Campers Info Source

The single most important factor in choosing an expedition tent is know what kind of weather you will be facing during your expedition.  A general rule of thumb you can use when looking for expedition tents is that 3 season tents are usually for spring,

Eureka K-2 XT 2-3 Person All Season Tent

summer and fall.  But four season tents are good for winter as well.  Without a doubt, expedition tents are the most rugged tents made.  This type of tent is designed to protect you against all forms of weather, be it snowstorms, dessert storms, rainstorms, etc. Always think about where you will be camping most often before buying an expedition tent.  If you are just looking for a tent that can handle light snow and light winds, you likely won’t need to invest in an  expedition tent. If you plan on hiking MT Everest or spending weeks out in some of the more remote parts of the world, you will need an expedition tent.  A good expedition tent is expensive – thousands of dollars. It’s not a good idea to get a poorly made expedition tent because if you are going to camp in places where you need an expedition camp, your life could be at risk is something goes wrong with the tent.  There are different options when it comes to expedition tents. Depending on where you go camping, you may have to choose a different type of expedition tent. If you go camping on mountains rather than rain forests, you will need to pick out a tent designed for mountain camping rather than jungle camping.  It’s a good idea to do solid research online about getting the best expedition tent for your needs. There are so many choices and brands out there and you want to make sure you make the right expedition tent choice.

For all of the camping enthusiasts a must-see that should be on everyone’s future camping trips list is Mount Washington in New Hampshire. The White Mountain National Forest Campground will allow you the privilege of seeing nature at its

KELTY Ouray 2 Expedition Tent with out Rain Fly

most awesome view.  The weather on a typical summer day at Mount Washington is approximately75 degrees dipping down to the late 40s and early 50s at the summit. The nights are even cooler. With the impending coolness of the long night and the inclement weather in store, you would be wise to bring along a tent that can stand up to this unstable climate.

Expedition tents will protect you while you are sleeping in even the coldest weather. Expedition tents are designed to be strong, sturdy, stable and reliable. Expedition tents also feature an ArcEdge Floor, which is designed to be waterproof, as there are no seams near the ground and no chance of any water seepage into the tent itself.  The The Kelty Ouray 2 Tent is an excellent expedition tent that will last for years and has the ArcEdge Floor.

You owe it to yourself to take an adventurous camping trip to Mount Washington to experience the wondrous beauty that is seen there.  Pack up and hit the road with your finest and most reliable camping gear including an expedition tent that is especially designed for this type of camping adventure.

This is the sixth and final series of blog posts describing styles of camping tents to help you choose the design best suited to you.  Remember, it doesn’t matter if you are in the mountains, back country, lake country or desert, the great outdoors call for a reliable

THE NORTH FACE Tadpole 23 BX Tent

tent so you can fully enjoy the tent camping experience.   So it’s important that the design of your camping tent be best suited to your needs.  I’ve already gone over five of the different designs and styles that will help you make the right choice.  

They included the: 1) dome or umbrella tent, 2) modified dome tent, 3) A-frame or wedge tent, 4) tunnel or hoop tent, and 5) pyramid, cone, or teepee tents.  Each design provided a unique set of benefits which may be good enough for some backpackers but not to campers.  The sixth style described below is the modified A-Frame tent.

Modified A-Frame Camping Tents

While an A-Frame Tent has a single pole at each end to prop the tent up, a Modified A-Frame Camping Tent normally has two poles at each end to form a triangle and a single pole running along the top of the tent from the tip of the triangle at one end to the tip of the triangle at the other end.  Modern A-Frame tents add a ridgepole and a center hoop to the traditional A-Frame to create a larger volume version of the traditional A-frame pocket.  They are great space savers for packing and are lightweight as well.   The modified A-Frame tent is designed for 1-2 people and many of these style tents now have vestibules for storage of camping gear.

North Face Tents are great backpacking tents and expedition tents.  A perfect example of a modern day, modified A-Frame camping tent is the North Face Tadpole 23 BX Tent.   This tent is perfect for backpackers and people going on expeditions.  It’s a really nice 3 season tent.

North Face Roadrunner 33 Tent with Rain Fly

lot on where you’re going, but if you want a good all purpose tent that will get you through anything, then there are quite a few that will fill the bill. An expedition tent isn’t a purchase that you make, or take, lightly. You want to know what you need, and get it right the first time.

