In my previous post I wrote about the type of equipment that keeps you warm, dry & comfortable when out in the field. This next segment will go over all the gear I utilise when out camping on location to make the most of sunsets and the following morning’s sunrise with a hope of some astro photography in between.
Sleep
MSR HUBBA HUBBA NX 2
I will probably end up stating the importance of most of the items in this list, but I think it’s fair to say that your tent choice definitely will determine the level of comfort of your overnight trip and should not be skimped on! I have been using the MSR Hubba Hubba NX2 for a few years now and it really is an excellent tent for its size and weight. My previous North Face Tadpole tent packs down to the same size and weight roughly in a pack and while it certainly was brilliant at holding its own against strong winds, the liveability space was significantly less when used with two people which often occurs. so after owning it for 15 years, it was time to migrate to an updated model. The MSR is plenty spacious for 2 people, including all my photo equipment, and whatever else I need can rest out in either of the 2 porches. Highly recommended.
This image from 2008 was the most intense, vivid sunset I have ever seen in my life brought on by gale force winds. The Northface Tadpole held her own camping on this Co. Mayo beach, even if it was a little cosy with the extra gear.
The North Face Blue Kazoo
I have owned this sleeping bag for 15 years now at this stage and it has proven itself to keep me warm in all Irish camping conditions on freezing cold nights in the winter, and barely thrown over me on warm summer camps. It’s 650 Down Fill provides great warmth while being able to be cinched down very small in my pack due to it’s excellent stuff sack. It seems the newer model comes in at a warmer fill power but this has never let me down.
Thermarest Neoair
X-Therm
Until 9 years ago I had been either hauling a horrible yoga mat or forgoing anything under me at all while camping. Wanting to infinitely increase my comfort, my extensive research led me to stumble across the excellent company, Thermarest. Enter the X-Therm. I have never regretted anything sooner than realising I should have bought one early into my first camping forays. The level of comfort and added warmth provided by these inflatable pads greatly improves your night’s sleep and only packs down to the size of a Nalgene bottle.
Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow
This small luxury item made a really big difference to my camp comfort when I picked it up 3 years ago. As I am not of the ultralight community, where every gram counts on a traverse, I was happy enough to trade out lumpy fleece’s or jackets as a stand in for something more dedicated to the task at little space consuming expense. Inflate it to your desired firmness, it takes maybe 3 full breaths to maximum capacity and it packs down smaller than a pair of socks, really a no-brainer!
Cook
The convenient basis for any form of hot meal starts with a compact stove. I have numerous now at this stage but had originally started back in 2006 with an MSR Whisperlite. Although relatively bulky, it provides a lower centre of gravity compared to more modern compact stoves which I prefer but due to it’s size I have now retired it to only simple car camping trips. Plus, it unfortunately isn’t the easiest to get access to the required fuel here in Ireland. I followed this up with my purchase of the original pocket rocket back in 2013 and it freed up a significant amount of space in my bag which I was grateful for, it’s approximately the size of a small salt shaker and has better than expected simmer control. As I typically camp with my girlfriend we tend to have multiple stoves on the go and so when I picked up the Pocket Rocket Deluxe with the added bonus of a built in igniter it allowed for a pretty capable diminutive cooking set up. The last ‘gadget’ I use is the canister stand, it spreads the load of the cooking set up to make it more stable due to its wider footprint, ultra light and handy.
GSI Microdualist
This has definitely been one of the best camping buys in my arsenal. It might not be the most minimalist but it certainly provides the most convenience in such a concise form. 2 cups, 2 bowls, 2 sporks and a pot with convenient strainer for either tea or draining boiled water. Plus I can organise it to contain one of the gas canisters to make it even more compact and space saving. The neoprene sleeves around the cups make for a touch of comfort when supping back a hot cup on frosty mornings overlooking a mountainside.
Water is entirely essential when you are miles away from a nearby road or trusted water source so I tend to bring a good supply. I have a hydration bladder that came with an older day pack which stores approximately 2 litres of water. However, this particular design is a PITA to fill conveniently and models offered by Osprey seem a much better option if buying one specifically. I’ll predominantly use this for any cooking purposes and the sleeve sits directly into a compartment at the base of my pack. I then use the Lifestraw bottle which is very durable and if I run out, can collect water from any source out in the wild and the replaceable filter unit will sterilise and remove any contaminants while drinking. I’ve found this method to be the most streamlined so far without solely relying on accessing and treating water on location while carrying a small amount of water weight in the pack.
The North Face Terra 40
Everything I use on an overnight trip packs down into this 40 litre rucksack. It has been an excellent purchase and has really stood the test of time with all of my nights camping out in rugged terrain. I bought this back in 2006 and it still works perfect. However, like any camera bag, my needs are changing and adapting and I may move into something a touch larger to be the ultimate single bag carry all.
I hope this gave you a helpful breakdown of wild camping comfort to practice your landscape photography, or just up your camping game in general! If you have any further interest in techniques or ideas for your set up, just comment below, I’d like to hear your thoughts, questions or suggestions!