AZST
07-24-2006, 12:08 AM
118 degrees. That is the only reason I needed to buy some new camping equipment, load the bike and search for cooler temps. I left Phoenix in the AM yesterday to Flagstaff in the hope that there was somewhere in this state that was not sweltering. After meeting a fellow rider at our pre-arranged spot, we found our campsite and established camp.
I recently purchased a Columbia Frosty Ridge II tent. This thing is small. It packs great on my ST1300 and is very light. It is also very easy and quick to set up, which is good, because as soon as we got to Flagstaff, it started to rain. Bike covers and tent flies quickly set up.
With rain clouds passed...time to light a fire. I have been dying to try this. I immersed cotton balls in petroleum jelly and put them in a ziplock bag. I read that the cotton burns for a long time with the petroleum jelly, enabling the kindling and logs to catch. Success !! The cotton burned for several minutes and allowed the fire to catch.
In addition to the tent, I also purchased a Slumberjack 30 degree Super Guide mummy bag. I was impressed. Of course, this is Arizona, so I would not recommend this bag for temps below 45 degrees, but in our low 50's temps, I was impressed with the bag's performance.
Bike shorts and t-shirt kept me warm enough. Coyotes, obviously with a fresh kill, howled in the distance as I drifted off to sleep.
Also, I purchased the mallet recommended by Mellow on this site and it worked great. It is light and easy to pack, yet sturdy enough to pound stakes down with ease.
We got heavy rain and my Frosty Ridge did not get wet at all. The tent fly really did its job.
The tent was 69.99 at Sportsman Warehouse and the Slumberjack was around $60 at Campmor.com.
One caution note, the Frosty Ridge that I purchased is regarded as a two man tent. No way. With some of my gear, a nap sack and other small items....this tent was full. No room for a second body in this thing. This is a minimalist tent...probably great for backpacking also....just NOT a two man tent. Do yourself a favor and if considering this tent...get the two man version and consider it a single person tent.
Location:
http://gocalifornia.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=gocalifornia&cdn=travel&tm=8&gps=67_4_827_572&f=10&su=p284.8.150.ip_&tt=14&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/peaks/bonito-camp.shtml
--Bryan (AZST)
I recently purchased a Columbia Frosty Ridge II tent. This thing is small. It packs great on my ST1300 and is very light. It is also very easy and quick to set up, which is good, because as soon as we got to Flagstaff, it started to rain. Bike covers and tent flies quickly set up.
With rain clouds passed...time to light a fire. I have been dying to try this. I immersed cotton balls in petroleum jelly and put them in a ziplock bag. I read that the cotton burns for a long time with the petroleum jelly, enabling the kindling and logs to catch. Success !! The cotton burned for several minutes and allowed the fire to catch.
In addition to the tent, I also purchased a Slumberjack 30 degree Super Guide mummy bag. I was impressed. Of course, this is Arizona, so I would not recommend this bag for temps below 45 degrees, but in our low 50's temps, I was impressed with the bag's performance.
Bike shorts and t-shirt kept me warm enough. Coyotes, obviously with a fresh kill, howled in the distance as I drifted off to sleep.
Also, I purchased the mallet recommended by Mellow on this site and it worked great. It is light and easy to pack, yet sturdy enough to pound stakes down with ease.
We got heavy rain and my Frosty Ridge did not get wet at all. The tent fly really did its job.
The tent was 69.99 at Sportsman Warehouse and the Slumberjack was around $60 at Campmor.com.
One caution note, the Frosty Ridge that I purchased is regarded as a two man tent. No way. With some of my gear, a nap sack and other small items....this tent was full. No room for a second body in this thing. This is a minimalist tent...probably great for backpacking also....just NOT a two man tent. Do yourself a favor and if considering this tent...get the two man version and consider it a single person tent.
Location:
http://gocalifornia.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=gocalifornia&cdn=travel&tm=8&gps=67_4_827_572&f=10&su=p284.8.150.ip_&tt=14&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/peaks/bonito-camp.shtml
--Bryan (AZST)