Camping

[k12311997]

anyone into camping can give me some advice. I've started biking for exercise and have gone as far as 68 miles in one day that is 34 out and back, I have a long weekend coming up and was planning on doing 100mi in one day 50mi out and back then I decided maybee I'd camp out and do 100mi out day one and back day two see more of the trail, but I don't have any camping gear.just planning on fruit, protien bars and water for food. what should i consider for must haves for environmental protection, tent, sleeping bag, etc. all have to be backpackable not interested in investing in sadlebags for the bike.

thanks

[Ory]

Really depends how prepared you want to be. A good external frame backpack should easily hold more than you will need.

People have camped with nothing more than a blanket on the ground. Personally, I like one of those blue foam groundsheets (very lightweight) and a warm weather sleeping bag. Using clothes as a pillow keeps you lighter weight as well.

Tents are becoming quite impressive these days but a basic plastic tarp and a coil of rope will make an adequate pup tent for one night.

So for one night my vote would be: Plastic tarp or small tent, ground sheet, lightweight sleeping bag or blanket.

Whatever you do, don't forget a swiss army knife - a good one!

Might not be a bad idea to go into the local camping store and see what are the must-haves for your area.

[OpticLabRat]

Assuming you are in PA as your location states, I would bring a gun. Not to harm any life of course, just in case.
I have seen bears up there in northwestern PA with cubs. You probably have wolves and wild boars too. You could get a one man backpack tent with storage for water, energy bars, fruit bars. Bring a knife, and a small first aid kit with the essentials is always a great Idea. Cell phone, if there are towers in the area your going.
There is a lot of fresh water up there in case you need it.
HAVE FUN, TAKE PICTURES,
Dont Litter:D
And remember,
Only you can prevent forest fires!!!

[k12311997]

Thanks for the advice. in OpticLabRats case please read some sarcasam. I don't mind roughing itfor a night I do mind getting eaten and even if I owned a gun you are not permitted firearms on the bike trail. I'll bring my camera maybee get some nice scenic pics other than trees and gravel and river repeat

[rbaker]

My son and his wife through hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2006. Their web site has a lot of good info. Go here to start:

http://bakerat.homeip.net/oldweb/AT_Page.html?&MMN_position=23:23

[OpticLabRat]

Thanks for the advice. in OpticLabRats case please read some sarcasam. I don't mind roughing itfor a night I do mind getting eaten and even if I owned a gun you are not permitted firearms on the bike trail. I'll bring my camera maybee get some nice scenic pics other than trees and gravel and river repeat

I didnt mean to sound sarcastic, I love mountain bike riding in the wilderness. Wild Boars like to chase bicycles and they are suprisingly fast. I think the bicycle is threatening to them. If you come close to any wild animal with cubs, you and your bike WILL be perceived as a threat. There is nothing scarier than coming across a pack of wolves and all you have is a fishing pole. I learned to carry a firearm whenever I am out of my element. You dont need to shoot them, the noise will scare them away. If you cant have firearms in PA, Maybe some loud firecrackers will work.
On the otherhand, coming across some non threatening wildlife is one of the greatest experiences ever. I have had deer walk right up too me and I was able to photograph the experience. I also once had a single timberwolf watch me fish for about an hour. The wilderness has many wonders and dangers. Its best to be prepared for all.

[k12311997]

rbaker,

thanks for the link it was really cool, if time ever allows I would love to do a cross country thing but I still don't know if I'm fit enough yet this should be a good test for me.

[hcjilson]

1. If you cant have firearms in PA, Maybe some loud firecrackers will work.


2.The wilderness has many wonders and dangers. Its best to be prepared for all.


Comments on #'s 1 and 2
#1.Have you ever tried to light a firecracker while trying to run away from a bear??:) :) :) :D

Actually you are NOT supposed to run but a funny picture crept into my head and I couldn't resist posting that.

# 2. the best advice on this page so far.

Your camping supplier will be more than happy to advise you on your needs. Remember to limit yourself to the weight that won't bother you at mile 98.

[OpticLabRat]

[quote=hcjilson;152392]Comments on #'s 1 and 2
#1.Have you ever tried to light a firecracker while trying to run away from a bear??:) :) :) :D

Actually you are NOT supposed to run but a funny picture crept into my head and I couldn't resist posting that.


:D
I had a picture of him speed peddeling with a bear on his tail while lobbing M-80S over his shoulder...lol
Like a cartoon script.
Actually, what I was thinking is when he is ready to get some sleep and bed down for the night.....Set of some firecrackers or something very loud.
If there is anything within a mile around you, It will run the other way.

Here is a great one man backpack tent for you:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0037774517219a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=backpack+tent&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=backpack+tent&noImage=0

[k12311997]

OpticLabRat let me apologize I did not read your post as sarcastic. my thanks was tainted by the extra concerns I now have. It is not a matter of being allowed firearms in PA I would be riding on a trail and their possession is not allowed on the trail.

Hopefully were I to encounter any dangerous wildlife I would be able to apply the old addage. I don't have to outrun the bear I only have to outrun the next person, and luckily there are usually many on foot, even easier.

[hcjilson]

The Cabela catalog is a great thing to behold. If you are getting seriously into camping, you shouldn't be without one.

