Archive for February, 2010
Check a sleeping bag’s label to see how to care for it. Learn about caring for sleeping bags in this free video on camping gear and the great outdoors.
Expert: Brant Bowers
Bio: Brant Bowers has worked in the Camping Department at Bill Jackson’s sporting goods store since 2004.
Filmmaker: Christopher Rokosz
Duration : 0:1:15
http://www.spadout.com/iv/outdoor-gear-news-episode-5/
Duration : 0:2:31
On the night of Tuesday 22nd September Sydney experienced a wind and dust storm like no other in history with flash lightning, up to 9mm of pouring rain, and howling winds gusting up to 95 km per hour measured by the Buro of Meteorology. By 5am on Wednesday morning, Sydney was engulfed in orange dust, blown by 95 km per hour winds carrying thousands of tons of the fine dust from outback Australia, leaving the whole city sky with an eerie orange glow. The airport was closed, Sydney Ferries were shut down and city buildings, homes and cars were covered in orange dust, the likes of which had never been experienced before.
The crazy people at Kangaroo Tent City chose to go camping in this storm on Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour, to test the performance of various tents in extreme conditions. 86 tents were set up and tested. Dome tents by Coleman, Black Wolf, Diamantina and Roman. Canvas tents by Diamantina and Campmor. After the storm was over on Wednesday afternoon, an inspection of all 86 tents revealed only 3 tents had broken poles from the storm. 75 of these tents were the Campmor Hennie Canvas Dome Tent and not one of these tents had any damage. Every tent was still standing. This video footage was taken at 8am on Wednesday morning, whilst the winds were still blowing at more than 50km per hour, and as you can see, every tent is still up. An amazing result given the ferocity of the winds, and the fact that Cockatoo Island camping ground is in a highly exposed location, where the westerly winds roar down Parramatta River.
Kangaroo Tent City chose to create this crazy test, and the results prove Kangaroo Tent City go to extreme measures to prove they have some of the best quality tents in the world. Kangaroo Tent City are Australias camping experts. For more information visit www.kangarootentcity.com.au.
Duration : 0:1:6
After a bit of a break, we’re back with the first of a special 2-part series in which Ben and Josh examine some of Josh’s personal gear collection. We’re talkin’ dry bags, beer bongs, sunscreen for pale folk, an old as balls propane stove, and more. Just what will we uncover?!!?! As a special tribute to the USA Olympic hockey team, this episode features patriotic cutlery…in USA colors. Check out more of our videos at http://www.CampingGearTV.com
Duration : 0:8:43
We’d like to know where to buy cheap sleeping bags in Honolulu since we’d like to camp in Oahu on a budget. It could be online as well, we have a week of time to buy them.
http://www.sportsauthority.com/corp/index.jsp?city=Honolulu&locationCode=771&locName=Oahu&page=storeLocator&state=HI
http://www.walmart.com/storeLocator/ca_storefinder_details_short.do?rx_title=com.wm.www.apps.storelocator.page.serviceLink.title.default&edit_object_id=3478&rx_dest=/index.gsp&sfsearch_state=&sfsearch_city=&sfsearch_zip=96822
Peace///////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
I just got a new mummy sleeping bag and don’t know how to carry it up the mountain. It didn’t come with a stuff sack but do I go and buy one or will it not fit? Does it somehow stuff into itself in some pouch or something? Thanks a lot…I’ve always stuck with the old sleeping bags and when I finally got a new one I don;t know what to do with it.
Although it is possible to role up a mummy sleeping bag I recommend purchasing a stuff sack for it. It makes things much simpler.
If it’s June in the Midwest, the temp can range from 35 to 50. What temp sleeping bag would be good?
This is for an 11 year old girl tent camping for 5 nights late June. Most kids bags are 50 degree. Should I get an adult 35 or 40 degree? It would be real big I think, right?
Thanks!
<never been camping>
yes aduly bags are larger and wont be as warm for her because it doesnt "snuggle" her in. I think a youth bag is sufficient, and get a couple of those cheap fleece throws they sell at wal mart, they really help a lot.
I got all my basic gear (harness, shoes, etc) now I’d like to transition from the gym to the outdoors and get a rope to to start doing some top rope climbing. <70 ft of wall. Any suggestions? Also, how often does the rope become worn needing a replacement?
Do not get a 70m rope, that is over kill. I have a 60m static line i use for rappelling and it is a beast, regret getting a long rope. 50m would suit you just fine. 50m = 164ft. So the max height of your cliff face can be 80 feet since your rope has to run to the top of the cliff and back down you have to divide the length in half. (164/2=82, but lets keep that 2 feet to play it safe and don’t forget a stopper knot after the belayer!) A 50m rope is definitely plenty your gear will get heavy fast when you have to walk to the face, the difference between 50m and 70m is a lot! If you want to compromise maybe think of getting a 60m rope but don’t forget it`ll weigh more and also cost more. I`d also look for a Dry rope, even if you are not planning on doing ice climbing. It`s extra protection for your rope and will help on days when the rock can be wet from rain or dew. Its hard to say when you should retire a rope. Since you are top roping you won’t need to worry about the rope taking any hard falls, because after the number of falls for which the rope is rated then you must retire it. If you take care of the rope and make sure it doesn’t really rub sharp or abrasive edges on the face then it could last you a long time. Its ok if the sheath is rubbed, just as long as you cant see the white core of the rope. The rope will take some wear but it is important to inspect it.
Inspect the rope from end to end before and after each use. Slide your hand along the rope feeling for any hard or really soft spots both indicating damage. Make sure you store your rope in a cool dry place, never in the trunk of the car or like in a garage or floor of the closet since chemicals can easily get on the rope, severely damaging it.
You are also going to need some equipment for anchors, i`d get some lengths of webbing and some smaller sewn slings along with some `biners. Are you confident in your anchor setup? Don’t forget the acronym ERNEST when setting up your anchors. If you are not comfortable setting them up take a class from REI, EMS or Campmor, their knowledgeable staff will definitely teach you a thing or two.
If you have any questions feel free to email me on the Y!A profile.
I am gonna be doing some camping on my property that is very big in dense forest area. I want a good tent that I will use for staying in when i start building a hunting shack/house. Whats a good tent that will keep me dry and comfortable in some rough weather? I might not build anything if the tent is good enough quality?
Here`s a site that gives you brand name tents at discount prices:
http://www.backcountry.com/store/subcat/28/Tents.html
Here`s another option….a hammock:
http://hennessyhammock.com/comparisonchart.html
I only use the hammock now…no worries about rocks, roots, sticks, uneven ground, and no need to carry a sleeping pad.
Free. Your first time should always be free, especially for kids. In other words, you should go with an experienced camper(s) or a camping organization who will let you borrow their gear, since almost all campers have extra gear, the very thing you’re trying to avoid by first borrowing.
After a couple of "free" camping trips under your belt you’ll start to get an idea of what kind of gear you might want to purchase, and start to research materials, quality, prices, and reviews to determine the right choice for you, your camping style, level of comfort, camping plans, and budget. Reading books about camping and backpacking at your local library is a good start along with popular camping websites.
A mistake some people make is to try to buy the biggest and most expensive gear, which is usually overkill. Similarly, don’t expect Wal-Mart gear to get you through more than a weekend or two. Somewhere in the middle is where I aim, in size, quality, weight and price.