View Full Version : Shelters
What do you sleep in/under/ under and in/ up and under? Huh!
Great Pebble
06-08-2004, 14:26
In an old issue bivvy bag, on a German kip mat, under an issue basha.
steven andrews
06-08-2004, 14:35
On a thermarest, gonk bag, old OG bivibag, under an Integral Designs SilTarp2 or a Hilleberg Tarp10XP
bushblade
06-08-2004, 14:59
In a Mountain Equipment Dreamcatcher 300 or Military II in a customised nomad medical hammock or British Army OG bivi bag.
On a Thermarest Pro lite 3 short or full length.
Under a Australian Army Hoochie.
hennesy hammock ultralite asym
http://www.bushcraftuk.net/photopost/data/505/98hammock.jpg
RovingArcher
06-08-2004, 15:42
On a thermarest made, ridgerest foam pad, under a poncho or tarp and wrapped in a poncho liner. Wanting to upgrade to a hammock, but until then, I'm on the ground.
jamesdevine
06-08-2004, 15:43
Henessy hammock A-sym (sometimes in the attic), Sleeping bag and poncho, or just on the Ground in summer, in my bed and on occasion on the landing floor under my jacket.
James
A Hennesy exped Asym, or a Jack Wolfskin Termite 2 tent
Great Pebble
06-08-2004, 15:52
On the tent front I have a Wolfskin Tundra 2 and I don't like it.
Want something new.....
Must be green or "natural" coloured, capable of a bit more than campsite work (though not necessarily 4 season or mountain capable), big enough for two in comfort, light and easy to erect.....
Suggestions, or do I need a new thread?
Under the sky, on the ground
TheViking
06-08-2004, 16:40
Hi...
In my Haglöfs sleeping bag, on a normal mat and under a tarp/poncho. :wink:
Sometimes spruce boughs, but depends. :biggthump
I've found the MSR Hubba 1 to be one of the finest solo tents I've ever used.
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/images5/msrhubbav1.jpg
SquirrelBoy
06-08-2004, 19:39
I have used a:
Poncho as a tarp with bivi bag
Hootchie with bivvi bag
Argos Pro-Action 1man tent (excellent value for the money, and green!)
Kyham Highlander 2man tent (20 sec quick erect jobbie), used mainly for campsites and on courses when a little luxury is wanted :o):
..have never made a natural shelter, as Gary will testify ! :rant: :nana:
Brynglas
06-08-2004, 19:54
I use a basha of indeterminate origin, I've had it years and it suits me as it's light, low impact colours with plenty of guying points. With it I either just use my buffalo bag on a thermarest or an Arktis hammock which is a 1st class bit of kit, hardwearing, stable, sturdy (I'm fifteen and a half stone and it's never thrown me out) and the best bit is that it has sleeves down the sides which can take poles to make an A frame bed. I find this combo gives me a great deal of flexibility over a wide variety of campsites. I always use my thermarest with the hammock as I find the insulation is a great bonus.
:pack:
Normally I'm in a hennessy expidition asym, but I do pop a couple of poncho's together when I'm ground dwelling....
:-)
Ed
Under the sky, on the ground
Garrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! :yikes:
masongary44
06-08-2004, 22:19
In a Mountain Equipment Dreamcatcher 300 or Military II in a customised nomad medical hammock or British Army OG bivi bag.
On a Thermarest Pro lite 3 short or full length.
Under a Australian Army Hoochie.
I have just bought an Australian Hootchie after using it on a Woodsmoke "Woodlander" course, I have also bought a Nomad Hamock as a cheaper alternative to the ray mears system... I would be interested to know how you have customised it / improved it??
G:
bushblade
07-08-2004, 09:43
I have just bought an Australian Hootchie after using it on a Woodsmoke "Woodlander" course, I have also bought a Nomad Hamock as a cheaper alternative to the ray mears system... I would be interested to know how you have customised it / improved it??
G:
I did the same last year after my woodlander :wink:
The ties that come with it are not nearly long enough so I replaced these with a 6m length of 25mm webbing at each end (available from http://www.pointnorth.co.uk).
You were probably told about setting up drip lines on your woodlander, but by far the best system for drip lines is this;
http://www.yoxio.com/img/68029.jpg
The stainless steel rings are also available from point north, but karabiners work well also.
The knots you need to use are here http://www.pyramidbodyguards.co.uk/raymears/hintsandtips.asp
but you will probably be familiar with these as they are variations of the knots you learned on your woodlander.
There are more pictures in my gallery if they will help.
I'm just about to set off for 4 days in Scotland so I'll try and take some more pics.
masongary44
08-08-2004, 19:46
Scotland you say,.... Bushcraft or B&B. I would be intrerested if you find anywhere suitable to spend a few days living as you do on the Woodlander course... there are so few places to do it orund Manchester..
