Cary wrote:
How will you keep the beer cold! I agree with everything else though.

...So I sprung for a Yeti cooler last Fall, and it's great--bulky for the amount it holds, but still has ice in it after several days. Only problem was getting it through the baggage door--has to be on its back and then put upright after inside.

X2 on Yeti's. We started using a 45qt Yeti last year in the Bearhawk. It went 7 days in 90F+ degree days before we needed more ice. We use larger ones on raft trips and ice lasts even longer in those. There are some tricks to extending ice in any cooler and we are pretty good about only opening the cooler once or twice a day, pre chilling the cooler, and freezing/chilling everything that we load into it.

The 45qt weighs 25 lbs empty so they are not for everyone or for every trip, but they have their place if you can spare the weight and the room.

One more comment on Yeti Coolers is that some models are certified bear proof (most Tundra models). We just use 2 bolts to secure the lid from opening.

Bear proof. Indeed.

You want a camping challenge? Try doing it in a stock Cessna 150!

It works but only if you're flying solo and someone else is bringing the food and beer or it's available at your destination!

Staying in flatland country is also strongly recommended!

soyAnarchisto wrote:Can you rep itch a prop at max static at high elevation? If I pitch my prop here at 5000ft won't it be over max rpm at lower elevation?

As with so many other things in aviation we look to ISA (International Standard Atmosphere) (a.k.a. Standard Day - temperature 59 degrees F, and sea level pressure of 29.92 Hg). If I'm not mistaken, unless it is stated otherwise in the AFM/POH/MM/TCDS, maximum static rpm is at ISA. So, yes, if one sets the propeller to maximum static rpm at 5000' DA instead of ISA, it will probably be over max at sea level. As I recall, there is a way to figure a formula for rpm at higher DA somewhere, but can't remember where it is as I figured it years ago when I did my prop. Anyone?

Remember this is with a properly tuned and operating engine, and with an accurate and calibrated tach (I like using one of those hand-held optical tachs that reads directly from the propeller). If I remember correctly, Lycoming has quite a bit of information in some of their literature - engine operations? - that addresses this.

Tom

well I'm not going to get technical but I'm at Sea Level here in East San Diego county and I repitched my Tripacer prop to 53... 54 is what a climb prop is for the airplane... Now I got 2800 RPM on static on the ground here and that is over red line for the 150 HP lyc...Not recommended to go over red line but I always knew it was there if I needed it... and I needed it many times up in Idaho... but then I was at a higher altitude and over red line wasn't possible anyway but I could get max RPM for take off at any of the strips I went to, and that was a safety factor as far as I'm concerned. don't know if this is true but an old prop guy here told me you'll get about 100 RPM for every inch you flatten the prop...that was then , this is now.. which is just one of the reasons why I own a M4 210 which a flying friend of mine describes as a Pacer on steroids.....

I thought this was funny. I think most of these people have posted on this thread!

http://airbeds4less.com/page/infographi ... of-campers

Back on the subject of camp stoves- I bought a Kelly Kettle last year. It's pretty slick. I haven't used it camping yet, just fired it up in the backyard a few times. It was just under 5 minutes to boil 50 oz. of water. I think I used scraps of newspaper, but anything that burns should work-twigs, etc. It came with a small pot and cooking platform. Not having to carry fuel is a bonus. They have a few different sizes available.

http://www.kellykettleusa.com/

Like I said, I haven't used it for camping but it seems like it would work well. Most of the camp cooking I've done is of the add-hot-water variety.

-Nate

flattie45 wrote:Back on the subject of camp stoves- I bought a Kelly Kettle last year. It's pretty slick. I haven't used it camping yet, just fired it up in the backyard a few times. It was just under 5 minutes to boil 50 oz. of water. I think I used scraps of newspaper, but anything that burns should work-twigs, etc. It came with a small pot and cooking platform. Not having to carry fuel is a bonus. They have a few different sizes available.

http://www.kellykettleusa.com/

Like I said, I haven't used it for camping but it seems like it would work well. Most of the camp cooking I've done is of the add-hot-water variety.

-Nate

I just ordered the big one in stainless. I think that's an essential survival tool no matter where you are.

