Poncho Shelter Picture Thread (Pics of poncho shelters only!)

Fiddleback, the night prior was spent in a tent and I don't recall it being any warmer than the the snow trench. That particular shelter probably wouldn't have held much snow but a couple of ridge poles resting on the edges of the snow trench would easily improve that. The night after this photo was taken was spent in a similar shelter, but with ridgepoles, pine boughs, and snow on top. The last night was spent without a sleeping bag, just insulated pants, jacket, and a poncho liner. That was cold. It did show what you could do in an emergency. The intent was to do with a little less each day. A couple of Nalgene bottles full of hot water in your sleeping bag or wrapped up with you in the poncho liner help. I usually had my feet resting on one and another bottle where I thought I needed it.
 
Brian Jones said:
I brought my old crap Vivitar digital camera with me, which has a tendency to elongate the pictures QUOTE]

You should create a pair of eyeglasses like that for your girlfriends, they might stick around longer:eek::D

Sorry couldn't resist:o
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Yeah I think you said that to me a couple of times, but I like living on the edge.

Sorry Kev, back to the ponchos!
 
Fiddleback said:
I'm not trying to harass you bro. I've seen BTD use one too. I've just never gone out with so little protection.

I've done a fair bit of camping guys (Eagle Scout). These questions aren't meant to offend.
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No worries, bro, it's all discussion and learning. The logs came in handy, but it was pretty dry on the ground before the rains, and we wanted the coffee bad.. Even then, the rain in this case came in spurts and didn't last too long each time. If it became sideways blowing rain, we'd have retired to the tent.
 
Seahawk said:
Fiddleback, the night prior was spent in a tent and I don't recall it being any warmer than the the snow trench. That particular shelter probably wouldn't have held much snow but a couple of ridge poles resting on the edges of the snow trench would easily improve that. The night after this photo was taken was spent in a similar shelter, but with ridgepoles, pine boughs, and snow on top. The last night was spent without a sleeping bag, just insulated pants, jacket, and a poncho liner. That was cold. It did show what you could do in an emergency. The intent was to do with a little less each day. A couple of Nalgene bottles full of hot water in your sleeping bag or wrapped up with you in the poncho liner help. I usually had my feet resting on one and another bottle where I thought I needed it.
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You're brave. I've done one below freezing camping outting. All I remember was missery.

I'd imagine a tent wouldn't be any better shelter there. I'd imagine nothing would be perfect. Good to know on the Nalgene's.:thumbup:
 
To me Andy you posted a good Question, here in TX chiggers,Gnats/Mosquito's eat you alive. I am looking at Surplus Jungle Hammocks for that reason,poncho maybe fine if I had some insect netting to string up as well. Great thread guys !!
 
One plus to going out in the winter, no bugs. I picked a Hennessey Hammock for warm weather, but I haven't tried it out yet. However, I don't carry the hammock on day hikes. The poncho comes along since it has multiple uses so I'm more likely to have that in an emergency.
 
I seen the Hennessey one but not ready to drop $100 on one without some feedback from folks on here(Hint Hint) LOL !!! I have a cheap poncho but it has no grommets for tie down .
 
texastonydobbs said:
I seen the Hennessey one but not ready to drop $100 on one without some feedback from folks on here(Hint Hint) LOL !!! I have a cheap poncho but it has no grommets for tie down .
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Hey man, Kevin was in that all last week. I like it alot. gave plenty of room for bigger guys. It is single walled so definately use a pad or sleeping bag as the mosquitos will bite through.

Maybe Kevin will chime in.
 
Fiddleback,

When properly pitched, you will be 100% dry in the poncho shelters I posted. The same goes for other shelters yet to be posted. I've slept in some pretty nasty weather in just my poncho and so have many of my friends. One must consider the direction of the prevailing wind, the contour of the ground where pitched, the direction of the opening of the shelter in relation to the sun, the height of the poncho from the ground for mosquito protection and so on. On one basic course this summer, I constructed a poncho shelter over a grassy area with plenty of red ants. It would have been a nasty night's sleep but it was a learning experience for the students. It should be noted that in a shelter like the "Nammy's", you also dig a small trench (just a slight channel dug out with your boot) and water will run harmlessly around your shelter.

To counter the attacks from below, a fire can be built on the ground and the ashes spread out. Critters, like us, don't care for smoke or excess heat. The risk with doing this is leaving coals behind and of course leaving a large footprint in a "leave no trace" age of camping. Another option is making an elevated bed using tripods. On top of all of this, I'd treat my clothes with Permetherin, tuck my pant legs into my socks and wear gloves and a headnet while sleeping.

Again, constructing a shelter requires consideration of many factors. If I was in your area, I'd most likely sleep in my Hennessy Hammock to stay off the ground and be cooler in warm weather. Then again, I don't know what your situation dictates and only you can make the right decision for a good night's sleep.
 
Sil-Poncho from Integral Designs
All weather
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For wind only
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The Integral Designs Poncho is $85 bucks at REI. Not bad for a Sil poncho.
 
I got the ID years ago for about $70 on backcountrygear.com but campmor.com sells their brand for about $50, that is the blur one I use in the Jungle since it is so easy to see. I like to blend in the Mountains/Desert but stick out in the Jungle for easily finding my camp.

-RB
 
Andy I've been using a poncho or a poncho sized tarp for the past 2 years, on my 2nd to las camp out I slept in a poncho leanto I trenched around it adn got caught in a torrential down pour which lasted all night I was dry as a bone...you can stay very dry by poncho camping..but it does take some prep work..a ponch slung over a hammok or a raised a-frame bed would do alright.
 
In Idaho I slept in slushy, rainy, and heavy snow with only a poncho as my shelter. never got wet.

I prefer to NOT use a tent these days. I feel more able to stay tuned to potential wildlife around me, both beautiful and/or dangerous. I have a lot of old pics on disc of various poncho shelters over the years. I will dig them out.

Andy, you really have to try it. A tent will feel stuffy and claustrophobic after you go without one. I used a tent onour last trip because my brother wasn't keen on trying it out in the open yet. So, the poncho functioned as gazebo. It was low enough to protect us while we sat, and high enough not to get burned by the stove heat and collect too many fumes.
 
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