Enjoy, I am jealous!!
Gary
I noticed on this website:http://www.woodsmoke.uk.com/clothing.htm
they reccomend the nomad hammock.
And further down the page they also reccomend the
LIFE SYSTEMS MOSQUITO NET.
presumably to go with the Nomad hammock?
Is this the net you use bushblade? And if so does it 'tuck' into the sides of the hammock?
And does anyone know where you can get them?
:pack:
I have got an Hennessy a-sym expedition but have bought the larger hex rain fly sheet for it. This works very well as you can have one side down to the ground and the other side out horizontal, giving you the feel of real "roominess" :pack:
ChrisKavanaugh
09-08-2004, 20:47
I use my Wiggy bag system, one bag rated @ 35 degrees and another @ 0. mated together @ -10 degrees I can meet most any temperature condition short of a full arctic weatherfront. I have a foam pad, full 72" length and my 9'x9' nylon tarp and Flektar poncho. If I need a tent, it's a cowboy canvas Tepee and a 3 Dog woodburning stove.
Bushblade, very interesting that you are adapting the nomad hammock as I am in the process of doing the same thing. It looks from you pictures as if you have replaced the original lines with elastics? How has it performed?
I had been thinking about replacing them with a small loop of webbing to cut down on knots and unecessary ends and hadn't thought about elastic/ bungee type cord.
Steve
masongary44
10-08-2004, 09:47
You can but the nomad hammock and mosquito net from a few places, Online at www.nomadtravel.co.uk, your local Outdoor or Scout shop.
A word of warning though, I also bought the Jungle basha...
The hammock is green, the mossie net is greed, the basha is Blue... go figure. They reckon its because a shelter should be easy to find in the jungle. In that cas you would make it bright orange, not dark blue. And in any case, what are you doing in the jungle if you are not capble of finding your camp, and when visibility is yards how would that work anyway.... When I asked them about a green one, the best htey could offer was a British Army basha.
So i bought an Oz Hootchi of e-bay (there have been 5 on there over the last 2 weeks... ) for 29 quid including p&p (would need to buy para cord as they do not come with lines.
Otherwise the Hammock and Net are good and relatively cheap too.
G:
This week I have mostly been sleeping naked!
Errr, no not really!!! Half length german folding kip mat, issue bivi bag, Softie doss bag, all concealed nicely under either a jungle sheet, or my own personally created 2oz ripstop nylon basha sheet!
bushblade
10-08-2004, 23:31
Well I've just got back, 4 of the most wet days I've ever spent in the outdoors! Everywhere got flooded I didn't have many opportunities to take photos, so damn wet, but I'll try and get some up tomorrow.
The only time I was dry when I was sleeping!
Bushblade, very interesting that you are adapting the nomad hammock as I am in the process of doing the same thing. It looks from you pictures as if you have replaced the original lines with elastics? How has it performed?
I had been thinking about replacing them with a small loop of webbing to cut down on knots and unecessary ends and hadn't thought about elastic/ bungee type cord.
Steve
No not elastic or bungee! That would be very silly! Its 25mm green nylon webbing from Pointnorth.co.uk
I noticed on this website:http://www.woodsmoke.uk.com/clothing.htm
they reccomend the nomad hammock.
And further down the page they also reccomend the
LIFE SYSTEMS MOSQUITO NET.
presumably to go with the Nomad hammock?
Is this the net you use bushblade? And if so does it 'tuck' into the sides of the hammock?
And does anyone know where you can get them?
Lifesystems do not make a mosquito net that works well with a hammock, I asked the rep last time he was in store and he said no.
As already stated Nomad make a net that works with the hammock, but I've not tried it and don't see any need to for UK use, even in midge infested Scotland. The hammock is twin layer and I find this good enough on its own.
Scotland you say,.... Bushcraft or B&B. I would be intrerested if you find anywhere suitable to spend a few days living as you do on the Woodlander course... there are so few places to do it orund Manchester..
Enjoy, I am jealous!!
Gary
Bushcraft of course! B'n'B..... really! moi :nono: :-)
There are some fantastic places in Scotland, not too far from the border too if you know where to look. I don't want to be too specific about where, I'm sure most of you understand especially in light of the recent events at Stuarts/Bearclaw site.
But I'd be happy to show, in person, the locations to most individuals on this site. I usually end up going on my own anyway, so some company could be good :biggthump
The General
11-08-2004, 01:39
I use a cheap roll mat over which I use my Thermarest luxury model mat. I sleep in an Army Gore Tex bag, in a Rab 360 with an Army Issue Ponch as cover. It all works fairly well.
