minimalist or primitive camping inquiry

[delete this account]

 

[dgjessee]

I live in Georgia too. Honestly if you just want rest and it seems like you're going the super light route, I'd take an e-blanket as a ground cloth, your 20-degree bag, and a tarp as long as you're talking 10oz or less. I have a 5'x8' Integral Designs tarp that is perfect but even a tent footprint ($35-50) will work alright and weigh less than 10oz. I personally also really love the Z-Seat from Thermarest as it cushions my hips, provides a tiny bit of warmth, and is well worth the 2oz just for something to sit on making dinner.

[RossC]

e-blanket = emergency blanket. Those shiny silver foil blankets that are in most first aid kits.

With all due respect, I think you are over-thinking things a bit too much. Pedal your bike, find somewhere flat when the sun goes down and sleep, then get up and go for a ride in the morning. 


After all, drunk people have been involuntarily bivvying for thousands of years and unless it is in the middle of a main road, it usually works out OK 

[dgjessee]

Don't overthink it man. But here are your answers....

Georgia creek water is just fine, especially in the mountains. Regardless of where you are you still need to know where you're water's coming from - if it's coming from the bottom of a lake where lots of people recreate you're gonna need a more elaborate purifier to remove viruses and chemicals. If you're just getting water from a stream along the Pinhoti Trail, a simple filter (doesn't kill viruses) or tablets (don't remove chemicals) will be plenty.

As for choosing and prepping your campsite, ideally it would be an established campsite - meaning you can tell it's been used before - but not completely beat to hell. There's animal crap everywhere so besides the unpleasantness of laying in a pile of bear poo, don't worry about that too much. Bears and other critters are gonna be around at night and you probably won't even know it. Just make sure to put your food and scented items in a bear bag and hang it. That's as much for keeping it away from mice and possums as bears. Also look up in the trees - you don't want to set up your camp underneath a "widow-maker" which is a large dead limb or tree that could fall on you. Yes, just clear the sticks and sharp things out but don't completely landscape your campsite. Like I said, it should be an established site if possible to avoid trampling vegetation and creating more unofficial campsites.

And an e-blanket is one of those silvery mylar space blankets you see runners have after races and such. They only weigh about 2oz and are super versatile. I carry one with me pretty much any time I'm out backpacking or bikepacking. http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/product.php?catname=Shelter&prodname=SOL%20Emergency%20Blanket&product=145

[Colorado Cool Breeze]

thank you pi11wizard and dgjessee, all advise noted, and I clearly admit to 'overthought', that's where I live, in analytical world (mentally), that's probably why I can ride so far at 10 miles an hour on a heavy rig because when I ride tired my mental wheels 'eventually' take a break haHA!!  anyway, the future looks good (I love the 'forthrightness' in this forum, you people are so cool)   (I have an e blanket, yeah!!)

I always like to test out any new sleep system in the backyard or someplace I can bail if it does not work.
I would recommend you give your new system a test run. That will let you know if you need to change anything before you hit the trail.
I am not a minimalist(love my comfort when on the trail) so I probably could not offer up much advice in that area.

[wahday]

I use an 8X10 tarp which serves as both a ground cloth and the shelter. Here's a photo:



The tarp is great because it can be set up many different ways, some of which require a groundcloth, some of which don't. And even this setup can be adjusted a bit depending on weather.

This site gives some interesting info on the many ways one can set up a tarp. Some make more sense than others and frankly the diagrams can be a little confusing. But I have used two different setups to great effect.

http://www.equipped.com/tarp-shelters.htm

The best setup is a 10X10 or 12X12 but its hard to find pre-made tarps in square format (with grommets for tie-downs). Have been looking at using Tyvek though its hard to find in 10 feet widths let alone 12. 9 is the more common dimension. But there is an ebay seller who has reasonably priced "kits" including custom cut Tyvek and various tie-down options. Just search "camping tarps."

I find that when I am out on the trail, I have LOTS of time to play with how to setup my shelter (though where I live I am rarely in danger of being rained on unexpectedly) so I haven't worried too much about figuring it all out in advance. Though certainly you should have at least one go-to arrangement you can pitch quickly just in case. I practice in my yard...

Ride on!

[wahday]

Yes, I use a 3/4 length thermarest. The slightly thicker variety (which is still smaller than the full length but thinner version). My aging bones have had it with the hard ground and a good night's sleep is well worth the extra effort for me. When I was a young lad a closed cell ridgerest was just fine. But those days are behind me...

[trebor]

careful about covering your sleeping bag with a non-breathable plastic sheet. You will likely sweat, get your bag damp, and get even colder. A little dew on the outside isn't too big of a deal. A crazy rain storm may be a different story.