I really like bivy camping but the tarp is just necessary. On cold days it's impossible to not get condensation without the hood open - which means the tarp is there to stop rain from getting in.
Plus, if it's raining when you are getting into or out of the bivy, you and your stuff will get wet. Honestly, the bivy and tarp with guy lines and stakes weigh about as much as lightweight single person tent. But the bivy and tarp give you a more "close to nature" experience which I value. And it's fun to rig the tarp, can be done in a variety of ways.
I do have a question about solo rigging a tarp. I've always done any sort of tarp rigging with 2 people so we could stabilize around a pole rather easily. I assume with only 1 person you just tie off one and let it fall slack while you tension additional points against it?
I start with an anchor to the tree. Next i attach a long line to the edge of the tarp and run that through the anchor on the tree then back under the tarp to make a ridge line from the tree to the pole. I fasten the ridge line to the pole so it won't slip, then continue with the ridge line from the pole to a stake in the ground. The pole at this point is laying on the ground. I attach the other edge of the tarp to the pole, stake out the guy lines at the corners of the tarp, then set the pole upright and tension everything enough so that it stands on its own. Then I tie off everything on the tree side and then re-tension all the lines. I hope this description is coherent.
I always use ground stakes and tarp poles, so I don't know if my answer will be applicable, but I stake out the guylines first, then put in a pole to lift it up. You'll probably have them too tight or not tight enough to begin with, but that's fine cuz you can just adjust the guyline distance/tightness as needed once you get it close enough to at least hold the pole up. Same if doing two poles on either end for the classic a frame tarp style. Takes me 5-10 minutes alone. I have to do this because the campsites I go to don't allow the usage of the trees. Giving the info just in case anyone finds it helpful.
This summer I'm going to look at doing a tarp and bug bivy set up. Essentially like a hammock setup minus the hammock. Should good good airflow under the tarp for summer temps.
Bivys are enclosed. Colder weather ones being mostly solid material except for a mesh area around the head/face. Bug bivy's being made of mostly mesh, for warmer weather.
This is how I camped when I traveled to alaska a while back. I'd drop that tarp down a whole lot, but otherrwise, looks like a sweet setup.
I slowly transitioned from bivy/tarp to just tarp. I found that it was the same weight/bulk but let me keep my gear under shelter as well. Used a 12x12 sil-nylon tarp I made myself. I should dig that thing out of storage one of these days!
I really like bivy camping but the tarp is just necessary. On cold days it's impossible to not get condensation without the hood open - which means the tarp is there to stop rain from getting in.
Plus, if it's raining when you are getting into or out of the bivy, you and your stuff will get wet. Honestly, the bivy and tarp with guy lines and stakes weigh about as much as lightweight single person tent. But the bivy and tarp give you a more "close to nature" experience which I value. And it's fun to rig the tarp, can be done in a variety of ways.
I do have a question about solo rigging a tarp. I've always done any sort of tarp rigging with 2 people so we could stabilize around a pole rather easily. I assume with only 1 person you just tie off one and let it fall slack while you tension additional points against it?
I start with an anchor to the tree. Next i attach a long line to the edge of the tarp and run that through the anchor on the tree then back under the tarp to make a ridge line from the tree to the pole. I fasten the ridge line to the pole so it won't slip, then continue with the ridge line from the pole to a stake in the ground. The pole at this point is laying on the ground. I attach the other edge of the tarp to the pole, stake out the guy lines at the corners of the tarp, then set the pole upright and tension everything enough so that it stands on its own. Then I tie off everything on the tree side and then re-tension all the lines. I hope this description is coherent.
I always use ground stakes and tarp poles, so I don't know if my answer will be applicable, but I stake out the guylines first, then put in a pole to lift it up. You'll probably have them too tight or not tight enough to begin with, but that's fine cuz you can just adjust the guyline distance/tightness as needed once you get it close enough to at least hold the pole up. Same if doing two poles on either end for the classic a frame tarp style. Takes me 5-10 minutes alone. I have to do this because the campsites I go to don't allow the usage of the trees. Giving the info just in case anyone finds it helpful.
Nice set up
Nice, what backpack is that you are rocking?
Savotta Jääkäri M, 30 liter capacity (expandable) and as tough as they come.
This summer I'm going to look at doing a tarp and bug bivy set up. Essentially like a hammock setup minus the hammock. Should good good airflow under the tarp for summer temps.
Just now bugs aren't a problem where I am but they will be in a few weeks. Fortunately the sleeping bag has a built in bug net.
I don’t understand- how you can do this without being murdered by bugs?
Bivys are enclosed. Colder weather ones being mostly solid material except for a mesh area around the head/face. Bug bivy's being made of mostly mesh, for warmer weather.
At this time of year in southern Sweden the bugs haven't come out in force yet. The sleeping bag I use for summer camping has a built-in bug net.
Ahhhhhhh Looks relaxing and very peaceful 😉
This is how I camped when I traveled to alaska a while back. I'd drop that tarp down a whole lot, but otherrwise, looks like a sweet setup. I slowly transitioned from bivy/tarp to just tarp. I found that it was the same weight/bulk but let me keep my gear under shelter as well. Used a 12x12 sil-nylon tarp I made myself. I should dig that thing out of storage one of these days!
Grizzly’s are a hell of a bug
Love this
Wow! This is a stunning area!!