I may be a tad on the compusive side. I dont't like gear scattered around camp, and want to know where everything is. I don't drive people crazy with this, but I would say it's more important to me than my trip mates. Any other neat freaks out there?

Speaking of organizing, i bought a large dry bag this year from the Red Rock store. Joe at Red Rock advertises the bag as being a simple way to add weight to the bow when solo paddling a tandem canoe. Just add water and place in the bow.

I like this large dry bag as a place to stow gear in camp. I hammock camp, so I like to have a dry place for outer wear, pfd, etc. Works great.

Very much the camp neat freak here. Hey, one of my first tasks is clearing out debris and leveling the ash under the grate... :)

We base camp. What drives me nuts the most is the way equipment (and sometimes even food items) winds up scattered about, especially when with the men's church group. Part of it is the old "whatever you need is always at the bottom of the pack" dilemma, which leads to leaving things out of the pack and on the ground nearby, but soon enough, it's not really all that "nearby." We use 2 large packs, one for equipment and one for food, but do you think guys who actually do toss some of the things back into a bag can keep the two separate? So, looking for an item sometimes becomes a doubly difficult task. These are not newbies, for the most part, but keeping things a bit more organized for the good of the group does not seem to be built into the nature of some guys. Then, a sudden good-sized blow sends the kitchen stuff scattering into the woods, and someone has to eat directly out of the pot for the rest of the trip...

I'd like to work on some solutions to the "bottom of the pack" problem. Ideas?

Well that's one of the reasons along with several more I only go solo.

If you had to go with a group, how about individual containers for personal gear. And one cook in the kitchen. There were/are good reasons why your mother/wife chased you out of the kitchen at home and they apply equally while camping.
As far as community gear, how about having a person in charge of it and the storage of it.

Wow, I'm just started and I'm cranky already. I've seen too many slobs who must have had someone picking up after them all their lives. They are the ones who put the nick in your axe, spill something on your sleeping bag, rip the tent and so on. Phew.....good luck with the group, you'll need it.
Rob

I use tree straps as organizers (Tree Huggerz/Big Game Multi Hook)for items that are frequently used and easily available.

We hang the following on our:

CCS Utensil Roll

MSR Gravitys Filter and two Dromedary bags

Latrine Bag (TP, Wet Wipes, trowel)

Java Press in a mesh bag

Booze Flasks in a mesh Bag

Spice Kit

Medical Kit (ground)

I tend to keep my personal gear organized around my hammock space. In our group, personal gear is up to the individual.

I really don't care how other members of my group keep and store their gear. Trash is another matter.

As long as all gear and trash is picked up and taken with us, what's the big deal? When we leave a campsite you be hard pressed to find anything that indicates 'we' were there.

We've arrived at campsites to find trash, mostly in the fire pit. We take care of that but cannot take care of things like live trees cut. Thankfully this is an uncommon occurrence.

quote OldieMoldy: "Well that's one of the reasons along with several more I only go solo."

Well, maybe I overstated the problem for effect, but it's at least one or two who will feel like they don't need to concern themselves with any other jobs except the one that they take on... and let everyone know how very important it is... What can I say? I've been tripping with these guys since the 80s and some just can't do it any differently than they did 30 years ago...

quote bojibob: "I use tree straps as organizers (Tree Huggerz/Big Game Multi Hook)for items that are frequently used and easily available.
"

Now, THAT'S what I'm talkin' bout. I'll have to look into those hooks, or make something similar.

quote LuvMyBell: "I really don't care how other members of my group keep and store their gear..."

Me neither, but community gear is another matter.

I am totally amazed how within five minutes of removing the first item from the pack how slummy I can make a campsite look.

Now it is important to keep things together, especially as camp items tend to be overlooked as they are not orange, so I am trying now to take a picture of camp to put on a website.

That is good self prodding for me to keep things neat and tidy. I would rather not publicize me as slob.

I've been using one of those for years.
Always called it the "Viking Loop".
Simple rope with numerous loops tied into it and use carbiners to attach, tighten it to a tree and hang all the frequently used items in quick reach.

quote KarlBAndersen1: " I've been using one of those for years.
Always called it the "Viking Loop".
Simple rope with numerous loops tied into it and use carbiners to attach, tighten it to a tree and hang all the frequently used items in quick reach.










