Touring - Stealth camping using a bivy?

Hi All,

I'm toying with the idea of using a bivy for stealth camping this spring/summer/fall, and was wondering if those here would mind sharing their experience and expertise.

My thought is that for stealthing, a bivy would be a lot easier to set up and conceal than a small tent. I've just ordered a new LHT, and I'm hoping to try some solo S240's this year, and cut back a bit on the amount of gear I schlep. Using a 2 lb bivy and a summer weight bag might be a step in the right direction.

On a related note, a local surplus store has these Chinook Summit bivy's for sale (http://www.thesleepingbagshop.com/product_info.php?products_id=120), and I wondered if anyone had any experience with them. The price seems reasonable, and at a glance, they seem to be reasonably well made, but I can't find much in the way of reviews.

Thanks in advance to all!
Brawny

I'm all for a bivy unless........................... The weather turns to poo. I can handle a day or so but if it gets to be a regular thing the bivy just sucks. If I did a bivy without tent I would only do it if I had a nice sil tarp I could pitch as well. Having something to hang out in during a rain storm is pretty much required for me.

That being said... I've done what you plan. It works but.. I only use a bivy mountaineering light and fast these days. Anything longer than a few days I'm bringing a tent. YMMV.

They do work great for stealth camping though. Pretty much fit anywhere and you stay hidden very well.

If you've never used one for an extended period of time... I suggest taking a short weekend trip with one when it's raining. If you still like the idea after that... You are tougher than I.

So.... bivy+tarp=yes bivy-tarp=no again... my opinion only.

No personal experience with a bivy but I can imagine it would get a bit miserable with a few consecutive nights of rain.

If you're open to other solutions that weigh in around 2lbs, check out Tarptent for lightweight single wall fully enclosed tent options (I own two and love them, esp. for lightweight touring) or Hennessy Hammocks for the ultimate stealth option when in wooded areas (no need to worry about smooth, flat ground).

I've only used a bivy a few times and moisture collected both times. A friend had one in the rain and said he had a miserable night. I'd look for tarp, ground cloth and good drainage before a bivy.

If you're really planning on doing a lot of stealth camping then you might look into the small camo military-style tents. They're significantly heavier, but low-profile and camo for staying hidden. And, most importantly, the material is fully opaque so you can have some lights on inside the tent and they won't make it glow on the outside like a normal tent. Here's a description of one Eureka model:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXivRSG6fEI

They would make it much more comfortable to be able to sit out some bad weather periods and be able to read, eat, etc. inside the tent while remaining well hidden.

DONT DO IT. I tried and even during light to medium rains i got zero sleep. Get a one man tent or some other kind of tent. Save you from being miserable.

Go bivy + tarp or hammock + tarp. They both are hard to see and both are very light. A small lightweight siltarp weighs pretty much nothing and adds huge rain protection.

I used a Bibler Bipod Bivy a few years ago while canoe tripping.
It has more volume than many bivys but still pretty compact and light.
Did get a couple of rain storms - it was fine.
My tripping was later in the summer when the nights started cooling a lot,
so there was a lot of condensation on the outside in the morning. So the bivy
did get pretty damp - when we stopped for lunch I would unroll the bivy and let
it air out. For me, this bivy was a good choice.

I think the general consensus is about what I expected:

bivy's are a pretty minimalist way to travel, and they're not particularly comfortable, particularly if the weather is wet
bivy + tarp is a better option than bivy alone.


The Tarptent looks like a good piece of gear, as does the Eureka tent (albeit a bit heavy). One of our kids has a solo Eureka tent, much like the camo one in the video link, minus the camo, so perhaps I'll consider it as well, since it's a piece of gear I already have access to.

I have a good lightweight tarp (not a siltarp, but the next grade up, from MEC, our Canadian version of REI), and whatever I do, the tarp comes with me anyway, along with a good length of strong, lightweight cord to string it up as needed.

I'm also considering a Hennessey hammock as a good way to stealth camp, but without a good bush lot, I think might be a bit harder to conceal a hammock than a bivy, although that's more of a gut feel than anything. I've done a lot of reading on them, and they certainly look like an interesting option, and they're not much more than the bivy I was looking at.

