I just set up the new tent!!

[Powerstroke]

My new tent finally came in to the REI store last week. I picked it up last night and had it set up in the basement within 5 minutes. Its the REI Quarterdome T3. Its a great ultralight for me, my wife and our dog. We fit perfect in there and it weighs ~5lbs. Its our BWCA tent.

I'm thinking about getting an UL tarp from CCS. We're also getting bent shaft paddles this year and maybe a new pack if I sell the one we've got. We'll see.

Anybody getting any new purchases this year?

[grousehunter]

I will be picking up a 12 x 12 kelty tarp...

I really want, but can't convice myself to spend the money on a new sleeping bag. I want a mont-bell UL super stretch #3!

Congrats on the new gear, I always love getting new camping stuff.

[Powerstroke]

Getting the new sleeping bag was one of my first items, but only cause I was using an old army surplus bag that would "breathe" out more feathers than I could contain.

I've got a 20* down bag and a 65* bag that I use in the summer and when staying in the sleeper houses during the winter.

[Xplorer]

Looking at picking up a lightweight 2 person BW tent later this summer, not wanting to spend over about $135. This would most likely be used mainly for solo tripping. Any recommendations/experience with models in this league?

I am looking at the 2 Kelty models right now, leaning toward the Teton 2 right now.

[Quetico]

I am getting a larger tent for me and the gf to go car camping with. I'm leaning toward a Green River 4 or 6. A massive wall tent we can sprawl out in for Memorial Day weekend with her friends and then fishing in Canada. Looking for something we can get a queen sized air mattress in.

From people I camp with that use REI tents you cant go wrong with them. They seem to get great reviews and people I know that use them love them.

For serious paddling bent shafts are a must. Go farther faster with less energy. Just watch the graining. I'd go to Midwest Mountaineering. They have knowledgeable staff and an awesome selection.

When it comes to sleeping bags only one brand comes to mind, Marmot. Backpacker Mag rants about them, I love them and wont buy another bag from a different brand.

[Johnny_Namakan]

For the bent shaft paddles, try Whiskey jack Paddles in Duluth. Expensive, but man are the beautiful. We cut some of their veneers for them and I have looked at their HSOforum. Just thought I'd throw that out there. They're a smaller company and probably aren't as well recognized as some of the others.