Summer camp. 56k warning

Items to keep you alive in the event you must evacuate: discussions of basic Survival Kits commonly called "Bug Out Bags" or "Go Bags"

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Summer camp. 56k warning

Postby Woods Walker » Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:59 pm

Summer camp.

I have posted threads about my winter camp. However with the warm weather and bugs I do things differently. So rather than just post a few photos of my camp I decided to explain my methodologies. These photos are from a recent trip on the AT. It was only a few miles hike so I did pack some comfort items that could be omitted for longer range trips.

Setting up camp.

The first step to my summer camp is to remove the Hennessy Explorer Deluxe from the pack. The Hammock is stored in snakeskins to allow for setup in the rain.

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After that I pitch the hammock inside the snakeskins. Once level I pitch the Equinox siltarp in a flying A-frame setup with peak just above my head. This allows for protected entry into the shelter during rain.

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The hammock is unrolled from the skins. Than the side tie-offs are staked. By setting up the tarp early I can do all of this protected from the rain. The undercover offers 100% bottom bug protection and offers a little warmth if it gets cooler at night. There is no real need for the open cell pad during the warmer summer months. The undercover alone does not make my back too hot. A small pile of wood is placed under the tarp earlier in the day before the possible late afternoon thunderstorms roll in.

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Gear is stored under the rain fly. I use a small ground cloth for a dirt free hang out and cooking area.

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I tie off a little AAA keychain light to the inside of the fly for a little extra hands free light. Makes the shelter easier to find when going off for extra fire wood etc. This is taken down when buttoning up the camp before bed.

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Meal time.

I cook under the tarp if rain threatens. This is often the case this time of year.

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After dinner it is time for a little hobo stove camp fire. I pack a UL folding pad to sit on. However if going more UL I can remove the ground cover from under the hammock. I can even use the Trailstove for cooking if looking to cut more ounces from my pack. I am willing to carry the 15 oz stove as it saves time and energy building a little fire ring. More importantly this stove complies with the no ground fire rules on the Connecticut AT. Even without the rules I would still opt for the hobo as it burns very little wood and leaves no indication that I was ever there.

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Buttoning up camp for night.

First I tie all trash and food in the trees. Than I do normal hygiene stuff like a sponge bath with my bandana, brushing and floss my teeth and do a tick inspection. Ticks are a big problem in my area.

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All gear and clothing is placed in my pack if dry or kept outside if wet. Everything is placed under the tarp for protection. The only gear left out is my boots turned upside down, TP, water, poncho/raingear and a flashlight. I do keep my headlight in my hammock but like a backup in an easy to find location.

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The AM.

After the AM piss I cook some breakfast. One big advantage with pitching the hammock tarp on its own ridgeline is the fly will not sag with the rest of the hammock.

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Breaking camp.

The first step is to remove the hammock side tie-offs. Than slide the hammock back into the snakeskins. After that all my gear is returned to the pack. By keeping the rain fly up until the very end I am covered just in case a thunderstorm moves in. This was the case during this trip.

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Everything packed up and ready to go. It was getting dark and felt the need to find some lower ground before the storm moved in. All hell broke loose soon after this photo was taken.

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I didn’t take photos of every step including the controversial tick inspection. This is really good news for anyone reading this post. I hope everyone enjoyed the photos.
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Re: Summer camp. 56k warning

Postby chitown2k » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:09 pm

Awesome thread as always, very informative. Question, if you ate all of the Mountain House, is there any reason why you don't burn the bag or any other trash that is flammable?

Oh and quit making me hate my gear...now I want a hammock and I haven't even used my new tent yet.

(BTW, I bought a Kelty Zen2 recently. I got it brand new at a great price (less then $100 with delivery), so I went for it. It's not ultra lite, but it's small and lite enough for now, about 5 pounds. I was close to getting that Golite Hex, but during my last camp I saw the GoLite Hex and the MSR Zoid and I went for the Kelty Zen which is the Zoid but better and cheaper based on the reviews)
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Re: Summer camp. 56k warning

Postby Paragon » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:21 pm

Woods Walker wrote: Image

The condensation on your bottled water suggests that it is considerably cooler than the ambient temperature. I doubt you were packing ice or a cooler, so I assume that you freeze some of your water before heading out to the AT?