Thanks,
Brawny

+1 on the TarpTent. I have a Contrail and LOVE it. Packs down very small and it's incredibly light. Does great in all types of weather and is very roomy for a small single person tent. Maybe not as 'hidden' as a camo tent but I've never had any issues w/ stealth camping in it

I toured a month in a bivy. Like others have said though, if it rains for a lengthy period of time, they really suck to be stuck in one. I use a 7x5 tent now for stealth camping. I've never been discovered yet, the key is NOT to be seen when going into the spot you choose from the road. Once it gets dark, the odds you're be discovered in the woods is minimal unless you're right next to a house with a dog. Best wishes.

I use the Wild Oasis floorless tent by Six Moon Designs. It weighs less than one pound and has plenty of room for one plus gear. If you need a tent floor the Lunar Solo is the same thing but with the floor. I own both, but like the weight savings of the Wild Oasis. The owner of Six Moon Designs is awesome. I highly recommend it. Like what others have said, bivy's are only comfortable when you don't need to be in it.

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=48

I first used a bivy back in 79 when I hitch hiked across country and I'd say they are a good way to go for small and light but like others have said when the weather turns bad it's no place to hang out. A good addition to a bivy is a good tarp like the MSR. If you trench the area around the tarp you can keep the area dry in a down pour and move about. The other nice thing about a bivy is that you can get into it quickly if you find your self swarmed by mosquitos like I did on many occasions without repellant. Keep in mind also that a bivy adds about 10 degrees to a sleeping bag so if you're going to be in a cooler climate you can scale back on the bag or if in a warm climate you may be able to use a sheet or blanket alone. I have an Early Winters Gore Tex Bivy which is the same one I've had since that trip and it still performs well though it's no longer my primary shelter and it's small enough to carry as a backup or an alternate if I just want to camp quickly.

If you want to stealth camp get yourself a stealth shelter. Size is only one element of stealth design; the B2 bomber is huge, but it is stealth. A rescue-me orange bivy sack will stand out like a sore thumb in any environment.

I have a 10x10 foot square tarp made of BLACK silnylon. I can get my bike and all my gear under it as well as my bag. Black, being the absence of light and color, is something our eyes naturally pass over, and a black tarp at night is for all intents and purposes invisible to anyone who isn't deliberately looking for a hidden black shelter. This is true stealth, even moreso than that silly camo patterned stuff for the soldier of fortune poseurs.

I'm a summer bike tourer. That means hot weather and mosquitoes.

I hate mosquitoes. I hate DEET even more. If you're going to limit yourself to a bivy or a bivy with a tarp, make sure you have a plan for hot steamy nights with lots of mosquitoes. I can't imagine sweating in a zipped up bivy on a hot, humid night and being unable to open it up because of the mosquitoes.

I'm sticking with my tent that has good mosquito netting.

If you want to stealth camp get yourself a stealth shelter. Size is only one element of stealth design; the B2 bomber is huge, but it is stealth. A rescue-me orange bivy sack will stand out like a sore thumb in any environment.

I have a 10x10 foot square tarp made of BLACK silnylon. I can get my bike and all my gear under it as well as my bag. Black, being the absence of light and color, is something our eyes naturally pass over, and a black tarp at night is for all intents and purposes invisible to anyone who isn't deliberately looking for a hidden black shelter. This is true stealth, even moreso than that silly camo patterned stuff for the soldier of fortune poseurs.

:rolleyes:

yes, ninja.

that's why militaries all use black gear and equipment and not colors and patterns like MARPAT camo.

However you do it, bring a drab or ninja black or poseur camo tarp and ground cloth in addition to a bivy. your flexibility in sheltering will be great.

I can forgo the bivy and just wrap in my tarp for the night if lo profile is an imperative.

my best shelter system, one i've honed for decades, is a siltarp, a suspended bug tent and a ground cloth.

packs the smallest, best airflow, most room and most versatile. A tarp with sewn on mosquito net perimeter would be even more spacious.

not the stealthiest, I've often thought about a voyageur shelter made of siltarp. there was a canadian company churning these out for canoe packers, but their stock colors were all bright.... you could have a three pound siltarp with mosquito netting that could be used in a host pitching ways including the stealth bivy roll, and a spacious bug free tent with room for bike when stealth lopro was not an absolute imperative.

Touring is supposed to be enjoyable. Like Kyakdiver, I've only used my bivy sack for mountineering, and only when I had to. No matter how you do it I think you will end up with a damp bag in the morning, especially in rain. It is hard to get out of your sleeping bag, get dressed, stuff you bag while confined in a bivy during a rain storm. I think I'd opt for a 3-4 pound one person tent which would give you about 10 times the comfort for the extra weight. Wrapping in anything that is coated leads to condensation between the coated fabric and your sleeping bag. Even breathable fabrics do poorly in certain conditions.

Why the fixation with "stealth" camping. I've been touring for over 30 years and have done a lot of "primitive" camping, but very seldom had or felt that I had to sneak into a camping spot. Maybe it is because I live in the west were there is a lot of public land. I have also had good luck asking people about camp spots and usually came up with something that was useable without resorting to what is essentially trespassing. The few times that I have had to resort to it was because I had no other choices. Again bike touring is about having fun, and if I was nervous about sneaking into a campspot and having to use camo, I think that would definately reduce the relaxation factor.

Having said all that, we live in free countries, and everyone sees things a little differently. Enjoy!

Hi Doug64.

Thanks for the feedback on bivies and condensation. Having never used one before, that's the sort of feedback I'm after. I have a couple good quality small tents (2 man Eureka, and a 3 man MEC Tarn), and completely agree with you that tents would likely be a LOT more comfortable than a bivy.



Why the fixation with "stealth" camping.


My fixation stems from not wanting to have to pay for accommodations for short, overnight tours. I've read some interesting articles on 'stealth' camping over the years (Allan Stokell's article at crazyguyonabike (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/stealthcamping), and Ken Kifer's pages on bike touring/camping (http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/touring/index.htm) to name a couple). I've also been following Kent Peterson's blog (http://kentsbike.blogspot.com/) and as a result of seeing the gear he takes on tour, I'm interested in trying to cut back on the amount of stuff I need to take when doing a short tour.

In Southwestern Ontario, the terrain is pretty varied, and there is a good mix of farmland and small to medium-sized wood lots interspersed with small towns. There isn't much in the way of 'public land' around here, or I would do as you have, and simply set up there.

My thought was that it shouldn't be any trouble to find unimproved, unfenced, unposted wood lots at the side of the road within a day's bike of home so that I could bike for the day, find a quiet place to 'camp' for the night, and in the morning, get up and bike towards home again. (I've heard these types of trips called S240's before). I could take one of my tents, but it seems to me that they're not only much more visible but time consuming to put up - and take down in a hurry, if necessary. My gut tells me that I'd be a lot more likely to be spotted and roused than in a smaller, darker bivy.

I've also considered a Hennessey hammock (http://hennessyhammock.com/), as Allan uses, as they're dark coloured, quick to put up, and rain proof, but without ever having slept in a hammock before, I'm a bit hesitant to shell out a couple hundred bucks for gear that may or may not suit my needs. They seem like a good idea, although they have cool weather issues that would need to be addressed as well.

As for tresspassing, from reading the trespass page (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=lt&page_id=35787&v=10) that Allan put up on crazyguyonabike, it sounds like you're not trespassing if you leave when asked, provided that the property is un-improved, unsigned etc. Obviously, this is Allan's interpretation of the laws of Ontario, but I think he's pretty close to the mark. Probably laws are different in the US, but I know there are others that stealth camp there as well.

For longer tours, when my wife and I travel together, we go deluxe. Tent, tarp, two stoves... Heck - we even take plates and silverware, and a change of clothes! :) We also plan those tours in a lot greater detail, and typically stay in campgrounds or provincial parks, or occasionally look for couchsurfing or warmshowers hosts.

