Jindabyne camping 2013
I might do the sleep in the car on my solo weekends.
Yeah must be a new thing, I seem to remember it used to be one car only?
dont know, just going off the website, they might change it come season time
A question to the more experienced campers.
I’ve just been climbing around in my car and it appears with the back set folded down I can easily fit in the boot (with my legs poking through into the cabin) There is a 5cm or so step up where the seat folds down so I’m hoping that wouldn’t be a major comfort issue.
Now I’m looking at buying some gear so I can get a nights sleep if I’m down there on a whim probably parked at either the van park or bullocks flat.
At this stage I’m looking at self inflating sleeping pads (with closed cell foam R-value 7.68) as well as a sleeping bag (the one I’m looking at is mummy style, synthetic rated to 20f (~-7c)
This stuff will be rarely used so I don’t want to go over the top but I also don’t want to be too uncomfortable that I won’t bother doing it.
I generate a fair bit of body heat so generally sleep warmer than average. In the past when using sleeping bags indoors I overheat quickly.
Does the stuff I listed look like the right kind of direction to head? Anything else that will be a must purchase (I’ll supply my own pee bottle)
Cheers!
A question to the more experienced campers.
I’ve just been climbing around in my car and it appears with the back set folded down I can easily fit in the boot (with my legs poking through into the cabin) There is a 5cm or so step up where the seat folds down so I’m hoping that wouldn’t be a major comfort issue.
Now I’m looking at buying some gear so I can get a nights sleep if I’m down there on a whim probably parked at either the van park or bullocks flat.
At this stage I’m looking at self inflating sleeping pads (with closed cell foam R-value 7.68) as well as a sleeping bag (the one I’m looking at is mummy style, synthetic rated to 20f (~-7c)
This stuff will be rarely used so I don’t want to go over the top but I also don’t want to be too uncomfortable that I won’t bother doing it.
I generate a fair bit of body heat so generally sleep warmer than average. In the past when using sleeping bags indoors I overheat quickly.
Does the stuff I listed look like the right kind of direction to head? Anything else that will be a must purchase (I’ll supply my own pee bottle)Cheers!
Seriously, it might get cold, but piss outside the car FFS 
As for that step up, test it with whatever you get as bedding before you go, if it is noticeable get something to lift the lower side up, i have found in some instances where it is only a small step that a big, thick blanket was enough to make it unnoticeable, and for bigger steps boards of wood or something under your bedding, in my patrol the seats didnt fold down to anywhere near level so i built draws and made the top level with the seats when folded down, worked a treat and had the bonus of usable storage space.
bedding; i used to ratchet strap a mattress to the roof inside the car from the handles then just let it down when i wanted to sleep, a blanket was normally enough for where we went but for the snow i would just take a sleeping bag and a decent blanket or 2 and you should be fine
DRC - can you post a pic or a name so i can google the bedding you have suggested?
I recently purchased one of these recently as I found them great whenever i borrowed a friends. http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/Oztrail-Self-Inflating-4WD-Mat-Double.aspx?pid=114103#Cross
Dylan has the right idea bout the step I think.
DRC - can you post a pic or a name so i can google the bedding you have suggested?
Hey Oz
Yep I had planned to bulk up the lower bit with blankets if the pad wasn’t enough to even it out. I’m not exactly flush with blankets here either which is why I figured I may as well put money into something that I could also use for crashing on peoples floors etc if needed.
The bag I’m currently looking at is similar to this
http://mountainsmith.com/index.php/tents-sleeping-bags/sleeping-bags/kenosha-20f-synthetic.html
And the sleeping pad I’m looking at is a kelty alpine pad. (can’t find it on manufacturers site as it’s last years model)
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/kelty-alpine-self-inflating-sleeping-pad-regular~p~5144h/?filterString=s~kelty-alpine-pad/&colorFamily=01
I have a similar mat to that. Used it for 6 weeks camping in Africa.
My tent mate had something similar to what I posted above. I was jealous. But then also happy i wasn’t carrying that either…
The one I shared is widely more regarded as better for “car” camping.
I posted a link to a double you can just get a single which is cheaper.
watch this video from BCF on bedding,
Thanks for the input oz.
Yeah I bet the 10cm thickness is pretty plush and way more comfy and I agree it’s probably the best choice for pure car camping but I was hoping to also keep this one backpackable should I ever need one in my travels.
If I planned on doing the season in my car I’d definitely lean towards what you linked too but realistically I should only need to resort to it a handful of times.
What I liked about this one was the removable bottom layer (the closed cell foam) which lightens the load for warmer climates.
I’m presuming it will feel somewhat similar to staying in a Japanese room on a tatami floor?
Hmmm
but you are forseeing at least one or two trips in the car.
Please give me an example of a trip where you will be a pack horse…. LOL
Get the more comfortable option for the trip that is more of a sure thing (presuming the other pack horse trip is not a sure thing).
Hurts to type - can’t do this much longer :-(
Good point. I’ll have a think about it!
Sounds like you didn’t find the thinner ones as comfortable as I have read.
Ok stop typing then, thanks for your help!
Sounds like you didn’t find the thinner ones as comfortable as I have read.
nope
DRC, for the car when you’re not carrying it, go to Clark Rubber and get a proper 10cm thick mattress, it provides great insulation, take a doona and a sleeping bag and use one on top of the other as two doonas, wear your thermals an you will be ten times more comfy than cramped in a bag.
DRC, for the car when you’re not carrying it, go to Clark Rubber and get a proper 10cm thick mattress, it provides great insulation, take a doona and a sleeping bag and use one on top of the other as two doonas, wear your whatever the hell you want and you will be ten times more comfy than cramped in a bag.
100% agree
yeah i hate sleeping bags too!
Used it as extra padding underneath me in africa LOL
But agree the warmth rating is needed for winter camping
Thanks for the input.
OK so I was starting to lean towards a 4wd mat like oz was talking about as I agree it will be used more in the car and living rooms so the size weight is less of an issue. Upon looking into them though I noticed they were actually open cell foam rather than closed which I thought wasn’t great for cold weather insulation. Couldn’t find any R-values though.
The original pad I linked is 4.5cm of padding which is better than the 2.5cm in the bcf video but I’m still tempted by the 10cm though I think the single is only 7.5cm.
NBG are the any specific advantages to a Clark rubber mattress vs a 10cm self inflating pad which still remains compact enough to be convenient for non car duties.
I don’t currently own a sleeping bag so I’m happy enough to invest in one just wanted confirmation on what kind of level I should look at. As for blankets/quilts I’m once again limited to what’s on my bed and I’m not overly keen to strip it each weekend.