Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Backpacking
- Thread starter Ziltoid
- Start date
Haven't read through the whole thread, but just in case no one else has mentioned it, here is the best tip you will get (because it is a bit counterintuitive, and will also result in misery if done incorrectly): Your ground cover/tarp goes INSIDE your tent, not under it.
From an old Eagle Scout, it makes the difference between still enjoying a rainy night versus waking to a VERY wet tent and sleeping bag
Probably the biggest mistake made by newbie campers.
The second piece of advise that is a bit more obvious, but just as important. Do NOT buy new hiking boots right before a trip. Break 'em in big time before you go... at least a month in advance if you are hiking in miles with a heavy backpack.
From an old Eagle Scout, it makes the difference between still enjoying a rainy night versus waking to a VERY wet tent and sleeping bag
Probably the biggest mistake made by newbie campers.
The second piece of advise that is a bit more obvious, but just as important. Do NOT buy new hiking boots right before a trip. Break 'em in big time before you go... at least a month in advance if you are hiking in miles with a heavy backpack.
Haven't read through the whole thread, but just in case no one else has mentioned it, here is the best tip you will get (because it is a bit counterintuitive, and will also result in misery if done incorrectly): Your ground cover/tarp goes INSIDE your tent, not under it.
From an old Eagle Scout, it makes the difference between still enjoying a rainy night versus waking to a VERY wet tent and sleeping bag
Probably the biggest mistake made by newbie campers...
I've got disagree with you on this one. The purpose of a groundsheet is the protect the difficult to repair tent floor from rock/stick punctures. You can avoid waking up to a wet tent/sleeping bag by pitching it where water won't pool.
When I was in Scouts I always used 2 tarps, one under the tent and another inside. When I have to choose whether to go inside or out I pick the latter and avoid a wet/dirty sleeping bag by not taking it out until right before I go to sleep.
Good luck with that! Been camping for 40 years. Tarp under tent..... get ready for wet. Has nothing to do with pooling... that water will just SIT between the tent bottom and the tarp. It is counter-intuitive, and most newbs, including me, learned the hard way!+1 though... do a quick clean-up of your test area to remove any obvious rocks/roots/sticks.
The tarp under the tent will protect the tent from dirt/rocks/glass/sticks/etc, and excessive dampness ONLY if the tarp does not extend outside of the edge of the base of the tent. I like to use tyvek fabric for my tent footprints that is used to make hazmat suits. It's very light weight, waterproof, cheap. Just buy a sheet, cut to size (an inch or two smaller than your tent floor) and pitch your tent over the top of it.
I guess both methods have merit (inside/under) but anyone who can see their groundsheet sticking out from under the tent is in for a wet night if it rains.
For backpacking I don't even carry a groundsheet/tarp/footprint. It's not worth the extra weight to me. Most decent backpacking tents have the "bathtub" floor design, where the impermeable fabric of the floor continues up the walls for 4-6" to protect from any standing water caused by a big storm (more than an inch or so of water.)
For backpacking I don't even carry a groundsheet/tarp/footprint. It's not worth the extra weight to me. Most decent backpacking tents have the "bathtub" floor design, where the impermeable fabric of the floor continues up the walls for 4-6" to protect from any standing water caused by a big storm (more than an inch or so of water.)
+1 though... do a quick clean-up of your test area to remove any obvious rocks/roots/sticks.
I see what you're saying. If you put under the tent AND It extends beyond the edges of your rainfly, it will definitely catch and hold water. My tents have waterproof floors so that shouldn't be a problem...but my groundsheet never "peeks out" so it's never a problem.
If I ever lend you a tent, I just ask you put a sheet beneath.
I don't use a groundsheet either. My backpacking tent is 30 years old and still in great shape.
The "footprint" for all of my fairly expensive tents are intended to go under the tent. It protects the (usually urethane coated) floor, and they do not extend out beyond the perimeter of the tent body. I have camped in torrential rain, and snow, and I have had water fill a depression under tents, and rarely have I had water enter. With a good tent, in good condition, water inside probably means you did something wrong.
