Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: touring stove

« on: February 11, 2012, 03:28:39 pm »

There are a number of simple, cheap alcohol stoves you can build, or buy.
Do an internet search for terms like alcohol stove, backpacking stove, or diy stoves.  Probably the simplest, cheapest, easiest, and most well known is the Supercat stove.  It's notheing more than a cat food can with holes strategiclly punched in it.

2

Gear Talk / Re: Stoves in Rockies

« on: June 14, 2011, 09:05:00 pm »

Have you considered a homemade alcohol stove?
Do an internet search on backpacking stove and you'll see what I mean.
It doesn't get any simpler or lighter than what you can make yourself.

3

General Discussion / Re: Cross Country Tour: Trouble with Lodging, what to do?

« on: June 14, 2011, 08:40:56 pm »

In small towns I've had pretty good luck asking at local fire departments.  If they don't have a patch of grass for me set up on they sometimes have bunk rooms in the firehouse.

4

Gear Talk / Re: Touring Tent Talk

« on: May 12, 2011, 01:06:33 am »

i hike and climb a lot in the north cascades and have successfully, though not always, used the tarptent rainbow. light, big enough for two people, and super fast to set up. it's bug proof and generally pleasant (lots of leg and head room). only once did i not like it when we had 40mph gusts and rain. it does not have much lateral support, but i'm not sure you'll be in mountain-like kinds of storms while biking across the country:
http://www.tarptent.com/
they have other good ones as well, some that are more storm-worthy solo shelters.

Here's a second vote for the Tarptent Rainbow.  In fact, my wife and I have 2 tents from Tarptent.com
We have the Rainbow for when either of us goes out solo and the Rainshadow II for when we go out together.  Check out the website, you may find something you like.

5

General Discussion / Re: Gotta eat, but don't want to cook/boil

« on: May 12, 2011, 12:36:38 am »

I always carry a small jar of peanut butter and a spoon, if nothing else.

6

General Discussion / Re: Camping in the east

« on: December 04, 2010, 10:38:26 pm »

As you pass through a town stop at a fire house and ask if there's someplace in town where you can camp for free.  Some times it will be out behind the fire house, and some times right inside in an extra bed and the shower is in the next room.

7

Gear Talk / Re: Long Two-Person Trip Tent

« on: December 04, 2010, 10:25:20 pm »

Go to Tarptent.com and look at the Rainshadow, that's what my wife and I use.
It's light, it packs small, and it's got plenty of room for 2 people since it's a 3 person tent.
The only down side is it's not free standing, you have to stake it out.