Bivvying - any experiences?
Discussion
I'm thinking about bivvying with a tarp in October in Lakeland - bivvy bag, tarp, walking poles, paracord, tent pegs, sleeping bag and liner being the main ingredients. I've done it once before (in perfect weather) and it was brilliant but this time the locations will be more exposed and it won't be the middle of summer. Has anyone done anything similar and have any advice to offer?
Edited by tenohfive on Saturday 16th June 20:41
The sleeping bag is a 3 season and I've got a liner, and I'll be taking thermals anyway - I'm a wuss in the cold. I'm taking a self inflating mat and will probably take a thin foam roll up mat to avoid punctures (and for a bit of extra insulation.) I'm trying to balance the need to be well prepared with the knowledge that everything we take we need to carry on a couple of reasonably challenging days walking.
I'm not worried about dying in the wilds, I'll be going with other people and the plan is to arrive in the area we're camping early enough to find the exact spot that works best and make a decision if the weather is appropriate - if it doesn't work we'll have enough time to get back to civilisation and alternative accommodation. And I'm scouting the route beforehand to make sure it's safe and easy to follow at night in case it really turns - should only be half an hour from roads etc.
My biggest concern is keeping the wind and rain out. My basic idea was to peg the head end of the tarp into the ground with head into the wind, then run it along to a pair of walking poles at the feet end. Paracord as guy ropes for the poles and peg/guy the sides down as far as possible. Does it sound like it'll work, and any tips from anyone having done it before?
Oh, and food - are the prepacked walking meals really worth the extra over supermarket pasta & noodles etc?
I'm not worried about dying in the wilds, I'll be going with other people and the plan is to arrive in the area we're camping early enough to find the exact spot that works best and make a decision if the weather is appropriate - if it doesn't work we'll have enough time to get back to civilisation and alternative accommodation. And I'm scouting the route beforehand to make sure it's safe and easy to follow at night in case it really turns - should only be half an hour from roads etc.
My biggest concern is keeping the wind and rain out. My basic idea was to peg the head end of the tarp into the ground with head into the wind, then run it along to a pair of walking poles at the feet end. Paracord as guy ropes for the poles and peg/guy the sides down as far as possible. Does it sound like it'll work, and any tips from anyone having done it before?
Oh, and food - are the prepacked walking meals really worth the extra over supermarket pasta & noodles etc?
JM said:
What's the reason for using bivvy bags and tarps instead of tents?
Weight, cost, re-use, experience.A lightweight tent would still weigh a lot more than a 3 x 3m tarp and some paracord.
Cost is pretty apparent...it's cost me a fiver for a tarp. A cheap tent that wouldn't live long would cost at least £30. And weigh around 8 times as much (they start around 4-4.5kg for cheap 3 man tents.)
I'm unlikely to use any suitable tent again - I've got a much more comfortable tent for normal camping but it's far too heavy for this trip.
I've done a few nights wild camping before and on half of those I used a decent tent. On the others we bivvied under foliage, with a bit of help from a tarp and stayed dry in drizzle etc. Waking up in the open air was brilliant.
If it was something I'd be likely to do regularly then I'd look to invest in something like a Terra Nova Laser Comp or similar as it's the better option and more fit for purpose. But for a one off trip that needs to be cheap and light I can live with the compromises that bivvying entails. What I'm really interested in though is any tips to make it as comfortable as possible without dragging along kilos of extra kit.
Space etc (and for kit) is a fair point so I'm hoping that rucks with raincovers and waterproof stuff sacks will keep most gear dry. And if we've got the energy for playing cards etc then I'll have done something wrong with the route planning
And there will be no hide the sausage, thanks Croyde. Having a hard enough time with my missus referring to this as the Brokeback trip
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.
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.
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