Bivvying - any experiences?
Discussion
DonkeyApple said:
I've had a goretex bivi bag for over 20 years. Cost me a fortune when I was in my teens. Used it all over the world. Best thing I've ever bought.
It's one with hoops front and rear and a large head space for your back pack. I think back then it was the only one you could buy.
I've slept in it in the most awful conditions an been dry and warm. It's phenominal.
Over the years I have learnt a couple of things. The self inflating bed rolls are fine in summer but just dont insulate sufficiently in winter. Well worth using an old fashioned thermal roll underneath.
I only have one sleeping bag, an old minus 20 eider down snug job. Perfect for any UK conditions and adds more comfort to lie on in summer.
The other thing I do tend to do now is try and place it so I can peg out an old poncho as a cover over your head and the area you will be climbing out into. This works two fold, firstly if raining in the morning you can climb out, get dressed and boil a cup of tee and brown bacon. Secondly, having rain hitting your bivi over your head all night gets irritating.
The one luxury I would really recommend is a good folding chair. The weigh nothing and you can bundle them easily with the mats and bag. There is nothing to beat sitting in comfort in te morning as you drink your tea and eat your bacon bitty under the poncho surveying the carnage of the night before.
Some decent tips there, thanks. But the folding chair I'll have to miss - the kit is already around the 15kg weight (I'm carrying most communal stuff) and that's without an SLR, lenses, spare batteries and memory cards etc. What sort of weight do you normally carry for a couple of days camping?It's one with hoops front and rear and a large head space for your back pack. I think back then it was the only one you could buy.
I've slept in it in the most awful conditions an been dry and warm. It's phenominal.
Over the years I have learnt a couple of things. The self inflating bed rolls are fine in summer but just dont insulate sufficiently in winter. Well worth using an old fashioned thermal roll underneath.
I only have one sleeping bag, an old minus 20 eider down snug job. Perfect for any UK conditions and adds more comfort to lie on in summer.
The other thing I do tend to do now is try and place it so I can peg out an old poncho as a cover over your head and the area you will be climbing out into. This works two fold, firstly if raining in the morning you can climb out, get dressed and boil a cup of tee and brown bacon. Secondly, having rain hitting your bivi over your head all night gets irritating.
The one luxury I would really recommend is a good folding chair. The weigh nothing and you can bundle them easily with the mats and bag. There is nothing to beat sitting in comfort in te morning as you drink your tea and eat your bacon bitty under the poncho surveying the carnage of the night before.
tenohfive said:
Some decent tips there, thanks. But the folding chair I'll have to miss - the kit is already around the 15kg weight (I'm carrying most communal stuff) and that's without an SLR, lenses, spare batteries and memory cards etc. What sort of weight do you normally carry for a couple of days camping?
Good question. I've absolutely no idea. My general rule is that if it doesn't fit in the back pack it's not needed. The concessions being the bed roll and the deck chair but they weigh nowt.
I still just use an old Trangia kit from 20 odd years ago as well.
No idea about weight we carried trekking but SWMBO and I went to South America and our total luggage (I'm a packing Nazi, so we only had a rucksack each - no carry on bag) was 13/14 kg for her/ me. That included down jackets, swim stuff, mossie nets, guide books, 4season bag, thermarest, tent, pans, cooker etc.
http://www.rutlandoutdoor.com/10000/Thermarest-Tre...
Something like this that doubles and a seat and bed?
Something like this that doubles and a seat and bed?
volks al said:
http://www.rutlandoutdoor.com/10000/Thermarest-Tre...
Something like this that doubles and a seat and bed?
If I hadn't already bought a cheaper equivalent of a thermarest (£15 Gelert self inflating jobby) I'd have given that some serious consideration. It does look rather handy.Something like this that doubles and a seat and bed?
My most recent purchase is probably my favourite - a £5 folding cup big enough to eat my dinner out of:
http://www.thebushcraftstore.co.uk/swedish-mess-ki...
I've spent a fair bit of money on decent kit and clothing but this is far and away my favourite item. Weighs nothing, folds up to nothing and the 600ml version is big enough that I can chuck in some couscous or noodles, add boiling water and munch on. I've got a bit of a fetish for simple, efficient and cheap design though.
Bill said:
No idea about weight we carried trekking but SWMBO and I went to South America and our total luggage (I'm a packing Nazi, so we only had a rucksack each - no carry on bag) was 13/14 kg for her/ me. That included down jackets, swim stuff, mossie nets, guide books, 4season bag, thermarest, tent, pans, cooker etc.
Weight should be no more than one third of body weight. When I was in proper shape and doing the Tour Du Mont Blanc I was carrying around 20kgs, maybe more with Water. That is some hard going especially on the ascents. But gear wasn't properly lightweight like these days, and I had Crampons, Ice Axes and harness (and bits) on board. Should be able to get down to around 15kg with a decent tent etc - and no speare undercrackers...
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