Always good to see people putting their gear to the test, and your write-ups and photos are always appreciated.

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Re: Summer camp. 56k warning

Postby Hoppy » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:49 pm

very nice. what part of CT are you camping in? if you need a camp buddy for a weekend camp lemme know im in Western MA and wiling to travel to most of CT.

good photo documentation of the weekend.

was the total time 1 day? ( lunch, dinner, breakfast and hiking out by lunch?)
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Re: Summer camp. 56k warning

Postby Woods Walker » Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:41 pm

Chitown2k.

I wouldn’t be so fast to underrate the Hex. I did a review on it for ZS some time ago. A good 4 season UL shelter. I never seen the Zen and look forward to hearing what you think. I just did a tread on my camp meal and it will be posted on the food section of ZS within a few minutes. I used the MH zipper bag to pack out the trash as this was an overnight trip. If longer I would have feed the trash into the Trailstove. The little bugger can be a beast. The stove has been talked about on ZS before and really never had a comprehensive review. I took enough step by step photos for a review but don’t know if anyone would be interested as this stove is old news.

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Paragon.

You are very observant in camp matters. Guessing do to your experience in the woods. Here is the water bottle story. I temporarily misplaced my 96oz Nalegen collapsible canteen. So I grabbed some extra water bottles to beef up my 70 oz platy and 32 oz Nalgene. This added extra weight to my pack but for a few miles overnighter this was not a big issue. Your guess about freezing my water bottles is a good one. I have done this in the past but this trip was a last minute decision. The reason for the cold water is due to the resources available on the AT. I really need to do a thread on the AT for a possible bug out route as it has low tech facilities that would still work in a black out etc.

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I stopped by the above ground outhouse for photos to be posted on the crapper thread. Walked over to the pump. I drank my three bottles of water to camel up and used the above water pump to re fill. Not necessary but old habits die hard. The water from these pumps is about 54 degrees nearly year round. Much colder than the air hence the condensation on the bottle.

Hoppy.

Around Kent CT. Just an overnighter as for the food a thread is being posted on that topic.

edit camp meal thread done.

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=31307
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Re: Summer camp. 56k warning

Postby LittleTeapot » Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:57 am

Always informative. Thanks for taking the time for photos and the post.
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Re: Summer camp. 56k warning

Postby Tactical Raccoon » Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:04 pm

LittleTeapot wrote:Always informative. Thanks for taking the time for photos and the post.


+1. Great post and amazing pictures. One question I had was why have two stoves? What is the purpose of the Stratus TrailStove if you are cooking on your burner? I love my Stratus TrailStove, I use it for cooking food and keeping warm. Also a great tool for starting fires.
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Re: Summer camp. 56k warning

Postby Woods Walker » Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:37 pm

Tactical Raccoon.

First your handle and avatar is just great. :D Secondly I carry two stoves if the distance is not so great. The Trailstove makes for a fine cooker. This is from a few years back. If looking to keep the pack weight down I will only take the Trailstove.

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But the Pocket Rocket is the microwave of the woods. So I cook on the Pocket Rocket and use the trail stove as a makeshift campfire. As stated the Trailstove leaves little trace behind. Just a little ring of ash that can be kicked away.

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Another positive about the Trailstove is I can intentionally make the thing into a smoke pot in seconds.

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I can’t prove this scientifically but it sure seems after a good smoke out the mosquito numbers in the area drops. So in summer I normally flood the area with smoke. Not something I would do if looking to keep a low profile
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Re: Summer camp. 56k warning

Postby Paragon » Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:57 pm

Woods Walker wrote:The Pocket Rocket is the microwave of the woods.

:lol:

Woods Walker wrote:I can’t prove this scientifically but it sure seems after a good smoke out the mosquito numbers in the area drops.

