Anyway, I had a further question about tents which relates to pitching. I have noticed a lot of posts about inner- versus outer-first pitching, and just wondered whether someone could explain the difference and how that relates to pitching a tent in bad weather, or direct me to a relavent thread, please? - Wrote Ltd.
http://www.goxplore.net/showthread.php?t=1628I don't recall a thread just on this subject alone on here of lately mate, but this one here at link is interesting from elsewhere on the web.
http://www.campingexpert.co.uk/PitchingTents.htmlThe basics of the difference here. Just in the end down to personal preference of which tent you like really isn't it. Getting a tent you like, despite whether it pitches inner first or outer first, is the main point - as one wants to love and respect ones desired chosen tent, that one has liked and coveted, and spent ones readies upon, however it pitches!
http://www.realbuzz.com/en-us/link_from_homepage/index?pageID=1438The whole idea of staying dry in the outer pitch first tents, in really heavy pouring rain, whilst inside you are pitching the inner to keep yourself and the inner itself dry, is an appealing feature in a tent for sure. However, there are still lots of good tents that pitch the older more conventional way, and are just as good a tent. And, with rain bucketing down as you pitch a tent, it might still not make much difference to you in the end how the tent pitches really - staying dry-wise. Everything will still be quite wet in many cases still, sadly, even if you try to be so careful!
By the way there Ltd, did anyone welcome you to the forum at all, or did we forget to say that? If we did do, then a real big late but wonderful welcome to you on OM forum here!Better late than never, ther'es nothing like a warm welcome still, is there though!
David, that depends on what I can find out about inner versus outer tent pitching, really, because I have yet to buy a tent, but am considering something like the TN Ultra Quasar or a Crux tent. Clearly, some experience of wild camping would therefore be prudent, in this case. I've heard some say the TN is a base camp tent and without much porch space, for example, but, ultimately, I mainly want something durable that can be used almost anywhere and doesn't weigh an excessive amount.
Trevor, I think I may not have received one, but that's no problem. I actually changed my profile name after the first few posts in the gear section (I was le Cox sportif for a little while).
How many in the party? Quasar is serious overkill for one person!
For food, dried food weighs much less than boil-in-the-bag type. I recommend the style where you boil water and add it to a foil pouch: no cooking and saves lots of aggro at the end of a long wet day, no washing up either. Try here and here for ideas: I can recommend the main meals from both suppliers.
Definitely have a bit of a dry run overnight in the garden. Make sure you can get the tent up and down quickly (think rain, wind, poor light...).
Be absolutely ruthless with weight. For a 3-4 day trip you should be looking at 12Kg all-in (with food and gas). Don't underestimate how bad every unnecessary Kg will feel by mid-afternoon.
(PS: Unna has poor porch space, bit heavy; would recommend an Akto over the Unna unless you are canoeing! In an Akto you can take on the world...)
I'm not familiar with the places you plan to explore, but if you think there might be situations when you're pitching your tent in wooded/forest areas, a large tarp might be a very useful addition to your kit, offering almost instant shelter from the rain while you gather yourself and make futher plans.
I'm with Zubald re the tent issue -- the Ultra Quasar (which I've used) and the Crux tents I have seen are serious overkill for this country. They give more security than you realistically need and weight too much. Something like the TN Laser Comp, Hilleberg Akto or Vaude Taurus UL would be much better for what you're aiming to do.
I don't recall a thread just on this subject alone on here of lately mate, but this one here at link is interesting from elsewhere on the web.
