Bivy camp...

Jack Skinner · August 06, 2019, 01:35:49 PM

I tried this couple years back. Flapped in WY wind all night bugs got under. Maybe if I had tool to get dirt up around bottom it would help. Going back to one man four season tent.
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Charlie Lamb · August 06, 2019, 01:55:12 PM

Jack... I'd suggest digging in the the center pole and stretching that puppy really tight.

YosemiteSam · August 06, 2019, 07:54:22 PM

Check out Borah Bivy. I've used an oversized bivy sack for a few years now & love it for what it is -- bug protection and emergency weather protection. Longest I've stayed is 3 nights at a time so not real long-term. I got the smaller tarp to go with it and, in retrospect, I wish I would have gotten the larger one. It's extremely light and small -- probably 10-12 oz plus whatever stakes & cord you bring. Wasn't very expensive, as I recall. Also made by hand here in America by a small business owner (as in the whole company is just one guy sewing these things) -- things I feel good about supporting.

I've started to relegate it to more of the ultra-light packing category when I spend all day covering miles, not sitting in camp or awake enough at the end of the day to read at night, sip on some tea, etc. So it doesn't get much use for hunting. I'm way slower & more relaxed for most hunting so I like a more comfy camp. But for days of long, hard miles, my Borah Bivy & tarp is in my pack.

If you're looking for a compromise between a light-weight tent and a ultra-light bivy, you can always pair a floorless tipi (trekking pole setup) with a bivy sack or even just some netting for bugs. tuck the netting under your sleeping pad & you're good for almost anything nature can throw at you in the warmer months.

GCook · August 06, 2019, 08:47:21 PM

This is a cool thread.

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old_goat2 · August 06, 2019, 09:39:32 PM

I don't have a lot to add, this setup was one of the only times I felt comfortable with just a tarp. Couldn't find a spot big enough for my tipi I had along that didn't have lots of rocks. Found this spot on the downwind side of a downed log and used the log as a back wall, seemed to make a difference on warmth and helped keep the rain out too!

old_goat2 · August 06, 2019, 10:08:05 PM

Here's a daylight shot of same setup, replaced trekking pole with a stick and rolled up my stuff that I left in camp inside my tyvek ground sheet.

Michael Pfander · August 06, 2019, 10:38:33 PM

My go to ultra lite set up was a north face bivy and sil- ny 10 oz. tarp. Then came my new Nemo tent it weighs less.
MAP

Tradarchery · August 07, 2019, 08:47:39 AM

I used a tarp for several years but switched to the seek outside LBO 3yrs ago.

I like the extra head room to sort through my pack/reorganize gear and ability to sit up to take on and off my boots.

I usually use just the base. The vestibule is nice when the weather turns foul.

As stated above, the only drawback I have found is the larger footprint, especially when utilizing the vestibule.

SAM E. STEPHENS · August 09, 2019, 05:40:58 PM

Got in a new sip-tarp today ( 10x12 ) , I have a 5x7 and a 8x10 so now a big one to try...

,,Sam,,

kevsuperg · August 09, 2019, 07:43:24 PM

Tradarchery, I see what looks like a space blanket under your sleeping pad.
I Imagine that works well.
I have a SO Cimarron tipi coming in the next few days and was thinking of tyvek for an under pad but....

Tradarchery · August 09, 2019, 09:55:51 PM

Kevsuprg,

Good eye. It works pretty well. It is thicker than typical space blanket, more of a light weight tarp. With the extra thickness I dont worry about pine needles, rocks and other pad flattening things. but the trade off is extra bulk. This year I am going to test a footprint for a 1 person tent that I found on sale.

Let us know how the cimarron works out.

GCook · August 10, 2019, 10:04:40 AM

Where do you get Tyvek in small enough pieces for ground cloths? Here it seems you have to buy a whole roll and it isn't cheap.

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kevsuperg · August 10, 2019, 10:40:59 AM

I just use tyvek scraps if I have them. Can find some in dumpsters near new home sites.
If I don't do a space blanket I'll try 4-6 mm plastic sheeting.

SAM E. STEPHENS · August 10, 2019, 10:47:45 AM

I got a whole roll , next time you go to Granger let me know ( I'm 30min away )
We can meet up and I'll give you some..

,,Sam,,

old_goat2 · August 11, 2019, 08:43:55 PM

Quote from: GCook on August 10, 2019, 10:04:40 AM
Where do you get Tyvek in small enough pieces for ground cloths? Here it seems you have to buy a whole roll and it isn't cheap.

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If you need some faster than getting it from Sam you can order off eBay and maybe Amazon

OkKeith · August 11, 2019, 09:27:14 PM

Sam-

You are a heck of a lot tougher than I am!

I gave up the tarp and bivy many years ago. I just couldn't keep the weather out and the heat in, on cold wet nights (after a while they ALL seemed like cold wet nights). I also seemed to continually wake up soggy in a bivy sack and just didn't sleep good flat on my back. With in the last few years I have gone to a Big Agnes sleep system. Sometimes I think they call stuff a "system" so they can charge more, but this sure works for me. The sleeping bag doesn't have any insulation on the bottom (which just compresses and does no good anyway). It has a sleeve for an inflatable pad with insulation inside. The whole thing is supposed to be rated to 15 degrees but I know that is a moving target. Mine is also a wide-long so I don't feel like a sausage inside.

I am also running a lightweight tent. It is marketed as a 2-person but it is really a 1-Keith size. It is a little "stake-intensive" but doesn't take any longer to set up than finding and cutting braches for poles or jimmy-rigging a tarp. The tent is made by Mountainsmith, and is the Lichen Peak 2 model. I included a couple of photos below. One is from a recent fishing trip to New Mexico the other is just a catalog photo so you could see it better. Weight wise I think it all balances out to near the same I think. The bag and pad actually smoosh down smaller than my old bag and bivy. The tent might add a little weight but doesn't take up much more space. It has a good vestibule to get gear in out of the weather as well. Its pretty nice to crawl in and zip shut knowing what ever weather is outside will stay outside.

I have a hammock set-up as well. I like it and sleep well in it but find myself fiddling around a lot with where to hang in it and getting it all just right. The tent I can flop out just about anywhere. I'm sure its because I haven't totally committed to it and put in the time.

Sounds like you have a wonderful trip planned! I am already looking forward to seeing all your photos from the trip.

OkKeith

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GCook · August 11, 2019, 09:46:13 PM

I've found a few pieces in construction dumpsters but they are usually too small and always in bad shape.

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76Aggie · August 15, 2019, 03:24:54 PM

Gary, If you pm me your address, I can mail you a length of Tyvek. I had to buy a roll of it. Cut some for myself, son, son-in-law and a friend and still have a bunch. I am in Shady Shores (Denton).

GCook · August 15, 2019, 05:04:44 PM

Quote from: 76Aggie on August 15, 2019, 03:24:54 PM
Gary, If you pm me your address, I can mail you a length of Tyvek. I had to buy a roll of it. Cut some for myself, son, son-in-law and a friend and still have a bunch. I am in Shady Shores (Denton).

Sent.

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Sam McMichael · August 15, 2019, 05:17:58 PM

How do you keep rain from running under the tarp and soaking your stuff?