Trailer
Hi – Airstream 16′ Sport
Lo – Scamp 13′

Truck
Hi – Fully Restored 1964 Land Rover 109 Safari Wagon
Lo – Toyota FJ

Chair
Hi – Vintage Butterfly Frame with Cowhide Cover
Lo – Foldable Butterfly

Lantern
Hi – Stelton Ship Lamp
Lo – Century Double Mantle

Axe
Hi – Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Camping Axe
Lo – Estwing Sportman Axe

Stove
Hi – Camp Chef Big Gas Grill 3
Lo – Coleman 2 Burner

Game
Hi – Drueke Cribbage Board
Lo – Uno

Last minute change in plans for a fishing trip negates the need for a hotel, so we’ll be packing up the car and heading out to the Platte.

Jacket – Patagonia Rain Shadow
Headlamp – Lego
Chair – Lafuma Maxi Pop’up Camp Chair
Shirt - JCrew Gingham
Corn – Jiffy Pop
Cup – Red Enamel
Shorts – Gramicci Original G Shorts
Tent – GoLite Shangri-La (got mine at the warehouse sale, highly recommended)
Socks – Rasox
Boots/Laces – Vasque Sundowners and (good tip) REI laces
Grill – Coleman Roadtrip LXE Grill

2007 4wd concept van that has the option of 3rd row seating, truck like bed or even a mini crane. Pics via Next Autos.

I have about 13 years on these older Alicos and they are still going strong, so I thought I might as well plan ahead and order a backup for when they eventually give up. As of late they seem to be darn near impossible to find in the States especially if the price is right. I bought the original pair at EMS, remember them? Lots of great details on the old versions, nice stamped eyelets and cool tongue label but I do like the way the sole is sewn on the new versions.

Just in case you might need to camp, elevated, in the middle of Africa (which is probably the best way to camp in Africa). ARB rooftop tent.

Sweatshirt - Japanese version of gear from my alma mater
Hoodie – Patagonia Lightweight Sun Hoodie
Belt – Bison Slider, pick your poison from the fugly good webbing patterns
Jacket – North Face Dot Shot Jacket
Shorts – Chopped Dickies
Long Johns – Wickers
Pack – Gregory Sunbird
First Aid Kit – Super Glue and Duct Tape
Shoes – Danner Wrap Top Light
Hat – Huf

While many of you may puke in your mouth just thinking about these, I suspect there is another subset that is rethinking the possibility. Of course, already done well in j-land, I think it may be time to rethink the mountain classics sitting in my closet. Looks like purple is only available overseas.

One half of MAWOI has been on the road, driving and camping his way, from Colorado to Sayulita and back for the past few weeks. He’s been keeping me abreast of all developments. Cop bribe? Check. Thunder stomach? Check. Weeks of hammock time on the beach? Check. The majority of the time recently has been spent trying to conjure up a reason to come home.

Come hell or high water, I’m going to make sure we get our tipi setup this summer. We’ve had one in the family for as long as I’ve been around and it’s become sort of a trademark by now. For a while I had one in the back yard of a house I owned (bought it with the house, good ole Wyoming) and it was a great all year retreat with a fire and a few blankets. Initially the setup is obviously more of a chore than a normal tent camping situation, but once in place it’s much more like a mobile house than a tent. The absolute best part though is the campfire in the center, beat that North Face.

Pole Setup:
We’re lucky enough to have a piece of land that has an ample supply of lodgepole pine, we thin a few and peel them for the poles.

Bow saw – for the initial tree falling (how cool is that fish logo).
Fanno Folding Pruning Saw – quickly removes all the pole branches.
Flexcut Draw Knife – for de-barking and smoothing the poles.
Rope – ties the poles down through the center so opting for something aside from nasty yellow nylon is aesthetically preferred.

Tipi Cover/Liner
Lots of options out there, obviously the fancier, the more cash. We currently have a simple canvas Sioux style.

Tentworks
Manataka
Reliable Tent

Floor:
Obviously the simplest method is no flooring but we’ve had everything from fresh cut pine bows to flagstone (more of a permanent installation) to blankets and tarps.

Canvas tarps – good for a first layer of ground cover and obviously more aesthetically appealing than their blue plastic brethren. Additionally, more resistant to wayward sparks coming from the center fire.
Pendleton Brave Star and Grand Teton Blankets – be nice to go high end on these, sparks be damned.

Accessories:

Howda Seat – Nice wood/canvas alternative to the nylon camp chairs.
Heavy Duty Tent Stakes – gotta opt for something strong here, homemade wood versions are always an option too.
Coleman Kerosene Lantern – stick to the classic.
Smudge Kit – clean off all those bad vibes.

Local company based in Loveland, CO putting out some solid classic designs and affordable modern rods and reels. Great lineup including my new favorite rod setup, the 7 piece travel (no checking required on the plane so when your luggage is sent to Aruba you can at least still fish).