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

[macgregor22]

What about bashas and zeltbahns?

Not ponchos but they can be worn as ponchos.

 

[ROCK6]

Great post and I have to get some pictures up. I'm a small guy (5'8") and built that poncho tent with the aluminum poles (also works as a small boat for gear). I carried that for a few years as an emergency shelter and it works great as a lean-to or lifted off the ground.

The Silponcho is a vast improvement over the standard USGI poncho. I also have a couple other Sil-nylon tarps which are light and handy. I'm trying to get my wife into lighter shelters for backpacking (mostly because my ass has to carry the tent). Both my kids now have Hennessy Hammocks that they can carry themselves...for 2-3 season (below the Mason Dixon line), they rock, once you get below 40-45 degrees, you really need some insulation, however I did set mine up on a pile of pine needles over a footprint and it worked pretty well.

Kevin really hit it with making sure you prep with Permethrin and digging a small rain trench around your area to channel the water off your immediate sleeping area (really needed to do that with the old Army shelter halves). I do think a good mosquito net is a great asset and that's a great idea to spread some hot coals and ashes around your sleeping area before setting up the shelter.

ROCK6

 

[PB Wilson]

I seen the Hennessey one but not ready to drop $100 on one without some feedback from folks on here(Hint Hint)

I've used my Hennessy hammock for several years and love it to death. I've got one that's similar to the Expedition Asym and the Explorer. I believe that it's a model that's not made anymore and fits my 6' 1" 200lb body very nicely. Since the area where I do most of my backpacking can drop into the chilly temps in any month I almost always use a Z-Rest pad. It keeps me nice and comfortable even if it drops into the 40s. I also use the pad in a camp chair so I don't feel too bad about carrying it with me since it does double duty. I can sleep on my side and even on my stomach due to the asymmetrical sleeping position and haven't had to deal with roots, rocks, wetness or creepy-crawly critters since I started using it. About mosquitoes, I can't recall ever being bitten through it although the pad may have had something to do with it. It is certainly heavier than a poncho, but it gives me peace of mind to bring with me wherever I go. Hope that helps.

 

[ilbruche]

This is my Mosquito hammock under a Sea To Summit sil poncho tarp. I lost my old Integral Designs 5X8 and replaced it with this one. This guy is 4X9/ I like the extra length, but I think something with a 5 or 6 foot width would make me happier. Rained all weekend and I was dry as a bone....froze my ass off though.

 

[HighDesertWalker]

Careful where you pitch that -- first thing you know, all the homeless folks will want one, too!

Ya got me. I actually live in the thing.

 

[HighDesertWalker]

Bill! I want to try a bivvy, but I worry about condensation. If you say this isn't an issue, I'll change my strategy and check into it. I'm not bothered by closterphobia.

Checkout the "Superlight Bivy" at Mountain Laurel designs. That's what I use.

http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/

Top fabric is "Momentum, 20dX20d nylon taffetta, Black Super Water Resistant + Highly Breathable". Bottom fabric is silnylon. I've had no problems with condensation. As you know, I was born in Louisiana, so I understand the bug problem. (Ever been to a Drive In in southern Louisiana? Don't know which was worse, the mosquitoes or the fogger that drove around during the movie. ) The Mountain Laurel bivys are a great choice for use with a poncho. Mine was custom built with a larger face aperture. Took it to the Grand Canyon because I did not want any scorpions crawling in with me.

 

[RescueRiley]

Brian,

I'm with you..I don't much like sleeping in tents anymore.

 

[j williams]

Awesome thread, there are alot of sweet pictures, and differant ideas for setups. Im gonna have to go play with some ideas soon:thumbup:

 

[Fiddleback]

I have certainly gotten the feeling in a tent that if something, or more probably, someone was out there, it would be really tough to get out and do something about it.

 

[j williams]

Just open fire and sort it out later. You better take along a patch kit for the tent though!!

 

[DocArnie]

I have certainly gotten the feeling in a tent that if something, or more probably, someone was out there, it would be really tough to get out and do something about it.

Bivys are even worse. The chupacapra won't have to guess where you are, he can bite you right through the bivy...

 

[baldtaco-II]

I don't tend to use a poncho now. I don't use the poncho aspect of them very often and they are too small. They are too heavy to warrant pack space on most trips too. [I know you can get Silnylon ones]. Occasionally I'll use one to minimize kit, or as a kennel annex, but that is rare.

Of those I've tried I kept coming back to the old British issue job. I tried an East German one and it was just rubbish. I quite liked the old American woodland ripstop jobbie but that delaminated and bleached out very quickly. By contrast the old British one is a tough old lump, and despite being hugely heavy and having a shocking packed size had the redeeming feature in that it really withstands water pressure in a way like no other I've tried. Although the others made for an ok roof if you curled up inside one in a natural nook, and the ground was very wet, water would get through. That old British lump holds out much better.

Some old pictures I've posted before:

 

[ajcz]

come later ill see if i can set up some in my yard

 

[TFin04]

 

[dougo83]

Bivys are even worse. The chupacapra won't have to guess where you are, he can bite you right through the bivy...

It's a good thing the name literally means 'goat sucker' then, huh?

 

[jll346]

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.

For example. Here in GA (WAY worse in Louisianna) if you sat on the ground like that for 5 minutes, your balls would itch for weeks with chiggers. Much less if you slept right on that spot, rain or not.

I've done a fair bit of camping guys (Eagle Scout). These questions aren't meant to offend.

I'm looking into a hammock just because of these reasons.

Bill! I want to try a bivvy, but I worry about condensation. If you say this isn't an issue, I'll change my strategy and check into it. I'm not bothered by closterphobia.

Fully agree. A poncho would not be my shelter of choice. Only as an emergency shelter god forbid I was stranded in the woods somewhere. I too have been looking into purchasing a Hammock. I have done quite a bit of research and spent a good amount of time on the Hammock Forum and I am going with the CLAYTOR JUNGLE HAMMOCK. Once hunting season is over I will get one.

 

[wildmike]

On my trips I usually use a Clark Jungle Hammock. It cant be beat imho. However on dayhikes and when traveling ultralight then I use either a sil poncho or a siltarp from Integral Designs. I wouldnt use a tent any longer unless other folks are along and insist. Tarps are much more versatile, and can be deployed in so many more ways.

 

[pict]

Jumping in late here with a few...

Bed frame with poncho

Double bunk bedframe with rock wall and poncho.

Same shelter different angle

Poncho and rock, starting to see a pattern here?

Freestanding sun/dew shelter.

Mac

 

[bltjr1951]

Bivys are even worse. The chupacapra won't have to guess where you are, he can bite you right through the bivy...

Makes you into a burrito or an enchilada??

Mine is a camo goretex one from Early Winters. Got it in 1980s.

 

[shotgunner11]

On this forum my friends, we do NOT joke, about the goat sucker.

Fear the goat sucker.