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From: Rob Gendreau <robgendr_at_pacbell.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] tent v. bivy bag
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1999 12:17:35 -0800
> what are folks favorites for overnight/multi-day trips?

Where are you going? Mexico is just-a-tarp  territory; in BC I like a tent,
and a dining tarp. River kayaking, I was forced to use a bivy because of
space. IMHO, bivies are best when it's real cold. I find that in most
coastal temps, if I use one with a sleeping bag I always get a lot of
condensation inside. I can get away with just clothes in a bivy with no
sleeping bag on summer Pacific coast nights. Kinda more uncomfortable than a
tent, though. And bivies aren't so hot if you've gotta deal with lots of
bugs, particularly if it's warm. Can't beat a tent in that case.

YMMV.

--
Rob Gendreau
Oakland, California
rob-g_at_pacbell.net
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From: Shawn W. Baker <baker_at_montana.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] tent v. bivy bag
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1999 21:56:28 -0700
I use a tent most of the time, whether kayaking or backpacking, simply
because I hate mosquitos.  I know hate is a strong word, and I hate very
few things, but mosquitos are definitely one of them!!

I like bivy bags for winter camping in snow caves.

I'm thinking of adding a tarp to my system for hanging out when it's
raining, rather than being cooped up in a tent or sitting around in
clammy raingear.

Shawn

>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.
                      0
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From: <Sandykayak_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] tent v. bivy bag
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 13:34:25 EST
In a message dated 11/27/1999 3:33:37 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
n5yyx_at_etsc.net writes:

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

Hi, James, from another one of the female tent fetishists of the group (there 
are three of us who admit it - so far), let me say that the Zephyr is pretty 
neat.  It looks like Zephyr City on many of our backpacking trips.

It's about the smallest to pack and lightest that still allows you to sit-up. 
 It's 36" wide and a super 8' long.  If you're 5 feet tall like me, that 
leaves plenty of room for your pack and gear at the end.  The latest model 
came out with a vestibule (a small extension that serves like a mini-tent for 
your gear or dry area for cooking from the inside).  Check this out because a 
fairly recent Backpacker review (sometime in '99) noted some problems with 
leakage from the vestibule.  Hopefully this will be corrected on the new 
models.  She's a nice one, though.

I've never tried a Bivy sack, but I do have Slumberjac's Summer Bivy Tent 
that has a whole top made of no-see-um mesh but you can zip the fly from the 
inside.  It's great for looking at the stars while laughing at the mozzies, 
but the height is only 24" and I've been told it can be real claustrophobic 
when trapped by rain and you can't sit up.

They also make a regular Bivy tent that has only partial netting.

Sandy Kramer
Miami
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From: Andree Hurley <ahurley_at_viewit.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] tent v. bivy bag
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 14:18:13 -0500 (EST)
I have the Outdoor Research gortex bivy sack and love using with the tarp
I made. I also have a small two person, 3 season, self standing Walrus
(made
in
the USA) which I like for more room.

I think it just depends on what you are doing and if you want to share, or
be more comfortable, or be quicker, or...


Andree Hurley
Hurley Design Communications - ICQ# 27469637
On-line Editor - http://www.canoekayak.com
Other Kayaking - http://www.onwatersports.com
Web Sites for Specialty Businesses -  http://www.viewit.com/HDC/


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From: James Lofton <n5yyx_at_etsc.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] tent v. bivy bag
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 13:49:07 -0800
Thanks Sandy,

Part of my problem is I too have too much gear! :0) I LOVE gear, but I 
just HATE being stuck in a tent. You would think that wouldn't be a 
problem for someone that spent several years living in a 12X20' cabin or 
lastly, almost 12 years in a 26' airstream. Maybe thats it. :-)

Anyway, the zepyr looks good because of the side entrance and the sit up 
thing. Bivy tents are out completely. I can just see me inside my 
sleeping bag and look down on some moon lit night and notice that I've 
let a scorpion in the bivy...aaaaaaaaaaaaa!

On long deer or elk hunts(up to 20 days), I set up a large dome tent and 
call it home. That's differant, but please don't ask me to explain why.?

For kayaking, especially in the winter, where I have been known to get 
snowed/iced in for days, I would like a small tent that I can carry along 
"all the time", and forget I have it until needed. Maybe my wife could 
sleep better at home in the warm bed knowing that atleast I "took" a 
tent. :-)

"O", one last place for light weight gear is a new place called GOlite. 
They make a complete system pretty much, that follows the thought process 
of Ray Jardine. (303)546-6000 or info_at_golite.com

Thanks for the input on the tent!

james

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From: Dave Uebele <daveu_at_sptddog.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] tent v. bivy bag
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 15:19:10 -0800
Coming out as another tent junkie.
I have 3 "modern" tents and two canvas, wooden pole, and iron stake
tents (mostly for historic re-enactments).