"

Nice setup!

quote KarlBAndersen1: " I've been using one of those for years.
Always called it the "Viking Loop".
Simple rope with numerous loops tied into it and use carbiners to attach, tighten it to a tree and hang all the frequently used items in quick reach.










"

Smart idea. I make those same loops on my anchor rope so I can easily measure depth and attach to an oversized carabiner on my thwart. So obvious I can't believe I missed it, now I will do one for around the tree.

i like the Lived In look!!

quote KarlBAndersen1: " I've been using one of those for years.
Always called it the "Viking Loop".
Simple rope with numerous loops tied into it and use to attach, tighten it to a tree and hang all the frequently used items in quick reach.










"

Great idea! I've looked at the tree hugger things and others like them that boji mentioned but have always thought it to just be a big space taker in the pack. This Viking Loop is better IMO as it takes up less space and the rope can be utilized for other purposes if needed. I always have extra rope in the rope bag so why not use it? I will be in the future. Both ideas beat me as I usually just carabineer said items to the tarp ropes.
Thanks for the tip.

As far as the OP goes, I also like a neat and semi-tidy campsite. I like everything in its place, not a bunch of gear strewn out all over the place.

I tend to put everything into either packs or a dry bag to keep them organized at night.

Dishes are usually in mesh bags and hung from the laundry line used to dry swimsuits, towels or clothes. That is sometimes a tarp line.

One one trip, with 6 nephews, I got tired of stuff being strewn around and so I invented the gear line. It was a simple line attached to a pack but the rule was that after dinner all puts and stuff needed to be threaded onto that line. That way stuff couldn't blow off or wander.

I bring the food, cooking gear, water filtration and fist aid. I only let the guys I bring bring along one main pack and one day pack.

I have one smaller pack for all cooking gear. Food goes into clear bear vaults. . .one vault for the food for each day. Water filtration is with a Playtpus hung from a tree.

We take regularly a group of 9 with us most years. We have found the biggest solution is not duplicating gear (everyone bringing their own cooking stuff, etc). Also, we divide up jobs. I typically cook, another guy does the fires, another keeps the Platypus going, a couple of other guys do dishes, etc. We base camp. After every meal, everything is back in packs and stowed before we go out for the day.

ALL trash for the camp goes into one trash bag.

Doing it this way, the other guys just have to keep track of their clothes, fishing gear and tent/hammock stuff.

Several of my trips each summer are with larger groups who base camp. So, organization becomes a high priority for me.

I sew a lot, mostly over the winter- Pack alterations, kitchen gear and the like. Here are some examples.

Paddle Hanger


Hanging Kitchen


Smaller Duluth to hold one 30L Barrel

That Tree Huggerz is pretty nifty. Have to pick one up.

I have this big sink. Stove, dishes, utensils etc all get tossed in it. No small items laying around and stuff stays clean.

It's a bit much for solo trips, on those I use my Sea to Summit sink in the same way. Its smaller but there is less stuff...

That is a thing of beauty! I know what piece of gear I need to get next.

quote bojibob: "I use tree straps as organizers (Tree Huggerz/Big Game Multi Hook)for items that are frequently used and easily available.









"

It's easier to be organized and stay that way if you're solo. It's also easier the fewer things you take - I don't take a lot of things. I keep things in stuff bags - sleeping bag, pad, tent, tarp are in stuff sacks. Food's in a BearVault, personal stuff in one, first aid and repair kit,etc., stove, filter, and kitchen stuff. I take it out when I need it, put it back when I'm done. Put most things back in the packs at night, put them under the tarp if necessary. It works for me, but my brother had to learn the hard way that if it weighs less than a pound or two, you'd better weight it down.

Boconorm, I had forgotten that I purchased that same cot-side night stand when I deployed to Iraq way back in 2003. Thanks for reminding me that I have that somewhere! Now if I can just remember where I put it.........

I take a cheap carpenters apron and tie it around a tree. The pockets easily hold lots of things. I also take a shaving kit that unfolds several times and has lots of pockets. I keep my cooking utensils, camp soap, scouring pad, even salt and pepper in this shaving kit which I hang from a tree near the campfire.