For example, the first time out with one of my with my Big Agnes Seedhouse tents, I went to sleep on a cloudless night, and woke up to a very heavy rain storm. I failed to cinch the excellently designed rain fly down tight enough, hoping for better ventilation, and rain hitting the ground splashed in through the side walls, which are 90% fine mesh. Got some water inside that night. My own fault. Lesson learned, never happened again.
For example, the first time out with one of my with my Big Agnes Seedhouse tents, I went to sleep on a cloudless night, and woke up to a very heavy rain storm. I failed to cinch the excellently designed rain fly down tight enough, hoping for better ventilation, and rain hitting the ground splashed in through the side walls, which are 90% fine mesh. Got some water inside that night. My own fault. Lesson learned, never happened again.
My post above brings to mind some thoughts about tents. When I bought my first small dome tent in the early 1970s, I looked for one that appeared to be most water resistant from falling rain. The low cost tent I bought was fairly water resistant, but when I used it for the first time, my girlfriend, and I woke up to a large amount of condensation on the inside of the tent. If you touched the inside wall, your hand would be wet. If you shook the tent, it would be as if it was raining inside the tent. The condensation came from us breathing, and sweating in the poorly ventilated space. I learned the importance of good ventilation from this experience.
Now, I look for more mesh in the tent body, and a very water resistant fly.
I will recommend, (again) the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 1, 2, or 3 as a good examples of what I'm talking about. These are among my current favorites because of the excellent ventilation, light weight, and overall waterproofness.
(Four season/expedition tents are a different story. But, I don't need that style of gear, and can't offer opinions on them.)
When buying a tent, look for one with good ventilation, in addition to a good rain fly, and a footprint that is specific to the tent!
Now, I look for more mesh in the tent body, and a very water resistant fly.
I will recommend, (again) the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 1, 2, or 3 as a good examples of what I'm talking about. These are among my current favorites because of the excellent ventilation, light weight, and overall waterproofness.
(Four season/expedition tents are a different story. But, I don't need that style of gear, and can't offer opinions on them.)
When buying a tent, look for one with good ventilation, in addition to a good rain fly, and a footprint that is specific to the tent!
Went to the MEC today. Did not buy any pack, the saleswomen made me doubt. She basically said that with a sleeping bag, tent, clothes, water and minimalist cookware (like jetboil and the such) 45-50L wasn't enough that I should get a 60-65, especially if my gear isn't that compact.
Anyways, I'm not in a rush.
Anyways, I'm not in a rush.
I have gone through 3 packs till I found my current and favorite one. My current is a Gregory Denali Pro that is about 10 years old. It is big, but you can compress it for weekend use no problem. Really study features, it's the little things like the adjustment straps. My pack's top pocket comes off and turns into a fanny pack for day hikes while being out there. I purchased it when I was doing ice climbing/mountaineering in remote spots. Your should really go to a competent outfitter and have them fit you for your pack. You may like say a certain Osprey, but that pack may not fit your body style. Water and footwear are your most valuable things. I use a Pur water filter. Socks are very important too. I learned a long time about about sock liners and wool socks even in summer. I still do this because it is how I started and have never ever had a blister or sore feet. Packing your pack is critical also. I use a bunch of gallon sized stuff sacks of different colors for different items. Socks and underwear in the green one, shorts and shirts in the red one.... Sleeping bag on bottom, then heaviest stuff on top of that. The bottom of the pack will tend to be right below your waist line riding on your but, you want the heaviest things right at your center of gravity (where your torso is also most flexible).
Same here, I have two, one liter ones that have been on Mt' Rainier, Grand Tetons, dropped off a cliff at the Gunks, and they still are perfectly water tight. Maybe bad batch, or maybe knock offs.
Not sure. I have had a (different nonleaking) one break once. It was totally my fault though, I was proving how they didnt break, so I climbed about 20 feet up a rock wall and threw it down onto the concrete at work. It was full of all of my water and it shattered. Worst part was the water there tasted like kerosene. On the upside Nalgene replaced it for free.
And I had a freind who filled an old one up, closed it tight and climbed about 3500 feet without opening it. Upon dropping it the pressure difference shattered it.