What I'm really looking for here is a way to go exploring on my own by bike for a day or two - without having to pay for a place to rest my head. It sounds to me like a bivy would work, albeit with a lot of drawbacks and tradeoffs in comfort.

I think I'll continue to weigh my options for a while yet. The snow won't be off the ground here until April, so I still have some time to ponder my choices!

Brawny

I've done a fair amount of touring with a bivy. Condensation is an ever present issue. Never been a problem, but it's there. As long as you're using a synthetic bag it shouldn't be any real concern.

I use an Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy. Sets up in a matter of seconds. I feel comfortable camping in all kinds of places that I'm not allowed to be in. I use it in all four seasons.

Never have been able to get the pole to stand up when the rain fly isn't covering my face, though, which means that the mosquito net drapes over my face, and the mosquitoes bite me through the mesh. That's my one gripe, because sometimes it's just too hot close the bag over your head in the summer.

the sticky wicket in concealed camping is the bike and pannier reflectors. any bits of flecco or silver stand out like a shooting star when in front of a headlamp/flashlight.

you'll need a tarp to conceal the bike with anyhoo. just duck under the tarp, propper' up on a few sticks or whatnot, or guy out if its going to rain.

mosquito net of a sort, add a groundcloth, and you're set! bivy, eh. good in the mountains while climbing.

you can often hide in the middle of the day in sight and not be seen if you do it fairly well.

all these 'stealth' bike campsites below were within 50-75 feet of a road and pretty much undetectable from that distance/direction by a person looking from the roadway.

for those critical of the camo or (conversely) the lack of effective line concealment, i'm staying hidden from casual observers and park ranger types, not enemy combatants.

i'm not going to spend time arranging foilage to stay on the down low, but use camo tarps because i've got some, and find they work concealing bike & body better during light conditions than solid colors if they tones match close enough.

i don't always roll in after dark or leave at first light. i enjoy my evening brewup and morning coffee while stealthing it.

i'm still recommending tarp/net/ground cloth as much more versatile, cheaper and packing lighter than a bivy and better for tucking in bike AND self well.

the sticky wicket in concealed camping is the bike and pannier reflectors. any bits of flecco or silver stand out like a shooting star when in front of a headlamp/flashlight.

I never have had a big problem with that. I usually just lay my bike down on it's side.

Hennessey hammock......my wife and I have used them for years.
Great nights sleep.
bit of a learning curve , tho.
I camp in southwestern Ontario and its all I use.

sometimes a provincial park( the Pinery is a fav!) and sometimes just a spot off the side of the road.

works for me.

cyril

Hennessey hammock......my wife and I have used them for years.
Great nights sleep.
bit of a learning curve , tho.
I camp in southwestern Ontario and its all I use.

sometimes a provincial park( the Pinery is a fav!) and sometimes just a spot off the side of the road.

works for me.

cyril

H Cyril,

We spend a good deal of time in the Pinery as well. Great park, and close to home.

What sort of learning curve is there with the hammocks? I'm interested in them but not sure I'm ready to make the $200 - $300 leap of faith that they're as good as folks have said without trying one first. MEC carry them now, and we're planning a trip to Toronto this weekend to go to the bike show. We might swing by MEC to see if they have one set up.

Do you use your hammock in colder weather? As I understand it, one of the downsides of the hammock is the amount of heat loss through the bottom. Hennessey are now selling some sort of insulation system, but its relatively new, and additional $$$ over and above the cost of the hammock.

The other thing I wonder about hammocks is the availability of suitable trees to hang them in. Has this been an issue for you? Have you had to set yours up in 'tent mode' before? I've seen pics of folks doing just that, and it didn't look very comfortable or waterproof...

