Hello, this seems like the most apt place to say a virtual Hi and offer equally virtual slices of Mint Cake. Sheepdip's the name and I thought it was high time I made an introduction. I work and play within the outdoor industry in the UK and US and enjoy camping, travelling and kayaking as well as (if I'm honest, pretty low-level) hiking, MTBing and just being outdoors. Enough of that though...
I'm organising a weekend in a field for a group of thirtysomething chaps who have little inclination to be outdoors in November. I want to build a communal area centred around a large campfire and am looking for something akin to a gazebo in case of persistent rain. I'm quite happy to either buy one, or assemble one out of tarps and rods, and am looking for recommendations of either (gazebos or quick assembly rods which I could use as struts). Anyone know of anything suitable?
Ive slept 16 under a large tarpaulin, with a 5 foor 6 centre pole. two of them -job done. Although was snug with a lot of condensation. shall I PM you the address for real mint cake ; - )
Robens do a 2 pole tarp for abt £40. Jack Wolfskin, Tatonka, Outwell (identical to Robens) Snow Peak and many others. Some are hex shaped others rectangular to be used as a ridgeline. The Robens / Outwell ones are quite reasonable and come with 2 tall poles and the guylines needed. Weighs 4kg for the 3.5m square one, but they do larger ones I think. A good company I've found for these two tarps is Kendal Camping (try www.roofbox.co.uk ). They are a smallish camping, caravanning and motorhoming retailer who are very helpfull.
Of course a large tarp from a diy store for probably less than £15, guys for say £5 and some poles for £9 would probably suffice.
I'd use individual tarps instead, all centred around the central fire area, so the heat radiates out from thel fire in the centre, and all around in the night to effectively heat the shelters. Just leave an area to be the 'communal' bit in the middle near the firepit for fire duties in tending the fire, and too besure to leave a narrow walkway between each shelter, and a gangway to bring firewood in too, for easy access to the whole area setup there. This is essentially what is basically done on most survival courses in the UK at this time of the year. The heat reflects in to the back of the shelters keeping everyone toasty warm throughout the coldest of nights. If you want to make back to back fires in the middle too, with wooden back reflector boards then the set up will work even better of course, with little or no essential fire heat being lost.Have a great meet! Please do let us all know how it goes! And maybe even think on possibly putting up a few shots in the gallery here for all to enjoy, and especially for the lads taking part too, in what sounds like one big fun introduction to being outdoors in Novembertime!
Have a great meet! Please do let us all know how it goes! And maybe even think on possibly putting up a few shots in the gallery here for all to enjoy, and especially for the lads taking part too, in what sounds like one big fun introduction to being outdoors in Novembertime!
