CAMPING

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Mon Aug 10, 2020 8:29 pm

After a lifetime of being mostly wilderness-averse, [mention]joni[/mention] and I have gotten into camping. I write you from the halfway point of a no-contact quar camper van roadtrip across California we’re calling our Tree Trip because we planned it around the ritual beholding of some Very Large (Redwood) and Very Old (Ancient Bristlecone Pine) trees. Ours is a fairly comfy intro as we’re in a rental van with such creature comforts as bed, propane, and fridge, but now that I realize that Camping is What You Make of It, I’m ready to tackle more ambitious trips. Can we share gear, spot, and routing recommendations in this thread?

One purchase I’ve very much enjoyed is a double-wide camping hammock that takes 3 minutes to set up anywhere. Really elevates the whole experience!

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Mon Aug 10, 2020 8:30 pm

Also does anyone want to see some dithered Redwood pics??

alex · Post by **alex** » Mon Aug 10, 2020 11:23 pm

Me. Anyone read Wild Trees?

m o l l y · Post by **m o l l y** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 1:42 am

Dith that shit.

Welcome to the great outdoors! As reg bike-to-campers, we have learned a lot about making shit small but also comfortable. I'm a big proponent of being able to sleep. My fave purchase is our down two-person Rumpl blanket which we use instead of sleeping bags. It is made out of technical backpacking materials so it stays clean, is warm and packs super tiny. It was an investment for a handful of nights a year but since it is basically just a down comforter, we toss it in a duvet cover and use it on our bed 6 months a year. We carry that, a good two-person sleeping pad, a fitted sheet made to fit said pad and a lil top sheet. badda bing, badda boom, bed.

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 8:35 am

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m o l l y · Post by **m o l l y** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:30 am

Very impressive! But not dithered!

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:46 am

Aw dang it didn’t dith!

alex · Post by **alex** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 11:15 am

What givths

meadows · Post by **meadows** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 12:41 pm

is your camping hammock just a packable/portable hammock or one of those tent-like deals? I'm curious about hammocks in general.

meadows · Post by **meadows** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 12:50 pm

I like the idea of a camping duvet cover! One of the craziest outdoor gear items I've encountered was a down sleeping bag jumpsuit. A friend of a friend loaned it for a cold beach night and I've never felt more silly and excited than when encased head to toe in stay-puff marshmallow outfit with fully articulated arms, legs, and hood.

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yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 2:08 pm

I love this creepy snow sack smiley image so much! How come yours dith’ed??

Our camping hammock is called an ENO Double Nest.

https://www.rei.com/product/754773/eno- ... st-hammock

It’s just a packable guy in some hi-tek lightweight fabric. What really boggles me is that it doesn’t take any special hooks or anything to hang, just this strappy thing you wrap around a tree trunk that somehow stays suspended through...physics? It honestly feels haunted

alexshred420 · Post by **alexshred420** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 3:31 pm

We have a tiny lightweight two person tent for backpacking, but last year we bought a 3 person tent for car camping and it's truly deluxe and spacious: https://www.rei.com/product/895812/marm ... -footprint

We also just bought a two person inflatable mattress from REI for an upcoming road trip to Nevada City/Mt Shasta at the beginning of September: https://www.rei.com/product/136261/rei- ... -bed-queen

These chairs are really small but comfy and nice: https://www.rei.com/product/164384/rei- ... boss-chair (they also have them in black)

I don't own one but if you're doing a lot of actual outdoor cooking, a jetboil seems super nice.

I don't know a lot about spots in California! I've camped at Orr Hot Springs before and that was a great time: http://www.orrhotsprings.org

Also this spot near Shasta: http://www.californiasbestcamping.com/m ... bride.html

Also it's good to put your food in a bear bin even if it's inside your car, cause MICE like to eat it. Mice got inside our car one time and chewed through some food packaging, so now we try and keep it inside the bin.

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 5:31 pm

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* manually dithered on Dismantle Message Board affiliate website Ditherit.com *

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 5:34 pm

[mention]alexshred420[/mention] we have those chairs too! +1 vouch for their lightweight carry & comfy seats.