Mosquitoes utilize the carbon dioxide (CO2) signature that is exhaled by people or animals to locate their prey. Filling the area with smoke creates an artificially high concentration of CO2, thus making everything appear to look the same to them (i.e., "CO2 camouflage").

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Re: Summer camp. 56k warning

Postby Woods Walker » Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:16 pm

Paragon wrote:
Woods Walker wrote:The Pocket Rocket is the microwave of the woods.

:lol:

Woods Walker wrote:I can’t prove this scientifically but it sure seems after a good smoke out the mosquito numbers in the area drops.

Mosquitoes utilize the carbon dioxide (CO2) signature that is exhaled by people or animals to locate their prey. Filling the area with smoke creates an artificially high concentration of CO2, thus making everything appear to look the same to them (i.e., "CO2 camouflage").

Jim


That explains it. I was under the impression that the bugs left the area but guessing it is all the same if they can’t zero in on my location.
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Re: Summer camp. 56k warning

Postby Tactical Raccoon » Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:18 pm

Woods Walker wrote:Tactical Raccoon.

First your handle and avatar is just great. :D


Thank you very much sir. :mrgreen:

I can’t prove this scientifically but it sure seems after a good smoke out the mosquito numbers in the area drops. So in summer I normally flood the area with smoke. Not something I would do if looking to keep a low profile


Smoke depends on the wood used though. I have used my TrailStove without a large amount of smoke. But I agree it is not good if you are trying to keep a low profile.

Thanks for answering my question!

Forgot to mention that I also do keep a small alcohol "can" stove along to put on the bottom of the TrailStove just in case there is no wood. I used to hike the desert with friends in the southwest and wood was scarce. But it would also be good to keep a low profile as well.
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Re: Summer camp. 56k warning

Postby Woods Walker » Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:16 pm

Tactical Raccoon wrote:
Woods Walker wrote:Tactical Raccoon.

First your handle and avatar is just great. :D


Thank you very much sir. :mrgreen:

I can’t prove this scientifically but it sure seems after a good smoke out the mosquito numbers in the area drops. So in summer I normally flood the area with smoke. Not something I would do if looking to keep a low profile


Smoke depends on the wood used though. I have used my TrailStove without a large amount of smoke. But I agree it is not good if you are trying to keep a low profile.

Thanks for answering my question!

Forgot to mention that I also do keep a small alcohol "can" stove along to put on the bottom of the TrailStove just in case there is no wood. I used to hike the desert with friends in the southwest and wood was scarce. But it would also be good to keep a low profile as well.


I can run the Trailstove with very little smoke. In fact often less smoke than a small scout fire. The key is airflow though the bottom. The smoke is intentional to keep the blood suckers away. However this is more info for the masses as you seem to have a good handle on its operation. I have experimented with Trailstove flipped and alcohol stove backup. It does work but the size of the bottom is larger than most of my cook pots. It does fit my Ti fry pan well. Normally I just carry my homemade Al flashing windscreen/pot support. The wind screen just rolls up and is maybe an OZ or so.


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Re: Summer camp. 56k warning

Postby Tactical Raccoon » Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:22 pm

Very nice!

Looking at that pictures makes me ask these two questions: What bottle is that and why type of fuel do your store for your alcohol stove? Denatured I hope :mrgreen:
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Re: Summer camp. 56k warning

Postby Woods Walker » Tue Jul 01, 2008 8:04 pm

That is the fuel bottle I got with my Swedish mess kit. In fact I own both the aluminum and stainless versions of the stove. I tried using a plastic soda bottle for the fuel but people who never drank from my water bottles before felt compelled to try and drink from it despite all the warnings I wrote on the darn thing. :shock: Yes I do use denatured alcohol but have found the yellow bottle of HEET worked well too.
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Re: Summer camp. 56k warning

Postby chitown2k » Tue Jul 01, 2008 9:07 pm

Woods Walker wrote:Chitown2k.