In a lot of cases, your best bet will be to team up with a more experienced expedition person and share with them the first couple times that you go out. You’re going to learn a lot by just seeing what everyone else is using and emulating that. You’ll get a better feel for what you are going to need by checking out what the more experienced people are using before you lay down that large chunk of cash to buy your own.

As you are probably aware, a lot of what you’re going to need will be dictated by where you’re going to go.  If it’s just a low area and or a backpacking trip, then you’re going to get away with a lightweight tent that stands up to a little weather and ventilates well. When you get above the snow line on a mountain you need something that is going to stand up to everything that mother nature can throw at you and more.

Mountain or expedition tents are going to have what is called a geodesic frame. They are amazingly strong and will stand up to just about anything. They aren’t extremely heavy and for their weight you’ll get a superior tent that will have a little give to it. That becomes important when you’re talking super high winds. You want them to lean a little, flatten down some, and not just shred.

North Face Roadrunner 33 Tent without Rain Fly

Go for the metal poles. A lot of people will try to sell you fiberglass poles for the expedition tent and if they do, tell them to use it, but you’d like aluminum. Frankly, while aluminum is heavier, it flexes a little and stays the course.. well usually. Fiberglass tends to shred out and snap faster when wind pops up.

The most popular and most new-fangled expedition tent that you’ll find will be made from a fabric that is billed as breathable. They are single walled, and so they are a bit lighter. They are tough as nails and generally don’t tear in the heavy weather. In the past most everyone used a double walled expedition tent and there is still not a thing wrong with those. They are a little heavier to carry and will take up more space, but the fact is that they are also very sturdy and they work out well on the mountain.
One last comment: while it’s tempting to get the big tent with lots of room to move around, that’s definitely not the most practical one. Bear in mind that you’re going to be carrying it. One other note is that on the side of a mountain there isn’t always room for your twelve man, fully equipped with a bar tent. The areas that offer the most shelter are going to be tucked in somewhere, and you may end up on a ledge with just enough room for that small one. Getting the biggest tent isn’t practical and it’s not something you want to carry around.

When you are reviewing tents for expeditions, find one that has enough in the guy rope department that it will be secure against the wind. A big ground sheet is a necessity also.  Some of the best names you’re going to find in expedition tents will be Marmot and North Face, the latter of the two being our personal favorite.

You probably already know what backpacking is but do you know what Mountaineering is?  Mountaineering or mountain climbing is the sport, hobby or profession of walking, hiking, backpacking and climbing mountains.  In Europe it is also referred to as alpinism, while in the Americas the term refers to a particular style of mountain climbing, that involves a mixture of ice climbing, rock climbing, mixed climbing, and where the climbers carry all their loads with them at all times.  In the Himalayan regions the style of mountaineering is Expedition.  While mountaineering began as attempts to reach the highest point of unclimbed mountains, it has branched into specialisations that address different aspects of the mountain and consists of three areas : rock-craft, snow-craft and skiing, depending on whether the route chosen is over rock, snow or ice. All require experience, athletic ability, and technical knowledge to maintain safety.

Tents are the most common form of shelter used on the mountain.  These may vary from simple tarps to much heavier designs intended to withstand harsh mountain conditions.  In exposed positions, windbreaks of snow or rock may be required to shelter the tent.  One of the downsides to tenting is that high winds and snow loads can be dangerous and may ultimately lead to the tent’s failure and collapse.  In addition, the constant flapping of the tent fabric can hinder sleep and raise doubts about the security of the shelter.  When choosing a tent, alpinists tend to rely on specialised mountaineering tents or expedition tents that are specifically designed for high winds and moderate to heavy snow loads. Tent stakes can be buried in the snow for extra security.

If you want a great 4 season expedition tent for mountaineering, you should look at the MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR EV 2 Expedition Tent.  This expedition tent was designed as a compact, light, strong, two-person tent.  The EV2 expedition tent is purposefully designed for the rigors of high altitude expeditions.  The EV2 expedition tent’s trim design fits on ledges, and its clip set-up aids high-wind pitches.   TX07 PU fabric – a lightweight, strong, non-stretch laminate – stabilizes and strengthens when pitched, and Atlas Scandium XL poles add sturdiness while shaving weight.  Interior zip and built in ventilation help frost management while an integrated vestibule provides protection from the elements.

