blindgeekuk
27-07-2012, 05:41 PM
A little introduction, and explanation...
Having watched and loved the various youtube videos, and learnt how best to use a firesteel, something i've always struggled with, I thought i'd join the community and actively participate in things.
I've done a lot of solo camping in the last 3 years, because I tend to travel to various parts of the UK to run Dungeons and Dragons events for people, though, more often than not, I end up in Nottingham, camping at the national watersports centre campsite. I'm partially sighted, and am banned from driving accordingly, so the solo camping I do has to be near cities and accessible via public transport, and because of having to lug my bags on and off buses etc, needs to be pretty light.
The following is my current kit, which I feel works pretty well for me, but i'm interested to see what people who are skilled in bushcraft etc think of it, what they'd remove, add or replace.
Rucksack
http://www.sdintel.co.uk/sdod056sb700-45l-outdoor-sport-travel-rucksack-backpack-camping-hiking-walking-bag-purple-001.html
My last few solo campign trips have involved going to do D&D roleplaying game events, and I've ended up taking way too much camping gear in a big 65 litre pack, and then carrying a day sack full of gaming stuff as well. I found the 65litre bag was a little too big if I had to lug it on and off coaches and I was always scared they would refuse to put it in the storage compartment, plus it was getting a bit heavy if I had to walk from a bus stop to a campsite. I tried cutting down the stuff I carry and poutting it all into my 25 litre daysack, but there was no space ofr food or clothes... My criteria for a rucksack was that it needed to be around 40 litres, have straps for a sleeping mat at the bottom, and be under £100. I came across this bag on Amazon, but tracked it down to its makers who sell it a couple of pound cheaper at their own store. Its cheap, and probably won't last, and the bottom zip is not to a seperate compartment, but... Its cheap, and the size I want. I've got my tent, sleeping bag, cooking stuff and clothes in the main pocket, the top pocket contains my ration pack (see below), and the other pockets contain lights, first aid etc.
Sleeping Bag
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vango-Ultralite-300-Grasshopper/dp/B005449GF2
My brother used to work in a camping store, so in the mid 90's I got tons of good quality gear, VERY cheap, thats lasted me a long time. However, after 15 years of use, my lightweight, 2 season bag was looking a little worse for wear, so I went looking for a new bag. I was due to go camping at the start of march, so wanted a 3 season bag, that packed small, and didn't cost too much. The ultralite 300 was end of line, so in a clearance sale, and ticked the other criteria. I've used it a few times now, in -2'C early spring, and 20'C summer and while it got chilly that cold, first time use, I survived...
Tent
http://www.gelert.com/products/solo_tent
This thing is ace, 2 poles you thread through the inner tent, then throw the flysheet over, tie it on, peg out, and bob's your uncle. It packs incredibly small, and the eaves give you a surprising amount of room. Its far from perfect, you can't sit up in it, you can't cook in the door way, and its VERY draughty, but its fine for a weekend.
Sleeping Mat
http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16557&category_id=253
I've been using a cheap self inflating mat from GoOutdoors for the last few years, and recently found that my side which I sleep on aches the next morning. The mat was the main item I knew I had to replace this year, and looking around, I read some great things about the NeoAir's and the like, but they were too expensive (and seemingly not that durable for the price). Someone suggested Alpkit as an alternative, and using their own comparison of product sizes, I went for a Numo. It looks like the NeoAir, and packs nice and small. Slight issue I've found with the numo, is you obviously don't want to fully inflate it to solid, but if you don't, it wheezes as the air moves around as you rollover during the night.
mKettle
http://www.mkettle.com and http://www.theboilerwerks.com/order/
I did a few solo camps last year, and took a coleman f1, which melted the plastic ring and stopped folding up. I added a cheap version of it from GoOutdoors which wasn't as efficient, but did fold up. Bythe last trip last year, I was carrying 2 cannisters, 2 stoves, pots and cans, kettle, cup etc. It was stupid. A regular backer of Kickstarter projects, I came across the Backcountry Boiler project a few weeks too late, and the reply from the maker was that there were none left and i'd have to wait a while to get one in the UK. Luckily, I found the mKettle, from the guys who make/sell the Ghillie Kettle. They are based in the UK and 'copied' Devlin's design (but actually managed to manufacture it...), so I bought one of them. For those who've not heard of it, the mKettle is basically a small Kelly Kettle, you make a fire in the base, it funnels the heat up a central chimney, warming the water inside the kettle. The mKettle has several benefits... it uses collected fuel (though I tend to stuff its chimney with a few pieces of shop bought kindling before I go), can use esbit/solid fuel blocks, or a meths stove, and of course, doubles as a water carrier. Its not the fastest thing, with wood, you're looking at around 6 minutes and a lot of smoke, but its fun to use, and I swear my tea tastes better from it.
Pan stand
mKettle do their own pot stand to sit on the top of the chimney, allowing you to heat up a pan from the fire burning inside. I thought it looked cheap and crap, so I actually went with the Backcountry Boiler version, which is a little bit 'snug' on the chimney, but can also fit on the base where you have the fire to give a backup stove.
Firefelt
Having being forced to use a Trangia on a school camping trip, and watching my brother struggle with one, I've never seen the appeal in a Trangia or other meths burning stove. However, I've found that sometimes, its hard to get enough wood to get the mKettle to boil, and having watched videos, showing the ease of Devlins firefelt, I knew I had to get one. Its not a great fit in the bottom of the mKettle, and I've yet to get the amount of fuel I need right, and its nowhere near as fun as making a little wood fire and kepping it lit and covering yourself in that wonderful wood smoke smell, but it gives me a backup option for when I can't find wood or the wood is too wet.
Towel
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-global-bath-towel-p143587
I sweat... A lot... I'm an overweight, out of shape, 30 something, and thus, I like to have a shower whenever I can when i'm camping. I'm not overly keen on the feel of microfibre, but its compact, and dries quickly, saving me a lot of space in my pack.
Earplugs
http://www.snorestore.co.uk/acatalog/quiet-reusable-earplugs.html
These are a new addition to my kit, added after staying at one too many campsite where people were getting drunk till 1am and playing loud music. Its a really weird feel putting them in and sleeping with them, but i'm hoping they'll mean I get a few better nights sleep when i'm camping.
Penknife
http://www.victorinox.com/ch/product/Swiss-Army-Knives/Category/The-Original-Swiss-Army-Knives/The-Original-Swiss-Army-Knives-large-size-91-mm/CyberTool-41/1.7775.T
While I carry a half decent folding knife in my cooking kit, part of my everyday carry (mainly because this is so good for work) is a swiss army knife cybertool. Its got multiple blades, pliers, scissors, saws and it's barely left my side since I got it 3 years ago.
Trousers
http://www.dickiesworkwear.com/catalogue/trousers_jeans_shorts/workwear/WD814/redhawk-mens-action-trousers.html
I can't remember who suggested these to me, but I remember complaining about having muddy knees that get too wet and ruin my trousers, and someone told me to check out a pair of industrial trousers with kneepad inserts. I've found these redhawk trousers to be extremely cheap to get hold of, well fitting, and with tons of pockets. Takes a while to get the knee pads positioned just right, especially since even the short leg versions are too long for me, but the thick fabric, plus kneepads means I can kneel while cooking without worry.
Food
http://www.armyrations.co.uk/
Theres plenty of sites that offer army ration packs, but I found that these guys were amongst the cheapest, especially if you picked up a few of their overstocked items at the same time. Army rations aren't the most tastiest of food, but works really well with my mKettle, and fit well with my camping trips which tend to be a really early start and a late return, so the high calorie nature keeps me going all day.
Having watched and loved the various youtube videos, and learnt how best to use a firesteel, something i've always struggled with, I thought i'd join the community and actively participate in things.
I've done a lot of solo camping in the last 3 years, because I tend to travel to various parts of the UK to run Dungeons and Dragons events for people, though, more often than not, I end up in Nottingham, camping at the national watersports centre campsite. I'm partially sighted, and am banned from driving accordingly, so the solo camping I do has to be near cities and accessible via public transport, and because of having to lug my bags on and off buses etc, needs to be pretty light.
The following is my current kit, which I feel works pretty well for me, but i'm interested to see what people who are skilled in bushcraft etc think of it, what they'd remove, add or replace.
Rucksack
http://www.sdintel.co.uk/sdod056sb700-45l-outdoor-sport-travel-rucksack-backpack-camping-hiking-walking-bag-purple-001.html
My last few solo campign trips have involved going to do D&D roleplaying game events, and I've ended up taking way too much camping gear in a big 65 litre pack, and then carrying a day sack full of gaming stuff as well. I found the 65litre bag was a little too big if I had to lug it on and off coaches and I was always scared they would refuse to put it in the storage compartment, plus it was getting a bit heavy if I had to walk from a bus stop to a campsite. I tried cutting down the stuff I carry and poutting it all into my 25 litre daysack, but there was no space ofr food or clothes... My criteria for a rucksack was that it needed to be around 40 litres, have straps for a sleeping mat at the bottom, and be under £100. I came across this bag on Amazon, but tracked it down to its makers who sell it a couple of pound cheaper at their own store. Its cheap, and probably won't last, and the bottom zip is not to a seperate compartment, but... Its cheap, and the size I want. I've got my tent, sleeping bag, cooking stuff and clothes in the main pocket, the top pocket contains my ration pack (see below), and the other pockets contain lights, first aid etc.
Sleeping Bag
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vango-Ultralite-300-Grasshopper/dp/B005449GF2
My brother used to work in a camping store, so in the mid 90's I got tons of good quality gear, VERY cheap, thats lasted me a long time. However, after 15 years of use, my lightweight, 2 season bag was looking a little worse for wear, so I went looking for a new bag. I was due to go camping at the start of march, so wanted a 3 season bag, that packed small, and didn't cost too much. The ultralite 300 was end of line, so in a clearance sale, and ticked the other criteria. I've used it a few times now, in -2'C early spring, and 20'C summer and while it got chilly that cold, first time use, I survived...
Tent
http://www.gelert.com/products/solo_tent
This thing is ace, 2 poles you thread through the inner tent, then throw the flysheet over, tie it on, peg out, and bob's your uncle. It packs incredibly small, and the eaves give you a surprising amount of room. Its far from perfect, you can't sit up in it, you can't cook in the door way, and its VERY draughty, but its fine for a weekend.
Sleeping Mat
http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16557&category_id=253
I've been using a cheap self inflating mat from GoOutdoors for the last few years, and recently found that my side which I sleep on aches the next morning. The mat was the main item I knew I had to replace this year, and looking around, I read some great things about the NeoAir's and the like, but they were too expensive (and seemingly not that durable for the price). Someone suggested Alpkit as an alternative, and using their own comparison of product sizes, I went for a Numo. It looks like the NeoAir, and packs nice and small. Slight issue I've found with the numo, is you obviously don't want to fully inflate it to solid, but if you don't, it wheezes as the air moves around as you rollover during the night.
mKettle
http://www.mkettle.com and http://www.theboilerwerks.com/order/
I did a few solo camps last year, and took a coleman f1, which melted the plastic ring and stopped folding up. I added a cheap version of it from GoOutdoors which wasn't as efficient, but did fold up. Bythe last trip last year, I was carrying 2 cannisters, 2 stoves, pots and cans, kettle, cup etc. It was stupid. A regular backer of Kickstarter projects, I came across the Backcountry Boiler project a few weeks too late, and the reply from the maker was that there were none left and i'd have to wait a while to get one in the UK. Luckily, I found the mKettle, from the guys who make/sell the Ghillie Kettle. They are based in the UK and 'copied' Devlin's design (but actually managed to manufacture it...), so I bought one of them. For those who've not heard of it, the mKettle is basically a small Kelly Kettle, you make a fire in the base, it funnels the heat up a central chimney, warming the water inside the kettle. The mKettle has several benefits... it uses collected fuel (though I tend to stuff its chimney with a few pieces of shop bought kindling before I go), can use esbit/solid fuel blocks, or a meths stove, and of course, doubles as a water carrier. Its not the fastest thing, with wood, you're looking at around 6 minutes and a lot of smoke, but its fun to use, and I swear my tea tastes better from it.
Pan stand
mKettle do their own pot stand to sit on the top of the chimney, allowing you to heat up a pan from the fire burning inside. I thought it looked cheap and crap, so I actually went with the Backcountry Boiler version, which is a little bit 'snug' on the chimney, but can also fit on the base where you have the fire to give a backup stove.
Firefelt
Having being forced to use a Trangia on a school camping trip, and watching my brother struggle with one, I've never seen the appeal in a Trangia or other meths burning stove. However, I've found that sometimes, its hard to get enough wood to get the mKettle to boil, and having watched videos, showing the ease of Devlins firefelt, I knew I had to get one. Its not a great fit in the bottom of the mKettle, and I've yet to get the amount of fuel I need right, and its nowhere near as fun as making a little wood fire and kepping it lit and covering yourself in that wonderful wood smoke smell, but it gives me a backup option for when I can't find wood or the wood is too wet.
Towel
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-global-bath-towel-p143587
I sweat... A lot... I'm an overweight, out of shape, 30 something, and thus, I like to have a shower whenever I can when i'm camping. I'm not overly keen on the feel of microfibre, but its compact, and dries quickly, saving me a lot of space in my pack.
Earplugs
http://www.snorestore.co.uk/acatalog/quiet-reusable-earplugs.html
These are a new addition to my kit, added after staying at one too many campsite where people were getting drunk till 1am and playing loud music. Its a really weird feel putting them in and sleeping with them, but i'm hoping they'll mean I get a few better nights sleep when i'm camping.
Penknife
http://www.victorinox.com/ch/product/Swiss-Army-Knives/Category/The-Original-Swiss-Army-Knives/The-Original-Swiss-Army-Knives-large-size-91-mm/CyberTool-41/1.7775.T
While I carry a half decent folding knife in my cooking kit, part of my everyday carry (mainly because this is so good for work) is a swiss army knife cybertool. Its got multiple blades, pliers, scissors, saws and it's barely left my side since I got it 3 years ago.
Trousers
http://www.dickiesworkwear.com/catalogue/trousers_jeans_shorts/workwear/WD814/redhawk-mens-action-trousers.html
I can't remember who suggested these to me, but I remember complaining about having muddy knees that get too wet and ruin my trousers, and someone told me to check out a pair of industrial trousers with kneepad inserts. I've found these redhawk trousers to be extremely cheap to get hold of, well fitting, and with tons of pockets. Takes a while to get the knee pads positioned just right, especially since even the short leg versions are too long for me, but the thick fabric, plus kneepads means I can kneel while cooking without worry.
Food
http://www.armyrations.co.uk/
Theres plenty of sites that offer army ration packs, but I found that these guys were amongst the cheapest, especially if you picked up a few of their overstocked items at the same time. Army rations aren't the most tastiest of food, but works really well with my mKettle, and fit well with my camping trips which tend to be a really early start and a late return, so the high calorie nature keeps me going all day.