We own a Jet Boil but I didn’t bring it on this trip because...I don’t really know what it is. I did buy a cheapie folding camp grill to put over the fire and brought a couple cast-iron pans. It’s been trial and error cooking over the fire (one truly spectacularly burned pizza is witness) but I’ve figured out that you have to wait until the flames die down and just cook over the hot coals. BBQ styles.

Both those Cali spots look cool as hell. How do we feel about COVID and hot springs? Seems safe to me so long as you’re not sharing your tub with a rando.

We’re going down the 395 this week and “boondock” or “dispersed” camping (that’s without a campsite) on some BLM land in the Alabama Hills:

https://www.blm.gov/visit/alabama-hills

I was just reading about Sequoia and Kings’ Canyon National Parks, and apparently they have some super-aggro MARMOTS there that are notorious for gnawing into people’s cars and destroying radiator hoses (or something). Some hikers have taken to wrapping the front of their cars in tarps to deter them—they call ‘em “marmot diapers.” So that’s fun.

meadows · Post by **meadows** » Wed Aug 12, 2020 10:26 am

please, someone start a band called "marmot diapers"

m o l l y · Post by **m o l l y** » Wed Aug 12, 2020 11:40 am

I literally thought blm.gov was associated with the black lives matter movement as a way of cultivating respect and income to native American communities through camping tourism. It made me very excited about the Alabama Hills!

Don't get me wrong. They still look amazing. I want to be there and I am thoroughly jealous.

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Mon Aug 17, 2020 8:21 pm

Two things I learned on this trip:

- The National Forest Service is a gift. It's free to camp anywhere in any National Forest in the US (although sometimes you need a campfire permit, depending on where you are)—you can just drive down a service road, pull into a pull-out by the road, or hike into the forest itself to find a spot. I had no idea! I like how loose and totally freestyle it is. The more developed campgrounds maintained by the Forest Service are inexpensive, abundant, and often very beautiful, too. We did it both ways and I felt a lot of gratitude that these public lands are made available to the public in this way.

- It's not that hard to poop outside. In fact, it's kind of intense and earthy and grounding!

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Mon Aug 17, 2020 8:32 pm

For anyone wanting to pin some special spots in Oregon & California!

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This campsite is 30 minutes from Crater Lake, in an airy pine forest next to a lake with an 11-mile paved bike trail that goes all around it and a bunch of walking paths through the woods. Little tiny chipmunks run all around the sites. There's some kind of beetle problem in the forest so the rangers chop down sick trees regularly and leave the wood as free campfire wood for anyone to take, so you can wander around and gather logs like a true pioneer woman/person. People bring kayaks and canoes and hitch them along the shore of the lake near the campground:

https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/251548

This one's in the Eastern Sierras, about a 45-minute drive from the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, the oldest trees in the world! It's nestled up against a mountain next to a little creek surrounded by old oaks and sagebrushes and piyon pines. The night sky here is bonkers:

https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232052

marijke · Post by **marijke** » Wed Aug 19, 2020 10:25 am

Have you been just doing drive in camping? I'd like to get a backpack for 2 night walk-in situations. Does anyone have recommendations?

I have an ancient thermarest pad from my grandfather that's big and comfy and fine for car camping, but I just got myself a fancy Nemo pad that's light... I'd like to start gearing up for hike in situations to get away from crowds.

We camped on the John Day River on the fourth of July this year on the way home from California... it was busy but it's so insanely beautiful. We were at Burnt Ranch campground, which is first come first serve. and I highly recommend!

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Wed Aug 19, 2020 11:21 am

Ugh I love the John Day. I went to summer camp near there as a kid and have some incredibly rapturous memories of gathering fossils, polishing stones and cracking open thunder eggs.

We rented a camper van for this trip that had a bed, water/sink, and propane grill built in, so we were just car-camping either alongside Forest Service roads or in State Park and Forest Service drive-in campgrounds. I definitely want to graduate to backpack/tent camping for our next sojourn, but this was a good intro that combined the spontaneity of roughing it with some creature comforts.

marijke · Post by **marijke** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 9:57 am

I wish someone would pay me to look for rocks on the John Day!

