Cronk Ministries

Archive for December, 2009

“Sleeping well should be simple,” Reid says. “Select the right sleeping bag, add a comfortable mattress system, your favorite pillow, and you should sleep soundly. The right hag is one that meets the prevailing temperature conditions, is an appropriate size, and features a liner and cover that match your individual preference.
“Too many people think all sleeping bags are created equal. Not so. There are oversized bags to fit big folks or to give the average- sized adult extra room.”
Temperature ratings are critical to picking the right bag, especially in cooler weather, If you tend to chill easily at home, take that into consideration, If you expect the nigiittinie temperature to be in the 30s and 40s, say, don’t be afraid to take a bag rated for 15° E You might even opt for a bag rated for 00 E You can always vent the bag with two-way zippers or otherwise get some fresh air in to moderate the temperature.
If the temperature becomes unseasonably warm, carry along a light blanket; then peel back the top of the bag and cover your upper torso with the blanket. For really cold weather, nothing beats a mummy bag for warming efficiency.
“Many people like the cozy feel of a flannel liner;’ Reid says. “Others want nylon inside and out. The choice is yours. Temperature ratings run from -25° F (or cooler) to 50° F. If you’re a four-season camper, you can’t expect one bag to do it all.”
Reid was an early advocate of good camp airbeds. “They’re a godsend for backs, young and old,” he says. “Especially old. Our QuickBed is 6 inches thick and provides excellent support and comfort. For added convenience, it can be inflated in less than 3 minutes using our innovative battery-powered QuickPump inflator. This way you won’t have to drag the bed out to the truck’s 12-volt inflator.”
The airbed works fine on the tent floor, but for added comfort put the airbed on an oversize, sturdy cot. That gets you off the ground, making it easy to get into and out of the rack. The cot also provides a handy storage space for boots, duffle bags, and the like.

“First step,” Reid told me, “is a fundamental human need: shelter. Take a big tent and make no apologies. Two guys can set up today’s spacious shelters in under 10 minutesXou’ll have plenty of headroom to stand when dressing and you can bunk at the far ends of a 15- to I 7-foot1ong tent to minimize disturbing one another while sleeping. You’ll also have room to store gear bags and all the assorted hunting, fishing, and camping stuff we all insist on taldng. A big tent is especially welcome on those rainy days or evenings when waiting out a storm. Eat inside in dry comfort. Put on a new reel or organize that cluttered tackle boxJake a nap.You make the call.”
Though there are many tents on the market today, the traditional cabin tent is nearly extinct (except for certain applications such as elk camp). What you’ll find, instead, is an array of hybrids that borrow design and function features from tents, geodomes, and cantilevers, then marry them to cabins.

“The Coleman Weathermaster is a prime exampleT Reid says. “The 1 7×9-foot model features a rainfly for double-layer protection from cloudbursts. It’s designed to stand up to winds over 40 mph and manages water runoff without leakage. Like most contemporary tents, it’s constructed of coated nylon for strength and foul-weather performance, yet it’s relatively light in weight. A color-coded, shock-corded pole system ensures quick, foolproof setup—all at a price under $200. Large windows and a door offer good ventilation options on warm nights, making the Weathermaster a viable three-season tent”
Another option is a large dome tent, a good choice for a onenighter or when you want to go a little lighter and don’t mind surrendering some elbow room. Domes with full rainflies are very weather- worthy. Some models are tall enough to stand up in, at least in the center, and they come in a wide variety of sizes, color, and price tags. No matter what kind of tent you decide on, buy a good one. Cheap tents, as I learned the hard way a long time ago, aren’t worth the money.