Bit of a problem with my poncho...

[Asa Samuel]

Well I set up my poncho last night and was going to stay under it, I'd set up my camping mat and sleeping bag and it was like this:

A piece of cord from one end to the fence, and one at the other end to the trampoline then guyed out with pegs.

But there were thunder storms and rain so I decided not to go out, and woke up with my poncho like this:

The hood had fallen in and had filled with water and was slowly dripping through on to my sleeping bag.

This is what the hood usually looks like, I saw that there was a place for the water to pool in but didn't think the whole hood would go under!

How should I keep this from happening? Would I have to set it up over a ridge-line instead?

Thanks,
Asa

 

[Ogri the trog]

You could either;
tie a bundle of cord around the hood to prevent it from filling up - or
tie the hood up as before and then tie it to an external ridgeline - or
tie the hood up to an overhanging branch - (difficult in a garden I know) - or

as you've said, use an internal ridgeline - but you'd still need to bundle the hood to stop it becoming a balloon.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[Mesquite]

Try tying the neck of it tightly off to stop water egress.

Alternatively do as Wayland (I hope he doesn't mind me using his pic) has done in this pic of him camping with a poncho

The angle of the pitch ought to stop the water filling the hood but to make doubly sure tie it off as I originally said.

 

[sandbender]

"...tie a bundle of cord around the hood to prevent it from filling up..."

What he said

And I would suggest that using a ridge line will make for a more secure and drier nights sleep, tie a couple of short lengths of (differently sized) cord to the eyelets and use those to tension the poncho on the guy line with a couple of prusik or klemheist knots.

Alternatively if your happy to risk an eye, tension the poncho with a couple of bungees.

 

[dwardo]

Great way to collect fresh water

 

[drewdunnrespect]

you could use a bivi bag as well

 

[Shewie]

I know I shouldn't laugh Asa but that's cheered me up no end

Good job you weren't in it any way.

 

[Asa Samuel]

Thanks for the replies, I'm not sure tying the hood would work too well as as you can see in the last picture the water isn't going into the hood, it's the rest of the poncho, I think having a ridgeline to give it a proper shape at the top might be the only way for it to work.

I tried lifting the hood up as if it was tied up and there was still a flat area aroudn the base of the hood for water to get trapped in.

I'll just have to experiment once the rain stops.

Thanks,
Asa.

 

[Asa Samuel]

I know I shouldn't laugh Asa but that's cheered me up no end

Good job you weren't in it any way.

lol

 

[Toddy]

I saw someone fix this a long time ago,
They closed the hood with the drawcord as tightly as it would go. Then they tied another length of cord around a pebble wrapped in the top of the hood, and pulled that out sideways and pegged it down so that the 'face' bit was hidden and couldn't let in rain.
Seemed to work.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[oetzi]

Are the seams of the poncho fully taped?
If not, or the tape is leaking, try this to make them really waterproof:
http://www.mcnett.com/Seam-Grip-Seam-Sealer-Outdoor-Repair-P133.aspx

 

[Asa Samuel]

I saw someone fix this a long time ago,
They closed the hood with the drawcord as tightly as it would go. Then they tied another length of cord around a pebble wrapped in the top of the hood, and pulled that out sideways and pegged it down so that the 'face' bit was hidden and couldn't let in rain.
Seemed to work.

cheers,
Toddy

That sounds like it would probably work, I'll give it a go, thanks

oetzi, the seams seem fine, but thanks for the link

 

[Ian H]

anyone else think of a cow udder when they see this??? ha ha

 

[tobes01]

I'm glad someone said that, even if it put me in mind of a bull

 

[jungle_re]

Back in the day when we were issused these as bashas sop's were to to goose neck the hood up. Tie it at the base tightly then twist the hood into a tight roll bend it so the bend is at a part where the chin bit comes then bind it tight across the bend (the goose neck) no water will ever enter it again

 

[Wayland]

I draw the cord up then tie it around the hood, fold it over and tie it around again.

What you end up with is a tight bundle of hood that sticks up on top.

Sometimes I tie a cord from that to some foliage above and use it as an extra support for the ridge line.

 

[Shewie]

anyone else think of a cow udder when they see this??? ha ha

More like that dangley thing in the back of your throat, there's even a tongue underneath it

 

[SimonM]

I draw the cord up then tie it around the hood, fold it over and tie it around again.

What you end up with is a tight bundle of hood that sticks up on top.

Sometimes I tie a cord from that to some foliage above and use it as an extra support for the ridge line.

This always worked for me too - and it's the way that we have taught the Scouts. Hope they remembered the lesson as we are off this weekend for a "Backwoods Weekend".

No tents - no billies - they will be wet and hungry if it all goes wrong!

Simon

 

[Gabe]

Back in the day when we were issused these as bashas sop's were to to goose neck the hood up. Tie it at the base tightly then twist the hood into a tight roll bend it so the bend is at a part where the chin bit comes then bind it tight across the bend (the goose neck) no water will ever enter it again

I can def vouch for this. If you tie that hood up well nothing will come through.

 

[ex Member swampy99]

Extra ridgeline running the length of the poncho out side then tie the hood to that.
I have set up ponchos on fences before as a lean to with a walking pole outside with cord running from hood to pole to ground that will give you more room to move in side.