I keep my food organized by having it in separate bags for the whole trip, one for bfast, different one/color for lunches and dinners. That brain storm made the food pack a lot more organized, only took like 15 trips to get smart about that.

Buz,

We use the reusable shopping bags for that purpose. I have picked them up at grocery stores or at trade shows. We put those bags into our food packs. Only took me 5 trips to figure it out. :)

I'm not the neatest when I don't feel I have to be. But out there paddling I couldn't function if things weren't in their place. Organizers of any kind are very important items in my book. I really liked my CCS stuff bags. Some great ideas here.

The Tree Huggerz work perfectly with a sawyer gravity filter, the filter fits perfectly in the little mesh pouch when it is disconnected from the bags for filling, and as stated, the dromedary bag(s) hang from the hooks just great. It becomes "water central"... We extended the strap of the clean water bag with some paracord about a foot so gravity flows faster, then just hang it from the ring on the strap portion when dispensing from it. They work so well together, they should be packaged as a "kit" IMHO..

I guess I do not have enough stuff to get disorganized?? Tent is set up, bag and mat is in tent, tarp is up, small stuff sack with extra clothing is in tent, food is in barrel and cook kit is set on top of barrel. Ax and saw is next to stack of fire wood. 1/4 cubes with first aid kit and dopp kit is left in pocket of portage pack. That is everything.

I am thinking taking less might be the answer here :)

Staying organized and neat is just not fun! (solos)
I replace foodstuff in the blue barrel and wash up dirty pots but beyond those task, I'm not organizing stuff till it's time to break camp.

quote bojibob: " "

A little OT but I could not help noticing the True Talker hanging with those binoculars. Not some thing I bring on a canoe trip but I love that call.

Being mostly a basecamper, by day two, the 'lived in' look is definitely there. Stuff ends up where it's handy. I like that Vikng Loop above. Good idea.

quote whiteh20:"...1/4 cubes with first aid kit and dopp kit..."

what is 1/4 cube? link or picture?

quote KarlBAndersen1: " I've been using one of those for years.
Always called it the "Viking Loop".
Simple rope with numerous loops tied into it and use carbiners to attach, tighten it to a tree and hang all the frequently used items in quick reach.










"

I use this setup with S-Biners which are nice and light and make it so easy to unclip something and hang it somewhere else. Often I end up stringing the rope between two trees. I can live with a certain amount of sap on my gear but try to keep it to a minimum. To stay organized, everything (and I mean everything!) has it's own stuff sack of a certain color. The last couple years we've started taking a cheap ground tarp - it weighs almost nothing and takes up no room in the pack. Famous last words, but this time it's actually true. :) This one is an old innie. When we have the ground tarp we tend to set things on it and stuff stays together instead of spread all over camp. Also, we can position it under our rain tarp so we don't have to scramble to get everything in the packs if it starts raining. Over night, we still pack up everything and store it in our vestibule.

I have found that if I don't keep track of stuff, it walks away. If the campsite in not neat, then I can't keep track of stuff.
Kitchen stuff goes together, fishing stuff, clothes line, canoes/paddles/pfds, etc.

quote KarlBAndersen1: " I've been using one of those for years.
Always called it the "Viking Loop".
Simple rope with numerous loops tied into it and use carbiners to attach, tighten it to a tree and hang all the frequently used items in quick reach.










"

I always run a "clothes line" with a few carabiners on it and use it in the same way, plus having a place to dry wet clothes. Similar idea though.

good thread/discussion/comments

quote aholmgren: "

quote whiteh20:"...1/4 cubes with first aid kit and dopp kit..."

what is 1/4 cube? link or picture?"

1/4 Cubes are small zippered sacks made by Eagle Creek. Small blue and black bags at right of photo. I now put my first aid kit into two of these as well. Four 1/4 cubes fit perfectly in the top zippered pouch of a CCS rucksack.

white h2o - thanks for the info and picture. nice looking set up!

The viking loop looks cool, but as mentioned above the sap factor would make me think twice in the BW.

d

I'm with ya and very much appreciate a tidy camp. Disorganization is a good way to lose stuff and leave it behind. Keep it all assembled in one area or a duffle and that won't happen.

I don't know about any fancy store-bought hangers, but I always bring a tarp to cover my packs and gear at night. Nothing gets left out. Leaving a messy camp is how things get or ruined.

