Your look at Survival shelters.

[Mikel_24]

I don't have time now to read through all the posts in this thread but... are you guys familiar with this lightweight two persons vivac/tent?

ALTUS GORIZ

Ponchos, tarps and alike are ok if you don't have anything else, but... if you are actually planning to sleep outside and still want to go ligthweight, I think nothing beats this kind of shelter. You are not even forced to use trekking poles, you can also stretch it with some cord between the trees. It only weights as much as a full water bottle (1,1kg). Well, a BD or NorthFace GoreTex fabric tent will probably do it, but again, will be a tad heavier and a hell lot more expensive.

Mikel

 

[kycolonel]

Anyone have any experience with the Bivanorak by Hillenberg? I’ve had my eye on this for awhile as an addition to my emergency bag. The bivy/poncho extends or cinches up as needed and has additional room inside for a small pack and or to draw your arms inside. It seems like this and an ultalight tarp could be an ideal combo for emergencies.
It is expensive however…..

http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/tentdetail.cfm/HL1080

 

[Brad "the butcher"]

Good stuff man.:thumbup:

Thanks for all the info, I needed a little more info on all these pieces.

Where do you work Skam?
Im Starting my Training for the canadian rangers in a few weeks, you got any tips for a beginner?

If your wondering, the Rangers specialize in Arctic areas, Ground search and rescue as well as repair missions to Norad stations in the arctic and Illeagel alien patrols in BC and surrounding areas.
But most of all, its SAR missions for far north emergencies, Plane crashes things like that.

Its going to be interesting non the less, I had wanted to join the forces, but due to Medical reason's I was offered a place in the Rangers.

Good luck Fonly, I grew up in N. Saskatchewan for a while and have a healthy respect for the Ranger's. Our military can't function up north without you guy's so no shame because when they are out there YOU are the one calling the shot's and keeping them alive. They are truly just an extension of our armed forces. Athsma kept me out of the forces years ago and my brother's one time fight with cancer when he was 17 has blacklisted him from joining the RCMP over 10 years after. Chase after it regardless of health or regret it. Good luck and keep us informed on training etc when you get a chance.

I have the new AMK bivy and it is a good backup and have made good practice shelters with the 2 person AMK heat sheet. These 2 are in my survival kit. Also is that a grohmann Canadian service boat knife in your pic's? Not many people give them much attention but I grew up with Grohmanns and they are good knives.

Stay warm in training buddy, Dad and I had to build a few snowcaves on whiteouts running trapline... good times.
With regards, Brad.

 

[Fonly]

Good luck Fonly, I grew up in N. Saskatchewan for a while and have a healthy respect for the Ranger's. Our military can't function up north without you guy's so no shame because when they are out there YOU are the one calling the shot's and keeping them alive. They are truly just an extension of our armed forces. Athsma kept me out of the forces years ago and my brother's one time fight with cancer when he was 17 has blacklisted him from joining the RCMP over 10 years after. Chase after it regardless of health or regret it. Good luck and keep us informed on training etc when you get a chance.

I have the new AMK bivy and it is a good backup and have made good practice shelters with the 2 person AMK heat sheet. These 2 are in my survival kit. Also is that a grohmann Canadian service boat knife in your pic's? Not many people give them much attention but I grew up with Grohmanns and they are good knives.

Stay warm in training buddy, Dad and I had to build a few snowcaves on whiteouts running trapline... good times.
With regards, Brad.

Thanks man, I just hope something else doesnt come up, but from what I was told the health restrictions wearn't as harsh as the forces, so finger crossed.

I've got something else Im going to show you guys, its a two person tent, but it has no pole use in the set-up and the folds up to the size of a bread pan, let me get them up.

 

[Fonly]

Ok guys, here is the other option I've used as well, Its probably 300-350g, water proof and actually big enough for me, but I have to sleep sideways, which is fine because Im usually by my self.

Now, normally its more filled out then this, but im working in the back yard here.

This tent is nice because its so light, it has flaps that allow for air flow if its wanted/needed. It does collect condensation when im not paying attention and don't open the flaps, but other than that its a great little tent.

 

[BOOMSTICK]

I have the All Weather Emergency Blanket I liked it a lot. it is great for making a shelter out of. I was under mine in a down poor and it was wonderful. I did however add two grommets to mine in the center of the ends for my trekking poles to go through.

the Pancho is a great one also. it makes a great shelter and is versatile as far as being a set of rain gear at the same time. I set mine up while I was fishing one time because I was getting to much sun and wanted to chill in the shade for awhile.

as far as the E-Bivy. I would save your money and get something else. I wasn't impressed with them. I used one one time when I was wet and freezing at the beach and it was just lame. I got a hole in it really quickly.

