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Post by dustin on Apr 24, 2024 13:01:52 GMT -8
Has anyone used an umbrella as a door, of sorts, for a bivy? I know I've read about this somewhere, but I don't remember anything specific about how it could be anchored it or whether it was a good/bad idea.
I have ideas how to do it, but sage advice would be better.
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Apr 25, 2024 7:23:36 GMT -8
Read something similar while pondering a return to waterproof-breathable bivy sacks.
UK hikers in Britain will use a small [usually camo or earth-tone] tarp in front of a waterproof bivy entrance to keep the humidity down, a little protection getting into the rain , etc.. due to “stealth” requirements as wild camping is mostly not allowed. Keeping the inner humidity down inside the bivy so there’s less condensation naturally.
Sounds like an umbrella would be easier though needing a fastener for wind, … but less protection.
Add: saw where you recently got a Katabatic bivy. If the Bristlecone or definitely the Piñon, those are wind/water resistant and will need a tarp in the rain.
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Post by dustin on Apr 25, 2024 10:43:19 GMT -8
I'm trying to find a non-hooped bivy for when it's clear and I want to cowboy camp, but one where I can put up a little awning or create ventilation if there is rain or snow. Having some way to get in/out without letting in rain/snow would also be great. Also nice to be able to easily take the umbrella with me if I need to get out while it's raining.
My initial thoughts are to stake the handle of an umbrella to the ground in a way to at least block the prevailing wind and ideally block rain/snow from landing on my face. The trick seems to be keeping the umbrella from rolling around downwind. I'm also scheming a way to attach the bivy I have in mind to the umbrella to raise the bivy up off my quilt a little, but that's a secondary priority.
I kind of regret selling off my REI Cyclops bivy because it was built to negate some of the negatives of the two basic bivy types. It had a jacket-like hood and a zipper arrangement that allowed sitting up and doing a few things while staying in the bivy. It was a kind of heavy and bulky, but an interesting middle ground between a simple sleeping bag cover and a tiny tent. You were neither staked down under a little canopy nor were you stuck without a good way to open up to grab something from your pack, etc. The Cyclops was also nice because the hood made it a lot less claustrophobic.
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ErnieW
Trail Wise!
I want to backpack
Posts: 9,956 
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Post by ErnieW on Apr 25, 2024 17:56:18 GMT -8
Why an umbrella? I can see using one during the day in the desert but then there isn't much risk of rain at night. Otherwise without a serious purpose isn't an umbrella kind of heavy? I would think a tiny tarp (3' x 4' ?) that you can fold down your poles all the way and then use them and like 4 stakes to set the tarp up over your bivy head. If you don't mind the little extra weight make the tarp guy lines a little longer so so can make your poles longer and the tarp high enough to sit up under it.
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gabby
Trail Wise!
Posts: 4,539
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Post by gabby on Apr 25, 2024 18:40:43 GMT -8
I'm with ErnieW . I saw a thread over on backpackinglight ("Ideas for Umbrella/bivy combo" -- backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/12769/ -- but it's "payfor") on this, but the opinion was pretty much that a lighter, easier solution would be a small solo tarp (Gossamer Gear Solo, for example) or something that would cover the head end of the bivy. If I were to attempt this, I'd opt for tarp pitched with the "foot end" on the ground over the head of the bivy (closed) and the "head end" opening out over the rest of the bivy as a shelter. You'd still need to secure the peak, or carry something to raise it (a "hoop" or "pole"). This is done by Brit bpers fairly often, but that may be because of the nature of the environment in which they walk. An example (the famous, at least in Britain, Paul Messner): I found this, but the damned thing is 3 kg (6.6 lbs) and looks complicated.  In short, I'd go with the "tarp and bivy", but we discover stuff because folks are inclined to try new things. Good on ya! |
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Post by dustin on Apr 26, 2024 7:12:53 GMT -8
I'm basically already doing a tarp/splash bivy now. I'm just trying to work out a WP bivy system. There are rare times when it would be nice to not have to use poles (bikepacking) or when I want to go SUL on a hard climb. Or just cowboy camping. Besides, I only used that Cyclops bivy one time and I didn't give it a fair shot. I was cold and miserable, but I know now it was because I had totally inadequate insulation and I just didn't know what I was doing. I'll admit I'm also trying to find other uses for the umbrella I bought. I've always been intrigued by the umbrella/wind jacket system. SMD had a sale and I already bring a wind jacket, so this is a low-cost way to try the concept. gabby something like the one above would be hilarious to use as raingear, bouncing down the trail under a tent. |
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