Surviving PorcFest '06

[Lex]

I would like to start a thread on ideas for how we can use the upcoming porcfest to share and practice some self-sufficiency/survivalism. This is mostly for those who will be sleeping in tents.

So, my first question:

I don't have a tent and need to buy one for PorcFest, any recommendations, suggestions? Anyone really like theirs? Any tents we should steer clear of?

[Pat K]

Like to help but this is my first time camping in about 25 years, so if you see a screwed up camp site and hear cursing its me.

[Fluff and Stuff]

The cheapest way to get a decent tent is to go to a discount retailer and buy a big tent for very little and two water proof tarps.  Put one under the tent and hang the other one from trees above the tent.  I prefer small, expensive hiking tents, but I doubt you are looking for that.

[Lex]

I prefer small, expensive hiking tents, but I doubt you are looking for that.

Actually that's what I'm looking for... I mean I've gone camping lots of times, even week long biking trips, etc. I just don't own a tent and don't have a good idea of what's out there. Are there any brands that are particularly good?

I would like to buy something of quality but not spend a fortune of course. What tent do you have?

[aries]

Hmm I'll be just commuting to a few porcfest events. I'm too close to stay there.

[Fluff and Stuff]

I am not very informed on this but I bought my tent from http://www.sierratradingpost.com  They sell low and high quality tents (and tons of other camping gear that I like) that are a few years old (not used) at discounted prices.  My tent is a Marmot, but they are famous for making sleeping bags...

If you want the top of the line tents, backpacker mag gives reviews of the newest products, http://www.backpacker.com/gear/tents/0,4035,,00.html
and others http://www.backpacker.com/gear/reviews/tents/0,3430,,00.html

It might be a good idea to go into a local outdoors store (I know they are all over NH).  Ask them to look at a couple top of the line tents.  Then go online and search the web for similar cheaper products.

[Lex]

Hmm I'll be just commuting to a few porcfest events. I'm too close to stay there.

We're 2 and a half hours away according to google maps, are you closer?

We thought about comuting but decided that 5 hours in the car per day, times 3 is 15 hours to many!!!

[Otosan]

Depending on the style of camping you do (car or backpacking) would dictate the type of tent you need.

I do car camping for several days at a time, so my ideal tent would be one that is tall enough for me to stand in and would hold one or two more people than I plan on camping with.

[fourthgeek]

Make sure your tent is not too big, because one of the functions of a camp is to trap in heat. It should be just big enough for its inhabitants to wiggle around in while having a decent amount of air space.

Of course, if you're going for real survivalism, you'd forage around Porcfest and build your own lean-to or tent.

[Lloyd Danforth]

Lex, One of my objections to camping in the past was:  if you we're inside, you we're kneeling, sitting or lying down.
I borrowed a dome tent with two wings when I went to Porcfest the summer before last.  The tent was pretty cheap.  It has a dome that I can easily stand up in and two wings for beds or your stuff.  I set up a small table with chairs in my dome and keep the bedin one wing and gear in the other.

[Lex]

Lex, One of my objections to camping in the past was:  if you we're inside, you we're kneeling, sitting or lying down.
I borrowed a dome tent with two wings when I went to Porcfest the summer before last.  The tent was pretty cheap.  It has a dome that I can easily stand up in and two wings for beds or your stuff.  I set up a small table with chairs in my dome and keep the bedin one wing and gear in the other.

brand?

[Pat K]

Yeah a tent you can stand in is a must I think, I'M not worried about trapping heat thats what a sleeping bag is for.

I got a Eureka equinox 6 not cheap but if im gonna be in it almost 2 weeks I want space and weather protection. Pluse I plan to use it to stay over in camps down in the Keene area alot. Unless it turns out I just hate tenting, in wich case some one will get a nice tent at a good price.

I will have enough room for a full size blow up bed, some of you folks back might still be good enough to sleep on the ground, mine is not and I know no one wants to try and pull me up in the morning. A table chair, and shelter for my as Lloyd puts it "enormas fucking cooler"

[Fluff and Stuff]

Yeah a tent you can stand in is a must I think

You people are the worst campers ever 

[Pat K]

Yeah a tent you can stand in is a must I think

You people are the worst campers ever 

Thanks,  is there a prize for that?

[Pat K]

You know the hardest part of packing for the camping trip is getting those coils of razor wire and land mines to fit in the car.