I have camped out in hammocks a lot. I have tried Hennessy’s, but find it almost impossible to keep my back warm in them, or to keep a sleeping mat under me for that purpose. Della can do it though. A conventional hammock with an inflatable mat is just fine for me. The original rectangular Thermarest […]
PACKS: A comfy pack will certainly make the difference between a hiking experience being enjoyable and its being a nightmare you are not going to want to repeat. When I was a young teenager I started out with an old ex-army framed pack which was hideously uncomfortable as soon as you put any weight in
You can install a digital lock on your security door which means that when you close the door it automatically locks – a great safety feature.Now read on… 23/03/2015: I installed the first of these on our front door when the kids were in primary school so that they could let themselves into the house
Insects can ruin a camping trip. You need a Repellent which works. These guys are the solution. There has been a move by the touchy-feely crowd to bombard us with ‘natural’ ones which will see you eaten alive. Be warned. The product must have Deet (not so much it melts your raincoat, but lots). And
Bunnings have these wonderful brackets which attach to standard ‘star’ posts/pickets which enable wooden fence rails to be joined to them (there are also corner ones): http://www.bunnings.com.au/post-accessory-post-bracket-flat-12215_p3040743 Also see: http://whitesgroup.com.au/Products/WhitesSpecialistRuralcatalogue/tabid/126/ProdID/174/categoryId/39/Post-Caps.aspx?sid=[PARENTID] & http://www.waratahfencing.com.au/Product/Tools-and-Accessories/Fencing-Accessories/GalStar-Post-Caps.aspx There also exists a plate to prevent star posts from sinking: http://www.waratahfencing.com.au/Product/Tools-and-Accessories/Fencing-Accessories/Anti-sink-Plates.aspx available elsewhere.
River Crossings: This is one of the most fraught parts of hiking. I have seen so many people come to grief doing this (and have had to arrange emergency air rescue for a number who foolishly injured themselves). For example, many folks will spend lots of time trying to find a log to cross on.
The importance of that piece of string: in this case it is for making ultralight thongs/sandals from shoe inserts (these are ‘Redbacks’): 58 grams the pair in Size 8. Great for camp shoes, river crossings, etc. Also: the Gossamer Gear Sitlight Pad @ 30 grams (apart from keeping your bum dry for trail lunches on
You know how when you are trying to light a fire (or Brasslite Stove – as pictured) with a cigarette lighter how you burn your fingers? A strip of bicycle inner tube will hold a Mini Bic (such as I carry – in a snap lock bag to keep it dry) in the On position
Two reasons some people don’t like camping: it is wet AND cold, and uncomfortable. This does not have to be. A properly positioned tarp and a fire will take care of the former: the usual 1m tall hiking tent which you are forced to retreat to in the event of rain will make your trip
If you have difficulty buying stuff online, check out http://www.shipito.com/ They are just great. You can (for example) buy that stuff on Amazon (which has free US shipping but which they won’t send to Oz) and have Shipito forward it (very cheaply). We do this all the time. We usually use Shipito’s cheapest freight rates