Brawny

the sticky wicket in concealed camping is the bike and pannier reflectors. any bits of flecco or silver stand out like a shooting star when in front of a headlamp/flashlight.

you'll need a tarp to conceal the bike with anyhoo. just duck under the tarp, propper' up on a few sticks or whatnot, or guy out if its going to rain.

mosquito net of a sort, add a groundcloth, and you're set! bivy, eh. good in the mountains while climbing.

you can often hide in the middle of the day in sight and not be seen if you do it fairly well.

all these 'stealth' bike campsites below were within 50-75 feet of a road and pretty much undetectable from that distance/direction by a person looking from the roadway.

for those critical of the camo or (conversely) the lack of effective line concealment, i'm staying hidden from casual observers and park ranger types, not enemy combatants.

i'm not going to spend time arranging foilage to stay on the down low, but use camo tarps because i've got some, and find they work concealing bike & body better during light conditions than solid colors if they tones match close enough.

i don't always roll in after dark or leave at first light. i enjoy my evening brewup and morning coffee while stealthing it.

i'm still recommending tarp/net/ground cloth as much more versatile, cheaper and packing lighter than a bivy and better for tucking in bike AND self well.

Bekologist - it looks like you've got a pretty good system going for you. Lightweight, rain and bug proof (with a mosquito net), and camoflaged as well.

I agree with you about reflectors on the bike - and clothes! My windjacket has great reflective stripes - perfect for being seen in traffic, but also a dead give away with a headlight/flashlight in the bush. I have a lightweight tarp (beige/brown coloured) that'd I'd use to cloak the bike. Just have to remember to wear a different jacket around the camp. :-)

BTW, your pics are great - those look like some awesome camping spots. I can see why you want to arrive early and stay late! :) They look to be off the beaten path a bit - even if there is a road within 50 - 75 feet. Where abouts are they? Northeastern US somewhere?

I'm a fan of Stokell's trip reports and information. I wouldn't have bought my Trangia stove it it weren't for him praising them so highly. I seem to remember he also has a page about keeping warm in a hammock during cold weather.

I'm a fan of Stokell's trip reports and information. I wouldn't have bought my Trangia stove it it weren't for him praising them so highly. I seem to remember he also has a page about keeping warm in a hammock during cold weather.

I'm a fan of the Trangia stove as well - although I'm not sure where I found out about them first - possibly Stokell's articles/logs on crazyguyonabike. They carry them at MEC now, which made the choice easy for me. :-) I don't have the winter adapter yet, but will probaby pick one up on my next trip to Toronto.

Yes, probably Stokell :) I didn't realise there is a winter adapter for the Trangia. I bought the Mini Trangia as recommended by Stokell and am sure glad I did.

His advice was almost enough for me to look at the Hennessy Hammock. It's not stocked in Australia or China. The postage cost would be prohibitive. And I am just not sure it's idiot-proof enough for me. I love the idea of it but imagine having trouble setting it up, finding the right trees, or feeling uncomfortable. I feel exactly the same way as you: I would love to try a hammock but don't want to take the risk of not enjoying it. I do like the Hennessy colour scheme. I have a quiet laugh when I see some high quality, expensive tents with their yellow colour, reflective tape etc. All designed for high visibility. It's the absolute last thing I want when I am planning on stealth camping!

Check out the hennessey hammock website and www.hammockforums.com for all things hammock...:).

yes, hammocks are a bit chilly in the cold and require some additional insulation.
I use the hennessey hammock supershelter to take me down to 0 degrees and an additional down comforter to bring me down to about minus 10 degrees......this is part of the learning curve...:)

to set up the hammock I need two sturdy fixed end points between 12 and 24 feet apart. I DON'T need level ground or a rock-free environment.....this actually gives me more places to camp than a traditional tent or bivy.

and i don't need a tree, either....strudy signposts, trucks and cars, fissures in large rocks(climbing chalks are handy here!) any two endpoints 12 to 24 feet apart allow me to have a great nights sleep.

ive never had to "go to ground" and use my hammock like a tent, though those that have (mostly hikers above the tree line) report the hammock dry and bug-free as always.....just not as comfortable.

if you 've never tried a hammock for camping, please don't tell me how it "can't be done" or how impractical it is. My experience tells me otherwise.

