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My basecamp is about complete.

5K views 54 replies 8 participants last post by  splett 
#1 ·
Had a mishap a few months ago where my old tried and true tent was destroyed by a dog. Had a chance to pickup a Cabelas guide tent super cheap (needed repairs) and started the ball rolling. It was funny how everything fell into place. In a short time frame (about 3 months) everything I had "pondered" getting dropped into my lap for virtually free. As of right now, I think I have about $300 invested in everything for my tent (I'm not including my outdoor cooking stuff lol). But part of that $300 also included repairs that needed to be done to my tent.

Finally got to use it in a "semi" real world experience. Wasn't out in the great outdoors, but was setup in Ellensburg. Had heavy winds and rain. Tent didn't budge. But tent was designed for snow load, so hope it would hold up. LOL.

Here's what I have to date.
6 man Cabelas Guide tent
2 new edition army cots (500# capacity and very sturdy)
2 alps foam/inflatable mats
2 bivy sacks (army issue)
travelchair brand rollup table
lil buddy indoor safe heater with small tank
then some misc odds and ends of course

Here's my full camp
Tarpaulin Tent Camping Plant Shade


My Koffler chuck box, 3X Explorer stove, and tent.

Tarpaulin Tent Fixture Shade Camping


Close up of the 6 man tent. I know they are meant to be used all snuggled up. But IMHO, I'd say room for 4 comfortably, and I'll only use it for 2 maybe 3 max. Plus you can stand up in it (well if you're under 6'3" lol.

Brown Comfort Textile Purple Interior design


Just to give an idea how roomy it is inside. The two lines you see are the centerline of the tent. I have my cot off to one side. Still had room by window (also a secondary door) and the edge barely went over centerline. I have one of my chairs in here just because I was using this solo that weekend. And you can't see it, but the table I was talking about is to the right of the chair. That's my big bugout bag in the middle. LOVE that bag. It's an SF issued bag (holds their kit and all over misc). Holds alot, can be carried either with handle or with backpack straps. And can carry all my misc needs for tent (plus my clothes and sundries to boot).

And yes, I still have my campers and will use them too. Just nice somedays to go to camp and be about 600# lighter in the truck (especially on those crappy launches).
 
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#45 ·
Sorry did not set up and clean yesterday,finished sun porch though,yay.

Today I hear a greywolf a calling me.

I saw your add on craigslist for a vestibule good luck with it, these pics might View attachment 44071 help. View attachment 44070
OMG, talk about scoring.

I love that 6 man I picked up. For the work I do with veterans and just my other camps in general, I've been looking for another one. Found one in Sequim for $75. Said it needed a new rainfly, that it was leaking badly (figured I'd just recoat it with waterproofing). Come to find out, it sold before hand. Told her thanks. But she responded with "but I do have an 8 man with no rainfly you could have, but it's missing some poles too". I figured I could just buy the poles and use it with a tarp over it. Then she told me about a part number and a way to buy the new rainflies. Long story, but I even have all the info. It'll cost me about $200 to make this 8 man tent complete again (replacing a couple poles and the rainfly). Now here's the kicker. She showed up to hand these off to me (she had to drive to Auburn today, so met her in Tacoma). She said "I think you may have an extra tent, thought it may be the rainfly we found, but looks like it may be a tent, enjoy". Well, nope. It's not. It's a bunch of extra parts, strings, tie downs, etc. But it's TWO small zip in vestibules and the monster DELUXE vestibule!!!!! It's a slightly different green, but I don't care!!!!

Had to share.
 
#51 ·
I should add I lucked into that deluxe vestibule. Found someone selling an older version 6 man guide super cheap. It has already sold, but seller told me she had an old 8 man I could have for free. Catch was that it has no rain fly and was missing poles. Her about troop bought new tents and wanted these old ones gone. I figured I could use it for parts I needed on my 6 man.

When we meet she had two bags. She found another tent and I could just have it since they didn't use them anymore. In the bag was some misc poles too. For $250 I could actually get 8 man operational again. Found a back door to get the new style rain fly. The big win was the second bag, BUT it had 2 standard zip in vestibules and one deluxe vestibule. Thanks to sprett for helping me out with set up.

Oh, and after after more testing I'm doing away with the bivy sack and getting a decent standard sleeping bag. Holds heat well in tent so bivy runs way too hot. Plus will go with more of a semi mummy bag. I'll keep my bivy for impromptu trips.
 
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