Episode 21: Camping
This episode is a love letter to camping. When the clamor and stresses of life leave you twitchy, sitting by a crackling camp fire with people you love may be just the thing you need to put you back in touch with your creative and happy self. As we embark on a fresh summer, we’re talking about the things we do when we camp. From tips for sleeping in a tent to the joys of cooking over a camp stove, we hit the high notes of living a life outdoors, even if only for a weekend.
While it may seem off-topic for a photography podcast, we think camping goes hand-in-hand with chasing incredible images in places of remarkable natural beauty. Oftentimes, camping is how we stage ourselves to be in the right places at the best times for awesome landscape and wildlife photography. Sit back and enjoy this conversation about getting out and staying out in style.
Hammocks are an important part of happy campsite living. Here, Jeff and Mason lounge in their hammocks in Yosemite National Park after a very early morning photographing the sunrise at Glacier Point. The hammocks Mason recommends are made by Kammock.
GEAR
In this episode, we mention a few specific pieces of gear we like. The links below will take you to the companies that make and sell this gear. Please note that these are not affiliate links.
Hammocks - Mason loves the hammocks made by Kammock. In addition to their extensive line of hammocks, they make awesome blankets and tarps. Their hammock stand, called the Swiftlet, is an inspired piece of equipment that allows you to use your hammocks anywhere.
Sleeping Pads - Many companies make great sleeping pads, but when you’re car camping and you’d like the most comfortable ground-sleeping situation possible, the Camp Bed pads from REI are your ticket. They now have an even more luxurious pad, called the Camp Dreamer.
Camp Stove - If your goal is to get a lot of water boiling quickly for coffee, oatmeal, or a couple of pouches of dehydrated food, the MSR Reactor Stoves are amazing.
Table - Mason likes to have an extra table to cook on in camp. The roll-up design of the ALPS Mountaineering Dining Table makes it easier to pack away in your car when you’re ready to head home.
CAMPER VAN
With the addition of this sweet little camper van to Mason’s family, their campsite game just got a whole lot more comfortable. The van, a Winnebago Solis 59PX, sleeps the whole family with ease in two queen-size beds.
Mason loves the fact that he can cook in the van when conditions outside are rough. The fact that the van comes with a nice refrigerator, sink and plenty of storage makes camp cooking a breeze.
The camper van isn’t massive inside, but it is practical and cozy. Here Mason’s daughter Claire tries to outplay his wife Julie at the van’s little table. The main bed can be seen in the back past the kitchen and bathroom. The opening above leads to the pop-up sleeping compartment, (the ladder is just out of frame to the left).
Some things must be seen to be believed.
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