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elizabeth
Should I get a cold weather sleeping bag, or warm weather if I am camping in the summer months? Are higher altitudes colder even in the summer?
Specifically the Colorado area, in a designated campsite in Rocky Mountain National Park. Nothing too wild here (I'm a beginner, lol)...I won't be hiking to the campsite. Thank you for the information, guys!
Answer
Here is my opinion. others will disagree, but I don't care. I have lots of experience and I'm an independent old fart. First, Down is warmer than any other insulation. It lasts longer and compresses better. In modern tents you will not have an issue keeping it dry. New fabrics are more water resistant than older shells. So don't believe those critics that say down isn't good because it looses it's insulaation value when wet. In well over 40 years of backpacking and climbing in Washington, Alaska and California I have managed to keep my down dry and am loving it. Next, get a bag that will work for at least three seasons. Next, a limit of 2.2 pounds (1000grams) is maximum you need or want to carry. If price is an issue you might check the REI down Kilo bag. I don't own one, but the reviews are quite good. If price isn't an issue check out Marmot and Western Mountaineering brands. Don't pay much attention to temp. ratings, as they vary by manufacturer. Customer reviews are a better way to evaluate bags. If you purchase quality it will last a long time and you will never regret it when you climb into your comfy bag on a cold night.
Here is my opinion. others will disagree, but I don't care. I have lots of experience and I'm an independent old fart. First, Down is warmer than any other insulation. It lasts longer and compresses better. In modern tents you will not have an issue keeping it dry. New fabrics are more water resistant than older shells. So don't believe those critics that say down isn't good because it looses it's insulaation value when wet. In well over 40 years of backpacking and climbing in Washington, Alaska and California I have managed to keep my down dry and am loving it. Next, get a bag that will work for at least three seasons. Next, a limit of 2.2 pounds (1000grams) is maximum you need or want to carry. If price is an issue you might check the REI down Kilo bag. I don't own one, but the reviews are quite good. If price isn't an issue check out Marmot and Western Mountaineering brands. Don't pay much attention to temp. ratings, as they vary by manufacturer. Customer reviews are a better way to evaluate bags. If you purchase quality it will last a long time and you will never regret it when you climb into your comfy bag on a cold night.
What are your jungle camping/hiking supplies, gadgets and must haves?
phaja1nine
Please advise on what kind of things you wished you had while hiking and camping in the jungle. I know that the basics will be covered but you list those as well just so I can be sure I am not missing anything. I love gadgets so feel free to include those as well.
Please make list with Peru in mind.
Thanks!
Answer
Can't really offer you a "complete" list since you don't specify what you'll be doing or where you will be staying. But, some things I can't live without when camping in jungle conditions are listed below. All of them cost between $10 and $20 but are worth their weight in gold.:
"Blu Bandoo" cooling bandanas. They are scarves that you can tie around your head or neck that have gel beads inside the fabric. You soak them for 10 minutes in water, the beads swell and it causes a chemical chilling affect that lasts all day. Wearing one around your neck really helps keep you cool. You can re-use them over and over.
An Eddie Bauer sports series zip-neck long-sleeved shirt made with what they call Cocono poly fabric. It has fine mesh panels on the sides and down the back that really keep you cool and dry and the material is SPF 50 rated to prevent sunburn (near the Equator, even people with darker skin can burn painfully). I think they discontinued these shirts but I just bought 2 on their outlet website for $20 each.
A cheap lightweight plastic salad bowl that holds about 2 quarts of water (like a basketball cut in half). You can fit it in the bottom of your daypack and it is really handy for washing your face or doing undie and sock laundry. (get it in the picnic goods department of K-Mart or other discount store for a dollar or two.)
Speaking of laundry, get a set of small backpacker clothespins (they are small bright colored metal or plastic clips.) Very handy for hanging up wet gear and even a flashlight in your tent or cabin. Camping goods departments sell them (COughlans brand, usually) for a few dollars.
A backpackers mesh hammock is handy too (only cost $10 or $12 and fold down small enough to fit in a pack pocket.) Hung between two trees you can sit on it or sleep in it, hung on the wall in a tent or cabin it gives you a big pocket to keep your gear off the floor.
Quick dry underwear made of polyolefin or polyester mesh -- they won't get damp and sweaty while you wear them and dry overnight when you wash them out. Check sporting good stores.
Wool socks (yes, wool), lightweight cushion weave. Much easier on your feet in hiking shoes in damp hot weather -- more absorbent than cotton or synthetics and will cut down on blisters.
A wide brimmed fabric hat and a mosquito net that can go over it when the bugs get to bugging me.
A small journal to write in each night before going to sleep. You think you'll remember everything when you get back but you never do -- it's so much fun to read your own first hand account years later.
A couple of tiny LED flashlights -- they look like a big clear plastic gem about an inch across attached to a black plastic clip that can attach to your pack, hat or pocket. Excellent for walking around camp at night or reading and writing in bed.
Can't really offer you a "complete" list since you don't specify what you'll be doing or where you will be staying. But, some things I can't live without when camping in jungle conditions are listed below. All of them cost between $10 and $20 but are worth their weight in gold.:
"Blu Bandoo" cooling bandanas. They are scarves that you can tie around your head or neck that have gel beads inside the fabric. You soak them for 10 minutes in water, the beads swell and it causes a chemical chilling affect that lasts all day. Wearing one around your neck really helps keep you cool. You can re-use them over and over.
An Eddie Bauer sports series zip-neck long-sleeved shirt made with what they call Cocono poly fabric. It has fine mesh panels on the sides and down the back that really keep you cool and dry and the material is SPF 50 rated to prevent sunburn (near the Equator, even people with darker skin can burn painfully). I think they discontinued these shirts but I just bought 2 on their outlet website for $20 each.
A cheap lightweight plastic salad bowl that holds about 2 quarts of water (like a basketball cut in half). You can fit it in the bottom of your daypack and it is really handy for washing your face or doing undie and sock laundry. (get it in the picnic goods department of K-Mart or other discount store for a dollar or two.)
Speaking of laundry, get a set of small backpacker clothespins (they are small bright colored metal or plastic clips.) Very handy for hanging up wet gear and even a flashlight in your tent or cabin. Camping goods departments sell them (COughlans brand, usually) for a few dollars.
A backpackers mesh hammock is handy too (only cost $10 or $12 and fold down small enough to fit in a pack pocket.) Hung between two trees you can sit on it or sleep in it, hung on the wall in a tent or cabin it gives you a big pocket to keep your gear off the floor.
Quick dry underwear made of polyolefin or polyester mesh -- they won't get damp and sweaty while you wear them and dry overnight when you wash them out. Check sporting good stores.
Wool socks (yes, wool), lightweight cushion weave. Much easier on your feet in hiking shoes in damp hot weather -- more absorbent than cotton or synthetics and will cut down on blisters.
A wide brimmed fabric hat and a mosquito net that can go over it when the bugs get to bugging me.
A small journal to write in each night before going to sleep. You think you'll remember everything when you get back but you never do -- it's so much fun to read your own first hand account years later.
A couple of tiny LED flashlights -- they look like a big clear plastic gem about an inch across attached to a black plastic clip that can attach to your pack, hat or pocket. Excellent for walking around camp at night or reading and writing in bed.
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