Camping

[elkhunter00]

Need some specific help about gear.  I've hunted and fished all my life, but have never camped.  So know nothing about it.  I have pretty much all my gear sorted out except for sleeping bag, pad, and tent.  The camping will be exclusively during summer and then September hunts i.e. Margaret, goat rocks, and (maybe) October hunts. All of it will be in high country.  I was looking at the Cabelas XPG 2man tent, but have no clue for sleeping bag and pad.  I wasn't sure I even needed one since it will only be summer/early fall.  Also I am a warm sleeper, if I am warm at all I can't sleep.  I am extremely cheap, but not to the point of being stupid. I know that you get what you pay for.  So what should I buy?  Thanks

[Tim in Wa.]

You definitely want at least a closed cell foam sleeping pad,otherwise your sleeping bag wont perform  anywhere near its temp rating(in colder weather)
Tim

[Skyvalhunter]

Look at the Big agnes sleeping system which is the sleeping bag with 2 in pad that fits in a sleeve on the bottom of the bag. 

[ICEMAN]

....  The camping will be exclusively during summer and then September hunts i.e. Margaret, goat rocks, and (maybe) October hunts. All of it will be in high country.  I was looking at the Cabelas XPG 2man tent, but have no clue for sleeping bag and pad.  I wasn't sure I even needed one since it will only be summer/early fall.  ....

Plan for cold and near or even below freezing. High country can really fool you at times...

[swanny]

....  The camping will be exclusively during summer and then September hunts i.e. Margaret, goat rocks, and (maybe) October hunts. All of it will be in high country.  I was looking at the Cabelas XPG 2man tent, but have no clue for sleeping bag and pad.  I wasn't sure I even needed one since it will only be summer/early fall.  ....

Plan for cold and near or even below freezing. High country can really fool you at times...

Yep, exactly what ICEMAN said. Been in the Goat Rocks over Labor Day weekend and had it snow several inches at 4k feet. Get a quality bag, and as mentioned at the very minimum a closed cell foam pad. Your sleeping bag IMO should rated at +30 or lower for Washington state. If you want a comfortable and insulated sleeping pad that wont break the bank check out this pad
http://www.rei.com/product/828460/rei-stratus-insulated-air-pad

[washelkhunter]

Are you backpacking or car camping?

[elkhunter00]

backpacking anywhere from 1 to 4 nights.

[kentrek]

clothes can be more useful while camping than a sleeping bag...i would pack more clothes and less of a sleeping bag and pad,if you can sleep in clothes..(if you cant the first night you will the second) 
..a candle lantern wil help stay warm...
also i would spend as much or even a touch more than you can afford on those three items(if you plan on useing them alot)this stuff can get spendy but if your crafty you or your wife/gf can make the same stuff for next to nothing(check out backpackinglight.com)

also i would buy my camping gear from actual hiking/climbing stores..not cabelas

[Branden]

I would look at a closed cell foam pad. Should be less then 10 dollars. Tarptents are good, inexpensive lightweight tents that perform really well. When it comes to a sleeping bag, I am not sure which inexpensive ones are good.

[Shawn Ryan]

Check out the Go-Lite Shangri-La5.  Without the nest (bug screen) it is about 2 1/2 lbs.  I have an SL4 at about that weight.  Floorless is great.  No bugs, critters, or drafts for me.  Don't have to keep the floor clean.  Lots of room and versatility.  Or maybe a Kifaru paratarp at 1 lb. No floor and no door; just a formed tarp.

Also consider an alcohol stove. Mine weighs 1/2 ounce.  From End2end Trail supply.

[arguhl]

Shawn Ryan I like your first setup. Who installed your stove jack for you on the tent? How much added weight was assosciated with it and cost ? With that stove that looks like a very comfortable 4-5 day high country setup split between two people. Thanks Andrew

[dreamingbig]

I also like the setup!  I am finishing a similar project.  My Shangri-La 5 is currently in the shop getting the stove jack installed.  You could do it yourself but I didn't trust my sewing skills.  I bought the stove jack from TiGoat and I am having Rainy Pass (on Stone Ave in Wallingford) in Seattle install it for $50.

[Shawn Ryan]

Arguhl,

I too used a TiGoat stove jack. I had Laurie Cantonwine in Vancouver install the jack. She did at least one other that I referred to her from Nebraska. She used to do REI's repairs and is very good. Her telephone is 360-254-9098 and her business is Outdoor Garment and Gear.  The stove jack is listed at 3.6 oz for $40.  I don't recall what Laurie charges for the install. It was a new concept to her--wood stove in a nylon tent--and so she gave me a break on the price.  Call her and ask.

The SL4 and stove is way comfortable for 2 people.  I have used it on 9-day hunts, twice each September for the past 3 years.  One year was with my buddy; other two years were solo.  Some nights I've not burned the stove because its warm.  Other nights, the stove has really dried out me and my gear.  It keeps the condensation off the walls.  I use it to cook on most nights, thus saving fuel.  I've always carried out too much fuel. I've got to get better at that.

[arguhl]

Thanks Shawn for the info, I'm located in Vancouver so that's perfect.

[BLUEBULLS]

Need some specific help about gear.  I've hunted and fished all my life, but have never camped.  So know nothing about it.  I have pretty much all my gear sorted out except for sleeping bag, pad, and tent.  The camping will be exclusively during summer and then September hunts i.e. Margaret, goat rocks, and (maybe) October hunts. All of it will be in high country.  I was looking at the Cabelas XPG 2man tent, but have no clue for sleeping bag and pad.  I wasn't sure I even needed one since it will only be summer/early fall.  Also I am a warm sleeper, if I am warm at all I can't sleep.  I am extremely cheap, but not to the point of being stupid. I know that you get what you pay for.  So what should I buy?  Thanks

go to Walmart, buy a cheap blue foam pad ($6) then go to Big 5, tell them you want the sale price on a Suisse Sport mummy bag ($30) then get on ebay or craigslist and search for 2 person tent.  You don't have to spend a lot. A lot of guys like new gadgets or like to have the best but in reality, you don't need all that to hunt the mountains.