I use a sort of improvised "eco sleep" with a British Army Basha and a hammock. exremely comfy.
Otherwise I'll build my own (usually a kind of tipi thing made of braches)
bushblade
12-08-2004, 22:51
Well here's a couple of pics of my hammock as promised, taken in the short lived sunshine of Saturday.
http://www.yoxio.com/img/80652.jpg
http://www.yoxio.com/img/80653.jpg
Bushblade, nice pictures.
I am hoping to get a night in my hammock at the weekend now that I've added rings and webbing.
Further to my last question did you leave the original lines between the hammock and the rings?
Steve
bushblade
13-08-2004, 09:12
Bushblade, nice pictures.
I am hoping to get a night in my hammock at the weekend now that I've added rings and webbing.
Further to my last question did you leave the original lines between the hammock and the rings?
Steve
At first yes I used the lines to connect the hammock to the rings I just cut 2 short lengths (about 12cm each) threaded them through the hammock, through the rings and fastened the ends together with a double sheet bend. I later replaced these short lengths with 5mm green rope (just a bit more heavy duty).
masongary44
13-08-2004, 14:51
But I'd be happy to show, in person, the locations to most individuals on this site. I usually end up going on my own anyway, so some company could be good :biggthump
Thats a mighty fine offer... I would love to take you up on that one!! please get in touch and we can try and sort something out. I am fairly new to this game (well a lifetime in the scouts and a few courses) and it would be great to travel with someone experienced.
Its just a shame i found / joined the community a bit late to be able to get to the meet.
Gary
I use an OG Basha, one of the old issue ones. I have been using various hammocks with this over the years and these are much the same as the Nomad design, I have just experimented with different fabrics.
My current hammock has a built in midge net (you don't feel quite so closed in) and a thermarest pocket, so your not fighting to keep the thing under you all night.
I'm working on a project, to be posted here, which is a light weight, ultra compact sleeping system, thats fairly easy to make (watch this space).
Neil
Roving Rich
18-08-2004, 13:10
I'm using a Hennesy ultralight backpacker, and relying on it being over engineered to take my 16 stone. I use a thermarest in it , and have unclipped the hennessy fly and replaced it with an SASS (aussie i think) hoochie. Its slightly larger than the origional fly and offers many more options if you cant sling the hammock.
Works well for me :-P
Cheers
Rich
What is the best system for sleeping under a tarp In your opinions, I would like to buy one soon but am not sure what i should have with it as i've never slept under one before. Should it just be a mat with your sleeping bag on top and then a bivvy bag over that if it's a chilly night???
Just make sure your bag AND mat are inside your bivi or you will end up sliding all over the place.
Ed
And what if you don't have a bivvi? Instead can you put a poncho liner down and then just lay in your sleeping bag on that???
Squidders
20-08-2004, 21:38
IMy current hammock has a built in midge net (you don't feel quite so closed in) and a thermarest pocket, so your not fighting to keep the thing under you all night.
What is this hammock? sounds perfect! where can I get one? gimme gimme!!! I want! :wink:
Paganwolf
20-08-2004, 22:17
I gotta nomad jungle hammock, used it in borneo its like an envelope so you can treat it with permathrin (mozzi repellent) and get inside it, used with a hoochi/basha its a perfect set up for around 50 quid :shock:
bushblade
21-08-2004, 07:36
I gotta nomad jungle hammock, used it in borneo its like an envelope so you can treat it with permathrin (mozzi repellent) and get inside it, used with a hoochi/basha its a perfect set up for around 50 quid :shock:
Pemethrin is an insecticide not a repellant
Swampthing
25-08-2004, 13:42
Pemethrin is an insecticide not a repellant
If it kills the little bleeders then I'd say they're pretty well repelled!
I use a british army tarp/ shelter sheet. It's pretty versatile and very light.
Oh, how nice to find people who think like me. For too long now I thought I was on my own with my different hammocks, poncho liners and homemade stoves. In fact, I started to think I was becoming obsessed by all things woody. I feel normal again!
I sleep either with a army bivi, thermarest, sleeping bag and basha in the mountains, or a nomad hammock, basha, poncho liner in the woods (with a mat in winter)... but seeing the earlier posts i will be altering the system.
What would you suggest as a lightweight mat? I don't mind whether it's inflatable etc but I don't want to fork out the £45 for a Thermarest.
I'm using just a cheap Roll mat but I want somthing more comfortable and insulative.
Highlander make their own version of the thermarest..... not a bad bit of kit and very economical at around £25ish. They also do a 3/4 length version called the thermalite under £20
http://www.army-surplus.co.uk/Merchant2/4.13/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=1&Product_Code=HTR&Category_Code=SB11
Excellent if used in a hammock ;-)
Ed
British Army Bivvi Bag, mostly.
