I’ve just been doing some first set of calculations about kit for a solo crossing next year. My base-weight was pretty low last year and – other than stoves and canisters – I reckon that it is in the shelter and sleep area that I can save weight. I’ve already decided to move down to my 500 gram (1 pound) pack.
Here is the beginning of the spreadsheet that I’ve started putting together, based on some of the kit I already have. I start with my base which was last year with the Akto. I’ve then looked at the TN Competition, two Henry Shires tarptent options and various options around tarps/bivys and clothing combos. You can see the options that I’ve been playing with.
The results are quite interesting. It’s not easy to beat the Competition, especially if I assume that it will allow me to keep the rest of the kit the same. Would a tarp tent require a warmer bag? Would using a tarp for two weeks mean that I would really need to look at synthetic fill.
Only the first stages of thinking this through, but the spreadsheet is here:
For most people the Competition option would be the one to go for, it has most of the advantages of a lighter weight shelter system (weight, pack size) but few of the disadvantages of tarps or tarptents (condensation finding your bag, cold, stability), only if you want to go really light are the other options the ones to go for. You do have to be prepared to spend time drying condensation before it finds its way to your bag, if you’re not prepared to do this then forget any single skin shelter in the UK, also picking where to camp becomes much more critical. While the Competition isn’t as stable as a Akto from what I saw in Braemar its pretty good, certainly superior to a Squall and possibly the Contrail, a tarp is still useable if you pitch it low enough, I’ve had to get into the press-up position before just to enter and exit a tarp but I’ve never had a tarp blow down.
My choice for 2008 will probably be -
Modified GG Spinnshelter with pegs guys etc and a ML Soul bivy total weight 492g with that I will use my standard RAB Q200 bag (472g) and if it’s cold I will wear either my fleece, down jacket or both, that will keep my warm down to at least -2 which should be enough.
I don’t think you would need a warmer bag with a tarp or tarptent I certainly don’t, particularly if you use the ML Soul bivy bag which will keep any breezes and condensation away from your bag.
I’m quite interested in the Soul Bivy. I shall spend some more time with my new tarp before thinking about whether it would be a Challenge option.
Currently, I’m using the Rab Survival Zone with tarps and am not sure that it is breathable enough for use with a down bag, say, over two weeks. But I’ll see what further experiment does.
As always interesting post Andy. Your tarp system would have the possible benefit of dual use as a thermo layer in camp, leaving your insulated jacket back home so you should substract that from the 1.87 leaving it approx. head2head with your Shires variation.
A Tarptent Rainbow would come in at 0,91 but is roomier and better designed compared to the TN Competition imho. Henry is also working on an optional liner like the one for the DR which would convert it into a double wall tent.
Interesting. I’ve not really explored the Rainbow option yet.
Andy youve got to listen to your own advice about cooking in shelter, and spending long times in tent, would you really want to do that in a tarp or tarptent thats weighs 50g less
The answer Paul is probably not! THe Competition would represent a decent base weight drop. I’m happy playing with tarps for a few days at a time but think two weeks in Scotland might be overt the top. A comfort zone is useful.
But you never know!
I’ve looked at the HS Rainbow but unless the guying system could be improved with a system such as that used on the old Pheonix Phreeranger (3 guys on each end of the pole)then i really don’t think it would be suitable for the windy conditions we experienced on this challenge.
Andy I think the ML Soul bivy is the best designed bivy available at the moment. The biggest problem I find with the current range of water resistant bivy bags is that most of them simply fold the silnylon base up to make a waterproof foot area which I find just causes condensation and then a wet foot area of the bag over a few days. The ML Soul uses an eVent foot box which should solve that and also has a well designed bug net. It’s certainly the one I’m going to get.
He Colin, wait for my upcoming posting of the Double Rainbow. Henry modified the 2007 models substantially in terms of wind stability. This applies to the Rainbow and Double Rainbow but unfortunately Henry didn’t have the time to update his website so far.
Look forward to it Roman i had heard that he had modified the Double Rainbow but was unaware that the standard one had also been updated. Looking at the latest pictures it looks like there is a loop of webbing in just the right place for the guys so maybe it is a option.
If you use a Bushbuddy, and so will have a large source of fuel if you are reasonably lucky, can you also use it as a stove to give you heat in your tent or tarp? Perhaps some kind of cover would do the job? Obviously there would be safety issues to resolve, but it gives you a way of increasing warmth at no cost in equipment.
One thing worth bearing in mind is that we got off lightly with the sub-zero temperatures on this year’s Challenge. in ’06 we had a -5C and in ’05 a -6C! Unless you are particularly warm blooded a half kilo sleep system is going to be found wanting.
Jerry,
The Bushbuddy is pretty efficient and uses relatively little fuel. Often when I’ve been using mine I have quickly searched out a large supply of wood. This has then kept the stove going for some time, much of it to provide a little warmth. It would also be useful to stave off insects. You could easily use the Bushbuddy in a tarp – Colin used his under the beak of his tarp tent. Maybe it could be used in a large vestibule but you’d have to be careful.
I think Colin found the Bushbuddy safer than a alcohol stove. It can spit with damp wood apparently but I’ve never experienced that; Colin told me you just have to be a little vigilant.
But I’ll test some of these things out during the summer.
David,
This year’s Challenge was mild. Last year’s was much colder and my Minimus was on the edge a couple of times, although I was never really uncomfortable – I did find that I got going earlier in the morning though!
These gear choices are interesting. Chris Townsend still takes his Akto by choice, because it is more stable in high winds (amongst other things). He likes a very high route and high camping spots. Someone he was camping with this year was using a Competition that got blown away! I’m not quite sure of the circumstances but I think Bob might have got an interview with the unlucky fellow!
BTW, everyone should spare a thought for poor old Bob. He’s currently rather daunted by the amount of audio he has be deal with for the forthcoming set of podcasts,
Expect a limited edition box set
On the Rainbow, it looks as if it has a far higher profile than the Contrail et al. Takes takes it more into the normal tent world where guying and pegging will be more important. I’ll be interested to see how these improvements work.
I’ll also be interested in more reports back Roman!
Andy,
That’s the point I was making earlier regarding sleep systems. It was quite mild this year and folks got away with lighter sleeping bags, but every year is different, even different parts of the Highlands can be experience different weather and people can find themselves unprepared for the temperature/weather because of the gear choices they have made. I met people this year who had underestimated nighttime temperatures and had uncomfortable nights! The same can be said regarding shelters, hmmm.
Hi,i would second the MLD soul bivy,perfect under my MLD grace solo spectralite tarp(both used in th UK) only prob is the time they take to make,well worth it though,simon