Questions for Mags

[FrogTacos]

Sorry, NOT started by me...

[Mags]

Thought this would have some opinions by now. This is a discussion forum and opinions are free. So please feel free to chime in folks! (Hey, where'd the post go?)

[Mags]

1. As much as the kids would love to have their own 1 man tents - I think it would be best to start out with a 4 man - we probably wont be out in the snow (Ima cold weenie - that bag thingy you posted is something I would love to have to wear around the house in the winter) but it should stand up to a good Texas rain storm. So, I need a recommendation on a really good quality 4 man tent. (Im tired of having to sew a piece back on to, or try to repair any of it after one or two uses.)

A) Right off I would stick with a quality name brand tent seeing how important shelter is when trying to maintain 98.6 degrees. (Eureka, Sierra Designs, Kelty, Mountain Hardware, Marmot, TNF etc. No WalMart specials.) I'd like a vestibule or two. They're good for gear storage not to mention muddy wet clothing. I'd look for great ventilation with 4 people in there breathing away you'll need it. With great ventilation I'd want a full coverage fly. With 4 people plus their gear I'd get a compatible footprint to help protect the floor. I'd look for built in gear lofts & pockets for internal organization. I'd like it to be free standing with guy out points. I'd check the floor to door layout so that you don't have to crawl over everyone else just to get out and piss. I'd also keep a tarp for an additional covered work space/kitchen.

2. I have noticed in several of your pictures that your backpack is tied to a tree. Why?

So my lazy ass doesn't have to bend over. Hahahahaha

3. Sleeping bags. Not an issue for most people - BIG issue for me. I just cant sleep in a mummy bag. I have always been a stomach sleeper, and due to horrid random leg twitches I have to be able to bend a leg, or two, up. Mummy bags just don't give me the room to do that. Suggestions please!!

First thing that came to mind was a Sierra Designs Flex Sleeping Bag womens model. They are supposed to be good for side and stomach sleepers flexing with you. I'd go with a 20F model due to your area and weather incountered. This temp rating give you lots of options. Hood, no hood, mummy, tapered, rectangular etc. when its warmer unzip it and use it blanket style. Another option, would be the "van" or double sleeping bag for couples, but this is not a top option by any means. A better way to go would be matching bags that can be zipped together. Certain companies have "blanket/pad" combos that might work for you. Darker shell colors like black soak up the suns warmth and dry out quicker. Bringing me to down VS synthetic. Down is lighter, packs smaller and is warm. It is also more expensive and even with the newer shell fabrics it does not insulate when wet! (Even if its a knocked over bottle or leaky camelback in the tent a wet cold down bag doesn't insulate and takes forever to dry out. Synthetics on the other hand are cheaper and many will keep you warm even when totally wet. It's up to you.

4. Since we would generally always be in a group of 4, which things would we need 1 for everyone and which things just 1 for the group? -Of course there are some obvious ones I can figure out on my own, but since you have been 'out there' doing this I'm guessing you have some valuable insight.

Inventory and packing lists can help with this. Each person in the group needs their own survival essentials after that group gear can be cross loaded across the entire group. Maybe Mom carries the "kitchen" gear while each member carries his or her own bowl/mug/utensils. High value items whether it be survival value or money wise should be kept and carried by the adults. Things like water filter adults, tablets for the kids, GPS for adults, compass for the kids, Solar panel for adults, extra batteries for the kids, lantern for adults, LED headlamps for all, group medical kit for adults, ouchy first aids kits for kids etc. Things that could be cross loaded would be items like food, ammo, fuel etc.

Just some thoughts, hope it helps at least keeping you thinking. Of course the above is IMHO and that YMMV.

Anyone else want to chime in? This is a disscussion forum and while opinions vary they are free.

[Oscar Wilde]

The only thing I see of the op is "question for Mags" .... ok .... my opinion. Mags seems like a fairly busy guy. If you have a thought or concern toss it out here and some one will pick up on it and Mags will offer his $0.02 when he gets the chance. Your issue might be resolved by someone other than Mags and Mags won't have to bear the burden of being the quasi official answer guy .... although Mags does have lots of pretty cool stuff and great ideas. Thanks for all your contributions Mags ....

O.W.

[FrogTacos]

Oscar, please dont be offended by the heading - and if you are, take it up with Diesel, he is the one that moved my questions from Mags's BOB thread to here and started this thread. I wont go back into that as I would probably get banned.

Anyway, Mags, thanks a ton for your answers. I look to start buying gear next payday (the Mr is working mad MAD overtime) and will let you know what I end up getting.

Thankfully my son will be classified as adult when it comes to carrying stuff. He is 14, as tall as I am (for now), definitely stronger - and eats everything that isn't nailed down. Kid wears size 11 shoes. (Must be the milkman - the boys feet are 3 sizes larger than his dads!)

Oh, and the mother in me is forced to admonish you for not having vegetables in you meals when you get out. Dehydrate! Ive been playing around with this alot lately, to see what rehydrates well in a pot of ramen. So far Napa cabbage and green onions get two thumbs up.

Edit: I got the idea of Napa cabbage in the ramen from a Chinese friend of mine - its really good!

[Oscar Wilde]

[FrogTacos;33004 Oscar, please dont be offended by the heading]

[Anyway, Mags, thanks a ton for your answers.]

See .... "sniff" its always Mags, Mags, Mags....

Just kidding Fr Tc .... Mags really is the go to guy on a number of things. His last comment was a solicitation for participation .... so I participated :D

I read my previous post :o .... I need to use more emoticons when I post .... sorry

O.W.

[Mags]

It's all good! Her questions were in black with my answers in red trying to make it easier to follow. (I swear I was just trying to make it easier to follow. I didn't put my words in red cause this is the King James version of X-Colony! HAHAHAHA!) I think she posted it in my BOB thread but D thought it had the potential to help other people so he moved it to it's own thread. Maybe a good idea because Frog Taco raised some really good valid concerns. Concerns that others may have as well. I hope there is more input on these questions. I like hearing others thoughts and ideas.

Frog Taco, so wood ash isn't considered a veggie? LOL Your right I should round out my meals more.

[prkchp76]

ok mag's have you seen the parachute hammocks they have'em here in columbia for 59.00 buck's and it's suppose to hold up to 400 pounds just curious

[Diesel]

EXACTLY right Mags

It's all good! Her questions were in black with my answers in red trying to make it easier to follow. (I swear I was just trying to make it easier to follow. I didn't put my words in red cause this is the King James version of X-Colony! HAHAHAHA!) I think she posted it in my BOB thread but D thought it had the potential to help other people so he moved it to it's own thread. Maybe a good idea because Frog Taco raised some really good valid concerns. Concerns that others may have as well. I hope there is more input on these questions. I like hearing others thoughts and ideas.

Frog Taco, so wood ash isn't considered a veggie? LOL Your right I should round out my meals more.

[FrogTacos]

OGL I can hear your arteries clogging!! Im not a health food freak or anything. I am 2 months off of a 23 year smoking habit, not getting any younger, and damned sure dont want to get any fatter.

Edit: Just thought I would add, thanks for the sleeping bag info, got around to looking at them today. The Flex thingy certainly seems interesting and worth investigating. I had no idea sleeping bags came in sizes! Fleece pockets at the feet! What will they come up with next? (Self-rolling would be great, I have always sucked at that.)