[quote=Dagny
My teardrop trailer (and quite a bit of camping gear) is in storage 100 miles from DC in the mountains due west of here. [/quote]

I don't argue with Hikermors backpacking philosophy. I take at least one backwoods primitive trip each fall to purge the soul before winter sets in.The planning is half the fun. If it's cold and wet like last year, then planning is 95% of the fun I do, however, like all forms of camping. This would include tenting in the backwoods out of my truck, or in our Palomino pop-up with the canoe, bikes, and nieces in a state park. I am very interested in hearing about teardrop trailers. They are not too common up here, but I have been eyeballing them in magazines for my retirement years. Can a 6'2" linebacker body-type and his little DW sleep comfortably inside, or are they best for hauling gear?

Absolutely you could be comfortable. Mine's a king-size bed + gear hauler (6'-wide, 81.5" floor). The typical teardrop is 5'-wide (queen-size bed) and the smallest are generally 4'-wide.

Teardropping has transformed camping for me. Far more comfortable and secure sleep, permanently packed and don't even have to un-hitch so can arrive at camp late and there's no setup.

Many are home-made. Mine is made by the only manufacturer with dealers around the country and overseas. Quality and price-wise it's roughly the Chevy-Ford of the teardrop lot. The Cadillacs are "Camp-Inn" and "So-Cal."

Here are some teardrop links:

http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/

http://www.tinycamper.com/

http://www.socalteardrops.com/

http://www.golittleguy.com/teardrops/

http://www.amazon.com/Teardrops-Tiny-Tra...0823&sr=1-1

I think this subject is huge.
Even if a separate thread was started for women GEAR and other one for the CONCERNS, each will be fairly big thread.

Anyway, regarding gear, I hope the ladies find this video useful.

http://www.youtube.com/user/watuwaitn4#p/u/34/qjdQmKJ-aRc

Re: concerns, I once heard or read that women in thier period time should be real careful in the wilderness as animals (bears) can detect the smell.

It is something I came across in the net. I don't know if it is true. Maybe the experts can address this thought ... although I immediately thought of many women living in the woods and this hasn't become an issue.

Thank you for the info and the links. This is a really interesting subject, and the trailers are cool. I actually saw one of these on the highway yesterday. There are a lot of trailer dealers here, but no one that sells these. I am going to continue to research to see if I can find a local dealer.

Adventure Medical Kits has a new product -- Women-specific First Aid kit. I'm skeptical if all that's woman-centric about it is the items in red. "Cramp-relief medicine" is what I call Ibuprofen. Tampons - duh! (pre-menopause, anyway). Odor-proof bag... they have me there as the only bags I carry for day hikes are Gidget's clear poop bags and a dark green lawn bag (emergency poncho....)

But at least it isn't pink!

http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/product.php?product=213

Women's Edition Outdoor

MSRP $40.00

In addition to medications, wound dressings, and blister care items, this kit includes all the items outdoorsy women have floating around somewhere in their pack. Make it easy on yourself and carry the only medical kit on the market designed for women.


Supply List

Bandage Materials
1 Dressing, Non-Adherent, Sterile, 3" x 4"
6 Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, 1" x 3"
1 Dressing, Non-Adherent, Sterlie, 2" x 3"
2 Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, Knuckle
2 Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 2" x 2", Pkg./2
3 Bandage, Butterfly Closure
2 Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 4" x 4", Pkg./2
1 Bandage, Conforming Gauze, 2"

Bleeding
1 Gloves, Nitrile (Pair), Hand Wipe

Blister / Burn
1 GlacierGel (Small Rectangular)
1 GlacierGel (Large Oval)
11 Moleskin, Pre-Cut & Shaped

Fracture / Sprain
1 Bandage, Elastic with Velcro, 2"

Instrument
4 Safety Pins
1 Splinter Picker/Tick Remover Forceps

Medical Information
1 Comp. Guide to Wilderness & Travel Medicine

Medication
2 Diotame (Bismuth Subsalicylate), Pkg./2
3 Antihistamine (Diphenhydramine 25 mg)
2 Diamode (Loperamide HCI 2 mg), Pkg./1
2 Acetaminophen (500 mg), Pkg./2
4 Ibuprofen (200 mg), Pkg./2
2 After Bite Wipe

Other
1 Blistex Lip Moisturizer, packet
1 Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizer, .5 oz.
1 EZ-Towels, 4 in baggie

Women's Care Items
2 Cramp Relief Tablets, pkg./2
2 Leak-proof, Odor-proof bag, Tinted
2 Tampons, Applicator-Free

Wound Care
3 Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Single Use
4 After Cuts & Scrapes Anethestic/Antiseptic Wipe
1 Tincture of Benzoin Topical Adhesive
1 Tape, 1/2" x 10 Yards
1 Cotton Tip Applicator, Pkg./2

Barbie's Kit.

How did we live without this?

Sue

All I can say is that my FAKs have served a lot of women, as well as men, over the years. Fractures and bleeding are gender neutral.

VERY important. i haven't found a favorite yet.

i agree with Dagny about the ibuprofen and odor-free bag, but no maxi pads? I'll take a few of those over tampons in my first aid kit any day - they take up more space but they make great pressure bandages for wounds! I'd like to think that most of us have at least a vague idea when that time of the month is approaching so can prepare for it more proactively than relying on our first-said kit.

"...so can prepare for it more proactively ..."

Most of my stuff in that area was given to other women who were depending on dispensers that hadn't been refilled. PPPPP isn't just for military guys, is it?

Sue