For reasons I can't fathom gear manufacturers often make their container bags out of dark material; maybe they think when you loose it you'll wind up buying another one from them! Anyway, I have a little pot of white paint and I paint bands of white around the bags, it looks a little peculiar but my old eyes have no trouble spotting the white bands.
Rob

PS: Momma2Moose I like you idea of the tarp under the gear keeping it all collected in one spot. It also gives you a clean place to kneel.

quote Grandma L: " Hanging Kitchen
"

I had the opportunity to see this up close and personal today and all I can say is that it is a wonder to behold!!!!!

Wonderful workmanship, Grandma L!

quote luft: "

quote Grandma L: " Hanging Kitchen
"

I had the opportunity to see this up close and personal today and all I can say is that it is a wonder to behold!!!!!


Wonderful workmanship, Grandma L!"

+1 !

quote OldieMoldy: "For reasons I can't fathom gear manufacturers often make their container bags out of dark material; maybe they think when you loose it you'll wind up buying another one from them! Anyway, I have a little pot of white paint and I paint bands of white around the bags, it looks a little peculiar but my old eyes have no trouble spotting the white bands.
Rob


PS: Momma2Moose I like you idea of the tarp under the gear keeping it all collected in one spot. It also gives you a clean place to kneel. "

Thanks OldieMoldy. Pretty handy with the paint! You could also try Duck Tape - it comes in all sorts of fluorescent colors now. Even if your stuff sacks are dark or all the same color, you can add a band of tape and mix or match colors to keep track of what gear is in which bag.

that kelty tarp set for rain water catching? :)

i just want to say that because i like the "lived in look" i have never lost anything.i know every bit of gear because i fool around all winter working out what i'm taking and know it all right down to the Old Spoon.
another reason i don't loose stuff is i don't spread my gear around the campsite and when i leave and it's all packed away in the canoe i go around the site and do a chant--nothing hanging in the trees--nothing left by the fire place or under the sitting logs--nothing by the tent area--you get the idea..
while in the camp it's all inside the Baker Shelter or the tent.

quote Twins87: "

quote luft: "

quote Grandma L: " Hanging Kitchen
"

I had the opportunity to see this up close and personal today and all I can say is that it is a wonder to behold!!!!!



Wonderful workmanship, Grandma L!"

+1 !"

Thanks gals - Now I should get inspired over the winter and make more to share with friends.

Well, not sure about around camp organization, but as whiteH2O does I use smaller bags inside bigger bags for pack organization, which to me leads to camp organization.

I use these Kondo's zippered bags to put my odds and ends stuff in, like gloves, extra bungee dealy bobs, duct tape,I have one with all my tarp rope, tennis ball, etc in it. Then ALL of these go into CCS Zippered bags. My Sleeping bag, clothes, etc all go into compression bags, and the Kondos bags and compression bags all go into the CCS zippered bags.

Pack organization = camp organization

SunCatcher

Kondos zippered bags

CCS Bag

I categorize my gear when I pack it, and keep it all in it's own category bag:

Things that fasten,
Things that cook or get eaten,
Things that are tools,
Things that fish,
Things that are shelter, clothing, or survival.


Each bag of "things" goes on a log near the firepit and when I am done using something, it goes back in its bag. This works well for me.

I admit that I get a little messy. I guess I just love to fish and relax too much! Last summer on our trip (See trip report: Insane Old School Stuart River) we lost our spatula and I had to flip my daugher's pancakes with an ax. She was not impressed. Neat is good...less stuff gets lost!

I think some of those tree huggerz got sold on this thread!

I admit that I get a little messy. I guess I just love to fish and relax too much! Last summer on our trip (See trip report: Insane Old School Stuart River) we lost our spatula and I had to flip my daugher's pancakes with an ax. She was not impressed. Neat is good...less stuff gets lost!

I think some of those tree huggerz got sold on this thread!

A CCS Lean is great for camp organization. Just throw everything inside and the camp looks tidy.

I like stuff sacks of different colors. Lots of stuff sacks can weigh a lot though. I like cuben fiber stuff sacks from Zpacks.

I like the tree strap idea. I will make my own with CCS reflective rope, several alpine butterfly hitches, and a variety of S-Biners.

