Give Me Shelter Tents Tents come in hundreds

“Give Me Shelter”

Tents • Tents come in hundreds of combinations of size, shape, material, colors and uses. • There are 4 main questions you need to ask yourself when selecting a tent • What activities will you be doing? • What seasons will you use it? • How many people do you want it for? • How much can you spend?

1. Bivy Sacs • Solo shelter systems • Essentially a sleeping bag with a hoop around the head

Bivy Sacs- Are for people that • Frequently travel solo in the backcountry. • Climb big-wall routes that require more than a day to complete. • Camp during long-distance biking trips. • Seriously desire to shed every possible ounce from their loads. • Don't mind sleeping in snug spaces.

2. Three-season tents (most common) • For spring, summer and fall usage in temperate climates. • Perform well in wind and rain • Not suited to handle significant snow loads

3. Four-season Tents • One or two additional poles to fortify walls and help against severe wind or heavy snow loads • Rounded dome design, eliminating flat spaces on a tent's rainfly where snow can accumulate. • Extra poles will make them a touch heavier

4. Convertible Tents • Four-season models that can be converted into three-season tents

5. Warm-weather tents • Lightweight shelters, designed for one or two people, that feature large mesh walls for superb ventilation. • Can be used in three-season settings, but most useful in warmer, humid climates

6. Single-wall Tents • Designed with the minimalist in mind. • Essentially, they are rainflies equipped with a few vents you can zip open during warmer conditions

Capacity • Minus 1 rule • A 4 person tent is really only good for 3 people

Tent Terms • Ventilation – is good. You want lots of it • Fly – Water/wind proof material that is added on to the tent. Full fly is better than ½ fly for protection but compromises ventilation • Foot Print – tarp that you put under your tent • Bath Tub Design- built in foot print • Vestibule – xtra storage space at entrance of tent

Where should we set-up camp? • • Flat ground Elevated Sheltered from wind Upwind from potty, cooking spot and fire

Other Considerations • • • Weight Compressability Material of Poles Read Consumer Reviews Don’t buy without setting up first

Unwritten Tent Rules • Lay out all material and poles before setting up. • Poles and material are not invincible • Shake out tent and zip up before packing • Roll poles inside material • Stuff material in sac (so it doesn’t get memory) • Never put tent away wet • Follow the seams