2014 Camping Thread

[Diemenz]

I'm heading out to blue rock, tried fir sandy mcnabb on Wednesday but it was full. Full with unsetup tents.

[Crazy Flamer]

Okay folks, a few buddies and I are looking to do some camping this weekend, preferably in Kananaskis. We'd like something more close to the mountains and by water. A river or lake. Probably 90 minutes from south Calgary. Anyone have suggestions?

[Nandric]

Originally Posted by Crazy Flamer

Okay folks, a few buddies and I are looking to do some camping this weekend, preferably in Kananaskis. We'd like something more close to the mountains and by water. A river or lake. Probably 90 minutes from south Calgary. Anyone have suggestions?

You could always check out some of the camp sites along Lake Minnewanka. There are two campsites with about 10-15 sites, with one site being a 8.5kish hike in and the other being another 1.5km in.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by ranchlandsselling

More on topic - anyone camping this weekend? Where?

Yep. Just got back from Nakusp. Beautiful hikes around there. Might not be the best hub for boating on Arrow Lakes though. Thought there would be a place for rentals, but looks like a BYOB place.

[mrkajz44]

Originally Posted by Crazy Flamer

Okay folks, a few buddies and I are looking to do some camping this weekend, preferably in Kananaskis. We'd like something more close to the mountains and by water. A river or lake. Probably 90 minutes from south Calgary. Anyone have suggestions?

We went to Little Elbow campground last weekend. Take highway 66 West from Bragg Creek until basically it ends (paved road turns into a gravel road that is closed due to prior year floods). About 30 minutes past Bragg Creek.


We only were there for two nights, so not too sure of the activities around. I hear there are some good hikes close by on highway 66 and there is a fishing pond at the campsight. Elbow river runs right beside the campground.

[brocoli]

So i'm looking at getting a Champion 3100W Generator/Invertor. I was just wondering if anyone has this model or something similar. We do a lot of dry camping, so it will be to charge the lights, but also hoping that it will be powerful enough to run our 13,500 A/C unit. Any tips would help.

this is the model that I'm talking about.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...enerator/70829

[Diemenz]

AC units are finicky.
The champion "should" be able to run it according to its specs but that's not always the case. The previous champion I owned was not able to consistently run 1400watts even tho it was rated for 2000 peak 1600 continuous.

Don't get me wrong, my champion was great while it lasted (replaced with a honda eu2000i).

The champion inverters are probably one of the best choices when using a Chinese generator IMO and you can't find something of that quality in for the price so I think you'll be happy.

When starting your AC just make sure your an is on low and not auto. It's the startup that stresses it the most.

[hedge]

I have seen lots of reports of the Champion 3100 running a 13,500 a/c unit. Haven't heard of any that wouldn't but as said above it's never a sure thing. It's a bit louder than the Red or Blue but way cheaper. The heaviest draw that an a/c unit has is actually after it's been running for a while and has to kick in again. It has to overcome the head pressure... just like an air compressor.

I think Champion is the best of the chinese other than Kipor maybe but I think they are optimistic with there ratings. I had a 2000w Champion and it would not run my 9200 btu A/c, it would overload immediately. I replaced it with a 2000W Honda and it runs it on eco mode.

[Diemenz]

The above response is my experience exactly. I was able to find a Honda Eu2000i locally for $1250 and it runs my AC and microwave in Eco mode as well when my champion overloaded on AC. I had a 2000w champion so i didn't expect it to run my AC but I did expect it to run my 1100w microwave. The 3000w version is considerably more powerful so take that into account.

In addition to this champion has changed their design a bit since I bought mine (3 summers ago) and reviews have said they have improved on their design so my experiences might not be valid when describing the new generation inverters.

I know 2 people who bought the 2000w Costco champion generator this year and they both have been really happy but neither can run their A/C but have no issues running their microwaves and TV/ entertainment centres.

[brocoli]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll give a full review once I get it here in a week or so

[hedge]

Have you checked stock at Costco? They still had some at Crossiron a couple weeks ago. Of course you can't beat the return policy.