I store all my mess kit in a nylon mesh bag. I never dry dishes, just wash them and hang them in the bag from a tree.

I'm somewhat careful about the tree because most are pines and many have a lot of sap which can be a real mess sometimes.

After breakfast, we hang the food bag until dinner so that stays out of the way. I organize the food pack by meal, e.g. a breakfast bag, lunch bag, dinner bag, and evening snack bag. That way we can eat which meals we feel like on a given day. Makes it easy to pull out lunches after breakfast.

On a related note keeping the canoe neat during a day of fishing can be rough if you have a sloppy partner. That can waste a lot of time portaging because of all the loose crap to deal with. I take an Outdoor Research silnylon backpack that is very lightweight and waterproof. It collapses to nothing, but can hold rain gear, lunch, and tackle for a day's fishing and keep everything dry. Also, some BDB's with small S-Biners on the thwarts are good for holding things like GPS, jaw spreaders, Lippa/Boga, etc.

One thing I like is a bag I bought at Ikea for 50 cents. It is made out of lightweight tarp material and is large, light, and durable. I wrap my wood cutting tools in it and attach it to the side of my portage pack. In camp, I use it to collect and store kindling. Keeps it all dry and organized.

bear vault containers for food for each day. . .each days food in a different container, labeled, breakfast on top. All cooking gear, seasonsings, etc in a backpack. Everyone gets only one "boundary bag" style pack and has to put tent/hammock, sleeping bag, clothes, etc in it. And one day bag.

Biggest trick to keeping a tidy camp. . .only one guy brings the food and cooking supplies.

Great thread! Will be making the caribiner tree rope !! I have caribiners attached to my mug and use a caribiner to hang my dishes at night.... love to keep things away from mice while drying !!!

I use one of those Duluth Pack utensil holders that gets tied to a tree. The stove stays set up and ready for use. I try to keep a neat camp but it tends to look like a bear went through after a while.

Didn't read the whole thread. Just going to cut to the chase. I am a slob. I am on vacation. Wife doesn't go with so she can't yell at me. Last trip my oldest brother gave me crap about it. Explained that's why I leave the mrs at home. (not really true, I'd love her come with me. I'd keep a neat camp if she were there)

Messiest part of our camp is "the bar"... often a flat rock is awesome... but by the time 8 guys bring a L or two of hooch and a few mixers.. it's lovely mess :P !!

I use colored stuff bags but can't see through them and can't remember what I put in them! I DO enjoy unpacking and repacking, everything goes back in the main pack at night, unless i'm using it my tent.

I too use an extra large dry bag to store miscellaneous items while in camp.

I use a lot of stuff sacks but would like to have something like the organizer that goes on the tree. I was thinking of making one out of a piece of webbing with a buckle and then have S hooks attached to it so I can hang the stuff sacks from it to keep them off the logs and ground.

use to be adamant about keeping neat & ordered campsite. when I realized how much time I was spending fidgeting about just to maintain that level I stopped it. not slob conversion but not a neat freak anymore. exception is food scents.

quote OldFingers57: "I use a lot of stuff sacks but would like to have something like the organizer that goes on the tree. I was thinking of making one out of a piece of webbing with a buckle and then have S hooks attached to it so I can hang the stuff sacks from it to keep them off the logs and ground. "

When I cut my tarp pole I leave several little branch stubs sticking out about 2 inches to hang stuff on. That works pretty well. Sometimes the available dead poles don't have much to work with though.

Neater is easier. I put things back when I have finished using them and have taught my son, my tripping buddy to do the same at home and in camp.

I use a bunch of the cheap drybags from Walmart , they are very lightweight, waterproof and did I mention CHEAP, I end up with about 2 of each size color, so I mark one of each, makes it easy to know what is what, after a few trips I had the colors completely memorized.

quote schweady: "I'd like to work on some solutions to the "bottom of the pack" problem. Ideas?"

All of my tents have a vestibule, so the pack lives under there at night. As such, the pack cover becomes redundant in camp. So, I lay the pack on the ground cover-down, and as things come out of the pack they go next to it still within the cover, which keeps them reasonably contained and still under the tent.

I made 3 of these a few years ago. I call them "tree hooks". Didn't know they actually made something like it.



