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What You Need for a Camping in the Grand Canyon

Posted on March 9, 2010 at 12:32 pm

Camping spots can range from the middle of a forest to the middle of a desert. But have you ever wanted to go camping in the Grand Canyon? It is a wonderful idea, but not as simple as one would hope. If you really want to enjoy camping in the Grand Canyon; under the hot sun and the dry air, you need to be prepared for many things.

Located entirely in northern Arizona and being one of the great tourist spots in the world, the Grand Canyon is a very good choice. By camping here you will be spending a little more than usual, but it’s all worth it. Before your trip, take time for proper planning and preparing the correct equipment for the correct camping spot.

Planning and Finding a spot

Planning and finding a spot for camping in the Grand Canyon is the most important step. There are two options available when it comes to making choices; either you can take a developed camp ground that has been specialized for people who want to spend the night there or you can chose an area that is not specifically designated for camping purposes.

For the first option, it’s pretty easy to find a camping spot, because the authorities have already set up everything for you, and you just have to go and enjoy yourself there, just like a normal camping outing by the forest near your house. These spots can be found in both the North rim and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Currently there are two places in the North rim that are offered for camping. They are the North Rim Campground and the Jacob lake Campground. On the other hand, the South rim has four places, which are the Mather Campground, Trailer Village, Desert View Campground and Ten-X Campground. Of the four, the latter two are seasonal and not available all year round.

If you go for the second option, you can experience the Grand Canyon in a better way, but there are many issues that need to be considered including the backcountry permit application. You need to contact the Backcountry Information Center, and they will guide you throughout your camping in the Grand Canyon. It has to be noted that the alternative backwoods users are asked to follow the principle of “leave no trace”

Equipment preparation

If you go for the first choice, you should carry your equipment just like any other camping trip. However, if you choose the second option, make sure you carry more water containers and supply because there is limited water available within this particular part of the canyon. Camping in the Grand Canyon is restricted due to the policy of protecting the canyon. Thus, no kind of weapons and knives are allowed, in fear that users will harm the flora and fauna as well as the landscape around the area.

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Relax in a Camping Hammock

Posted on March 4, 2010 at 2:50 am

There is simply nothing more soothing to the mind, body, and soul than an afternoon spent swinging and relaxing away on a camping hammock. Many people that regularly enjoy a camping hammock, even just for an hour or two, often report leading less stressful and well-adjusted lives and are able to enjoy themselves much more due to the incredible stress reduction powers of the hammock itself.

Almost considered a magical device, the camping hammock can massively increase the quality of your life due to its powerful relaxation capabilities. Whether you enjoy swinging lightly back and forth in the breeze or simply relaxing while completely still, a hammock can be just the thing for you. Enjoy the great outdoors in your own backyard or take your camping hammock with you on trips and string it up between the trees in a beautiful grove for the ultimate experience.

Unlock the Benefits of Relaxation

There are people that utilize a hammock with such great frequency that they become a sort of urban legend in the hammock world. These people are often known for their great relaxation and their tremendous ability to be well-adjusted to the world and capable of handling all of life’s stresses with the right decorum and moderation. When speaking to one of these camping hammock “gurus”, I became enlightened to the world of the hammock and thought that I would impart some of that knowledge on to you.

The number one factor in finding a good hammock is comfort. The object in “hammocking” is relaxation, so having an uncomfortable hammock is obviously going to be the antitheses to the goal that a hammock user should have in mind. Most hammock gurus recommend finding a high quality material hammock that has a great weight holding capability so as to maximize your comfort and safety.

There are several brand names of hammock that many hammock experts swear by. They highly recommend looking for hammock suppliers such as “Hennessy”,

“Clark Jungle”, “Speer”, and “Lawson” hammocks because of their great reputation for comfort and style. Safety is a concern as well, so ensure that you have discovered a brand name you can trust for a camping hammock that will not simply overturn in a wind or lack the ability to properly latch on to the supports.

In the end, the most important thing is the comfort factor. If you are not comfortable in your camping hammock, there is no point in furthering your hammock adventure and attempting to become one of the select few that consider themselves “hammock gurus”.

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Essential Camping Gear and Equipment for a Successful Outdoor Vacation:

Posted on February 3, 2010 at 2:46 am

Ah, the great outdoors. What can be better than taking the family back to Mother Nature? Where the air is clear and, best of all, the phone finally stops ringing. Yes, the decision was made and we were going camping this year. Now the only thing to check was the state of my camping gear and equipment.

Time to Go Shopping

On close inspection I realized that as we had not been camping for a few years, it was time to upgrade our camping gear and equipment. First thing first – the tent. Our current tent was a huge monster with three bedrooms, a living area and a store room. On top of that there were about five bags of poles and pins than I couldn’t possibly carry.

At the store we looked at a few of the newer tents and I started to realize that camping gear and equipment has really advanced in the last few years. We picked up a couple of two man tents that were so much lighter, didn’t need any poles and there was still plenty of room. What’s more, they practically built themselves! This was fun.

Don’t Forget the Accessories

With the tent replaced it was time to think about the other camping gear and equipment required for a good outdoor holiday. I know I always enjoy eating outside in the fresh air and some of the new gas cookers are excellent: very safe, no odors and extremely fuel efficient.

By coupling the cooker with a portable water heater, you have the same basic equipment that come with any indoor kitchen. After the food was taken care of, I focused on my sleeping arrangements as the last sleeping bag I had was an ugly green thing that never really kept the cold out.

A Good Night’s Sleep

Again, it’s amazing how much camping gear and equipment has improved over the past few years. The latest sleeping bags are lightweight and made of super modern fabrics that really keep you warm. One for each member of the family was clearly required as were optional camping mattresses and pillows.

