Camping & Design

Types of CampingCabin Camping RV

Car Camping Backcountry Camping

Backcountry Camping

No Electricity

Weight & Volume of Supplies Limited by Endurance

Increased Safety Concerns

How does it differ from other types of camping?

My First Backcountry Camping Trip!

My First Backcountry Camping Trip!

Three Dumb Guys in the Woods with too Much Beer

Mt. Washington State ForestSouth Egremont, MA

We carefully planned our route from the parking lot to the camping area 1.5 whole miles away!

We expected to see lush forests…

…and ford raging rivers…

…then witness gorgeous sunsets…

…and experience all of the wildlife that mother nature has to offer!

But first, we’d end up here – 20 miles north of NYC, without brakes.

And we’d meet this strange man…

“You know the thing about walking barefoot? It’s not about what you step on, it’s what steps

on you.”

…who had this to say:

So, we waited for the car to get fixed while we played cards.

Two hours and $300 later, we were back on the road!

Once we arrived at the parking lot, we put on our gear and hit the open trail…

Mt. Washington State ForestSouth Egremont, MA

…and headed towards our destination

Mt. Washington State ForestSouth Egremont, MA

But we wouldn’t get there.

Mt. Washington State ForestSouth Egremont, MA

And instead, ended up here.

This lead to much frustration…

So, what went wrong?(besides being unable to properly read a map?)

Our packs were too small and we were over encumbered.

This experience lead to us to explore light-weight equipment

alternatives. There are many options.

(but first we’d need bigger packs)

Backpacking Pack

Capacity: 74LWeight: 3.1 lbs.Price: $125Trade off: Less weight but fewer pockets

Kelty Agile 4500 (my pack) High Sierra Appalachian 75

Capacity: 75LWeight: 5.8 lbs.Price: $130Trade off: more pockets but heavier

Hanging Toiletry Bag(my solution to a lack of pack pockets)

Sea to SummitWeight: 2.8 oz

Material: Siliconized Cordura®, which is one of the lightest and toughest waterproof nylon fabrics available.

Price: $38

Sleeping Bag

Rating: 40 FWeight: 8 lbs.Material: PolyesterPrice: $35

Eddie Bauer 40/60(My old bag)

Big Agnes – Lost Ranger(My upgraded bag)

Rating: 15 FWeight: 3 lbs.Material: 650 fill goose downPrice: $185

Big Agnes – Lost Ranger

Rating: 15 FWeight: 3 lbs.Material: 650 fill goose downPrice: $185

Tapered design minimizes excess material and lowers the weight

Big Agnes – Lost Ranger

Rating: 15 FWeight: 3 lbs.Material: 650 fill goose downPrice: $185

Contains a pouch to stuff clothing or a camp pillow.

Big Agnes – Lost Ranger

Rating: 15 FWeight: 3 lbs.Material: 650 fill goose downPrice: $185

Compressed material from body weight provides little insulation. Bottom of bag does not contain insulation in order to decrease weight. Instead it contains a slot for a sleeping pad (1/2 pound).

Test drive!!!

Camping Chairs (open)

Weight: 5-8 lbsMaterial: Canvas and SteelPrice: $15-20

Weight: 1.5 lbsMaterial: Aluminum alloy and NylonPrice: $40

Weight: 1.5 lbsMaterial: Aluminum alloy and Ripstop NylonPrice: $60

Generic(My first chair)

Sling Light(upgrade #1)

Alite - Monarch Butterfly

(upgrade #2)

Camping Chairs (closed)

Weight: 5-8 lbsMaterial: Canvas and SteelPrice: $15-20

Weight: 1.5 lbsMaterial: Aluminum alloy and NylonPrice: $40

Weight: 1.5 lbsMaterial: Aluminum alloy and Ripstop NylonPrice: $60

Generic Sling Light Alite - Monarch Butterfly

Folding Bucket

Sea to SummitCapacity: 10L (2.6 gallons)

Weight: 2.8 oz

Material: non-absorbent, food grade TPU-coated nylon - 210D around the sides and 420D on the base, for added strength. The all-welded, no-seam construction of this bucket means there’s no need for seam taping, which really saves on weight. The carry handle is made of a dual layer 420D nylon which is RF welded to the main body.

Cost: $25

Halulite Ketalist

Weight: 11 oz.Material: Hard Anodized AluminumPrice: $27

Camp Shovel(I no longer carry this item because it weighs too much)

Generic Folding ShovelWeight: 8 oz

Material: Stainless Steel

Cost: $8

HeadlampBlack DiamondSpot HeadlampCapacity: 50 hours at 90 Lumens covering 70 meters

Weight: 3.2 oz (with batteries)

Material: LEDs

Cost: $30

Gerber LMF II Survival Knife

Features• Partially serrated blade• Plexiglass punch• Can be used as a hammer• Converts to a spear• Sheath has integrated sharpener

Weight: 11.7 ozMaterial: Stainless SteelCost: $65

SawSven Saw (15” Blade)Weight: 10.5 oz

Material: Blade is Swedish Steel. Handle is aluminum

Cost: $30

Fire Starter

Aurora Fire Starter 440CWeight: 1.5 oz

Material: Flint Steel Rod w/ Magnisium built in. Sheath is made from solid light-weight aircraft aluminum.

Cost: $16