Camper van seems fun for a longer trip... I'd like to take one down through California next summer and mostly stick around Yosemite and Grass Valley, fires willing.

We camped in Gifford Pinchot this weekend - a dispersed site right next to the "Muddy Meadow" trailhead to Mt Adams. Nice views, lots of horse trails, and some good camping shakshuka from the garden tomatoes. There were loads of free campsites available on a Saturday afternoon and it's nice to be away from the crowds at reserved sites. It's definitely getting colder out, especially at the higher elevations... we were all bundled in down blankets and woolens.

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 2:13 pm

That sounds really nice! [mention]uncleboatshoes[/mention] was telling us about the Gifford Pinchot recently. If you do the California trip I highly recommend driving up the 395—you hit the Eastern Sierras, desert landscapes, tons of natural hot springs, pinyon pine forests, creeks, Mono Lake, Mammoth, and the far side of Yosemite on that drive. It's epic.

marijke · Post by **marijke** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 2:47 pm

Yes, 395 would be very fun! I grew up outside Yosemite on the West side, and only once did I drive in and through the park from the East... it would be nice to do it again. And I've never seen Mono Lake.

I think we're going to check out Lake Paulina in the next few weeks, they have some hot springs around the lake.

One thing I don't like about camping is the avalanche of polyester. I know it's technical and dries fast and all, but it's not like I'm summiting Everest. It's hard to find good non-poly warmies. I just ordered myself some silk long underwear, we'll see how that goes. I'm trying these Terramar ones; looks like lands end and ll bean and similar companies have them. https://www.campmor.com/products/terram ... gIqQ_D_BwE

marijke · Post by **marijke** » Mon Aug 24, 2020 2:49 pm

https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/H2174151/b ... ONE%20SIZE
Poly, but a nice thing to have when fall/spring camping to keep you warm is a down blanket.

m o l l y · Post by **m o l l y** » Tue Aug 25, 2020 1:55 am

I am pinning each and every specific campground recommendation to my google maps camping list and drooling over an Oregon trip. My god y'all, it is so damn beautiful.

I know it is right next to the highway, but one of my favorite campsites ever is at Standish-Hickey on the 101/Redwood hwy. The swimming hole there in the Eel River is next level. The whole river over there is crystal clear and full of deep swimming holes. Glory be.

m o l l y · Post by **m o l l y** » Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:06 am

Also highly recommended is Willow Creek Environmental Campground at the mouth of the Russian River. The campsites are all far apart and on the river and there are zero amenities; no water. Every morning and evening the brackish water fills with all kinds of sea birds and seals and all manner of noisy sea life.

Back up the road, at Highway 1 there is a place overlooking the town of Jenner, where the river meets the sea, called Russian House #1. It is a TRIP. They serve huge bowls or kasha and sour cream and boiled eggs and you pay whatever you want for it. They are very new-agey and into the meditative power of Russian wooden toy/puzzles. The woman taught me to make vegetarian borscht. Truly unique and MAN do they have a view.

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Tue Aug 25, 2020 10:09 am

Ahh [mention]m o l l y[/mention] we drove past that Russian House on our recent trip and for an hour afterwards I was kicking myself for not stopping!

m o l l y · Post by **m o l l y** » Tue Aug 25, 2020 1:21 pm

Oh man, as I was writing I was thinking damn, I should have told [mention]yourfriendclaire[/mention] and [mention]joni[/mention] to go! You would have truly loved it.

meadows · Post by **meadows** » Tue Aug 25, 2020 3:50 pm

I miss camping- over the many moves and life changes I've lost/sold/given away some gear and no longer have enough stuff to go it alone. My partner is neutral towards this activity and buying new gear won't be moving up the priority list for awhile.

I'm also compiling a list of these spots for future use!
I have a sleeping bag, warm clothes, and a lantern, please take me camping! I'm very good at making the fire!

m o l l y · Post by **m o l l y** » Wed Aug 26, 2020 2:33 am

Take your partner and a mini trip, short and easy to get to. This person will realize that they didn't know they liked camping because with you it will be different. I know this to be true; I was a psychic friend.

