Time Team..

[wicca]

Having a sort through some gear that has been stowed away for some time I came across one of my old tents. Must be close on 40 years since I bought it, sometime back in the late 1970's I think. I came home on leave and went for a wander up around the Northern section of the Pennine Way. I believe it last saw the light of day about 10 years ago on an Exmoor trip. They were fairly advanced tents for their time and this one survived some serious weather up around Kielder Forest long ago.

Took it to a friends place and just put it up for an airing..

 

[bopdude]

Looks like a nice bit of kit, I like the extra height in the porch, looks like a chair would fit nicely

 

[Big G]

That's a blast from the past.. in decent nic to.. i love old tents.. they made them better years ago.

 

[woof]

The founder sadly died last year I think.

Rob

 

[Macaroon]

He was the father of the modern lightweight tent and what he made were really top kit; we've still got a jetpacker in the family which I bought about as long ago as yours and it's still going strong, did a DoE gold thingy for a great neice a couple of years ago and has been in constant use all this time.

 

[Big G]

The founder sadly died last year I think.

Rob

Robert Saunders sadly passed 15 April 2012.

4 year ago tomorrow.. RIP

 

[John Fenna]

Back in the day I often saw Bob at the Camping and Outdoor Leisure show (mostly on the stand or in The George) and found him a great personality with great ideas.
He certainly electrified tent design and took it in new directions and I tried many of his designs (but not the Fell Packer) without finding a bad one among them.
Great days!

 

[greenshooots]

i have the fellpine stored somewhere will have to dig it out

greenshoots

 

[oldtimer]

I had one exactly like yours that my boys used and another for myself. I still have mine. Both tents withstood a severe Easter snow storm in the Peak District when we were pinned down for two nights unable to move. Great adventure!

I have yet to find a tents that matches up to anything Robert Saunders made in terms of weight for strength. So sad he died young.

 

[Robson Valley]

My goodness! I bought a similar tent in ripstop nylon, with a floor, from Recreational Equipment in Seattle,WA.
I'll guess 1969 or 1970. Came with a great billowing rainfly which went over top and gave great porch space.
Stolen in 1975.