Re: National Parks and Camping (advice for me + general discussion)
 

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I highly recommend getting a jetboil stove.

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I'm going with a group of 3 to Yosemite for 5 days in two weeks. Is it really worth the extra $$ for the JetBoil, or would a cheaper alternative suffice if none us are planning on doing any serious camping in the near future?

Re: National Parks and Camping (advice for me + general discussion)
 

You can also rent camping gear.

Re: National Parks and Camping (advice for me + general discussion)
 

At REI you can get tons of good advice about both about how to choose the equipment that is right for you, as well as the actual things you should know to do while camping. Their advice page is here.

I've never shopped with them, but they are one of the best online resources for beginner information about camping. Have fun - the western parks are really beautiful.

Re: National Parks and Camping (advice for me + general discussion)
 

probably not. a jetboil is nice because it's super compact, light, and extremely efficient meaning you use much less gas than you would with another brand stove.

it's really not necessary unless you are backpacking, but it is the best camping stove I've ever used.

with a large group, especially if you are staying in one place you probably won't use a stove too much and cook over the campfire. it's much better to have a stove if you're by yourself and don't want to make a big fire just to cook dinner.

Re: National Parks and Camping (advice for me + general discussion)
 

suzzer, thank you for posting that trip report. Amazing photos.

Re: National Parks and Camping (advice for me + general discussion)
 

Ok, I've decided on Rocky Mountain National Park and Yellowstone. Now I just need to map out my route. I can probably spend 5-6 days at each. Any advice on which trails to go for would be great. Also, I'll have a car and am willing to spend a day or two driving around and hitting up the touristy spots.

Re: National Parks and Camping (advice for me + general discussion)
 

I have no camping tips but just want to say that camping [besides getting drunk in Vegas] is probably the best male bonding experience. When my friends and I went, we forgot to bring chopsticks and had to eat using random sticks. Come to think of it, this was probably the reason why I had that major stomachache. Nevertheless, camping trips that involve fishing, sitting around and playing Chinese Poker / 13 cards for 3 straight days are always awesome.

Re: National Parks and Camping (advice for me + general discussion)
 

just wanted to second Suzzer's endorsement of Utah's amazing National Parks.

Re: National Parks and Camping (advice for me + general discussion)
 

Those are some real great pictures. I am trying to learn to take better pictures. What kind of Camera/lens were you using? These are the sort of pics I am most interested in. Just nature, at it's best.

Re: National Parks and Camping (advice for me + general discussion)
 

All thos pics were taken with a Sony point-and-shoot (DSC-W1) which has now gone to camera heaven. I just bought a Nikon D80 - my first serious camera - that I'm taking to Ireland in a few days. I'm still getting used to carrying around a camera that won't fit in my pocket. But I knew that was going to be tough. Hopefully I won't leave it on a bus in Ireland, as I like to do with anything that's not attached to me when I'm travelling.