Beginner going camping for 3days 2 nights with "unprepared" partners

calyth,

I would suspect either 3Vets would carry paracord or one of the surplus stores around town. If you're really in a pinch, then drop me a line, I have a 50 foot length of it somewhere...5 bucks and it's yours.

Burton
 
rumble: where's 3vets?
I'll be picking up a couple of books at the library relating to the subject.
However, they've continued about arguing how some of my "personal" equipment costs so much and not fair and all this sh!t. IMO it's not like they can't use it, and if they want they can always get their own.... I've cease the discussion about their priorities (apparently cash over necessary supplies over weight or some strange priorities), and had only indicated that I'll pay for whatever the portion of the food they divided up. Personally I could care less, at least I have my own equipment.
I'll be picking up some of the cord and some more trioxane tabs (I've tested one, and the package i got was a bit crushed, although they all work fine. I'll probably get some dried food.
 
Three Vets Limited
2200 Yukon, Vancouver, BC V5Y3P2
(604) 872-5475

If you can find the Canadian Tire near Cambie and Broadway, then you've found 3Vets.
They sell all kinds of outdoor stuff...some surplus stuff...I like to browse through there once in a while to see if there is something cool to pick up.

Double check their location by calling them.
I merely copied and pasted the info from a listing.

Good luck!

Burton
 
Originally posted by calyth
LOL
Where would I find quality 550 paracord? like what kind of specialty shop do I have to look for?
Click to expand...

Dave's Surplus in New West has 550 paracord. I think it's $5 for 50 feet, or so...
 
Calyth, Check this thread for a few sources of paracord: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=178534 I personally use capsupply.com who has 550 cord for about $5 USD for 100 foot chunks. Look under "nylon cord" at this address http://www.capsupply.com/shop/enter.html?target=dept_14.html&lang=en-us Paracord comes cheaper if you buy it in the big rolls, but that is more than most of us need.

NOTE: Not all "paracord" is the military 550 lb weight, but is a lighter/weaker version. I recommend you insure that you get the 550 cord, which has seven inner strands. Those inner strands can be removed from the outer sheath and used independently for lighter usage cordage.

You can do a search for the word "paracord" here on BFC and find a bunch of threads that talk about it.

(edited to add)
Stock-up Tip: Campmor, especially their Hot Deals, can offer some substantial savings when you are buying basic gear like tents, packs, sleeping bags, clothing, etc. The selection may not be terribly comprehensive, but they do carry some brand name makers. Go to http://www.campmor.com and look for the Hot Deals section.
 
Calyth,

My suggestions: Take along the "Adventuresome Idiot" for his entertainment value. Try to convince him that since he didn't bring any T.P. he needs to go use those 'leaves of three.':eek: Since he forgot his tent, he'll have to crawl into that hole in the hillside that smells like strong musk. "Those little black pellets in piles on the ground really DO make you smarter, and snipe are very easy to hunt. Here, just hold this bag...";) :D Get creative.

When his usefullness is all used up, just break his leg so the bears will get him first while the rest of you escape. Believe me, the other 3 will thank you twice.

Chances are he'll not mock your preparation ever again. In fact, the chances are he'll never camp with you again.:D

Then take to heart the advice from your other fellow forumites, and you'll have an awesome trip. Good luck, and post a follow-up thread when you get back!
 
Thanks for all the help, and I'll be going out soon to grab some good stuff.
coyotlviejo: unfortunately, I actually have one full-blown adventurous idiot and one semi-adventurous idiot, and the last one was a camper that doesn't know the essentials, I guess she was car camping back in her homeland, Korea. Perhaps the environment in korea doesn't need some of the equipment here but I'm not risking myself though :p
 
If your companions are willing to learn and not criticize you or each other, then you'll have an awesome trip. It will be a learning experience for all, and you'll all know what to take next time.

Your original post just reminded me of some of the extremely irritating types that would rather lose their life than bruise their pride. I have camped with a few of these, and they more often than not are most useful as bear bait.
 
coyotlviejo: i merely indicated there may be difference with the camping experience. I found that reply unpleasent because they're reading this, and I'm chinese myself. Let's leave the bashing to W&C ;)
 
Hey, sorry. No bashing of your friends was intended, so please forgive me. I was simply reflecting on my own experiences, but I totally understand from your previous reply that things aren't as "ugly" as I had originally thought. I have had some real bummer experiences where someone ended up coming along who did not really fit into the group dynamics and it spoiled the whole experience, so I hope that yours goes much better. If your friends are reading (or even if not), then I apologize for any offense they might taken by my comments.

I guess I can be man enough to eat crow if I stepped on toes.:)
 
Just saw your edited reply, referring to national heritage. Your friend's nationality has nothing to do with my reply. My intention was more to point out that car camping (anywhere) is quite different from sleeping with bears and cougars.
 
