which shelter??

[Danceswithhelicopters]

Scotland+midgies+wind-trees=Tent

 

[leon-1]

I have no real preference, I believe that the situation dictates what I require, I use a basha/tarp most, but have no worries about using anything else

 

[simonsays]

Here, in the Highlands; not many trees, horizontal rain, gazillions of midgies....



and of course, some of the best scenery in the world :wave:

simon

 

[Viking]

It all depends on the time of year where I am going and so on. In summer Do don´t udea a shleleter at all, just sleep under the stars. In the woods and need to make a natural shelter I like mine under a spruce tree, quick and easy. But if I am going up in the mountains in northern sweden (fjällen) then I bring a tunnel tent but thats because there are no tree´s up there and the winds can be really strong and so can the rain.

Shelters should be and go quick to set up and do as little damage as possible to the nature especially if only spending one night.

 

[Kim]

I have limited experience of different shelters, but having slept in a tent countless times, much to my surprise I like the bivi bag/basha best so far and tents a little claustrophobic. The couple of times I slept in a natural shelter I enjoyed it, but that was two sided construction and I'd much prefer an open sided set up. There's something about being able to see, or at least sense the space around you when you're outside rather than being walled in. A teepee I'd really like to try.

 

[Brian]

I used to spend a lot of time on hills with no trees so it used to be tents. I like tarps with bivi bags because you get to see more of your surroundings and it gives you so many options.

Brian

 

[nameless]

well that was alot of info,on my last expedition with ventures i slept under my poncho with just my survival bag filled with natural stufff and my sleeping bag, i need a bive bag it would make it more comfortable. I would always go for a poncho/natural combination but since i'm in ventures i have to bend some times. Is the german army poncho the same size as a tarp as a general rule?? :?:

 

[arctic hobo]

and of course, some of the best scenery in the world :wave:

simon

I love Scotland but you're overstating it there!

 

[Chopper]

38' camper...Sat Tv and central heating.

I have a basha and poncho, cant remember the last time they saw the light of day, maybe they will see some use arount July/August time. :wave:

 

[Tony]

A lot of people are going to start getting out soon and I wonder what's on the cards for shelter. I expect it will change as the months go on, I'm doing hammock with Tarp at the moment.....Umm, I've done that all winter! So, Tarp for me

 

[Moonraker]

I am aiming as much as possible to do as Viking suggested and sleep under the stars

The weather tends to be more predictable and warmer at night here especially in the summer, and some of the places I will be going there are no trees for a hammock or hanging a tarp. Currently I have a breathable army bivvy, lightweight Arktis HALO 3 bag and 3/4 length sleeping mat. I will take a tarp if it looks like rain but with the bivvy bag it should be OK even if I get caught out.

Also I want to utilise as much as possible natural shelters this year. Just around the village are small caves in the limestone cliffs, used by the resistance during WWII and will spend some time finding and sleeping in these.

Finally, I am looking to make a bedroll suitable for local use and just use that. Similar to an Aussie Swag Bag and us that under the stars . Something from natural materials like waxed canvas which is tough enough for the rocky ground and some way to utilise natural plant material for a mattress layer with some form of pocket under the main compartment to stuff leaves, moss etc into. No idea if it will work

 

[arctic hobo]

A lot of people are going to start getting out soon and I wonder what's on the cards for shelter. I expect it will change as the months go on, I'm doing hammock with Tarp at the moment.....Umm, I've done that all winter! So, Tarp for me

Starting to go out?? It's those winter nights that put the hairs on your chest

 

[Brendan]

In summer either my Hennesey hammock or issue bivvy with small tarp and halo3.
In winter large tarp or old 2 man tent fly with issue bivy , 3/4 thermarest and carinthia bag.
Really want to get a kirathu tipi with wood burner for when it's really cold, just saving the pennies.

 

[troyka]

tent 100% ive never seen the point in a tarp..

 

[Nathan Sturgess]

I prefer natural shelter but i voted Tarp because it is more practical and quicker to set up than a natural shelter

 

[Mikey P]

I think you're getting a bit confused about what we mean by a Poncho Matey.... What we're talking about is basically a Tarp that has a Hood in it and can popper together to make a large rain cape.... to use as a shelter you just use the hoods draw cord to seal it off and then use it exactly as you would a tarp....

hope that makes more sence now :biggthump

In which case, why have we got poncho and tarp as poll options? Surely it should be poncho/tarp, tent and all natural?

Anyway, I'm just being pedantic now.

 

[Pablo]

Has anyone tried one of those giant fishing brollies with the wrap around back piece that you can peg down. I'm wondering about making it into a staff and filling in the front with midgie netting.

Toddy,
I got one just before crimbo and did a quick review on my blog with pics if it helps. Bit heavy and awkward to carry I would say.
Pablo

 

[spamel]

I was thinking of making something akin to a baker tent from old IPK shelters. Rip and waterproof, you could make a large shelter from two or three kits and it wouldn't weigh that much, and of course it comes in regulation bushcraft green!!

 

[w00dsmoke]

For many years I used two German army poncho's then a Uk one studded onto a 58 bag then a bivi sheet/bag and now a TIPI after many tents.

Why?

In my opinion only a fool would use a poncho tarp combo in some of the high windier wilder parts of scotland in winter (I know because I was that poor fool for many years!)

Tent / bivi sheet for some of the year is okay but a guy needs to be mossie free when changing cooking etc

Tent is great fulfills many needs warmth, shelter, space etc

But hey a TIPI and you have all the benefits of a tarp with the protection of a tent!

 

[Bisamratte]

I have always used a tent but I have just ordered a German army poncho so I'm looking forward to giving that a go with a bivvy bag. I like the idea of dual purpose kit but will probably get a tarp to use with a hammock later on. (when I have a bit more money)

Andy