EB

Interesting comments, iceman. Lycoming sez above 7,500' a naturally aspirated engine isn't going to put out 75% power....If I were consistently operating out of, say, a 4238' elevation strip, I might be inclined to consider setting the prop to achieve max static there.

My wife and I are also interested in camping with our Super Cub this summer. Does anyone have experience with cots rather than air mattresses? I know they are heavy but they seem to offer more warmth and comfort, plus a place to store stuff underneath. Also it is nice to sit and put your shoes on rather than floundering around trying to get up from an air mattress. Some cots are heavier and bulkier than others so any brand/model recommendations would be much appreciated.

I'm glad you brought that up. My experience with cots is very limited but as I recall I slept much colder on the cot than on a pad on the ground. My guess was that the air circulating under the cot allowed more heat loss through the bag than on a pad.

Just sayin'. Not an expert.

EB

I second what EB said. I've slept on a number of different cots and would not do it in cold weather. They all were noisy too. The fabric squeaks where it wraps around the tubing every time you move. as long as you sleep straight out you can be comfortable. If you like to curl up or sleep on your side bent, not gonna happen.

Maybe there are better cots out there. Try before you buy!

Mr. Ed

One of the coldest nights I've ever spent in a sleeping bag was on a cot. It is much warmer to be on the ground. I think they are fine in the summer however and you can always put a sleeping pad on top of one for insulation.

I've never seen one of these in person, but they look like they would work well for airplane camping:

http://www.campingcot.com/?section=original

Otherwise, I think Roll-A-Cot's are pretty good and reasonably light:

http://www.rei.com/product/378067/camp-time-roll-a-cot

Another consideration would be that with a cot you need a bigger tent too.

I have a pair of roll-a-cots. I bought the second one because I liked the first one so much, and I thought when I take a buddy with me, we'd both be comfortable. I agree, just sleeping on the cot would be colder, but I have a thick Thermarest that I put on the cot, so it's probably as warm or warmer than being on the ground. With the Thermarest on it, I find it every bit as comfortable as my Select Comfort at home.

All the other positives are there--able to sit on it, put stuff under it, etc. It's tension is adjustable, so if you want it harder or softer, you can do that. They are lighter than most cots, though they still weigh something--I think around 8# or so. They are available in at least 2 widths and 2 lengths. IMOH, they're the best cot available--I spent a bunch of time looking at cots before buying my first one.

Of course, you do need a tent big enough to use it. It's bag is pretty cheesy, so I bought a large "stuff sack" from Kennon that holds both cots, but it's hard to say anything else negative about the roll-a-cot.

Cary

As a guy who sleeps on a cot a lot at work, they are absolutely colder unless you have an air pad under you for insulation. And then you're carrying the pad and cot - might as well save the weight and space and opt for just the pad.

Plus tent size will get bigger as well as weight you're carrying.

When I camp for fun, the wife and I just bring a small air mattress with a hand-pump. light and small when deflated, yet insulating and comfortable when inflated. A double will fill a 4-place tent with room on the sides for shoes and bags.

But I agree with you on the added comfort of tying your shoes from a seated position and when I go (not work related) camping I always carry a small folding stool. They don't weigh anything and take up very little room. They also make nice footrests when you're sitting in your bag-chair by the fire.

Something like this:

Cots hurt my back. I'd rather be on the ground. I can't sleep on an air mattress either. You still need a pad with a cot or you'll be colder for sure.

I know quite a few people who swear by these, but I've never tried one.

http://www.rei.com/product/780362/exped-downmat-7-air-pad-with-pump

flattie45 wrote:Back on the subject of camp stoves- I bought a Kelly Kettle last year. It's pretty slick. I haven't used it camping yet, just fired it up in the backyard a few times. It was just under 5 minutes to boil 50 oz. of water. I think I used scraps of newspaper, but anything that burns should work-twigs, etc. It came with a small pot and cooking platform. Not having to carry fuel is a bonus. They have a few different sizes available.

http://www.kellykettleusa.com/

Like I said, I haven't used it for camping but it seems like it would work well. Most of the camp cooking I've done is of the add-hot-water variety.

-Nate

I like that. Gonna get one.