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Kayak Camping Frequently Asked Questions.


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And I'm sure the presentation by Kate and Suz will be fascinating and informative given the depth of experience they have. Also because perhaps they will show different approaches from personal philosophy to gear selection for the same activity.

Ed Lawson

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  • 4 weeks later...

We actually found a folding lighter wand, which packs into the camp kit very nicely. However, I always keep some waterproof matches handy just in case.

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What are people's favorite firestarters to use on kayak camping trips? (matches, lighters, etc.)

Waterproof matches AND waterproof storm matches. I dislike it when the lighters fail... plus hands that were wet all day get soft and ripped up from 'flicking' the winding thing...

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Thanks folks; I'm puzzling over what firestarters to pack for an upcoming month-long trip. Some of these EMS 'waterproof' matches and doo-dads really leave me scratching my head. I think the answer is a few lighters distributed in the gear, matches and some firestarting aids.

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Josko-

It wouldn't be my first item to use to light a stove, but given you're going for a month I'd also take one of the metal fire sparkers (The ones that give off sparks when struck with another piece of metal). No mechanical parts to fail, no "fuel" to run out or get wet.

best

Phil

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cotton balls or dryer lint impregnated with petroleum jelly all stuffed into a small canister. take out...tear apart a bit and apply trusty bic (of which i generally have 3 or so hanging about in the kit) and voila...fire.

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cotton balls or dryer lint impregnated with petroleum jelly all stuffed into a small canister. take out...tear apart a bit and apply trusty bic (of which i generally have 3 or so hanging about in the kit) and voila...fire.

We think alike.... However, I've been 'burned' by dryer lint. Some of these new fabrics have fearsome fire-retardants built in, and you can't (or at least I couldn't) light the lint no matter what I did. Even after the petroleum jelly burned off, the stuff still had the original color.

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huh...see that? have only used the cotton balls for awhile and i'll bet you're right...some of the fire retaaahdent stuff might be a bitch to light!

suppose it beats the days when everything from curtains, fabric on furniture and pj's would burn with a fury.

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REI storm proof matches, they're amazing.

Please no white gas to start a fire, it's dangerous and it doesn't work well. Also treating burns is my biggest fear, what's in your kit for burn treatment? How's that salt water going to feel on a burn? Ouch!

Some cotton balls soaked in Vaseline make a great emergency fire starter but I feel that everyone should be able to start a fire with one match and what they can find in the woods. It takes patience but it can be done.

Oh yea I just picked up one of those swedish metal fire starter things, it's two pieces of metal and I can't figure out how to use it. Off to youtube for me I guess.

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I bought a box of Fatwood and cut it into shorter sticks. It will start when wet, is lightweight and smells good ;-)

I also used it during winter camping in my SOLO woodburning stove during low temperatures when canister stove pressure is suspect and when alcohol stove fuel needs some TLC - wood burns just fine.

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This past weekend at Jewell, I briefly tried Rene's Hammock and am now going to give up my horrible little camp pad and tent. I think that and the Klausinator will go a long way towards solving what I don't like about camping.

Rene kindly sent me a number of links to good camp tents, so I am in the midst of due diligence and would welcome additional input.

If you have used a hammock for camping, please tell me what you like and don't like, the brand, particular features, accessories, where you store your gear, what kind and shape tarp, etc., etc.

I have not had the opportunity to sleep overnight in a hammock and would love to try before I buy so to speak. If anyone would be willing to lend me their hammock, bug net and under quilt (I have a down blanket), for a weekend caMping trip or just an overnight, I would be grateful. I do understand that's a lot to ask!

Cathy

PS, here's what Rene sent:

Here are a couple of good manufacturers of camping hammocks:

http://www.dreamhammock.com/

http://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/

here are some quilt manufacturers:

http://www.hammockgear.com/

http://www.undergroundquilts.com/

and this guy will help connect the dots:

http://m.youtube.com/user/shugemery

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I don't think any Hammock review would be considered serious if you didn't consider also the original: http://hennessyhammock.com

I think they may work well when you have trees. I think you can set up both on the ground and also with poles but I have never used one.

I did buy a Hennessy for my nephew though and he said he loved it.

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