 

[siguy]

Fonly,

i'm a bit on the large side, around 1.8-1.9 meters tall, and the blanket/tarp that you showed is really too short for me to use for a shelter.

i have used one (because it was all i had) a couple of times. in fair weather to keep the dew off it worked fine, but in the rain i ended up sleeping in a puddle despite good site selection.

now i have been carrying an army style poncho for a while, and used it as my shelter a couple of times. it's a little larger than the blanket/tarp you showed, just large enough to make it useable.

my favorite rig is a diagonal version, with opposite corners raised. i carry the poncho on dayhikes and overnighters when there is a slim chance of rain, or if it's already raining i wear it. it is pretty light, mine's about 400 grams. good insurance, and it packs small.

for wet weather, when i expect rain, i intend to get a larger 10x10 tarp that will allow me much more room inside.

i think that as long as there is no precipitation, your insulation (sleeping bag, pad, etc) is more important than a shelter. on the other hand, if there is snow or rain or heavy dew, a shelter may be necessary to keep your insulation working.

in this photo you can see that three corners are anchored to the ground, with the fourth tied about a half meter off the ground. the hood is tied up to a tree to raise the interior space and make it a bit roomier.

 

[valcas1]

Hey Fonly,

Are you looking for a reusable shelter for overnight and weekend hikes or a emergency shelter for your dayhike bag?

I am a bit unclear to what you are asking input on. Let me qualify by saying I may have missed it. Sometimes I can be about as sharp as a marble. Please clarify.

Paul

 

[skammer]

Good stuff man.:thumbup:

Thanks for all the info, I needed a little more info on all these pieces.

Where do you work Skam?
Im Starting my Training for the canadian rangers in a few weeks, you got any tips for a beginner?

If your wondering, the Rangers specialize in Arctic areas, Ground search and rescue as well as repair missions to Norad stations in the arctic and Illeagel alien patrols in BC and surrounding areas.
But most of all, its SAR missions for far north emergencies, Plane crashes things like that.

Its going to be interesting non the less, I had wanted to join the forces, but due to Medical reason's I was offered a place in the Rangers.

Good for you bro, serving your community is a noble thing. The rangers will teach you what you need to know. Its a different ball game north of or near60 my man. Up where you are at it is VERY important to understand navigation using GPS, map and natural nav. There is little landmarks to go off of, learn from the locals as they know. Its all different up there. On SAR missions up there your calories needed and fat content go way up. Water is a problem as its all frozen etc.... It very similar to desert survival in that water is scarce, easy to get lost just the temps are reversed and food is critical.

The Rangers are a long serving group in the Canadian military and their role will expand in the near future as Canada asserts it sovereign rights over the far north going forward, good time to get involved .

Message me or PM me aboutt he rest.

Skam

 

[kgd]

valcas1's point and scammer's comments ring true though.

The emergency shelters, aside from the heavy weight insulated blanket, really are made for emergency use. If you are thinking that you will use these on a routine basis then I'd consider investing more money and buying quality materials.

If you go the tarp + ground cloth, I'm not sure I really see a need for a bivi per see - unless it is to add to your bag's insulation and windproofing. Get the ground cloth big enough that you can prop up the sides of the "floor" with a stick or pole to keep surface runnoff from flowing onto your ground sheet during a down pour. Buy yourself one of those Sil-nylon tarps - they really are amazing and while they cost a lot, this is your gear we're talking about!

MEC also sells a windstopper overbag (similar to the Penguin but more $$) that while not water proof will keep the wind elements down and provides more moisture resistance than most sleeping bags do. It also adds up to 10oC to your bags warmth rating and can be used on its own to 12 oC. I'm kind of interested in the windstopper bag myself.

I'll be interested to learn about what you finally decide upon.

I've been debating this very issue quite a bit. In the end, I decided that a tent or hammock is the way to go for me. There are simply way too many bugs around these parts and I do a majority of my camping in bug-time. So I'm saving up for a Hennessy hammock and then later will go with the BigAgnes seedhouse 1 tent. I already have a 3 season and 4 season expedition tent that are too heavy to use with a backpack. Interesting enough, the Big Anes at 1.3 kg is pretty light weight and the fly can be set up on its own with the poles for even more weight savings.

 

[skammer]

I've been debating this very issue quite a bit. In the end, I decided that a tent or hammock is the way to go for me. There are simply way too many bugs around these parts and I do a majority of my camping in bug-time.

I suspend a bug net under my 10x12 sil nylon tarp and tuck it under the ground sheet. Good to go for bugs and you get a breeze as its an open air shelter. Love it. Ontario is nasty for bugs I feel for you.

Skam

 

[valcas1]

Fonly,

I am not looking to hijack you thread but wanted to mention something to kgd.

Kgd,

If you have a tarp already then I would save some money on the hennessey and look at the skeeter beeter hammock. For the money I don't think you can beat them.

Paul

 

[Fonly]

Yes, I would like to use this on a regular basis, thats why I think sticking to the small tent I have now might just be the answer, I may have been looking for a reason to buy something else.

Thanks for the help guys, I'll have to think on what I end up getting, but when I do Ill of course do a full report.:thumbup: