Camping Accessories
Camping Accessory Information
Archive for July, 2009
Eureka sleeping bags like other sleeping bags are expensive but worth it if you take care them. Taking care of them starts with their use. Many times I have observed campers stirring a smoky fire then going to bed without taking a shower. That’s ok, but the bag will need to be cleaned sooner. Also keep them away from sparks from the fire or dirt while camping or transporting them. Keep them covered if possible.
Always follow manufactures instructions for cleaning a sleeping bag. In general it is best to hand wash the sleeping bag using a mild detergent and hang on the line. You can use a washing machine and a dryer if you prefer. Just make sure your machines are large enough to handle the sleeping bag. Normally dry cleaning isn’t recommended. Again the best approach is to keep them as clean as possible while using and transporting them.
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This is the time of the year when many campers are starting to think about their last camping trip for the year. The thought of tent care and storing their camping tent and other tent accessories comes to mind. However, the first steps to tent care starts while you are still camping. If you take proper care of your tent it will last years longer.
No one wants to pitch a dirty tent, so either clean it before taking it down or do it at home. Many times it is easier to clean it at home which gives you another chance to make sure it is dry. Also don’t grab the poles and pull to get the tent down. Take it down with care and inspect and count the poles and stakes to make sure you have them all. Now is a good time to replace broken poles while you still remember. Store a dry tent in a cool dry area not in the basement or attic. Don’t allow heavy or sharp things to be placed on top of the tent.
Most people aren’t aware that cave spelunking is quite a prominent sport, but around the world, there are societies of cavers dedicated to cave exploration. There are two different types of cave exploration: caving and cave diving. Caving is the standard method of exploration, and just requires a few essential pieces of equipment like headlamps, backpacks with supplies, shoes with solid traction, and now and then, a rope. Cave diving is a much more complex sport that involves diving into underground streams and pools of water to reach deeper levels of the cave. Cave diving requires SCUBA certification and a whole host of complicated equipment. It also requires years of experience, and can be quite dangerous if attempted by amateurs.
Standard caving is a sport lots of people can enjoy, and can be done by both amateurs and professionals. There are lots of great caves around the world that are ripe for exploration. The environments inside caves are one of a kind, and represent independent eco systems where interesting creatures live and thrive
An Eagles Nest Hammock is always a nice addition to a picnic, cabin or camping trip. It can also be used at home for many hours of enjoyment. Many times there are insects close to the ground but even a few feet off the ground can make a big difference. Hammocks are a great way to relax.
In today’s busy world with all the pressure to perform there aren’t many ways to relax without spending a lot of money on exotic vacations. Enjoying a hammock has the potential to lower your blood pressure faster than sitting in a lawn chair. One reason being you can stay above the noise and activities of the younger generation. Just be sure you have your hammock tied more securely as you go higher.
A Eureka tent can be an excellent choice for the budget minded person. While camping over the weekend I saw several of them in the campground. The Tetragon 1210 6 person tent has 120 square feet of floor space. It has the No-see-um mesh ventilation system for bugs and shock corded fiberglass poles make pitching the tent easier.
With many camping tents to choose from, which one to purchase will make a big difference in how much you enjoy camping. With children you always need a little extra room and most campers like the extra privacy a bigger tent has when camping in public campgrounds. Just be sure you air out the tent when you get home.
I was camping close to a river and a lake over the weekend and I watched several inflatable boats and inflatable kayaks on both the river and the lake. A week ago I was pulling my children and grandchildren on an inflatable tube. As a child a leaky wooden boat was considered the best option for most people. There have been a lot of improvements over the years.
Inflatable boats now last a long time. In fact they have some durability advantages over other hard surface boats. Inflatable boats are easier to transport and store reducing the chance of something falling on them and breaking them. In addition if they hit a rock they are less apt to tear. Fiberglass boats are very difficult to repair if they get a hole in them where an inflatable boat comes with a patch kit should you need it.
Years ago we camped with canvas tents that were heavy and required strong poles, but were very durable. Today’s tents are durable but subject to wear points from walking on the floor. Tent floor protectors or footprints go under the floor of the tent and reduce the wear when there is a rock or tree root under the tent. You may not notice the rock or tree root as it could be covered with dirt and still be hard enough to add wear to the tent floor.
Tent floor protectors should be slightly smaller than the tent floor to prevent there being a tunnel effect in case of rain. The tent protector also helps keep the tent floor clean making it easier to break camp. So don’t forget when looking at camping tent accessories to include a good floor protector.
Having a good air mattress can make the difference in a good night sleep particularly when you get older. There are a number of things to consider when choosing an air mattress and like a sleeping bag a lot depends on who is using it, where, and what is the temperature at the time of use.
A young lighter camper can get by with an air mattress that isn’t real thick and even if their body touches the ground it won’t hurt their sleep. Keep in mind that a thick mattress will protect you from the cold better than a thinner one. The air mattress I like is the Supreme Airflow raised Queen from Intex. It feels like a real bed and the built in air pump is great if you have power available. It isn’t practical for backpackers though.
Inflatable boats are the new kid on the block compared to other boats and rafts. However, they have a lot of advantages compared to their older cousins. Senior citizens like me have a tendency to think of the old inner tubes that leaked and tore just when you wanted them. However, the new ones are made a lot stronger and with proper care will last for years before issues occur.
Some of the advantages they have include lower purchase price, ease of transporting and storage. They are also a lot more fun. You can get them into areas where heavier boats won’t go and tie an anchor to them and use them as a raft. For liability reasons many resorts no longer have boats a rafts for their customers use and an inflatable boat is easy to carry with you.
Some people go camping with the thought that they want to get away from it all. No radios, cell phones or any other electronic device that has come to run our lives. Many others like the concept of roughing it but still want their toys. Camping without electricity on their site is their definition of roughing it. One way to power their toys is with a camping solar panel.
Frequently campers either run their car, RV motors or try and plug into electricity by the bathrooms or other public areas. Camping solar power eliminates the need to do that permitting camping in more remote areas. These units can be plugged together if more power is needed. Charge your batteries all day and use the power when you need it.