I use a 3-4 ft piece of parachute cord and tie a loop at one end. I have 8 "S" hooks with one end pinched closed and the other end opened a bit more with a pliers. Slide the hooks on the cord and attach a cord lock on the end opposite the loop. Wrap around the tree, put cord lock through the loop and pull tight. The cord lock acts as the stop.

I don't hang real heavy items on this but it works great for smaller items. I have one by each tent and one near the fire area. I like hanging my sunglasses on these so I can find them easier. Mugs with handles, cameras, frying pans, rain gear. Keeps my camp more organized.

I know that I have talked about this in other threads, but my system is pretty simple. The packs leave the canoe and all go the main campsite area. We then indentify where the "gear tarp" is going. The equipment pack is moved close by the location, opened and the gear tarp (which is always, always, always packed on the top) is taken out and secured. ALL PACKS! are then moved under the gear tarp. Here and only here, are the contents of the pack to be taken out. This is where everything is stored, sorted and returned. The only thing in your tent, is the sleeping bag/pad and a change of clothes.

With this system, you don't lose stuff bcause the pack was opened somewhere else and stuff fell out and gets missed. everything stays dry,and the process of breaking camp is easeir, because everything is in the same place.

I admit that I am not a neat freak. However I was once on a trip with brerud when he brought to our attention:

"You know guys, I don't want to be the neat freak, but all this crap could be covered in 6" of snow tomorrow morning and how are you going to find it all?"

Well put. I have since changed my ways! :)

quote Ragged: "I use a bunch of the cheap drybags from Walmart , they are very lightweight, waterproof and did I mention CHEAP, I end up with about 2 of each size color, so I mark one of each, makes it easy to know what is what, after a few trips I had the colors completely memorized."

I've got two sets of those also for keeping small stuff together and other things organized.

quote Grandma L: "Several of my trips each summer are with larger groups who base camp. So, organization becomes a high priority for me.


I sew a lot, mostly over the winter- Pack alterations, kitchen gear and the like. Here are some examples.


Paddle Hanger



Hanging Kitchen



Smaller Duluth to hold one 30L Barrel
"

Your Hanging Kitchen is perfect Grandma L!! I have been looking for something exactly like this, but to no avail. I'd love to buy one from you if you decide to make a few over the winter!

Sure thing, Saberboys. This winter I will be back at the sewing machine. I will post when I have a few to share.

quote Grandma L: "Sure thing, Saberboys. This winter I will be back at the sewing machine. I will post when I have a few to share. "

Really?! You're the best! I'll keep my eye out

Thank you!

quote Grandma L: "Sure thing, Saberboys. This winter I will be back at the sewing machine. I will post when I have a few to share. "

My wife is in love with your work!!

quote Grandma L: "Sure thing, Saberboys. This winter I will be back at the sewing machine. I will post when I have a few to share. "

Put me on that list too Grandma L. That hanging kitchen looks like the remedy to my endless burrowing in the barrel for odds and ends. I would buy one off you in a snap!

quote strom2127: "

quote Grandma L: "Sure thing, Saberboys. This winter I will be back at the sewing machine. I will post when I have a few to share. "

Put me on that list too Grandma L. That hanging kitchen looks like the remedy to my endless burrowing in the barrel for odds and ends. I would buy one off you in a snap!"

sounds like GrandmaL has a new business. I love capitalism!

I use these for organizing our food barrel...Bkfst, lunch, dinner, snacks, desserts etc.
Ziplock big bags
They are see thru and have handles for easy grabbing. They slide easily in & out of the barrel and they stand up on their own with the pleated bottom. Multiple uses. Love these things.

I use Eagle Creek for organizing my clothes & gear along with dry bags.

They weigh almost nothing, are almost see-thru, have a nice handle, make a nice pillow base at night. A bit expensive, but they were a gift to me...so put them on your wish list. If you wish...

Specter cube set

Mountain Smith & Kelty have nice camp haulers. Good to help organize & button up a site quick. The Kelty bags have metal stiffeners down the sides making them a bit heavier, we use them mostly for home organizing, car camping or we take one and use it for our kitchen/ power & light stuff.

