Re: [Paddlewise] Tents and camping equipment

Jeff Rowland wrote:

> Am presently looking to purchase a good quality tent and sleeping bag....

I currently use a Moss Titan GT. It's big, roomy, neutral colored (nice on
non-sunny days),
can be breezy as a screened in front porch, or cinched down like a bomb shelter.
I've ridden
out some intense storms in it w/o much flutter or fuss. I use it for
backpacking, too, though
it is on the heavy side. It can sleep three in a pinch and can be used for
non-severe altitude winter
camping, too. Made in the USA, made to take it, and made to take it in style and
comfort.
They are pricey, though you can find varieties of Moss tents on sale at some of
the same
outlets I mention below.

On the otherhand, I very much like the Sierra Design series of meteor light,
clip flashlight, comet,
orion, etc. tents. They are light in weight and bulk, well-made, have a nice set
of features w/o becoming
burdened by unnecessary doo-dahs. And you can get them on sale, usually, at
places like Northern
Mountain Supply, or Sierra Trading Post, or Mountain Gear, etc.

If places you go are often slab rock, cobbles, or resist easy staking, then be
leery of
non free standing designs that require stable, secure and taught staking.

Mountain Hardware, some Eureka models, Marmot, Kelty...they all have their pros
(and cons).
The North Face has many promoters, but I've found their designs to be hit and
miss, and some
of their workmanship has been shoddy on lighter weight models.

Don't underestimate the power of the lowly, or not so lowly, tarp / parawing
fly.
I use a Moss Heptawing and in less buggy conditions, where privacy is not a
major concern,
I just take the tarp and maybe some bug netting.

Bivy sacks suck. They are great for solo bivy when all you do in your shelter is
sleep.
Riding out a shore bound windy day, or storms of any length, is a real pain in
the ass (literally).
For the expense, buy a tent. You'll thank yourself over and over.

I've used hamock set ups. They are real hit and miss in my mind. The last thing
I want to do
is have to fuss an inordinate amount of time setting up camp. Many of the places
I go do not
favor hammock use.

As for sleeping bags, I use a down Marmot bag. I know this flaunts conventional
wisdom
about water environs and down bags.  I've never had a problem. Others have and
swear by
synthetic bags. I love my Pinnacle...though in really warm, summer conditions,
I've brought
insulating clothes and a heavier weight fleece sleep sack and been very
comfortable. I sleep
"warm".  Your mileage may vary.

-Will Jennings

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