Cyril

the sticky wicket in concealed camping is the bike and pannier reflectors. any bits of flecco or silver stand out like a shooting star when in front of a headlamp/flashlight.

you'll need a tarp to conceal the bike with anyhoo. just duck under the tarp, propper' up on a few sticks or whatnot, or guy out if its going to rain.

mosquito net of a sort, add a groundcloth, and you're set! bivy, eh. good in the mountains while climbing.

you can often hide in the middle of the day in sight and not be seen if you do it fairly well.

all these 'stealth' bike campsites below were within 50-75 feet of a road and pretty much undetectable from that distance/direction by a person looking from the roadway.

for those critical of the camo or (conversely) the lack of effective line concealment, i'm staying hidden from casual observers and park ranger types, not enemy combatants.

i'm not going to spend time arranging foilage to stay on the down low, but use camo tarps because i've got some, and find they work concealing bike & body better during light conditions than solid colors if they tones match close enough.

i don't always roll in after dark or leave at first light. i enjoy my evening brewup and morning coffee while stealthing it.

i'm still recommending tarp/net/ground cloth as much more versatile, cheaper and packing lighter than a bivy and better for tucking in bike AND self well.

Do you have a blog somewhere, I recall reading it and now have lost the link.

sorry, no blog bandwidth. not THAT much into self documentation. I already feel pretty validated. :D

That issue with reflective clothing & gear cannot be overlooked. any shred of flecco stands out in a headlight beam or a flashlight like the biggest animal eyes out there.

serious giveaway. try it next time you are camping; walk back to where most people might look in on the woodyard, and shine a light at your hootch and gear.

you'll likely be amazed at how much of a nightime reflective signature you've got with typical bicycling gear and tents. The tent reflectivity is an unwelcome development in shelters IMO; i've even gone and scraped the reflective off the webbing of a golite pyramid and maybe another shelter to make them more inconspicuous at night.

I bring a lightweight OD nylon windbreaker suit for use around camp instead of my brighter cycling clothing.

Guess I have you confused with someone else

no worries, sorry to disappoint.

to Brawny:

if you decide to purchase a Hennessy Hammock, several of the ultralite models come with a nicely sized coyote brown silnylon rainfly/tarp that can be used separate from the hammock.

I pack my hennessy coyote brown tarp along on most every trip now & use mine for additional drape and cover or as a cooking shelter during inclement weather. the tarp, not the hammock, packs to about the size of a tennis ball.

I don't have a lot of experience with my hennessy; i got it a couple of years ago for use in the more typical NE woodlot or tropical trips.....so hope to use it more in the future.

the Northwest US provides ample space and clearings for on the ground camping and not a lot of bugs. often times during the shoulder seasons i forgo the bugnet, something i would be less willing to do back in Upper Michigan or Ontario.

LeeG - I'm pretty sure I saw one of Bekologist's previous four stealth camping pics posted a year or 18 months ago on this site. It was my first thought when I saw them on the previous page. I always save bicycle or stealth camping set-up pics to my computer that look inspiring, innovative or particularly outstanding. I am sure the first (and perhaps the fourth) pic are saved on my computer at home, so perhaps like me, you've read Bek's camping advice on this site previously.

Hennessy Hammock is closest to bivy I've ever used, and I personally have no particular desire to move in more minimalistic design than that. The hammock is not an eyesore, I'd worry more about bike, panniers, handlebar bag, seat back etc. being visible, as they by necessity have bright colors and reflectors. Or the sea kayak if I'm on a paddling tour.

That said, after several days of consistant rain both tent and hammock start to feel miserable. I'm protected from rain when in camp, but my riding gear will be wet. With the tent I currently have, after setting it up or taking it down 3-4 times in rain, moisture starts to build up in inner tent as well. There's no way I can dry it or any wet clothes or pretty much anything overnight, if I only have tent/hammock for shelter. In bad weather, I usually try take one night out of 3 or so to stay somewhere where I can arrange for dry conditions AND a heat source. Around here, that often means a roofed fireplace in a national park or such.

--J

no worries, sorry to disappoint.

to Brawny:

if you decide to purchase a Hennessy Hammock, several of the ultralite models come with a nicely sized coyote brown silnylon rainfly/tarp that can be used separate from the hammock.