[chip anderson]

Supriseing no one has mentioned the most important thing for any camping trip:
Plenty of bug spray. Up nawth you ain't got as many skeeters but they bigger and I suspect you got plenty chiggers.
Other good stuff, flashlight, good sharp multi-tool, tire repair kit. Conceiled money (can make a lot of troubles go away.)
Sunglasses.
All weather gear.
Small but handy flask with pain killer/snake bite stuff.
Very small light first aid kit.
Woman to keep you warm at night, preferably Republican so you won't feel alone in PA.

[k12311997]

Woman to keep you warm at night, preferably Republican so you won't feel alone in PA.

Since my wife left I haven't put the effort into the first part of the sentence, and as for the second part I can't wait for Spexvet to search the word Republican to start a political argument on a camping thread. Since you brought it up though there are a lot of conservitive minded people who because of the labor verses management mindset of this area despite the decline of union jobs refuse to accept that the democrats around here are tax and spend liberals who want to spend your tax dollars on feel good programs they don't agree with and not on investing in a stronger economy.

[chm2023]

Since my wife left I haven't put the effort into the first part of the sentence, and as for the second part I can't wait for Spexvet to search the word Republican to start a political argument on a camping thread. Since you brought it up though there are a lot of conservitive minded people who because of the labor verses management mindset of this area despite the decline of union jobs refuse to accept that the democrats around here are tax and spend liberals who want to spend your tax dollars on feel good programs they don't agree with and not on investing in a stronger economy.


1) Spent some time at my friend's getaway place near Bedford a few weeks ago--saw a bobcat!!! Think pepper spray would be adequate for the type of wildlife you'll encounter in Pa.
2) I believe our current Democratic governor has balanced the budget now for 3 years straight??? And helped spur Pa to having a lower than average unemployment rate for the first time in quite a while? I'll take Rendall's "tax and spend" versus W's "don't tax and spend" any day of the week!!!
3) Good luck with the biking, I envy your stamina!!! If I do 5 miles I think I deserve a medal!!:cheers:

[k12311997]

I envy your stamina!!! If I do 5 miles I think I deserve a medal!!:cheers:

not stamina, combination of stupidity and stubornness. part of why I like biking is however far I go I have to go back. However if you know any single women in the Pittsburgh area we could go back to saying it is stamina.

I believe our current Democratic governor has balanced the budget now for 3 years straight??? And helped spur Pa to having a lower than average unemployment rate for the first time in quite a while? I'll take Rendall's "tax and spend" versus W's "don't tax and spend" any day of the week!!!

I'm sorry it is hard to see past our democratic mayors poor handeling of the finances of the largest city this side of the state.

[Johns]

I've got a cabin up on the Allegheny River in Pa., and you can sit on the porch all night and spot (light) bears, wolves, and coyotes.

If I'm biking 100 miles, all I need is a cell phone and a credit card. You're never that far from a hotel. (If you really want to rough it, get a hotel with an outside pool and no hot tub)

[k12311997]

I've got a cabin up on the Allegheny River in Pa., and you can sit on the porch all night and spot (light) bears, wolves, and coyotes.

If I'm biking 100 miles, all I need is a cell phone and a credit card. You're never that far from a hotel. (If you really want to rough it, get a hotel with an outside pool and no hot tub)


LOL I'm not that much of a city boy that I would "camp" at a hotel. the more I look at tents and backpacks the more likely I am to go with a blanket on the ground idea for as often as i would get the opportunity to use them.

[wombat]

This probably comes too late, but I highly recommend getting a rear carrier rack for the bike. Wearing a full pack on a long ride will not be fun... hot, painful, sweaty, and it won't help your balance. An aluminum rack (like a Blackburn) doesn't add much weight and is very strong (I've carried people, computer monitors, and truck batteries on mine). You should be able to bungee or otherwise tie the pack to the rack, and lash some rolled-up stuff like a closed-cell-foam sleeping pad and whatever you use for a bedroll beside or on top of it.
You will want some kind of sleeping pad; the ground is harder and damper than it looks.

[PAkev]

I've lived in PA all my life
I have deer, bear, turkeys, coyotes, and field mice come through my yard daily but have never fealt it's a reason not to let my kids go outside and play on their swingset.

A hotel will probably be more restful than tossing and turning on the ground the night before the next leg of your journey. Besides, contracting lymes disease is potentially greater while sleeping on the ground.

[Pete Hanlin]

As both a native Pennsylvanian and a former Cub/Boy Scout, I would recommend you seriously consider the "camping at a hotel" suggestion.

While there is a lot of pretty nature to observe and interact with during the day, at night you primarily just want to sleep- especially after biking all day. Even the worst hotel will allow you to accomplish that much easier than a campsite. Additionally, if you wake up sore (which you will if you sleep on the ground), you'll find your enjoyment of the 2nd day's bike ride is greatly diminished.

I don't know what part of PA you're in, but there are places like Gettysburg that would make a fabulous overnight destination between your riding days.

Just a thought- have fun, and stay safe!

[k12311997]

Hi I actually took a ride with my pack and camped out saturday nite 8/19/06. 30 miles from Boston,PA to Roundbottom camp ground as a test. I met some people roasted marshmallows around a campfire, something I wouldn't have done at a hotel.

I discovered that I'm not ready for 100 mi with the pack but am still going to try 100mi in a day before the end of summer. If I can convince someone to crew me, drop off in McKeesport and pick up at Ohiopyle, if not just 50 out and back.

only wildlife I saw was three deer, and six turkey, assorted chipmunks and squirrels and about a billion bunnys.

[Spexvet]

... about a billion bunnys.
They breed like rabbits, ya know. :D