portable tent

[analyzer]

I'm buying a portable tent for my brother's Birthday. It needs to sleep 2 comfortably with gear. Any recommendations?

[sschwarz]

Depends on what you want. Will you use it in the winter or just summer? What is your price range? I strongly recommend Marmot and most other tents sold at REI. I am 6'4" so I prefer the longer shaped tents as opposed to the dome.

[Guest]

The "standard in the industry" for camping tents is the Eureka a-frame style. For 2 guys to be comfortable, I recommend a 4 man model, which costs a little bit more than the so-called 2 man tent, but allows you to roll over, pull your socks on and such without elbowing each other.
Another Eureka product I have been eyeballing (but Mrs. Zebich tells me we have more than enough tents) is the Apex, which is more like a dome tent, with a square floor plan.
Whichever tent you choose, unless your brother is an ultralight backpacking fiend, go larger than what the manufacturer tells you is needed (3-4 man tent for 2 guys).

[Guest]

If your looking to find a great deal on a quality tent that will last, check out these websites. Campmor.com, reioutlet.com, sierratradingpost.com, and overstock.com.
All these sites carry closeout models that are a year old. Some brands I would recommend are Sierra Designs, Mountain Hardwear, Moss, and Kelty. If you want to save room inside the tent, look for one with a large vestibule and a gear loft.

Good Luck

[Surface Tension]

I like the Kelty. Look for a rain fly that will devert water and cover the whole tent. I like a lot of room in a tent. It makes getting up and getting dressed a lot easier. If your going to backpack or use it on a canoe trip stay on the small and light side. Look were the floor and wall meet. You dont want a seam that flares up and traps water.

[analyzer]

Thanks for the tips. We primarily go to the BWCA on summer trips, but in the past have set up a base camp and made day trips. We usually look pretty rediculous with all the crap we bring, but it's comfortable.

Trying something new this year, as we're going to insula and beyond and have several portages. It'll be hard to give up the cooler and the porterhouse steaks....

I looked at a 4 man eureka, had 2- aluminum poles that formed an 'x'. With vestibules on the outside. Floor was 6.5 x 7.5 I think? Galyan's wants $179.00. Seems ok.

By the way, anyone stay up and watch that twins game? We're up 3-1, they get up 8-3, we score 6 in the 6th to make it 9-8. Bernie williams jacks with one out in the 9th to tie. Jack Crescent strands 8 guys through the 11th, 12th, and 13th... top of the 14th twins score 3... Get this, bottom of the 14th Jason Giambi goes yard with a grand slam to win it...

I'm looking forward to the BWCA, ya can't watch from there.

Garrett

[Guest]

Garrett
You don't have to give up the steaks completely. Take some frozen for start of trip. They will be thawed and taste great at the end of the first long day.

Good eating, good fishing.

[Guest]

Heck, you've got only 1 portage that will even get your heart rate up (from Hudson to Insula) so on that trip I've never really worried about the weight factor. Sure is nice to have some ice to chip into the cocktails while sitting around the campfire -not to mention the joy of fresh food.
One thought is to go with a softside cooler stuffed into your Duluth pack, freeze the whole dang thing ahead of time, and ice will keep for 4 or 5 days as long as you exercise some discipline in opening it and keep it in the shade.
Clayton's tip about the frozen steaks is a good one. We often wrap them in a couple of layers of newspaper for insulation for those rare trips where we are cutting weight.

[Surface Tension]

Freeze all your meat. Get a chunk of dry ice and wrap a softsider in your warm cloths and or sleeping bag. You can have fresh meat for a week this way.

[Jimmy]

Analyzer,
I know what you meen. I am an avid backpacker and carrying a tent that is big and awkward is not the answer. I would look at Eureka, Bibler, or Dana design if you want a good tent that is easy to carry and is good quality at an affordable price.

Jimmy

[analyzer]

Excellent suggestions, I really enjoy having steak first evening in. Sounds like it's a tradition with several of you as well.

How many hours should I figure from Lake one to Insula?

Is it quicker to go around to the north in Lake one and avoid the three short portages?

Is there parking at the entry point?

Which way does the Kawishiwi run NE or SW?

Answer any two of the above questions in essay form. Please show all your work, partial credit will be given... you may do more than 2 for extra credit.

Challenge question:

Which campsite in Insula offers the best shore fishing?

My brother likes to snare a big pike once in a while, any particular bays or points better than others?

How are the smallie's on insula in mid to early june?

You guys should get paid for this.

Ok. A little inside scoop back at ya.

If you ever paddle through Sag, through 1st, 2nd, and 3rd bays. There is a small lake with one campsite off the south end of 3rd bay called Zepher. I really like it because few people go in there, and where it has just one campsite, it sorta feels like your very own lake.

Any way, head south through the narrows, past the bay on the left and the island. At this point the lake opens up wider. If you park half way between the south end of the island on the East and the south end of the rock bluffs on the west. There is a plateau of weeds 10-12' deep surrounded by 14' water.

You can sit there late mornings 9:00-11:00 or early evenings 5:00 - 8:00 and catch all the 2-4 pound eyes you want. Occasionally a school of 2 and 3 pound smallies will attack at will... and once in a while a big ol' 10-14 pike will wander through... It's usually better when there's a chop on the water.