This was going to be one holiday where I would definitely get a good night’s sleep. Yes, there’s no doubt about it, camping gear and equipment has come a long way since we last went camping. So if you are thinking about a holiday without hotels or airports, or cars or telephones, then maybe you should consider looking into modern camping gear and equipment, it makes a great holiday even better.

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Tent Terminology

Posted on November 19, 2009 at 9:09 pm

What to look for when buying a tent

Air vents- Screened areas that allow for ventilation. Ventilation is important in a tent to help prevent the build up of condensation from breathing and perspiring.

Since most of the time the outside of the tent is cooler than the inside, water vapor will have a tendency to condense on the inside walls if there isn't enough air to carry it away. Air vents allow the tent to breath and the water vapor to escape.

Bathtub floor- A bathtub floor is a tent floor that has high sides. Instead of the floor being flat, the floor turns up and becomes the beginning of the wall. Since the floor is usually more water-resistant than the tent walls, this helps to keep you dry. A bathtub floor usually rises about 6 inches or so off the tent floor.

 

Canopy- A canopy is the covering, or roof of a tent.

Guy lines- Tent guy lines are small ropes that tie down and provide support to the tent. They also can help to pull the rainfly away from the tent to keep an air space between the two for ventilation. Guy lines are important because they provide structural integrity to the tent.

No-see-um mesh- Tent windows used to be covered with regular screen-type material like you might find at home in a storm door. But the screen had a problem.

While it stopped the mosquitoes and deer flies, it didn't stop the tiny no-see-ums or sand flies. Sand flies are nasty little biting flies that are small enough to fit through standard screening, so you might as well have left the door open.

No-see-um mesh is small enough to keep them out, but open enough to let the cool breezes blow through.

 

Rainfly- A cover that stretches over the top of a tent to shield it from the weather. It is usually secured by clips and tie-downs to hold it in place.

Taped seams- It used to be tent seams were just sewn together, and that might be fine if you never camped in the rain. The problem is that regular sewn seams usually leak through the needle holes. This can be fixed though by "taping" the seams. Seam taping stops water by sewing a barrier tape into the seam that in theory should prevent water from leaking in through the seam and needle holes. As you might guess, some tents do a better job at this than others.

Tent footprints- Tent footprints are essentially a ground cover or tarp that your tent sits on top of to protect it from dirt and moisture. Their job is to keep abrasion and wear to a minimum, which means your tent stays newer longer.

 

Tent poles- Tent poles are usually made of fiberglass or aluminum and are what prop the tent up off the ground. The poles should be strong and flexible in both warm and cool to cold weather depending on what type of camping you'll be doing. High quality aluminum poles used to add a lot to the cost of a good quality tent, but now you can find good quality aluminum tent poles over a range of prices.

Tent stakes- Tent stakes are usually made of plastic or aluminum. A lot of tent manufacturers have a tendency to provide cheap stakes with  their tents. From plastic stakes that break or mushroom, to cheap aluminum stakes that bend the first time you attempt to push them into the ground.

Quality stakes can make pitching a tent a lot less frustrating. 

Windows- Windows are usually made of mesh to allow for ventilation without the nuisance of biting bugs. The windows can usually be opened or closed by zipping or unzipping an inner panel. Although some tents do have screenless plastic windows that enable you to see out.

 

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Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL3 Tent

Posted on November 12, 2009 at 1:35 pm

Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL3 Tent - FREE FOOTPRINT


Emerald Mountain SL tents combine the benefits of our lightest free-standing tents with roomy interiors and two opposing doors and vestibules. Emerald Mountain tents use DAC Featherlite NSL poles, which feature an Eco-Friendly anodizing process that significantly reduces the use of hazardous chemicals, as well as Reverse Combi pole optimization for increased strength and weight savings. We offer optional, extra large accessory vestibules for a palatial storage area.

Features:

  •  Three season, free standing, superlight backpacking tent
  •  DAC Featherlite NSL pole system with press fit connectors, and lightweight hubs - featuring eco-friendly anodizing
  •  All DAC poles made from TH72M aluminum: the latest technology in lightweight tent poles featuring improved durability
  •  New HClip attaches tent body to cross pole
  •  Fly and floor are lightweight silicone treated nylon rip-stop with a 1200mm waterproof polyurethane coating
  •  Tent body is lightweight nylon and nylon mesh
  •  Mesh body offers excellent ventilation
  •  Hub/pole design makes set up quick and easy
  •  DAC Twist Clips attach tent body to the pole frame for quick and easy set-up
  •  Double doors and vestibules
  •  Interior mesh pockets
  •  Reflective guyline and reflective webbing on tent corners for nighttime visibility
  •  All seams taped with waterproof, solvent-free polyurethane (No PVC or VOCs) tape
  •  12 Superlight aluminum J stakes featuring eco-friendly anodizing - included
  •  3 Superlight aluminum J stakes featuring eco-friendly anodizing - included with accessory vestibules
  •  Tent stuff sack features external mesh pocket and strap to secure poles
  •  Optional extra large, zip-on front vestibule sold separately
  •  Gear loft loops included: Fits Big Agnes WALL gear loft - sold separately

Specs:

  • Trail Weight: 5lb
  • Packed Weight: 5lb 10oz
  • Footprint Weight: 11oz
  • Fast Fly Weight: 3lb 15oz
  • Packed Size: 8" x22"
  • Floor Area: 44sq ft
  • Vestibule Area: 22sq ft
  • Head Height: 44"

Price: 396.00


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