camping hiking backpack reviews image
purplebree
I m a novice to the camping/hiking game and want to get some kit
Answer
Here's a great site with owner reviews of tents and other shelters:
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Shelters/
One thing you might want to consider (and this is advice you probably won't get from your neighborhood outdoor shop) is a tarp or a tarptent in lieu of an actual tent. This is, as it sounds, a sheet of waterproof nylon pitched in an A-frame. A few things that a lot of people do not like about tents is 1) they're crowded and 2) they get wet overnight. In an effort to make a lighter tent, they make them smaller. Most 2-person tents will not have enough room to comfortably sleep 2 people all their gear (backpacks, etc). Many people opt for a 3-person tent instead, but that also means a heavier pack. As for moisture, we breathe a lot during the night. Our breath is full of water vapor, and that condenses on the tent walls. If there is inadequate ventilation, as there often is, we'll generally wake up soaking wet (and cold).
A tarp solves these problems. The sides are open, so there is plenty of ventilation. You also need less material to cover more area, so you get more space for you and your stuff. The other benefit is that you don't necessarily need a level spot to setup a tarp. If there's a big rock sticking up that would prevent you from pitching a tent (if it's not directly under your bed), you might be able to still pitch a tarp, as the floor is not attached. It does take some practice to set it up, but once you get it, it can be easier to use and more effective than most backpacking tents. It also weighs (and costs) a fraction as much.
One drawback of the tarp solution is that there is no protection from bugs. Some people use mosquito netting around the sides or inside the tarp to keep bugs out. It is tough to sleep when mosquitoes are buzzing in your ears, and they don't all go away at night. This is a huge concern in the pacific northwest, for example, but it doesn't matter in the desert.
Personally, I like the tarp/tent hybrid. (Check out http://www.tarptent.com for more info) These have the ventilation advantages of a tarp and the bug protection advantages of a tent. The weight is somewhere in between - my three person tarptent (HUGE for 2 people) weighs just under 3 lbs (when you include a tyvek groundsheet). That's a lot lighter than most tents. It holds up well in rain and light snow. It's not great in high wind (the newer models are better), but then again, neither are most 3-season tents. The best plan is to pick a campspot in the trees. It also does a fantastic jobs of keeping mosquitoes out (even without a sewn in floor). The other thing I really like about having a separate floor is if the weather is good, there's no need to pitch a tent. Just lay out the ground sheet and sleep under the stars.
You can get a lot more info at REI or a good outdoor shop. I just wanted to offer some thoughts that they probably won't mention.
Here's a great site with owner reviews of tents and other shelters:
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Shelters/
One thing you might want to consider (and this is advice you probably won't get from your neighborhood outdoor shop) is a tarp or a tarptent in lieu of an actual tent. This is, as it sounds, a sheet of waterproof nylon pitched in an A-frame. A few things that a lot of people do not like about tents is 1) they're crowded and 2) they get wet overnight. In an effort to make a lighter tent, they make them smaller. Most 2-person tents will not have enough room to comfortably sleep 2 people all their gear (backpacks, etc). Many people opt for a 3-person tent instead, but that also means a heavier pack. As for moisture, we breathe a lot during the night. Our breath is full of water vapor, and that condenses on the tent walls. If there is inadequate ventilation, as there often is, we'll generally wake up soaking wet (and cold).
A tarp solves these problems. The sides are open, so there is plenty of ventilation. You also need less material to cover more area, so you get more space for you and your stuff. The other benefit is that you don't necessarily need a level spot to setup a tarp. If there's a big rock sticking up that would prevent you from pitching a tent (if it's not directly under your bed), you might be able to still pitch a tarp, as the floor is not attached. It does take some practice to set it up, but once you get it, it can be easier to use and more effective than most backpacking tents. It also weighs (and costs) a fraction as much.
One drawback of the tarp solution is that there is no protection from bugs. Some people use mosquito netting around the sides or inside the tarp to keep bugs out. It is tough to sleep when mosquitoes are buzzing in your ears, and they don't all go away at night. This is a huge concern in the pacific northwest, for example, but it doesn't matter in the desert.
Personally, I like the tarp/tent hybrid. (Check out http://www.tarptent.com for more info) These have the ventilation advantages of a tarp and the bug protection advantages of a tent. The weight is somewhere in between - my three person tarptent (HUGE for 2 people) weighs just under 3 lbs (when you include a tyvek groundsheet). That's a lot lighter than most tents. It holds up well in rain and light snow. It's not great in high wind (the newer models are better), but then again, neither are most 3-season tents. The best plan is to pick a campspot in the trees. It also does a fantastic jobs of keeping mosquitoes out (even without a sewn in floor). The other thing I really like about having a separate floor is if the weather is good, there's no need to pitch a tent. Just lay out the ground sheet and sleep under the stars.
