Touring - I need some advice on what st. nick should bring

Would some of you guys give me some help choosing a tent, pad and bag? To give you some info, im a solo tourer- i need somthing that lasts- a freestanding tent would be nice- i like to stay dry and comfortable - price isnt a huge issue, but plays a factor- i have arkel panniers w/ a pad holder- I need to be as light as all this allows.

Also, i would like to order form REI. ANy suggestions?

If your looking for a tent why not try a hammock shelter? Here are 2 examples:

http://www.hennessyhammock.com/
and
http://www.junglehammock.com/

The Hennessy Hammock is recommended by Eco Challenge. The Eco Challenge is the world's most grueling adveture race. Navy Seal Teams enter this race and loose!!! Also, there are U.S. Soldiers in Iraq (http://www.hennessyhammock.com/sp-soldiers.htm) that are using these right now sleeping between tanks on the battle field!

It's based on Ancient Mayan design. I plan to buy one here in the next few weeks. You just hang it between 2 trees. I was on the bike trail on my way to class yesterday and I took extra time to scout out camp sites. For every suitable tent campsite (ie level ground, free of rocks, roots, mud, run off water, etc.) I found 10 appropriate camp sites for the hammock. The hammock is only about 2 lbs for you weight freaks. I think it's a great choice, especially if you are below the treeline. Down here in Alabama there is no shortage of trees. In fact the entire state is just one big forest withe a few cities and towns speckled here and there.

The Clark Jungle Hammock, look at the customer letter review section. There is one letter about some one hiking the Costa Rica and found a Clark hammock in the middle of the forest. Appearantly, abandonded. The hikers found a dead body not far from the hammock. The last entry in his dead man's journal was, "bit by this snake" (which was still in his grip). The last entry date was aprox. one year before the rescue arrival. That's a year of jungle growth and rain and there was no rot whatsoever on the hammock. The authorities gave the hammock to the hicker and he is still using it today!

These hammocks also abide by the mutli-use rule of outdooring: Each item you bring must serve at least 2 purposes or leave it at home! This servers as a campground chair, shelter and a vestibule.

Check'em out!

It's hard to beat the good old reliable clip flashlight from sierra designs. Handles bad weather really well and is light weight to boot. Has been a favorite of AT hikers for a long time. I have had mine for four years and love it. I use an ultralight 3/4 pad from thermarest. Light weight and no complaints. Sleeping bag is a 30 degree campmor down filled. Suits my needs well in winter or summer.

I'm looking for new stuff for touring too. The "manly men" at church took a day trip to
Cabela's in West Virginia ( http://www.cabelas.com/ ) where I saw a few things that
looked interesting. They send out a nicely-illustrated inch-thick catalog if you ask
for it on the web site.

The tent I'm considering is the Eureka Zeus EXO 2-person
catalog #515744
4.4 lb, 6"x15" packed
$139.99

thanks for the info. I was wondering about sleeping bag temp ratings too. Do you think a 40+ down bag would be enough for a mid summer trans am crossing??

40 would do just fine. If it gets chilly put on some clothes before getting into the bag.

It get's 40+ in mid summer up there?

I like my EXO 2 person. Weighs in at 4lbs 6oz. Quick and easy to setup. Get a tyvek ground tarp to put under it though, and make it big enough to cover the "vestibule" area since that part doesn't have a floor.

Mark

Hello there,
Went through the same scenario as you did last summer, before my Italian tour, approx. 750 miles. After an extensive bit of research I settled for the, www.terra-nova.co.uk, terra nova laser lite. There are 2 versions of this, one is 900 odd GRAMMES, yes hard to believe, and the other 1.2 kg. The tent takes up no space at all, in fact my thermalite easy chair & mattress weight & vol was more. The 1.2 kg one for the extra few quids had more room in & out for the kit and it also had a comfortable poarch to cook in, always useful. The ventilation system was brilliant, a must in humid countries. In Italy you get serious downpours, at one time I actually thought the rain was going to pierce the fly sheet, the tent actually lifted due to the water rushing under it, but inside it was dry and warm. The only improvement I could suggest is use longer pegs for the ones supporting the poles. The tent is very quick to pitch up and the flysheet is attached to the inner part, so you can put it up in the rain and still have a dry warm space. Do physically check it out before buying it as my friends suggested it was a bit small, but as I pointed out the tent is for sleeping and as I always carry an army poncho I use that to make an external porch so I can cook in piece without worrying. I just stumbled across this site so have not figured how to attach pics as yet otherwise I could have shown you how specious it is with the extended porch. It is expensive but once in the field I knew it was the right thing to do.

thanks for the post, i was amazed at the different tent styles they have. I Guess after seeing the voyager model in ultra-lite tent section, i decided to go with a very similar design by north face called the tree frog, rei has it for a good price in their outlet. 6lbs and packs to 6x16, not bad for a 3 season freestanding two person tent.

I use a Eureka Juno 2 person tent. It's freestanding, has enough room for me and gear, reasonably light, and inexpensive ($99.00). I use a very inexpensive Slumberjack sleeping bag. I think it's called a So-lite or something like that. Its rated to 40 degrees, and is perfect for a summer plains crossing. In the mountains, however, it is marginal at best. Tempuratures can (and do) get in to the 20's during the summer. Last time I was out west I may have just hit an unusually chilly spell, but, hey, it was cold all the same. One other thing, www.campmor.com has a wide selection of both bags and tents. Have fun!

I've been looking for a tent to use touring. I ended up with a Black Diamond Firstlight tent. It's free standing, sleeps two comfortably, and only weighs 3 lbs packed. Sleeping bad choice was a Marmot Hydrogen down bag. Rated to 30 deg F. Weight is 1 lb 5 oz.

HEY, I WONDER IF ONE OF US SHOULD START A TOURING GEAR THREAD. SEEMS KINDA SILLY FOR ONLY A "POST YOU RIG" THREAD TO BE UP THERE, WHEN YOU NEED A LITTLE MORE THAN A BIKE TO TOUR. maybey newbies would find it informative if everyone that looked at it posted their favorite piece of non-cycling gear. Then they could compile a list from that insted of taking up threads for one piece. Just a thought.
SoRry FOr thE all CAps.

HEY, I WONDER IF ONE OF US SHOULD START A TOURING GEAR THREAD. SEEMS KINDA SILLY FOR ONLY A "POST YOU RIG" THREAD TO BE UP THERE, WHEN YOU NEED A LITTLE MORE THAN A BIKE TO TOUR. maybey newbies would find it informative if everyone that looked at it posted their favorite piece of non-cycling gear. Then they could compile a list from that insted of taking up threads for one piece. Just a thought.
SoRry FOr thE all CAps.

Arghhh......sorry about the double post. I wasnt trying to emphasize or anything.