I've thought about getting a bivy sack, to stash in the "just
in case" if I ever get more chances to solo kayak or adventure 
(small child and a only marginally interested in camping wife).

Part of the problem I have with most tents is they seem to short.
At 6'2" tall, it seems I wake up with either the head or the
foot of sleeping bag pushed against the tent, and absorbing
all the condensation.  One tent I don't have that problem in is
the North Face Expedition 25,  but thats a bit of overkill tent for
most case.  Of course the canvas tents are roomy as well, but a
bit heavy to lug around. Not sure about stashing 9 foot long
wooden ridge poles in a kayak.

What do other tall people, or people that want to stash most
of their gear inside do?  The "sleeps" recomendation seems
to assume each person is about 5 foot tall, and has no gear, just a
mummy bag, and they sleep perfectly straight.

Next tent will probably be a "family dome" to sleep 2 adults
and one child, plus gear.  Or give me room to move around in
sleep, stash gear, and have headroom to get dressed.

thanks
dave

-- 
Dave Uebele (daveu_at_sptddog.com)	 Spotted Dog Systems
http://sptddog.com/daveu.html
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From: <Sandykayak_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] tent v. bivy bag
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 19:00:06 EST
In a message dated 11/29/1999 6:26:13 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
daveu_at_sptddog.com writes:

<< What do other tall people, or people that want to stash most
 of their gear inside do?  >>

Check out that Zephyr (By Eureka), it's 8 feet long and is very lightweight.

Sandy Kramer
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From: ralph diaz <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] tent v. bivy bag
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:45:14 -0800
Sandykayak_at_aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 11/29/1999 6:26:13 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> daveu_at_sptddog.com writes:
> 
> << What do other tall people, or people that want to stash most
>  of their gear inside do?  >>
> 
> Check out that Zephyr (By Eureka), it's 8 feet long and is very lightweight.
> 
> Sandy Kramer

The Zephyr is great.  It weighs hardly more than a bivvy but is long as
Sandy says.  Plus you can sit up in it without ducking your head.

My only objection is that it is so-so for commando camping.  The top fly
is okay, a grey.  But there are some purple color panels and the the tub
portion at the bottom is also purple.  I guess it probably wouldn't be
seen but I wish it were duller in color.

Oh yes freestanding which is nice.

ralph
-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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From: <Sandykayak_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] tent v. bivy bag
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 19:15:03 EST
Great tent URLs.  Loved seeing the Swedish one (www.hilleberg.se) and the 
European style tents.

BTW, the Eureka! Zephyr tent is a self-standing model.  

Of course, you realize that looking at tents for a tent-freak is like putting 
a drink in front of an alcoholic!  Who needs nude models!??

Sandy Kramer
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From: Shawn W. Baker <baker_at_montana.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] tent v. bivy bag
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1999 08:16:39 -0700
Dave Uebele wrote:

>Part of the problem I have with most tents is they seem to short.
>At 6'2" tall, it seems I wake up with either the head or the
>foot of sleeping bag pushed against the tent, and absorbing
>all the condensation.  One tent I don't have that problem in is
>the North Face Expedition 25,  but thats a bit of overkill tent for
>most case.  Of course the canvas tents are roomy as well, but a
>bit heavy to lug around. Not sure about stashing 9 foot long
>wooden ridge poles in a kayak.
>
>What do other tall people, or people that want to stash most
>of their gear inside do?  The "sleeps" recomendation seems
>to assume each person is about 5 foot tall, and has no gear, just a
>mummy bag, and they sleep perfectly straight.

I'm 6'-6", and my brother (camping partner) is 6'-7".  I have the
Jansport RongBuk Hotel (made by Walrus).  It's a great 3-season tent
(spring, fall, winter) but a bit of overkill for summer.  It has two big
vestibules, and the body is 6' x 9' so it's great for 3 big guys and all
your gear.  It is a bit low on headroom, but it has double doors, so you
can really ventilate it well.  I think those "tent sleeps"
recommendations are published using 7-year-old Cub Scouts for
measurement standards.

Shawn
Next tent will probably be a "family dome" to sleep 2 adults
and one child, plus gear.  Or give me room to move around in
sleep, stash gear, and have headroom to get dressed.

thanks
dave
-- 
Shawn W. Baker          0                                    46°53'N
© 1999            ____©/______                              114°06'W
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baker_at_montana.com    0        http://www.missoulaconcrete.com/shawn/
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