Large Camping Tent Experiences

For the first time enjoying holidays without my parents. I must have been sixteen years old when I left Cologne. A two days journey lay ahead of me to reach the Dutch island of Terschelling. A few weeks ago I had bought a motor-assisted bicycle. The pace to travel, officially allowed with these bikes was a joke: 25 kilometres an hour. But fortunately all "mofas" at that time exceeded this official limit by at least 50%. Otherwise reaching Terschelling would have been a night mare.

Back in in the early seventies, when I was a teen broadcasting was heavily regulated in Germany, and all over Europe. We all had portable radios with us to listen to Radio Caroline a "broadcasting pirate" transmitting from a ship in the Atlantic. May be today nostalgia is playing tricks: but "Twenty five or six to four" performed by Chicago was this Summers hit. Radio Caroline must have played it at least twice an hour.

This first journey leaving mom an dad back home was in many ways a premiere.

Lets some of these premiers stay secrets still, but: it was was my very first tent-journey, or "Zeltreise" in German. Me and the other teens at the dutch sea would never have called this summers lifestyle "Camping" . Camping was practiced by the elderly. Men in short trousers drinking beer the whole day while their wives polished the trailer: a horror scenario for kids like us a year after Woodstock.

Woodstock, in Woodstock they lived in tents too. And lets realize we are writing at an anniversary: that summer of love took place 40 years ago. Since then and many times after traveling with a tent for me as a synonym  for "close to nature" , "into the wild", and of course: "forever young".

I do not know exactly when my last "tent journey" for many years took place.

May be 15 years after Terschelling: in my late twenties. Grown up we preferred warm showers from torrential cold rivers, small bed and breakfasts from mini tents and last but not least: sleeping out in the morning instead of getting up early because the morning sun started boiling the tent and its inhabitants. Never did I plan to camp again. That did not change when my Swedish friend Lennart Kolberg told me about his plans to launch a new internet review site focusing on "Large Camping Tents." "Would I write some guest articles?" "No, I would not. Not my cup of tea."

Strange, how things line up. Three weeks ago I lived in a tent again, in two to be honest. One for me and my mate the second for my son. At the Atlantic again, close to the dike and dunes. On a official camping ground, I admit. However: a real small one. Eight places only one hot shower only. The trip reasoned in a sad occurrence: my mother had died and her sons, grandsons and relatives had to sail from Büsum to Helgoland to consign her ashes to the sea. That had as long as I imagine been hers and my fathers wish.

Why living in a tent again? After so many years? I do not exactly know. A certain lack of money, for sure. "If wishes were fishes we all cast nets in the sea." Summer of love? Forever young?

Large Frame Backpacks: Kelty Super Tioga Part 1

PART 1 of 3: An external frame pack will serve most backpackers needs. In fact its usually the best choice vs an internal frame pack despite what many biased salesman and outdoor magazines promote. Thanks to such disinformation, the frame pack is often thought of as a old-fashioned and outdated packing option and the shelves of todays outdoor stores reflect that misguided philosophy. Large frame packs, carrying around 5000 cubic inches, are hard to find and usually have to be ordered off the Internet, if you can find one. Thats too bad because the large frame pack is indeed problem solver for extended trips. Nutnfancys reference large frame backpack is the outstanding Kelty Super Tioga, proven on many an expedition into the high country. Sadly its been superceded by subsequent models (however Tiogas are still available under different nomenclatures) but a review of its features in this three part series could help perspective pack buyers to home in on similarly equipped frame packs. And a pack like this is usually necessary to accommodate large amounts of gear needed for 5 day plus trips (unless minimalist gear is carried). It has lots of advantages over an internal frame pack: lashing capability to frame for all kinds of gear, easier to pack, compartmentalization and pockets aid organization and proper weight distribution, pockets with with a flow-thru back will secure long items (like guns, fishing poles, paddles, saws, etc), excellent ventilation behind back, rigidity ...
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Walking through forests of palm tree apartments --- scoff at the monkeys who live in their dark tents down by the waterhole --- drunk every Friday --- eating their nuts --- saving their raisins for Sunday. Lions and tigers who wait in the shadows --- they're fast but they're lazy, and sleep in green meadows. Let's bungle in the jungle --- well, that's all right by me. I'm a tiger when I want love, but I'm a snake if we disagree. Just say a word and the boys will be right there: with claws at your back to send a chill through the night air. Is it so frightening to have me at your shoulder? Thunder and lightning couldn't be bolder. I'll write on your tombstone, ``I thank you for dinner.'' This game that we animals play is a winner. Let's bungle in the jungle --- well, that's all right by me. I'm a tiger when I want love, but I'm a snake if we disagree. The rivers are full of crocodile nasties and He who made kittens put snakes in the grass. He's a lover of life but a player of pawns --- yes, the King on His sunset lies waiting for dawn to light up His Jungle as play is resumed. The monkeys seem willing to strike up the tune.
Video Rating: 4 / 5