No shame in wanting to be warm at night and if you can carry the weight it is not an issue.
Obviously as an ex marine you are trained to travel light and be able to strike camp and pack up with minimum equipment and nothing wrong with that.
Things move on and equipment has got better and I am sure you would agree that the forces do not always have the best of kit, most Army guys I know buy most of there own kit, sleeping bags, boots etc..
Sometimes difficult to enjoy the daylight when its snowing or heavy rain all day, so a tent with a bit of space is welcome IMO.
Might not suit everyone but I am happy to please myself and enjoy the full camping experience as I have done for 50+ years..good to hear you are still backpacking!
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
I've been using the Earth Products Jamboree Military Style Aluminum Camping Cot for 3 years already. I tend to camp in warm season, but also go at least 5 times camping in winter. This cot is great - very sturdy and super convenient. The side storage system is the best thing about it, because I am a gadget guy and carry lots of small things like USB power banks, two flash lights, LED head lamp, knife and so on.
This is my third camping cot. Previously I have been using a no-name camping cot and then I have been using a simple Coleman ComfortSmart Camping Cot, but I was too simple. Squeaky and too weak.
I recommend the one I am using - Earth Products Jamboree Military Style Aluminum Camping Cot. Good value for money, guys.
I don't have transport(car)and except for the occasional van hire backpack on most of my trips using public transport(Bus)
Age and slight health probs mean it's impossible for me to carry all I need on my back for any great distance so I use an old fishing trolly/airline travel case combo for stuff like the tent/s/bag/sim/stove/pots/pans etc with the rucksack for change of clothes and other bits and bobs...Which although not ideal gets me out in the green stuff as often as I can manage which is great!!
Have no problem sleeping on a SIM but me being me need insulation under me and tend to take a lot of stuff to make sure the cold is kept at bay..
Recently been finding I'm a bit stiff and creaky of a morning when getting up so recently invested in a lightweight low to the ground alloy poled campbed from a company called BRS...wwww.brs.net.cn
Used it once and found when combined with my SIM on top I slept fairly well on it...And as you will see if you google it packs fairly small...Keeps the body about four inches off the ground away from that early morning chill...
Last year I invested in the whole hammock/tarp combo thingy as a way of travelling even lighter but apart from a few test "hangs" and one quick overnight sleep in my local woods have not had the courage to test it out in situ on a campsite for real...Hoping to rectify this on my next trip in September where I shall leave the tent behind and trust myself to hanging between two trees!!!
Jelboy
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
Quote: Originally posted by jelboy53 on 20/8/2016
I don't have transport(car)and except for the occasional van hire backpack on most of my trips using public transport(Bus)
Age and slight health probs mean it's impossible for me to carry all I need on my back for any great distance so I use an old fishing trolly/airline travel case combo for stuff like the tent/s/bag/sim/stove/pots/pans etc with the rucksack for change of clothes and other bits and bobs...Which although not ideal gets me out in the green stuff as often as I can manage which is great!!
Have no problem sleeping on a SIM but me being me need insulation under me and tend to take a lot of stuff to make sure the cold is kept at bay..
Recently been finding I'm a bit stiff and creaky of a morning when getting up so recently invested in a lightweight low to the ground alloy poled campbed from a company called BRS...wwww.brs.net.cn
Used it once and found when combined with my SIM on top I slept fairly well on it...And as you will see if you google it packs fairly small...Keeps the body about four inches off the ground away from that early morning chill...
Last year I invested in the whole hammock/tarp combo thingy as a way of travelling even lighter but apart from a few test "hangs" and one quick overnight sleep in my local woods have not had the courage to test it out in situ on a campsite for real...Hoping to rectify this on my next trip in September where I shall leave the tent behind and trust myself to hanging between two trees!!!
Jelboy
Jelboy..I have been looking at them (BRS) on Amazon and Ebay and a lot less expensive than the Thermarest, Vaude versions to name a few.
Be interesting to hear your long term review in the future.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
I am 61 (71) and love being outdoors. I use a camp cot and bivi bag along with a tarp. The days of crawling into tents have, long gone owing aching joints etc.
Let's forget all about that rubbish re old age. I go camping, including wild camping throughout the year and plan to do so for the next 10 years. It's all in the mind. You are as young as you think and not what you feel.
Quote: Originally posted by Mike Logan on 05/10/2016
I am 61 (71) and love being outdoors. I use a camp cot and bivi bag along with a tarp. The days of crawling into tents have, long gone owing aching joints etc.
Let's forget all about that rubbish re old age. I go camping, including wild camping throughout the year and plan to do so for the next 10 years. It's all in the mind. You are as young as you think and not what you feel.
Good stuff thank you!
There's hope for me yet at 60.....am hoping/trying to get back into it, combined with a canoe.....