Don't go around the 4th of july though, there's a group from Louisville kentucky that uses that campsite for 2 weeks every year. There's also another group from Cedar Rapids Iowa that covets the campsite in 3rd bay (last 4 years).

Happy fishing.

[Guest]

There are many good tents on the market these days, I am a light weight enthusiast, I give up a small amount of comfort and room for light weight and storm worthyness. Staying dry is my number one priority as far as comfort goes, so look for all those associated features, "bathtub" style stitching on the floor, full rainfly, quality materials, aluminum poles, stormproof ventilation, etc. I have four tents for four different purposes/climates, I like Kelty, Walrus, and Eureka for manufacturers, although there are others that make quality tents as well.

Light weight is the way to go, go further in faster, spend more time fishing, breeze through portages, and you don't feel like a pack mule at the end of the day. I always am able to catch plenty of fresh fish, and there are many recipes that use dry/lightweight ingredients that are mighty tasty, heck you can have a steak and ice once you get back to civilization, I guess that some folks just cant give up all the trappings of modern life to fully experience the wilderness, why go through all the trouble..., well then again, I enjoy the solitude that going light affords me, so don't forget the cooler!

[huskminn]

You've gotten some good advice, but thought I'd throw in my advice as well.

I've owned Eureka, Sierra Designs and Coleman tents. The Coleman was a long time ago before I knew anything about quality equipment and I have since learned never to by that brand again.

The Eureka was just fine until I was in a serious thunderstorm with high winds that bent my poles and tore one grommet out of the floor.

The Sierra Designs I now own simply rocks. My tent has performed wonderfully in sustained 50+ mile an hour winds (it wasn't pleasant, but it performed!), 3-day long rains and even survived several heavy snows with no pole problems. My tent is a 3-person which means it's perfect for two.

If you want quality that will last for 15 years, don't be afraid to spend some money. I'm a pretty serious tenter and I backpack out west, so I am not afraid to spend a lot of money on a tent that absolutely must perform.

Your needs may be different than mine or someone else's. It's very important to talk with the sales person at whatever store you go to (I recommend REI or Midwest Mountaineering). Describe to them exactly what you want to use the tent for and they will show you what best fits your needs and budget. All of the manufacturers that have been mentioned here have a wide variety of styles and sizes of tents. Some are a good fit for you and some would be horrible. Try to avoid buying a tent off a web-site unless you know exactly what you are looking for.

And don't forget to seal your seams!!

[Guest]

Ah yes, the great gear debates. You've gotten the gamut of suggestions to be expected. It might be worth your while to ask some of the outfitters what they use, and why.
Now, for a couple of your questions:
You will be travelling upstream from the Lake One parking lot to Insula. The only exception would be if you took the "shortcut" through Confusion Lake, which is the 3 portages you mentioned. For that route, you would go downstream to the first portage, and then upstream after that. Whether you take the "shortcut" depends on how much gear you have. First day out with all of your crap, I would say avoid doing any more loading and unloading of canoes than is necessary. Yes, it is in theory further to paddle than using the 3 portages, but factor in the "pain in the a&% factor" of loading and unloading 3 times in rapid succession and you will probably choose to paddle the longer route.
As far as how long it takes to get to Insula, now that's a most difficult one, since we all travel at different paces. Generally I try to budget 4-5 hours, but have seen folks who needed a couple of days. If you are in fairly good shape, are decent paddlers, and don't dawdle, less than 6 hours is a reasonable expectation.
One thing to keep in mind while looking at equipment, be it stoves, tents, or whatever, is YOUR intended use for the item. A canoe camper who heads in and sets up a base camp has far different wants and desires than a backpacker, or a "tripper" who is picking up and travelling 20 miles a day.
That's why a guy needs so many toys.......

[analyzer]

You know, I really really appreciate all the time you guys take to answer my questions!!!

Thank you.

I've been reading the URL forum for a year or so and have just recently started reading some of the other ones. I find myself thinking how wonderful you guys are and have mentioned it to my wife several times (she doesn't get it).

Thanks to all (Pete Z, Huskminn (does that stand for Minnesotans for Huskers), coldone, Jimmy, Surface T (see you on Red this weekend) Sschwarz, carlsg, and Clayton)your the best.

G.

PS I found this coleman on special at target

[huskminn]

Pete is absolutely correct in his final comments.....figure our what YOUR needs are and buy accordingly. I had hoped I made that fairly clear in my previous post.

And, yes, Analyzer, Huskminn is an indication of where I currently live and what college football I have enjoyed watching and/or listening to on Saturdays every fall for the last 30 years. After being on this site for nearly 2 1/2 years, you are the first one to ever ask about that. And, at this time, I am not accepting comments on how the Huskers finished their 11-2 season last year.

Have a great trip Analyzer and good luck on URL.

[analyzer]

Huskminn, I'm a fellow husker also. My father and I were born in Lincoln, and although I have spent the last 30 years in MN, the Big Red has never left my blood.

I don't know where you live, but Joe Sensors sponsors Minnesotans for Nebraska. The Bloomington location (off France/494)always draws a crowd.

Go Huskers.

G.

[huskminn]

I'm often at Sensor's on a Saturday for the game. I think this is going to be a tough year for the Huskers.

Better stop this talk of Big 12 (Big 8) football.....we're in Big 10 country, Analyzer....we could be banned from this site, you know.

Good luck.