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Light weight tents for backpacking
camping |
How much should ultra light
backpacking tents weigh? The pup tents I used as a child was about three pounds.
Based on this, I figure - with all the new materials available - it should be
possible to make one-man and even two-man tents under three pounds without all
the interior condensation problems of the old tents.
There are a few backpacking tents that meet my standards, as
well as tarps, Here are some of the specific design features,
and their advantages and disadvantages.
- Single wall waterproof-breathable tents. These tend to be as
heavy as the the ones with rain-flies. Some users report that
they still have condensation problems too. They may be simpler
to erect, though.
- Single wall waterproof tents. The newest designs are not like
the old pup-tents. They deal with the interior condensation
problem by having lots of ventilation. A forward sloping front,
for example can be a screened opening to allow air flow, while
still keeping rain out in all but the windiest storms.
- Floor-less tents. The advantage here is usually quick set-up,
in addition to the weight savings. Some designs let you use
trekking poles instead of carrying the extra weight of tent
poles. You need a groundsheet, of course, but these can be light
(and disposable) plastic to keep the weight down.
- Hanging tents. Some designs let the tent be hung from a tree
limb, so you can save the weight of tent poles. It can sometimes
be difficult to find a good branch for this, so you may want to
be sure you can use a stick or trekking pole as an alternative.
- One-man versus two-man tents. Of course a one-man tent will
usually be lighter. On the other hand, if you will mostly be
backpacking with a friend, a two-man tent should weigh less
per-person. Also consider how much time you will spend in the
tent - space matters if you'll be waiting out the rain for hours
on end.
- Aircraft aluminum poles. These are some of the lighter tent
poles out there - certainly lighter than the shock-corded
fiberglass ones.
- Four-season versus three-season tents. This is a somewhat
artificial distinction unless you are going to do some extremely
cold backpacking. I have even tarp-camped when it snowed. Just
be sure that you can use the tent for the conditions you expect
to be in.
- Lamp hangers, interior pockets, and other features. While I
generally don't like to pay in dollars or in extra weight for
special features, sometimes they are worth it. If you like to
read in the tent, a loop at the top to hang a flashlight from is
a real advantage.
A good fungus for starting fires grows on birch trees. Look for black,
lumpy growths on the trees and break off a piece. The inside is
orange to brown. What makes this particularly useful is that it
can be ignited from a spark, to create a coal that can be blown
into a fire. You can also use this fungus to carry a coal with
you, for quick fire making at the next stop.
Sore throat or cough? Tea made from the boiled new needles
and/or sap of spruces is used to treat both. It also
contains a significant amount of vitamin C.
Breath through your nose when hiking. It involves your diaphragm
more (you'll notice your abdomen expands more than with
mouth-breathing), meaning more air makes it to the bottom of
your lungs for better efficiency. Less body moisture is lost
when breathing through the nose as well, which is important if
you have limited water to drink.
Maybe you can get by with a tarp or a bivy sack. It depends on
the type of trips you take, the terrain and climate you'll be
in, and your own needs for comfort. What you need is a
lightweight backpacking shelter that you enjoy using and works
for you. This may mean owning a couple different shelters for
different purposes.
Even some of us who primarily use tarps like to use a good
backpacking tent from time to time. Tents have obvious
advantages. They usually keep you out of the weather more
effectively. They give you more protection from insects. They
give you more privacy. It will usually be warmer in a tent than
under a tarp, because it is harder for the wind to blow away
your body heat.
That last advantage can become a disadvantage when it is a hot
summer nigh, of course. They can also take some time to set up.
The primary disadvantage, though, is that the lightest
backpacking tent is heavier than either tarps or bivy sacks.
So should you carry a tent or something else for a shelter? It's a matter
of place, season and personal preference. I happen to love the
open feeling of life under a tarp - at least until the
mosquitoes come out. If it buggy and windy and rainy, I would
prefer any of the good ultra light backpacking tents.
1. A good ultra light backpacking tent should weigh three pounds
or less (one-man tent).
2. You need to carefully consider how you use a tent in order to
buy the right one for you.
3. You need to think about the climate where you'll be using the
tent before buying one.
4. There are other shelter options besides a backpacking tent.
Using Backpacking Tarps
Backpacking tarps work well if used correctly. Use the following
guidelines:
- Pitch the low side towards the wind.
- Keep all the sides low if a storm is coming.
- Try to evenly tighten the guy lines.
- Use trees, trekking poles, rocks, and anything else that
helps.
- Pull the tarp tight on all sides.
This last tip keeps the tarp from flapping around in the wind
too much. A flapping tarp can loosen the strings or even cause
tears in the fabric. If you haven't used backpacking tarps
before, experiment and practice until you know how to quickly
set up in several different environments.
Of course you can bring lightweight stakes for setting up the
tarp, but I prefer to use sticks and trees and rocks. That way
there is less to carry. I've always found enough things to use,
even up high on the alpine tundra.
You might have to treat the seams with a sealant when you first
buy your tarp, or at some point later. Seam-sealer is available
anyplace that sells tarps and tents.
You'll also need string or cord of some sort, for tie-downs. Put
varying lengths on the tarp. That way you can untie them and use
the long ones where your need them. Occasionally that one tree
will be a little too far away for a short string.
If you have a very breathable rain jacket, you can also use it
as your only wind shell. Leaving your other jacket home will
save weight. Finding dual-purpose items is always a great way to
save weight when backpacking. |
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