are popular ratings). Definately go for a dome-style tent rather than the boxier tents. Dome style tents are usually more sturdy, deflect water better, and are usually lighter. Also you'll want one with a good rain cover that goes close to the base of the tent, and a high waterproof rating (in mms)... 1,500mm waterproof ratings are pretty good. Also, pay attention to weight. Aluminum weighs less than fiberglass, but costs more also. A two person tent probably weighs around 15 lbs, and you and your wife can split this weight (she takes tent, you poles) or you can pack it yourself, but weight is the largest factor (besides neccesities) when hiking.
Alright, now that we have the major equipment out of the way, here are some neccessities.
-First Aid Kit and maps or knowledge of area, or GPs
-Flashlight w/extra batteries and lantern would be nice
-Good all-purpose knife/survival knife
-water purification pump AND purification pills... start out with at least 1/2 gallon of water each
-Waterproof matches AND waterproof lighter (just in case)
-Lightweight stove. Sporting good store can recommend good ones for backpacking.
-Food: lightweight, non-perishables, such as top ramen, energy bars, canned food, chocolate. Fatty foods are good to have in the woods since you will be burning a lot of calaries. They say one of the best things you can eat if your lost is butter. You may burn 3,000 or more calaries a day, so don't try to go on a diet right then. I recommend some type of powder flavoring for water... it doesn't always taste great when used with purification pills.
-Dish soap, eating utensils and backpacking pots. They usually come in a nice kit that doesn't take up much space. Look on Cabela's or at a sporting goods store.
-TOILET PAPER
-Permits. You usually have to get permits to camp in public parks/Forest Service land. You go to the closest Forestry office to pick these up. These are important if for no other reason than if you don't come back when your family expects you, they know where to start looking.
-Bear spray
-Clothes that can be layered, gloves, beanies, good hiking boots and tennis shoes if you dont mind the extra weight (for camp).
Recommended Supplies:
-Cell phone or handheld CB at least
-Camera (for obvious reasons)
-Rope(hang your food away from camp so predators dont get into it).
-Insect repellant/sunblock
There's probably more that I am missing, but those are the most important. The most important thing to do when going camping is to tell at least two responsible people you know where you're going, and give them a timeframe for coming back. Also I recommend you both take a First Aid Course... they are usually free and something could go wrong quickly (although unlikely) in the forests... snake bite, broken leg, heat stroke, hyperthermia, bear attack, drinking bad water (always purify or boil for five minutes... & retrieve from running water source. If impossible to purify, find area where water is "falling"... it's usually cleanest there).
I'm not trying to scare you away and you guys will probably have a blast, but definately be prepared.
Go to www.cabelas.com and browse around, or better yet request a catalog. It's the best outdoors outfitter I've ever used. First off, since you're talking about backpacking, you need to think lightweight. Interior/Exterior just has to do with whether the frame is inside or outside the "pack" on a backpack. To decide on which type is better fo you, go to a good sporting goods store in your area and look at them/try them on. Sleeping backs should definately be the "mummy" style bags. They are around $100 each, but are very lightweight and can handle moderately cold weather (sleeping bags will have a rating in degrees to how cold it can get and you can still rely on the sleeping bag). They can also be compacted better than classic sleeping bags. Any brand in Cabela's would be a good brand, including its own brand. Also buy you and your wife sleeping pads... they are light, compact, and your back is worth it. I like the self-inflating type, but you can also get foam ones. Again any brand in Cabela's (this goes for all their products) is usually a good brand.
Tents are usually rated by seasons they can be used in (summer, 3-season, or all weather are popular ratings). Definately go for a dome-style tent rather than the boxier tents. Dome style tents are usually more sturdy, deflect water better, and are usually lighter. Also you'll want one with a good rain cover that goes close to the base of the tent, and a high waterproof rating (in mms)... 1,500mm waterproof ratings are pretty good. Also, pay attention to weight. Aluminum weighs less than fiberglass, but costs more also. A two person tent probably weighs around 15 lbs, and you and your wife can split this weight (she takes tent, you poles) or you can pack it yourself, but weight is the largest factor (besides neccesities) when hiking.
Alright, now that we have the major equipment out of the way, here are some neccessities.
-First Aid Kit and maps or knowledge of area, or GPs
-Flashlight w/extra batteries and lantern would be nice
-Good all-purpose knife/survival knife
-water purification pump AND purification pills... start out with at least 1/2 gallon of water each
-Waterproof matches AND waterproof lighter (just in case)
-Lightweight stove. Sporting good store can recommend good ones for backpacking.
-Food: lightweight, non-perishables, such as top ramen, energy bars, canned food, chocolate. Fatty foods are good to have in the woods since you will be burning a lot of calaries. They say one of the best things you can eat if your lost is butter. You may burn 3,000 or more calaries a day, so don't try to go on a diet right then. I recommend some type of powder flavoring for water... it doesn't always taste great when used with purification pills.
-Dish soap, eating utensils and backpacking pots. They usually come in a nice kit that doesn't take up much space. Look on Cabela's or at a sporting goods store.
-TOILET PAPER
-Permits. You usually have to get permits to camp in public parks/Forest Service land. You go to the closest Forestry office to pick these up. These are important if for no other reason than if you don't come back when your family expects you, they know where to start looking.
-Bear spray
-Clothes that can be layered, gloves, beanies, good hiking boots and tennis shoes if you dont mind the extra weight (for camp).
Recommended Supplies:
-Cell phone or handheld CB at least
-Camera (for obvious reasons)
-Rope(hang your food away from camp so predators dont get into it).
-Insect repellant/sunblock
There's probably more that I am missing, but those are the most important. The most important thing to do when going camping is to tell at least two responsible people you know where you're going, and give them a timeframe for coming back. Also I recommend you both take a First Aid Course... they are usually free and something could go wrong quickly (although unlikely) in the forests... snake bite, broken leg, heat stroke, hyperthermia, bear attack, drinking bad water (always purify or boil for five minutes... & retrieve from running water source. If impossible to purify, find area where water is "falling"... it's usually cleanest there).
I'm not trying to scare you away and you guys will probably have a blast, but definately be prepared.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
No comments:
Post a Comment