You can get a lot more info at REI or a good outdoor shop. I just wanted to offer some thoughts that they probably won't mention.
In Providence Canyon State Park which trail is more picteresque?
Malutka
I will be travelling to GA soon and would like to do some hiking in the Providence Canyon. Based on the description online I understand there are 2 trails - a 3-mile and a 7-mile one. Which one is more worth taking when it comes to better views of the canyons?
Answer
They see similar sites but on the 7 mile, you see a lot more. If you are doing the 7 mile, I would recommend backpacking and staying the night at one of the sites. Here are two reviews:
Providence offers a 7 mile and a 3+ mile trail. To hike the 7 mile trail they ask that you register before 2pm. I did not get there before 2 so I can only comment on the 3+ miles of cannon trail. This is an interesting trail in that it is hard to believe this canyon has been formed in less than 140 years. You can walk up to the walls of the canyon and see that they [the walls] are formed by sand instead of rock. Easy and very interesting trail for this area. I recommend it. Note that you may get your feet wet walking up stream beds through these canyons.
We did the 7 mile loop starting from the visitor's center over two days. We camped at backcountry site #5, which we thought was the best because it is off of the main trail so you have privacy. The only disappointment was that the backcountry sites do not have views of the canyons. The sites are nice, but it is just a wooded area. The majority of the canyon views from the top are accessible from the visitor's area. What I would recommend is to somehow incorporate the trails in the canyons into your trip. We just stuck to the loop so we never were down in the canyons themselves. Other things to note are that you can't filter water due to the iron ore. So be sure to take in all of the water that you will need. Also, the mile markers are a little screwy. For example, you start from the visitor's center and it is roughly 3 miles to the first backcountry site (#6), but it is right past mile marker 2. There is also a shortcut that cuts off the trail that goes to site #1. You can't really get lost, but the trail markings are strange. And, once you get to the canyon floor, the trail IS the creek bed. That confused us for a little bit until we picked up a red blaze. That part can be wet and muddy so prepare for that. Some materials I read said that the 7 mile loop was "extremely rugged". I wouldn't classify it that way at all. There are probably two ascents from the canyon floor, but the canyon is only 150 ft so they aren't bad at all. Overall, I thought it was great, but I would get into the canyons if you can.
They see similar sites but on the 7 mile, you see a lot more. If you are doing the 7 mile, I would recommend backpacking and staying the night at one of the sites. Here are two reviews:
Providence offers a 7 mile and a 3+ mile trail. To hike the 7 mile trail they ask that you register before 2pm. I did not get there before 2 so I can only comment on the 3+ miles of cannon trail. This is an interesting trail in that it is hard to believe this canyon has been formed in less than 140 years. You can walk up to the walls of the canyon and see that they [the walls] are formed by sand instead of rock. Easy and very interesting trail for this area. I recommend it. Note that you may get your feet wet walking up stream beds through these canyons.
We did the 7 mile loop starting from the visitor's center over two days. We camped at backcountry site #5, which we thought was the best because it is off of the main trail so you have privacy. The only disappointment was that the backcountry sites do not have views of the canyons. The sites are nice, but it is just a wooded area. The majority of the canyon views from the top are accessible from the visitor's area. What I would recommend is to somehow incorporate the trails in the canyons into your trip. We just stuck to the loop so we never were down in the canyons themselves. Other things to note are that you can't filter water due to the iron ore. So be sure to take in all of the water that you will need. Also, the mile markers are a little screwy. For example, you start from the visitor's center and it is roughly 3 miles to the first backcountry site (#6), but it is right past mile marker 2. There is also a shortcut that cuts off the trail that goes to site #1. You can't really get lost, but the trail markings are strange. And, once you get to the canyon floor, the trail IS the creek bed. That confused us for a little bit until we picked up a red blaze. That part can be wet and muddy so prepare for that. Some materials I read said that the 7 mile loop was "extremely rugged". I wouldn't classify it that way at all. There are probably two ascents from the canyon floor, but the canyon is only 150 ft so they aren't bad at all. Overall, I thought it was great, but I would get into the canyons if you can.
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Title Post: What should I look for when buying a light weight two person tent for 3 season use ?
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Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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