Walking, camping, stuff to take etc

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Oh, and...

https://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/uploads/products/8c0fcd3e-45b7-4270-9f9d-21a54a647289/diocalm-capsules.jpg?maxwidth=280

I shit you not.
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

BTTD · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :

https://www.mosquitohammock.com/

I have a jungle hammock and have found it very comfortable. I seem to remember it being a bit less when I bought it, but then that was probably 10 years ago, and the exchange rate was far better as well.
If I remember correctly the supplier might have packaged it as a gift so
there wasn't any import tax either.

chickenstrip · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Dec 2013 Karma :

I've tried two bivvy bags. The first one turned out not to be at all waterproof; woke up getting soaked in the rain, fumbled for the head torch, put the tent outer up, crashed out again. Yes, tents where the outer goes up first can be very handy Wink

(current tent has the inner fitted when packed, so all goes up at once).

The bivvy bag I have now is a Rab one, of eVent fabric, which is supposed to be even more breathable than Pertex/Goretex etc, and waterproof (not sure if that's the eVent itself or another layer). Tried it once, found it uncomfortably clammy (up by Sprinkling Tarn, Lake District), never used it since. But you may take to them. They can make a good weight saving if you like them. As stinkwheel says, it's largely a matter of trying things, and seeing what works for you.

Can't do it any more since hurting my back, as I can't get along with thermarests and the like now Sad

I have a loft full of camping kit, don't know what I'll do with it. I can't bring myself to sell it for some reason.
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Oh, and a top tip.

Fold your self inflating thermal mat in half or thirds, squash the air out of it, close the valve and slide it down into your rucksack so it's covering the back of it with the valve at the top. Pack the rucksack, then inflate the mat. Stops stuff bouncing about and gives you extra padding/comfort.
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lingeringstin... · Trackday Trickster Joined: 01 May 2014 Karma :

Hammocks are the best outdoors sleep I've ever had, but only if you're guaranteed to be warm and dry enough. It can be a bit of a learned art to be able to get in a mummy sleeping bag and then get into a hammock, but if you can master that then most summer nights are fine under a tarp in a hammock if you can cover your face with something to keep out the creepy crawlies.

But that implies you'd be where there's something to tie your tarps and hammocks to, which usually implies trees and a bit of natural wind break and cover. If you're going to be in bleak windswept landscapes you'll really need a tent.

Anything that sheds rain and blocks the wind is better than nothing. I've got an old gortex army bivvy bag that's been very useful. It packs down to a very small size, much smaller than a sleeping bag. It's sort of like a really big sleeping bag shape without any padding but it keeps you dry no matter what and really retains body heat. It's like having a tiny little tent you can practically carry in your pocket.

A gortex bivvy bag with a hammock and a tarp in the rain you'd at least be off the cold wet ground but like I said that implies you'd be somewhere you can tie hammocks and tarps to something. A bivvy bag on the cold hard stony ground out on the Yorkshire Dales might be dry but it'll wick your heat away without a really good mat or something under or inside it.

Basically I've found that keeping dry is highly recommended but keeping your body heat is essential.

roboff94 · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 03 Jan 2015 Karma :

I have a hammock and a bivvy bag, hammocks a DD one, and my bivvy bag is an old Mountain Range one, dont think they make them anymore, it zips all the way up which i like, all goretex and stuff, its pretty good.

As much as i like the hammock i never seem to be able to get mega comfy in it, i quite like to sleep on my front and you cant really do it in a hammock, so i lean towards the bivvy. Although that said to get a really good nights sleep just make sure you have a drink before you go to bed haha
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Diggs · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Karma :

When I was young I never bothered with a mat. I was careful where I pitched and could sleep on a washing line after a few pints. If you do need a sleeping mat, those self-inflatable ones are good as previous posters have said. Just bear in mind that getting one back into the bag can be like an elephant putting on a durex...
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..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Well, it seems our American cousins are well into their hammock camping - they have so much stuff available out there. I've read endless amounts about hammocks, suspension systems etc. Unfortunately, we have a much more limited choice over this side of the pond.

I plan to start getting myself kitted out this year with the aim of doing some short camping trips and hopefully working up to a multi-day long distance walk at some point.

GrumpyGuts · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jan 2012 Karma :

I normally take a tent that's made out of a hotel.
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chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

My missus swears by bringing a 'tick removal tool' you can't just pull them out or there heads snap off and you can get an infection. The special tool helps you remove them in a way that keeps the tick in tack.

Boots are important obviously get fitted properly. It turns out I'm 2 sizes smaller than I thought but I have really wide feet. A wide boot in the correct size is MUCH better for me. I just assumed I knew my shoe size. Laughing

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BTTD · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

What about rucksacks? What size, for say a five day trip, carrying camping equipment etc? What about army surplus stuff?

Ribenapigeon · Super Spammer Joined: 20 Feb 2012 Karma :

Go light. Pack your gear up then halve it. I can get everything i need minus a little tent in a 20ltre pack. Check out Alpkit gear instead of wasting cash on big brand crap.

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

A bit of a bump, I've sorted myself out with a hammock and all the related gubbins.

I need a rucksack, is 65 litres too big? Also, are there any brands to avoid? I'm wary of brands like Karrimor which when I was young made good stuff but now seem to churn out shite for SportsDirect.

Ribenapigeon · Super Spammer Joined: 20 Feb 2012 Karma :

haroman666 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Sep 2008 Karma :

Yep, would avoid Karrimor. My "waterproof" boots is used for a 13 mile hike at the weekend leaked in the long wet grass within half an hour of walking.
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Ribenapigeon · Super Spammer Joined: 20 Feb 2012 Karma :

Lupo · Trackday Trickster Joined: 12 Oct 2012 Karma :

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

I went for one of these in the end

https://demandware.edgesuite.net/sits_pod14/dw/image/v2/AARQ_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-PRODUCT-BERGHAUS/default/dwabbca37a/images/original/4-21585C33-b.jpg?sh=827

Got it on eBay for half the price in the local shops. It's being delivered by myHermes though so who know's when it will be delivered.

My other stuff has shipped from the US so should be here in a week or so.

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Test run today

https://i.imgur.com/2fsXxZV.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/iHjKMog.jpg

Lupo · Trackday Trickster Joined: 12 Oct 2012 Karma :

Very nice set up, did it take long to get everything in place?
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..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

mudcow007 · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Feb 2012 Karma :

how many attempts did it take to get in the hammock?

always quite fancied sleeping out like that, but have a feeling i would wake up facedown in the mud

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :