Kyle Boatright said:
3) I like self inflating therm-a-rest mattresses too. They are more comfortable to me than plain 'ol air mattresses. A suggestion - try several inflation levels to find your comfort zone. Too little air or too much can be uncomfortable.
8) Carry earplugs. You may want to sleep while other campers drink a six pack and loudly discuss their favorite subject.
Like some of the others, I do a LOT of backpacking and have a few tips that differ from other campers. Kind of like the tip-up vs. slider/TW vs. NW stuff.
The therm-a-rest mattresses Kyle spoke of are VERY nice BUT the can and do pop. Two days into a six day hike across the high desert in UT I managed to puncture mine. It didn't make for such a nice trip. However, for your type of camping that may not be an issue. If you get one, get the thick one. Why not, it is not like you are hauling it on your back. The only down side is they can weigh in at over six lbs. I have become a big fan of the
Z Rest. Not only will it no pop, you can use it while working on your plane, sit on it next to a fire, etc. Also, they come in at 15 oz.
As a source for camping equipment, try
Campmor, good prices and selection.
The stove issue is BIG deal for me. I have been on trips where out of six stoves mine was the only one working at the end of the trip. YMMV. I am a big fan of white gas and have been using an older version of the
Coleman Exponent? Multi Fuel Stove for over eight years now. No failures, no problems, etc. This has the advantage over some of the others in that there is no external tank or hoses to lose, get dirty, clog, etc. Also, it has a wind ring around the burner and just simply works all the time, every time. I have used it above 14,000 feet and in temp's from 114+ down to 5 degrees, again, with no issues. A full tank will last two of us four to five days, depending on the food we need to cook. Some of the hikers I go with give me a hard time about my "old school" stove but when it is the only one left working, it is I who gives them a hard time.
Someone mentioned packing a fleece blanket, good advice. Campmor has fleece sleeping bag liners, which would be very nice. BTW, don't bring any natural fibers blankets, once they get wet, they loose all insulating value.
I used to work for the company that made the fiber insulation for The North Face and used to field test their products. I can't say enough about their bags. So much so I have five of their sleeping bags, not counting the handful my wife has. Great products!
Some of my backpacking gear will work great in the plane, some not so much. It really comes down to what your intent is. If you are going to camp at a fly-in, the gear I would bring will be much different than what I might use for a back country trip.
BTW, try some of the dehydrated food. Some of it is actually very good. Just follow the directions on the bag. I give you this tip in case you are putting together an emergency kit. Add to that a
Nalgene 16oz. Lexan Wide Mouth Loop-Top Bottle and some type of water filter (either a
Katadyn or
Sweetwater and you won't go thirsty.)
I hope that helps.
As for the ear plugs, bring your own beer or do as us hikers do, bring something brown in a small Nalgene bottle, consider it a weight savings.