Also having stuff that is comfortable makes all the difference. The fact that I can sleep next to my homie, on a two person mat and under one blanket like a little bed makes it much more fun.

meadows · Post by **meadows** » Wed Aug 26, 2020 11:24 am

I do think I could convince him to do a short one on occasion, but he is a real homebody and mostly wants to either listen to music or play music for 75% of the day. He would get bored, which really blows my mind!

We have to get a tent and a stove and those kinds of things before I can make it happen, but I'm going to start saving.

I'm happy to camp with friends, once quar is over and we can be real close again :/

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Tue Sep 01, 2020 8:43 am

[mention]meadows[/mention] we just bought this inexpensive, highly-rated North Face tent if you’re looking for a cheap & cheerful piece of gear for future adventures with your person:

https://www.rei.com/product/129202/the- ... eak-2-tent

Slept in it in our backyard this week, can vouch it’s easy to set up and surprisingly spacious!

meadows · Post by **meadows** » Tue Sep 01, 2020 10:13 am

ooooh, that is a good deal! bookmarked!

matthew · Post by **matthew** » Wed Sep 02, 2020 8:57 pm

I hiked the Grand Canyon a couple years back which 1) was rad and 2) I got mega into all the ready made pouches of food and coffee with the jet boil. They are honestly delicious and while kinda bougie camping are so awesome when you are hungry and tired.

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Thu Sep 03, 2020 3:34 pm

[mention]pizza[/mention] I always see those at REI and wonder about them! I can't imagine there are a ton of vegan ones. I think it's not bougie and in fact *very* pro and hardcore. Isn't that what people eat when they hike the PCT? Also, tell about this Grand Canyon hike! Were kayaks involved at any point?

We just got back from a two-day beach camp at Leo Carillo up in Malibu. So fun! I'd been to the beach there before many times but it's really different when you're sleeping a five-minute walk away. Makes the beach feel lower-stakes. You can swim all morning, go back to camp and take a three-hour nap, then go back to catch the sunset. There's a cute little camp store on site and you can make campfires, which feels very special in the age of California wildfires, especially since a fire almost claimed the state park a few years ago.

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=616

m o l l y · Post by **m o l l y** » Fri Sep 04, 2020 6:27 am

I WANT THIS

matthew · Post by **matthew** » Sun Sep 06, 2020 10:00 am

We got dropped off at the North rim and picked up the next day at the South rim. In the morning it was in the low-30s and there were lots of pine trees but as we descended it got warmer and then hot. There’s a cool camping spot at the bottom that everyone stays at where you can get cold beer and sit in a cold stream and chill out.

You could do rim to rim in one day but it’s nice to escape the heat and take your time. There were some peeps I saw who ran north to south to north in one day even.

We took off the next morning and were done around noon, but there are tons of trails off of the cold beer place that could involve kayaks!

m o l l y · Post by **m o l l y** » Sun Sep 06, 2020 1:37 pm

Wait, now I want this.

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Mon Sep 07, 2020 11:08 am

I also want this!

Cold beer in a cold stream!

m o l l y · Post by **m o l l y** » Mon Jun 14, 2021 2:35 pm

Check it out, Bureau of Land Management has an artist in residency program- https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/artist ... he-program

meadows · Post by **meadows** » Tue Jun 15, 2021 10:30 am

ooooooooohhhhhhh

yourfriendclaire · Post by **yourfriendclaire** » Sat Jul 10, 2021 8:41 am

Anyone getting some camping in this summer?

We lucked out hard in June when some friends in the Bay Area copped a rare reservation at “California’s most beautiful campsite,” a small area of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park up in Big Sur where two (!!) environmental campsites are perched up against a cliff. It’s a small hike in, but worth it once you’re settled, we stayed for two nights and I highly recommend it if you ever get a chance:

https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US/californi ... campground

m o l l y · Post by **m o l l y** » Sun Jul 11, 2021 11:49 am

BOOKMARKED.