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tjiscooler

Joined
Mar 17, 2008
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Hey guys! I used to go camping alot when I was younger with the family, but I havent in some time and I really miss it. Ive been slowly amassing gear and learning all I can here for a few months. Theres still a few things I need help with and would appreciate any feedback from people more experienced then me,

I am not sure what kind or size of tarps/ground covers i should get..
Should i get a jungle hammock? If so what kind?
Is there a better folding shovel/entrenching type tool then the old one at the army navy surplus store?

Thanks in advance for any help!:D
 
A 10 by 12 tarp can be both your ground sheet and tarp, the blue ones are tough and cheap, but then make sure that you have a shovel to dig yourself a rain ditch. The army surplus shovels are good if a bit heavy, they were used to fill enough sandbags and dig foxholes. would probably make a good self defese weapon actually.
I would get myself a good comfy ground mat for sleeping on rather then a hammok, unless you really like them. They tend to work better in warm climates where keeping away from the creepy crawlies is important.
And tell us what kind of knives ya got.:D
 
I have a mosquito hammocks Jungle hammock (comes with a tarp) and I love it. Never used it in temps lower than 45 at night. For me its much more comfortable than a tent. I use 1 of those mpi spaceblankets as a ground sheet.

ctgathering2058.jpg


Alot of guys use the a silnylon tarp, they're great but expensive.

Now lets see your knives!:D
 
Snow was telling me about silnylon at walmart for 1.00 a yard. I havent made it to one to look yet, but man....thats a find.

I use a Skeeter beater from bensbackwoods. Its a great hammock for the price.
 
I use a 9x12 silnylon tarp when traveling ultralight. Usually I go camping with my Clark North American model jungle Hammock. It is I think the best of the hammocks around and is made in the USA. The only drawback is the price it aint cheap. I use the camo model.

Gerber makes a really great lightweight folding shovel it actualy rates higher than the Glock and is fairly cheap. For backpacking it is not a neccesity you need to evaluate each piece of gear deciding if the item will serve enough function to justify the weight.
 
Not to mention price. If you are starting out don't blow all your dough on the best right away, you might realize you hate tarp camping. I guess you could sell it, or just use the cheap stuff. It works the same pretty much, it's just heavier.
I made up a trio of a tramontina machete, a sak and a mora, thats like 40 bucks! I didn't realize it was a cheap setup until after.
 
If you get a tarp stay away from the brand Equinox, they are expensive and are a scam..
I've replaced 2 and I still have the same problems with them.. They leek from the seems..

Unless you don't mind water dripping on your forehead at 3am.
 
Thanks guys! ill start looking into this stuff right away, internets been down. Sorry bout the lack of knife pics...the girlfirend broke the camera!!!
 
Keep it in three pieces; a hamock that can function as a fishnet too, a tarp or basha, and a bug net.
Thats my 2ct.
 
Just curious, but what do you use the shovel for? I only ask because when I first started camping, I thought I needed one and carried that heavy bastard up and down too many hills! Quickly starting ditching stuff like that though. Just a thought!

As far as tarps, I agree that it's usually wiser to start with a cheap one like the blue poly tarps, and then decide if you fully like it. If so, move on to nylon!

Hammocks are fine, but you will get cold quickly unless you've got that 'under' quilt (can't remember what they're called). I simple, cheap sleeping pad will often give you more comfort, less cost, and allow you to stay warmer.

Now about knives... :D Kidding, kidding.
 
A good garden trowel weighs a lot less and takes up a lot less room than a shovel and can do just about the same job. If you feel you need a shovel get one of the Cold Steel Spetznast models and sharpen the edges ,then you can chop as well as dig with it. Make sure you get a cover if you sharpen the edges.---KV
 
haha, it was her camera so i wasnt to mad about it. How often do you guys need shovels? Now im not sure if one is needed now...
 
tjiscooler said:
haha, it was her camera so i wasnt to mad about it. How often do you guys need shovels? Now im not sure if one is needed now...
Click to expand...

I have never missed having one. I can't think of anything a shovel can do (for my needs) that I can't use a stick or rock for.
 
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