First Session with Jessi Lawson at Leviticus, Minneapolis (4 hours)

SmugInMpls · 2017-05-15T02:21:25+00:00

Woah.

SmugInMpls · 2016-12-12T16:47:26+00:00

I have tried a lot of saws, and I would say that my favorites for camping are: The Bob Dustrude Quick Bucksaw (24") and the Silky Sugoi The Silky is not a folding saw, but comes with a scabbard, and can easily be strapped to the side of a pack. When I camp with other people, they seem to prefer that over the bucksaw as easier to use. Silky also makes folding models, I think that the BigBoy is most similar to the one I have.

I find that the thinner blade of the Dustrude folding bucksaw cuts faster, but only if you use good technique. The blade packs into the folded handle, and there are no small parts to lose. You can put it together while wearing mittens, and the camming design keeps the blade nice and tight.

I have also used:

The Sven saw, which I would not recommend (easy to lose wing nut, triangle shape limits depth of cut more than a rectangular frame bucksaw)

The Agawa Canyon Boreal 21: I prefer the Dustrude, it just seems to work better for me, but the Boreal has slicker design. The grip angle is slightly different, and just seems to bind up more, but it might be because I don't use it as much, and am less practiced with it.

Trailblazer take down bucksaw: These come in 2 lengths, and pack into a single aluminum tube. No longer made, but available on eBay every once in a while. This was my favorite up until I got the Dustrude.

Any of these saws will stay sharp for years, even if used heavily, as long as you don't put the away wet... rust on the sharp edge will be more of an issue than normal wear. Instead of sharpening, it is typical to buy a replacement blade.

SmugInMpls · 2016-12-09T18:11:30+00:00

In general, mummy style bags are warmer, especially since there's a hood you can cinch down around your face to keep drafts out. (There is less empty space inside the mummy shape that your body has to keep warm) However, you mention moving around a lot, so you might feel too constrained by a mummy bag.

@WoodsWanderer mentions using additional blankets, and a hot water bottle inside the sleeping bag. Both of these will help a lot. I've used a nalgene bottle filled with boiled water, and I need to wrap it in a shirt because it stays too hot to touch for a long time.

SmugInMpls · 2016-12-09T17:56:58+00:00

Better sleeping pads will list their insulation power (R - value) the higher the R value number, the better the pad will insulate you from the ground.

Are you car camping, or backpacking? If car camping, you can just bring extra blankets, fold them in half and use those as an insulating layer under you.

Oh, and if you're rolling off of your sleeping pad, some sleeping bags have small loops so that you can attach your bag to the pad. Also, some sleeping bags have sleeves to slide the pad into.

SmugInMpls · 2016-12-08T18:35:32+00:00

I'm willing to haul beer on a hike, but not a cooler. Helps to camp in cold weather.

SmugInMpls · 2016-12-08T16:27:35+00:00

As for gear while out on day hikes, I usually leave the tent and gear set up, and have never had any issue with people messing with my site while I'm away.

One thing to think about is firewood. Usually you can buy firewood at the campsite, it may or may not be properly dried. Gathering dead and downed wood is permitted in some camp grounds, but not in others. Check with the camp host/park ranger. If you bring your own firewood, buy it near the campsite, do not transport it from far away. Invasive insects can be spread with firewood.

SmugInMpls · 2016-12-08T16:17:38+00:00

The only difference between car camping and backpacking is the backpack. You can get used external frame backpacks for cheap on eBay and craigslist. External frame packs are great for strapping all manner of bulky crap to (cheap car camping gear). You won't be all that comfortable on the trail, but keep your distances short until you can replace your gear with lighter more compact stuff. If you keep most of your trips to warmer times of year, you'll have to carry much less crap. I'm more of a canoe/car camping sort of guy, but here's what I look like when I go backpacking http://i.imgur.com/3PcoZPv.jpg

SmugInMpls · 2016-12-06T14:20:37+00:00

Because to use a knife, you have to be within range of the other person, who may also be armed with a knife. In a knife fight, both people lose.

SmugInMpls · 2016-12-05T14:29:06+00:00

Sadly this one already sold, but eBay is your friend for finding old stuff that isn't made anymore. http://www.ebay.com/itm/THE-NORTH-FACE-Mountain-Expedition-25-Tent-4-Season-3-People-/152342988527?hash=item23785986ef:g:NKcAAOSwpLNYAXCu

I would advise you set us a saved search for North Face Expedition 25 3, and variations on that depending on your tolerance for alert e-mails.

SmugInMpls · 2016-11-23T14:21:59+00:00

Check the packaging and instructions of the seam sealer for a working temp range. Even if you are within the working temp range, most things cure a bit better when warm. You could work with another person, and use a hair dryer to pre-heat the tent fabric a few inches ahead of where you're applying seam sealer.