[Hessen]

I had a Champion 3100 from Costco. Strong enough to kick in the AC and to run anything you have a need for.

My issue, why I sold it, was with the loudness. I primarily camp in campgrounds though so if you're in the trees I wouldn't be concerned.

[Regular_John]

Too lazy to search, but anyone have reviews/suggestions for tent camping in Drumheller?

More tree shelter the better, generator free grounds, easy enough to get a site on a Friday night?

[Slava]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

Too lazy to search, but anyone have reviews/suggestions for tent camping in Drumheller?

More tree shelter the better, generator free grounds, easy enough to get a site on a Friday night?

Does it need to be in Drumheller? Otherwise there is a private campground called the Handhills High Country Hideaway about 20 minutes away and its decent. If you like fishing (they have a stocked private pond there) and there are a fair amount of trees. I don't think you will have issues with generators because I think all the sites have power.

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by Slava

Does it need to be in Drumheller? Otherwise there is a private campground called the Handhills High Country Hideaway about 20 minutes away and its decent. If you like fishing (they have a stocked private pond there) and there are a fair amount of trees. I don't think you will have issues with generators because I think all the sites have power.

Nope doesn't need to be in Drumheller at all. Just the area really. My biggest concern is being able to load up the car & head out after 5:00 on a Friday night and still get a set without visiting multiple grounds.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

Nope doesn't need to be in Drumheller at all. Just the area really. My biggest concern is being able to load up the car & head out after 5:00 on a Friday night and still get a set without visiting multiple grounds.

I know that you can call and book a spot there. I did that when we camped there last year. I have no idea what most of the sites around Drumheller are like, but trees seem like a rarity from what I've seen!

[Wormius]

Anybody here using dry ice in their coolers? Any issues, and roughly how long will it last, assuming you aren't opening up the cooler constantly.

[ken0042]

I used dry ice for the first time a couple of years ago to bring some food home from Winnipeg in the middle of summer. I bought it Friday afternoon and put it in my parents' freezer. Left in the morning with my food and dry ice in the cooler; passing through 30 degree temps all though Saskatchewan. Got home Saturday night and it was all still intact and my food still frozen solid. I put the dry ice in the kitchen sink and left it overnight. The next morning there was still a lot of it left, so we made some dry ice bombs.

[Diemenz]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Anybody here using dry ice in their coolers? Any issues, and roughly how long will it last, assuming you aren't opening up the cooler constantly.

Let the cooler be the ice saver don't try to make the ice be the cooler saver.

Before we purchased our TT we were tent campers and I always fought the ice battle trying to figure out how I could have ice last 4-5 days to keep the food and more importantly the beer cold.

I tried dry ice, ice packs, thermafreeze, techni ice, and good old ice packs.

What I found is first getting a well insulated cooler (i used and still use the coleman 6 day coolers that are stupid thick with insulation) will trump any fancy ice system. Making sure the seal on the cooler is solid and its not constantly being opened is the key.

My personal favorite was thermafreeze, they lasted as long as thick ice packs but were easier to move around in a cooler, as such I got 5-6 sheets in a cooler and that made it really cold and long lasting. The only downside is they absorb water till they burst so they cannot be mixed with regular ice or something that might melt. I found I had/have great success with taking 2 2L milk jugs and freezing them solid a week before the trip. Because the block was thick the density allowed it to stay frozen longer and the jugs prevented any water from leaking out.

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I used dry ice for the first time a couple of years ago to bring some food home from Winnipeg in the middle of summer. I bought it Friday afternoon and put it in my parents' freezer. Left in the morning with my food and dry ice in the cooler; passing through 30 degree temps all though Saskatchewan. Got home Saturday night and it was all still intact and my food still frozen solid. I put the dry ice in the kitchen sink and left it overnight. The next morning there was still a lot of it left, so we made some dry ice bombs.

Ahh that magical one week of the year where it is actually hot here..

Anyone here ever check out Meadow Lake Provincial Park inside Sask? I see nothing but Alberta plates every time I am there..