I wouldn’t be so fast to underrate the Hex. I did a review on it for ZS some time ago. A good 4 season UL shelter. I never seen the Zen and look forward to hearing what you think. I just did a tread on my camp meal and it will be posted on the food section of ZS within a few minutes. I used the MH zipper bag to pack out the trash as this was an overnight trip. If longer I would have feed the trash into the Trailstove. The little bugger can be a beast. The stove has been talked about on ZS before and really never had a comprehensive review. I took enough step by step photos for a review but don’t know if anyone would be interested as this stove is old news.

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=31307


I know partner, you're the reason I almost bought the Hex. I went with the Zen because it was very well reviewed and because I had the Zoid on the Brain after I saw the Zoid and Hex next to each other all set up. I gave up about 2.5 lbs in weight though, the Zen is heavier. I will use it later this summer and in the fall to get a feel for it then post a review. Oh and I'm not hardcore like you, so I didn't go for the tent with no bottom. Once I get a little more seasoning, maybe I will work my way up to that format...I still want to be protected from bugs and creepy crawling things... :lol:

Ahh, so you do burn your trash, good I was feeling like a bad guy in the woods :)
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Re: Summer camp. 56k warning

Postby E » Tue Jul 01, 2008 9:27 pm

as always WW, your posts rock.

Makes me want to look into that little hobo stove you got there. At least, until I can save up to get a HH :lol:
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Re: Summer camp. 56k warning

Postby Woods Walker » Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:14 am

chitown2k wrote:
Woods Walker wrote:Chitown2k.

I wouldn’t be so fast to underrate the Hex. I did a review on it for ZS some time ago. A good 4 season UL shelter. I never seen the Zen and look forward to hearing what you think. I just did a tread on my camp meal and it will be posted on the food section of ZS within a few minutes. I used the MH zipper bag to pack out the trash as this was an overnight trip. If longer I would have feed the trash into the Trailstove. The little bugger can be a beast. The stove has been talked about on ZS before and really never had a comprehensive review. I took enough step by step photos for a review but don’t know if anyone would be interested as this stove is old news.

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=31307


I know partner, you're the reason I almost bought the Hex. I went with the Zen because it was very well reviewed and because I had the Zoid on the Brain after I saw the Zoid and Hex next to each other all set up. I gave up about 2.5 lbs in weight though, the Zen is heavier. I will use it later this summer and in the fall to get a feel for it then post a review. Oh and I'm not hardcore like you, so I didn't go for the tent with no bottom. Once I get a little more seasoning, maybe I will work my way up to that format...I still want to be protected from bugs and creepy crawling things... :lol:

Ahh, so you do burn your trash, good I was feeling like a bad guy in the woods :)


Looking forward to your Zen review. :D

No you are not the only bad guy in the woods. Burning trash is just a good time all around. Don't ask why I took a photo of this evil act. :wink:

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Re: Summer camp. 56k warning

Postby Woods Walker » Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:35 pm

Took these photos on the AT this weekend. I rolled out with 30lbs including food and water. Used the Pointman with large pod. Went with my Uncle and a friend. Here is my pack setup for covering ground without breaking my back.

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Friend’s Osprey pack. Hooked up the solar panel to re charge the GPS batteries. I could have given some AA batteries out of my flashlight but wanted to do some work with the panel

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My UL camp. Set up for fair weather.

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Some photos of the inside of my hammock. I packed a UL down sleeping bag. Think it was maybe 1 lb 13 oz and a camp pillow just because I didn't have a jacket to put inside a stuff sack and often summer clothing gets stinky.

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Uncle's hammock. I loaned out my Atmos and he was packing only about 20lbs.

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I loaned out the Hex as was using the hammock. Worked very well.

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Trail stove fun. I didn't pack my trailstove. Use the Pocket rocket however there was one inside the blue Osprey. Darn nice little campfire to comply with local rules against ground fires.

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Overlook view.

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Pot holes worn though the rock by the combined action of water and sand. Must have taken a long time.

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No crazy write-ups this time. Just felt like taking a few photos.
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