Kelty camp hauler

Ran across this today. Kind of $$ Roll Up Organizer

quote Swampturtle: "Mountain Smith & Kelty have nice camp haulers. Good to help organize & button up a site quick. The Kelty bags have metal stiffeners down the sides making them a bit heavier, we use them mostly for home organizing, car camping or we take one and use it for our kitchen/ power & light stuff."

I have one of the 4 bag Mountain Smith camp haulers and we use it for any weekend cabin trips or car camping. Each of us has a personal color and they are the perfect size for a weekend's worth of clothing.

quote KevinL: "Ran across this today. Kind of $$ Roll Up Organizer "

That is nice. I like that you can see through the netting pockets so you know what is in each area. I agree that it is definitely a bit on the pricey side though.

My absolute FAVORITE new piece of gear this year... my hanging kitchen made by our one and only Grandma L! LOVE IT! And our campsite was most definitely more organized than usual.

quote Twins87: "My absolute FAVORITE new piece of gear this year... my hanging kitchen made by our one and only Grandma L! LOVE IT! And our campsite was most definitely more organized than usual.


"

How do you get into the pockets on it? Zippers or Velcro? At the top or sides?

Every campsite and trip is different but as a general rule, all gear is kept in one location when not in use. Usually it is under a small tarp that keeps things dry at night and in rains. Paddles, fishing rods, tackle, etc... all stay near the landing area.

For me, it is more about keeping things together so you only have 2 or 3 places to check before leaving the campsite to make sure you have everything.

On fall and spring trips, everything goes under the tarp or in packs hanging at night. A lot of times, I will put stuff not in use in a pack and strap it to a nice cedar tree (usually it isn't hard to find a cedar tree with a cut branch already to hang it from) so it will stay dry. I have seen how hard it is to find stuff under a couple inches of snow. I won't leave things out ever again when it is cold.

quote OldFingers57: "

quote Twins87: "My absolute FAVORITE new piece of gear this year... my hanging kitchen made by our one and only Grandma L! LOVE IT! And our campsite was most definitely more organized than usual.



"

How do you get into the pockets on it? Zippers or Velcro? At the top or sides? "

The lighter green strip along the top of each "drawer" has Velcro on the back. Easy to get in and out of each pocket. We worked at assigning each drawer to particular kinds of items, just like in our kitchen at home. This pic was clearly taken in the morning because there's only one coffee cup dangling... usually there were four hanging there. We made great use of all of the outer loops and pouches as well.

GrandmaL. Put me down for one of your organizer bags too.

To keep the stuff in your tree hanging system dry, first wrap the tree with a piece of tarp twice the height of the item you are hanging. Now attach your gear halfway on the "tarp." Pull the top part down over your gear. Stays dry and sap free.

I will post when I have a few done. This will be a good winter project.

quote Grandma L: "I will post when I have a few done. This will be a good winter project."

Another interested camper here!

quote Grandma L: "I will post when I have a few done. This will be a good winter project."

Let me know when you're planning to work on them... the lovely Miss M would love to start learning from your sewing expertise. And her parents would love that too as we have LOTS of gear ideas and we don't sew :-)

Bojibob, I reread this thread and decidedly, your camp looks so well-organized. The pics say it all. So neat and orderly and easy to find stuff that's strapped to a tree like that. And the pathetic thing is, I have tree hugger straps but never considered this set-up. sigh.

For me, it's practical & simplifying tips like this which makes this site exceptionally cool and useful.

I am horrible for putting stuff down and not being able to find it again, so I use something like Karl's viking loop, only hanging vertically from the closest suitable branch to the firepit. Basically just some para cord with a bunch of long Prussik's tied in them, paddles, Axe, saw, gravity filter, assorted ditty bags with usual camp stuff are all hanging and not just thrown on the ground to get kicked or lost.

And hanging off a branch it doesn't get sap all over it (I hate getting sap on stuff!)

quote mjmkjun: "


Bojibob, I reread this thread and decidedly, your camp looks so well-organized. The pics say it all. So neat and orderly and easy to find stuff that's strapped to a tree like that. And the pathetic thing is, I have tree hugger straps but never considered this set-up. sigh.

For me, it's practical & simplifying tips like this which makes this site exceptionally cool and useful."

Thanks, I'm pretty anal about an organized camp.

Everyone should be or have a Tree Hugger :-)