 This is the last of a 5 part series on The 5 Best Camping Destinations in Minnesota.  My focus in this part will be Voyageurs National Park.  If you are a water lover then the perfect camping destination for you is Voyageurs National Park.  Here you will have to ditch your car and take up a canoe to enjoy all that this park has to offer.  There is plenty of forest here to explore and wildlife to observe.  A true treasure for you and your camping company to set up your expedition tents and become one with the beautiful nature that will surround you.

Voyageurs National Park is located in the far reaches of northern Minnesota near International Falls.  Yes, International Falls is that small little city every news weather station in the United States refers to in the Winter as the coldest spot in the US.  So bring a jacket when you visit because it can get a little chilly at times.  The water is blue in the summer and frozen white in the winter. I suggest you also bring a camera and some binoculars

This is the first in a 5 part series about the 5 Best Camping Destinations in Minnesota.  Minnesota is one of a handful of states that is considered a camper’s paradise.  Anyone that enjoys packing up an expedition tent and hiking until they can’t hike anymore, Minnesota is the perfect place for you.  The northern end of the state of Minnesota is breathtaking; considered one of the most awe inspiring in the United States especially if you are looking at visiting in the fall.  Lake Superior, one of the Great Lakes, offers many opportunities for hiking and expeditions. If you have an expedition tent you will definitely want to make sure you pack it because you will find many opportunities to pitch your expedition tent and go on an adventure of a lifetime.

This is not to say that the southern end of the state doesn’t have its fair share of camping areas as well. There are a couple state parks that offer rock climbing.  For those that are true expedition tent campers that are looking for a real thrill consider cliff diving in the St. Croix River. Here are the top 5 camping locations in the state of Minnesota, both north and south, which are ideal for anyone that loves hiking, fishing, boating and of course setting up their expedition tent.

Taylor Falls is the first of our 5 best camping destinations in Minnesota.  Taylor Fallis is known as the Village on the River and it offers something for everyone. With bike trails, camping sites, fishing and boating available what you spend your time doing will really depend on what time of year you visit. Pop into town and go on Scenic Boat Tour or if you are planning on roughing it in the winter make sure you visit the Wild Mountain Ski and Snowboard area.

For those of you who love tent camping off the beaten track you are really going to want to check out North Face tents. They are simply amazing. Not only they are rugged and the most water proof tents on the market today but they can weather some of the most punishing wind you will find in any camping situation. Each tent has a vestibule where you can store gear and to help keep you from bringing any dirt into the actual sleeping area. 

The North Face VE 25 is a great tent for mountain camping and is made for extreme weather conditions while the North Face Tadpole 23 BX 2 person 3 season tent is light weight and idea for backpacking. It folds up amazingly small. All of North Face tents are color coded for easy assembly and they are easy to set up and take down. 

The makers of this tent went the extra mile to see to your comfort as well. When using the rain fly you can even keep vents open so that you stay cool without water getting in. Best of all, you will never have to buy another tent as The Northface tents come with a lifetime warranty.

Almost everyone I know would be afraid if they saw a bear in the woods near their camping site and that includes me.  I don’t care whether you are on a trip with your expedition tent and see a grizzly bear, polar bear or a black bear.  Each of these bears strikes fear in most people.  Even as strong and durable as expedition tents are, they are not designed to keep bears out.  You’ll have to be well prepared and very careful on any bear hunting expedition. 

Imagine if your could catch a bear.   I know it’s hard to imagine but wouldn’t that be cool.  Here’s something I know you can do when you go on your next expedition.  Next time you are relaxing around the campfire by your expedition tent with your family or friends, tell this little story and you’re sure to get a laugh or two. 

Ask your friends if they know how to catch a bear.  After they all say NO, recite the following steps to them on How to Catch a Bear.

First, dig a hole 10 feet wide by 10 feet long and 10 feet deep.  Then fill the hole with logs and burn them until they all turn to ashes in the bottom of the hole.  Then place some branches over the top of the hole to make it look like the surrounding grass.  Lastly, get two cans of peas, pour them around the hole, throw the can in the hole and go hide about 30 feet from the hole and wait.

Ready……..

When the bear comes to take a pea, run up to it and kick him in the ash-hole.  Ha Ha. I’ve enjoyed telling this to many adults and all agree its a good, clean joke.  Pass it on.  Meanwhile, going on expeditions are fun and sleeping in expediton tents is even more fun and safe to.