I've been told that she didn't go car camping, so I guess I was wrong.
 
Camping with bears and cougars sounds like something for Fear Factor...not that stupid crap that they do like walking across a ledge 100 feet off the ground with a safety wire.

And one episode, they featured Chinese 100 year old eggs to be eaten...man, I should be so lucky. That stuff is a delicacy where I come from.

Burton
 
Well we've clear that out, so they bring what they want and i'll bring what i want. What they think of me to bring doesn't matter to me
I have pretty much what i need nad I did add a small stove, so this should be a done deal.
 
My 2 cents would be - don't do it! Some of my most miserable trips were with people who didn't know how to camp and didn't want to know. They assumed I would take care of everything. When I saw them pull suitcases out of the car, I knew it would be trouble. I swore, never again.

Other than that, I would echo what others have said, have a very good understanding of who is bringing and responsible for what.

We have some friends that we've been camping with for over 10 years, and it sure is nice, we all know who's bringing what without having to coordinate...

I hope that you have a good time.
 
I'd say go at this stage of the game, but be prepared to cut your losses and 'advance to the rear with your gear' if the adventures start getting weird. If you're not having fun, it's fair to give notice, take your toys and go back to the car.

Important lesson is to carefully consider your camping partners next trip. You may end up trusting them with your life, and if they can't be trusted to bring clean socks...well think about it. Car camping, any fool can come along because you can always load up and go home with no feelings hurt, but choose your backcountry camping buddies carefully.
 
Calyth,

I think you have recieved enough advice on what to bring and how to handle the situation but here is some other type advice. I took a quick look at the brochure and I see it is near the border. Where we worked in Washington state is only 50 miles or so from Canada. Definitely keep an eye out for Wild Strawberries, Huckleberries, Oregon Grape, Wild Raspberries, Bunchberry(doesn't really have any taste to it), Trillium, Cattail, Elderberries and other edible plants.
Also if you want to look around for emergency firestarters (tinders) look for Goat's Beard, Witches Hair, Pitchwood, and Birch bark. Practice your situational awareness in regards to firecraft and as you go along see how long you think it would take you to build a fire. I remember, I think it was you, that said the magnesium firestarter was a pain to master; once you get the hang of it, it is possibly the best firestarter out there. Totally waterproof and it will work even in a downpour.
You can find pitchwood, another waterproof tinder, by kicking old pine tree stumps and if they are hard at the base, if so cut into the roots and you should smell a piney sort of smell. Also the large pines bleeding sap can give you pitchwood from branches sticking out that have died. Just cut into the branches near the base and smell. It can be pouring down rain in June or snowing like crazy in November and you can use this tinder to get a fire going.
Just a couple of more tips to help make the trip more fun and enjoyable. Let me know if you have any questions.
 
Thanks lots for all the help.
Well mainly it was one of them that was stirring the stick to cause the trouble, but we all seems to calm down.
Whether or not they'll bring enough stuff, I've chosen that it's beyond my concern now. We have enough stuff now and I'm sure we have some backup stuff, like a second stove, and different firestarters. I did get the hang of the Mg firestarter (i was scraping at the wrong angle) and light it up in a cold weather with some rain, so that's not terribly bad.
I've learnt how to use most of my hardware (that needed to know the instructions) so I'm definately set.
And I was sorry that I've called them names above, and they're all fine and dandy with it now.
Whether I could trust my life to them, the time will come to judge, and althought I believed that they were not materially prepared, their previous experiences probably lead them to have some skills. On some points they're agreeing now, but I would not pressure them to get those things anyways.
I'm looking forward to a good trip and definately hope for an uneventful one ;)
PS my neighbour had been there a week ago, and he said that it's not too cold in daytime and the place is real nice, so I'll enjoy it for sure.
 
Well here's the end result here.
Obviously I'm all well ;)
It was raining in the morning that we planned to hike up to Golden ears, so we ditched the hike :(
We get to use many of my tools, such as hatchet, rope and various other stuff, and I regreted not getting a tarp because of the rain. At least we could sit outside a bit more.
I also learned a couple of lessons. Cell phones on analog could definately drain the batteries. I should've turned it off as soon as I got in and got a spare on full charge. That did give me a murphy's law nightmare. Also I should've take money out of the bank, because since we were camping in the actual campground, and the ground is pretty damp, we were buying firewood instead. Also I should have bought the DMT folding diamond hone at this only store that I found it. Even though the price was a bit out of line, I could have used it to fix up my hatchet. It was quite thoroughly abused (the edge was dullen so we had to hammer it through some of the very tough firewood).
It's nice to have all the help, and I'm really glad that nothing much happened ;)
 
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