Hennessy Ultralite Backpacker Hammock, where there's trees. (Damn this island I live on which has so few trees!)
(Also have a little 2man Mountain Hardware Thru Hiker Tent too for when we go "posh" camping. :-P )
What do you sleep in/under/ under and in/ up and under? Huh!
Well where to start?
Tents
- 2 man Vango for me +/- wife when canoe/kayak/travel etc.
- 6 berth frame tent (30 years old) for family camping
- 2 man Campari ridge (35 years old) not for some time
Volkswagen Transporter - when touring, plus a new awning as yet not tried or tested.
My most recent acquisitions are a bivy and basha – tested in the back garden last weekend. Great night out and spent ages this Friday having fun attempting a multitude of differing pitching styles/techniques – a very versatile piece of kit.
Now where did I put that link for the hammock!!!!!!!!!! :lol:
Elliott
Personally I dont like hammocks - never have never will do, if I go to the Jungle I will use one because thats where they are in the eliment but until then I'll sleep as the good lord intended - on the ground which means if I'm travelling light, hootchie/basha, bivi bag, sleeping bag and ground mat but if I'm being civilized then tent (wild country Sirocco) and all the trimmings.
Burnt Ash
29-08-2004, 13:39
I've found the MSR Hubba 1 to be one of the finest solo tents I've ever used.
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/images5/msrhubbav1.jpg
Well, we won't have much difficulty spotting you then!
Burnt Ash
Squidders
29-08-2004, 14:01
if I'm being civilized then tent (wild country Sirocco) and all the trimmings.
I agree with the civilized bit... I think if you're going to take a tent, you may as well take a gennie, TV, fridge and microwave.
I haven't used a hammock yet and I really want to but I have to be honest and say that bivi's do my head in a little... they are always uncomfortable and too constricting. I would rather just have a warmer bag and make sure the hootchie is covering me well.
Other than if you're carrying everything you're going to have for several miles, I take a tent and a double air matress, bashas are an emergency measure for me, for unplanned nights out or to carry at all times just incase I feel like staying.
qweeg500
29-08-2004, 15:05
Nice tips Bushblade. I too have been unsatisfied with the ties on my Nomad. I was tinkering with the idea of a Hennessey but I now I've seen your set up I've decided to re-set up the old Nomad.
Ta very much.
Matt
To stay on thread....I use an Auscam Hootchie, and as I always get hot at night an old drafty Coleman sleeping bag. And if a hammock isn't practical I'll use the good 'ole British Army Bivi.
If I'm wild camping I use an MSR Zoid 1 - and don't think that's living it up 'cos the Zoid is tiny (but nice and light in my rucksack). I'm a bit of a fan of MSR kit and really like the look of Hoodoo's Hubba.
dave750gixer
30-08-2004, 13:26
I suddenly feel like a cosseted amateur (thats ok cause I am!) since i dont sleep under a tarp!
Macpac Zenith Microlight tent, Snugpak Travelpak 650 sleeping bag with Snugpak Silk liner if necessary, Thermarest Ultralight 3/4 length mat, and a polycotton pillowcase stolen from SWMBO's linnen closet when she wasn't looking.
scenerario: sleeping under a tarp on an insulative mat, wrapped in a poncho liner in the warmer months.
Would this be warm enough?
TheViking
02-09-2004, 18:44
scenerario: sleeping under a tarp on an insulative mat, wrapped in a poncho liner in the warmer months.
Would this be warm enough?
Yes and even better with a fire going next to you! :wink:
scenerario: sleeping under a tarp on an insulative mat, wrapped in a poncho liner in the warmer months.
Would this be warm enough?
not for me! :roll:
only one way to find out, get out in the garden and try it :super:
cheers, and.
Fenlander
27-01-2005, 20:47
I gotta nomad jungle hammock, used it in borneo its like an envelope so you can treat it with permathrin (mozzi repellent) and get inside it, used with a hoochi/basha its a perfect set up for around 50 quid :shock:
Hi everyone....just registered, so this is my first post! I have just bought a nomad hammock. A piece of paper contained in the stuff-sac say's they have changed the material used for the hammock and now only recommend sleeping between the layers in an emergancy. The new material is lighterweight and dries quicker (apparently).
Hi everyone....just registered, so this is my first post! I have just bought a nomad hammock. A piece of paper contained in the stuff-sac say's they have changed the material used for the hammock and now only recommend sleeping between the layers in an emergancy. The new material is lighterweight and dries quicker (apparently).
Thanks for the information Fenlander and Welcome to BCUK :biggthump