Re: [Paddlewise] tent v. bivy bag

From: James Lofton <n5yyx_at_etsc.net>
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1999 13:24:37 -0800
Amigh2_at_aol.com wrote:
> 
> what are folks favorites for overnight/multi-day trips?  do most use tents,
> bivy bags, or a simple tarp?  i would be interested in hearing what you use
> and why you like it.
> 
> cheers,
> a. mariani
>

I'm pretty much a died in the wool tarp kind of guy. I won't even take a 
tent with me on trips less than 4 days. On longer trips I carry one but 
it likely never gets unpacked, unless I set up a base camp and stay for 
more than one night.
I use them cheap blue or OD tarps that you can buy anywhere. I use an old 
sleeping bag cover from the military over my bag. That seems to keep the 
frost and dew off my sleeping bag. The cover is OD and I can hang it in 
the sun while I pack or later if I get away fast.

I like tarps because they allow me to smell, see, and feel the outdoors, 
something tents don't allow me to do. I tend to keep a simplier and 
tidier camp when I don't have a tent set up also.(I also don't like to 
wonder, "what's that sniffing?", out side my tent) :-)

I do have a friend that has just gotten an eureka zephyr and it does look 
like something I could learn to live with.

That said, know yourself and the weather before you set off with out 
proper shelter. One persons luxury on a cold, windy night, can be 
anouthers misery, or much worse.

James, where it was snowing wed. and today it's 77.

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Received on Sat Nov 27 1999 - 12:26:18 PST

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