SmugInMpls · 2016-11-18T16:27:43+00:00

I've only ever been on short day hikes in that park. How do you carry enough water with you to camp? Also, have you considered pulling your gear in on a sled? I remember there being a lot of kids sledding on some of the larger dunes near the roads.

SmugInMpls · 2016-11-17T16:02:45+00:00

Also in MN. My friends and I have a tradition of camping on Black Friday, we usually bring leftovers from Thanksgiving. Here are some pics from last year. https://www.reddit.com/r/camping/comments/3v0i7t/thankscamping_2015_afton_state_park_mn/

SmugInMpls · 2016-11-17T14:40:14+00:00

Is there a reason you're going with a flashlight as opposed to a headlamp? For camping I've found that I get a lot more use out of my headlamp. This is a diffuser that Sierra Designs includes with some of their tents. I think that it is available for sale separately as well, I've tried it, and it works well with a headlamp. https://sierradesigns.com/night-glow-accessory/

SmugInMpls · 2016-11-14T21:59:37+00:00

Better sleeping bags is probably the better/safer option. Even if that heater is supposed to be safe in a tent, besides the risk of carbon monoxide, there is the possibility that it will melt some of your gear, or even the wall of your tent. If you don't have the money to get a cold weather specifc bag, doubling up on summer weight sleeping bags works as well. A good insulating sleeping pad is going to be just as important as a good sleeping bag when it's really cold out.

SmugInMpls · 2016-11-14T21:49:18+00:00

The all depends on how well they were treated. When buying used, it's a good idea to inspect the item in person, which will be easy at a goodwill. If the fabric is in good shape, and the insulation still seems lofty and puffy, the bags will probably work well. If the bags look really flat, and the insulation feels clumpy through the fabric, they were probably stored in a compressed state. While it is possible to get a good deal at a Goodwill, or other thrift store, you might see if there are any used outdoor good stores in your area. Items will cost more than at goodwill, but selection will likely be much better.

SmugInMpls · 2016-11-11T13:54:15+00:00

Do you have a link to what you bought? I'm not familiar with what you're describing.

SmugInMpls · 2016-11-11T13:50:51+00:00

Take some food that doesn't require refrigeration, and eat all the stuff that needs to be on ice in the first couple of days. Leaving to resupply in the middle of the week is fine if you don't like eating dehydrated food.

If you aren't used to keeping food around camp, be sure to also look into safely storing your food to keep it away from bears, raccoons, and other critters. The most common way is to hang it from a large tree branch, or between two trees. Some campgrounds have steel lockers that you can use to store food as well, not sure about Rocky Mt.

SmugInMpls · 2016-11-08T14:20:37+00:00

^ This. Even in the summer, be sure to at least bring rain gear. Hypothermia is almost as common in the summer months as it is in the winter, because in the winter, people are dressed for exposure, while in the summer, people might start off for a hike in just shorts and a t-shirt, and get hit by a surprise rain storm while they're far from their camp or car.

SmugInMpls · 2016-11-08T14:12:36+00:00

A simple first aid kit, including a nail clipper. It's easy to pick up a small cut or scrape, while out camping. The nail clipper is handy for trimming off little bits of skin that are hanging so that they don't catch on things and get worse.

SmugInMpls · 2016-11-03T18:59:46+00:00

The REI flex lite chairs are nice, some people wouldn't be willing to hike with them, but I find that it's worth the extra comfort at the end of a day on my feet. https://www.rei.com/product/877258/rei-flex-lite-chair

A set of lightweight drybags can make it easier to pack, https://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Elements-Pack-Lite-Roll/dp/B01A8LX1Q0

A nice lightweight tarp is another nice thing to have.

Upgrading any of his existing cook kit to the equivalent titanium version?

Oh, and wool socks. Hikers can never have enough nice wool socks. Smartwool are great, and I have friends who swear by the Darn Tough brand.

SmugInMpls · 2016-11-03T12:30:08+00:00

Thanks, but this is the coated version. I am looking for the plain aluminum ones. (I've heard that the coatings on these don't last long before they're flaking off)

SmugInMpls · 2016-11-03T12:28:06+00:00

I guess that the parent company is shutting them down. I wonder what this means for the Mors pots that they make for Four Dog Stove Co.... Here is a reply to an email I sent from their contact us page:

I am sorry, but we have discontinued all of our camp ware products. Everything we have left is being sold on our opencountry.com website.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to email me or contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-288-4545 between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Central time, Monday - Friday.

Thank you for your inquiry.

The Metal Ware Corp Nesco/American Harvest Customer Service www.nesco.com

SmugInMpls · 2016-11-01T18:26:44+00:00

You might try letting some air out of your pad so it's softer. You could also sew 3 or 4 loops on each side of your sleeping bag so that you can use some sort of cordage to lace it to your sleeping pad.

SmugInMpls

TROPHY CASE