Her Side of the Mountain

When I was preparing for my road trip, I discovered that there are different types of lanterns, and they all have their own benefits and drawbacks.  I honestly had no idea what I needed.  I spent a while talking to a clerk at an outdoor gear store, and ultimately chose a Coleman lantern.

I made the wrong choice. 

This is not to say the Coleman lantern isn’t a perfectly fine lantern, and one that would be right for many people.  But for me, a solo camper, it was wrong.  While in the store, the clerk explained the benefits of the Coleman (and other liquid fuel lanterns) which include the fact that it produces a good, bright light, I could share the fuel with my (borrowed) Coleman camp stove, and it was very economical.

Once out actually camping, however, I discovered it wasn’t right for my situation.  I had to figure out how to light the mantle, and the lantern got very hot.  The main problem, however, was that since I couldn’t use it inside the tent, I only used it if I was hanging around outside my tent at night, and I didn’t do that more than twice.  As a solo camper, I was either going to be hanging out at other people’s lit campsites or in my tent once it got dark…especially once my body adjusted to going to sleep early and waking up at dawn, which happens naturally when you camp for long periods.

So I learned my lesson.  And now, so can you.  My recommendation for the solo camper — especially one just starting out — is to go with a battery-powered lantern, preferably a self-charging or an LED lantern.  There are drawbacks, sure, but you’ll get more use out of it than a liquid or gas fueled lantern. 

Here is a quick run-down of the different types of lanterns, so you can think on it and make your own choice:

Liquid and Gas Fuel

Liquid fuel lanters use Coleman fuel, unleaded gas, or kerosene — some newer lanterns can use both Coleman or unleaded gas, which is a convenience.  These lanterns are a longtime favorite of campers, because they produce a very bright light (much brighter than battery power), and therefore can light a wider area.  The drawbacks are that they get very hot, you’ll need to deal with this mantle business, and you can’t use them inside your tent.  Cost of Coleman fuel canisters is under $10 for two, and they will provide hours of burn time (though the estimates vary from 4 – 14 hours).

Like liquid fuel lanterns, gas fuel lanterns produce a very bright light.  Like liquid fuel lanterns, gas fuel lanterns get very hot when used, and cannot be used inside a tent.  Like liquid fuel lanterns, gas fuel lanterns use canisters and mantles.  If you’re going to go with a liquid or gas fuel lantern, choose the one that shares fuel with your stove, for convenience sake. 

Cost of liquid and gas fuel lanterns varies from around $50 to $100. 

Battery Powered

The major drawback to a battery-powered lantern is that it doesn’t produce a light anywhere near as bright as a liquid or gas fuel lantern.  If you get one that is non-rechargeable and runs through a lot of batteries, it’s also not the most eco-friendly device.

The major benefits, however, are that it is clean, safe, and easy to use, and — major bonus points here — you can use it in your tent.  Battery powered lanterns also tend to be less expensive than liquid or gas fuel lanterns, between $20 and $50.

There’s not much to be done about the brightness of the light.  However, there are now several kinds of battery lanterns that are a little friendlier to the environment.  LED lanterns cause less drain on batteries, lasting longer (and creating less battery waste).  Self-charging lanterns use a wind-up or hand-crank to recharge the battery.

© Her Side of the Mountain, 2010.

While on a tour of Wind Cave National Park, the guide stopped us deep in the underground caves — caves we had reached via elevator — and shut off all of the lighting.  I have never seen dark so dark as that.  There was no light source whatsoever, so there was absolutely nothing for our eyes to adjust to.  It was eerie and unsettling.

We city girls live in a world where nighttime isn’t anywhere near that dark.  At night, streetlights and lights from buildings create a haze and glow that settles over the city, casting shadows but never really going full dark. 

In the woods, it is a different story.

When the sun goes down, you’re father away from the ambient light of metropolis, and the darkness grows thicker, almost tangible.  I have sat in a campground with my hand six inches from my face and not able to see it.  Try setting up your tent after dark, or even at dusk — or worse, try eating in the dark.  Not being able to see your plate is frightening to those of us who are slightly picky eaters.

The bottom line is that when you camp, you need a way to light your space.  I recommend three forms of lighting:

1. The lantern.  Lanterns are good when you need a little ambient light, and don’t want to move a focused beam around.  There are a variety of lanterns available, using different kinds of power.  We’ll elaborate on this topic for Wednesday.  For now, suffice it to say that there are lanterns that are powered by some form of fuel like kerosene or butane or propane, and there are those powered by batteries or electricity, some rechargeable.  There are benefits and drawbacks to all kinds.
2. The flashlight.  Having a good, powerful flashlight is important.  I like Maglites because they are durable and powerful — however, they also weigh a ton, so if you’re backpacking you may want a lighter choice.  The Mini-Maglites are good for your day pack, because they weigh a lot less.  Flashlights with LED bulbs instead of regular bulbs are more durable, last longer, and expand battery life.  There are also flashlights that you shake or wind to produce power, but I haven’t tried these personally.
3. The headlamp.  This is key.  The first time you arrive at a campsite after dark, you will understand why.  Having to set up a tent or make dinner with a flashlight clutched between your teeth or under your chin so you can use both hands is extremely difficult and annoying.  The solution?  A light that straps to your head, so when you move your head the beam moves to where you need to look.  Ingenious.  Don’t skimp on the headlamp.  Get one that is good quality and will last a long time, and that fits comfortably.  It’ll be the light you use the most frequently whilst in the great outdoors.

© Her Side of the Mountain, 2010.