I'll admit i haven't read all three pages but having camped since I was 6 yrs old and seen technology change for the better over the years. here's my take:
1) don't overspend. If you're only going to use it a few times a year, no reason to go out and buy a ferrari. There are many reasonably priced tents that will keep you dry (which is the main purpose).
2) As someone stated, don't buy based on the sleeping capacity. You'll want more than enough room to store your gear (and you will have a fair bit of it). I used to have a 4 man tent for just me. For example: you'll want your food cooler inside (I left the beer cooler outside), you'll have 1 bag each for clothes, probably a smaller bag for toiletries, a bag for dirty clothes (I used to use a garbage bag), and you'll also have various items you don't want exposed to the dew....
3) An air or foam mattress is a MUST. You can sleep on the ground but you'll have to dig out areas for your hips and shoulders. Stay away from those 1 inch thick foam pads, they don't do shit. I eventually bought a flat chaise lounge with a canvas center.....it was easier and quicker to set up than an air matress. Though they didn't have those ones that come with a pump that you plug into the cigarette lighter of your car when i was camping.
4) I'd also look for height. You're pretty tall so one that you can comfortably get vertical while on your knees is the barest minimum. My first tent I couldn't all was always hunched over when inside.....
5) I'd also look for one that is simple to erect...(shuddup lol).....you don't want to be fussing with a zillion poles and stuff on your first night. The fewer parts the better. I'd also go to a park and put it together before hand to get used to what it takes to put up. More often than not it's dark or dusk when you arrive at the campsite and you don't want to try and put it up your first time by headlight or by lantern.
6) Get one that comes with a fly. That gives you an extra layer of protection if it rains and get one that is light in colour....if it's sunny during the day a tent becomes an oven.....
Now unless you're going with people who have all the associated equipment, you'll need more than a tent.
Here's a basic list:
Good sharp hatchet
camp stove and fuel
lantern (electric or fuel operated)
2 coolers (one for drinks and one for food...you do NOT want to be opening a food cooler often during the day)
good mid temp sleeping bag.....one rated for cooler temps than you'll experience is better than one that isn't warm enough....
I always brought along a single sized sheet...my bag (shuddup lol) was rated for 10 deg c and if the night was warm, i could unzip the sleeping bag and just lie under the sheet.....
lots of water proof matches and I always threw today's paper in too for starting fires.....(camp fires that is...)
a tube of af****ite....you will get bit by mosquitos....
a can of deet bug spray or lotion.....deep woods off is good, i use it all the time at work.....tip: to cover your face and neck spray some into your hands and then wipe your face, you don't want to get it near your eyes by spraying.....I would also suggest you spray it on before getting dressed, mossies can bite through clothing.....
Suntan lotion.....
Camp chairs (your ass gets sore if you're sitting on a log or the ground around the campfire)
Now there's a million other things but that should get you started...
Is it just me or the thought of spending a weekend with Kyra camping sounds like just about the best thing one could do all summer? I mean, IMO it'd just about be heaven on earth........jesus.....gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside just thinking about it and no, i'm not only talking about tent sex.... (although, you have to realize that anything you do in a tent, anyone around you will know lol)
1) don't overspend. If you're only going to use it a few times a year, no reason to go out and buy a ferrari. There are many reasonably priced tents that will keep you dry (which is the main purpose).
2) As someone stated, don't buy based on the sleeping capacity. You'll want more than enough room to store your gear (and you will have a fair bit of it). I used to have a 4 man tent for just me. For example: you'll want your food cooler inside (I left the beer cooler outside), you'll have 1 bag each for clothes, probably a smaller bag for toiletries, a bag for dirty clothes (I used to use a garbage bag), and you'll also have various items you don't want exposed to the dew....
3) An air or foam mattress is a MUST. You can sleep on the ground but you'll have to dig out areas for your hips and shoulders. Stay away from those 1 inch thick foam pads, they don't do shit. I eventually bought a flat chaise lounge with a canvas center.....it was easier and quicker to set up than an air matress. Though they didn't have those ones that come with a pump that you plug into the cigarette lighter of your car when i was camping.
4) I'd also look for height. You're pretty tall so one that you can comfortably get vertical while on your knees is the barest minimum. My first tent I couldn't all was always hunched over when inside.....
5) I'd also look for one that is simple to erect...(shuddup lol).....you don't want to be fussing with a zillion poles and stuff on your first night. The fewer parts the better. I'd also go to a park and put it together before hand to get used to what it takes to put up. More often than not it's dark or dusk when you arrive at the campsite and you don't want to try and put it up your first time by headlight or by lantern.
6) Get one that comes with a fly. That gives you an extra layer of protection if it rains and get one that is light in colour....if it's sunny during the day a tent becomes an oven.....
Now unless you're going with people who have all the associated equipment, you'll need more than a tent.
Here's a basic list:
Good sharp hatchet
camp stove and fuel
lantern (electric or fuel operated)
2 coolers (one for drinks and one for food...you do NOT want to be opening a food cooler often during the day)
good mid temp sleeping bag.....one rated for cooler temps than you'll experience is better than one that isn't warm enough....
I always brought along a single sized sheet...my bag (shuddup lol) was rated for 10 deg c and if the night was warm, i could unzip the sleeping bag and just lie under the sheet.....
lots of water proof matches and I always threw today's paper in too for starting fires.....(camp fires that is...)
a tube of af****ite....you will get bit by mosquitos....
a can of deet bug spray or lotion.....deep woods off is good, i use it all the time at work.....tip: to cover your face and neck spray some into your hands and then wipe your face, you don't want to get it near your eyes by spraying.....I would also suggest you spray it on before getting dressed, mossies can bite through clothing.....
Suntan lotion.....
Camp chairs (your ass gets sore if you're sitting on a log or the ground around the campfire)
Now there's a million other things but that should get you started...
Is it just me or the thought of spending a weekend with Kyra camping sounds like just about the best thing one could do all summer? I mean, IMO it'd just about be heaven on earth........jesus.....gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside just thinking about it and no, i'm not only talking about tent sex.... (although, you have to realize that anything you do in a tent, anyone around you will know lol)