I pack my hennessy coyote brown tarp along on most every trip now & use mine for additional drape and cover or as a cooking shelter during inclement weather. the tarp, not the hammock, packs to about the size of a tennis ball.



Thanks Bekologist! Hennessey has a deal on right now, where they're including a second tarp, and snakeskins with all orders. It's not the silnylon tarp, but the slightly less packable one, but still packs down quite small, from what I can tell. I'm giving it some very, very serious thought. :) My wife hasn't been particularly supportive of this option, however, mostly because hammocks are better suited to solo touring. :(

Being a bit of a clyde, I'm considering the 300lb rated hammocks, just to make sure I've got plenty of margin for error, or "room for growth", so to speak (not that I want to grow!!!). I'd rather pack an extra pound, than risk wearing out my gear prematurely. Even so, they are a very lightweight option.

Most of this stuff on concealment is overwrought. I remember this story in Primitive Archer by a guy who regularly out hunted scads of camo outfitted hunters. He just wore jeans type pants and a regular shirt. Camo works, but stealth camping is just a mater of taking a few steps off the road and getting behind something. Maybe some day there with be a Stokell Open where people stealth camp in plain site and Marine Sniper trainers try to ferret them out with 20 power Steiner binoculars. Till then I wouldn't have a problem with a fluro orange tent. At least if you get busted it isn't as though you will look like you feel guilty about it.

I did carry a bivi at one point it was a lot less trouble to set up, but a lot more trouble to get comfortable in. Normally in the Alpine environment one is up out of the bugs and the sweltering weather. Not my choice for bike camping. The reason I took it was that I was testing out tarp camping and wanted a known fall back shelter if I didn't like the tarp. Overall, on a bike, a real tent is worth the extra pound or two. I don't carry a dome, but a lightweight 2 person tent for one person is worth the weight. The other thing about a bivy is that one can just tumble into a slot somewhere, like one time I used it in some trees that were about 2 feet apart on a hillside. I was stealth camping The following morning I came across some tents set up right across the access road in the area I was in. A lot better night than I had.

Being a bit of a clyde, I'm considering the 300lb rated hammocks, just to make sure I've got plenty of margin for error, or "room for growth

Or you could just get the regular one and have a little bit of added incentive to change into a lean thoroughbred racehorse :)

I considered a bivy until a bloke at an outdoors shop suggested a small dome tent. Especially if you're going to be on the road for a long trip - and I was. A tent is easier to hang out in when you're not riding, or to store your gear, when making short excursions. I once spent a year touring, and my tent was my home.

Or you could just get the regular one and have a little bit of added incentive to change into a lean thoroughbred racehorse :)

I bit the bullet this afternoon, and ordered the Explorer Deluxe A-Sym (http://hennessyhammock.com/specs-explorerDL.html) and the Insulation System (http://hennessyhammock.com/specs_undercoverandunerpad_big.html) so that I'll be good for a solid 3 seasons. Comes with an extra tarp, and snakeskins right now. Rated for 300 lbs, so I can sleep easy knowing that I'm not pushing the envelope on the weight limit. Hopefully that extra margin will mean longer life for the hammock as well.

We have a bush right behind the house. I'll probably be sleeping outdoors in a week or so, experimenting. :-)

Once I've a chance to try it out, I'll report back.

this is a great thread. As I am contemplating an extended tour. I have an up scale bivy, it has a rain fly and bug screen, two poles, so condensation isn't a problem nor would the bugs be, but I can't see hanging out in it on a rainy day. My tour last summer for a week with the two man was most excellent, with a day for hanging out in downpours it was a great deal of room, and being an older guy, I have to get up in the night, and that small tent/bivy just isn't accommodating for getting in and out of, even if I were to use a bottle I need the room of a tent.

I did have someone who has toured some that I use the bivy and a tarp. I didn't use the tarp on last summer's tour, as I was out for a week, and staying in State Parks, but I need one for this extended tour. Having backpacked a bit it is nice to have place to at least get out of the rain, and stay some what dry. Hadn't thought of the bug tent addition...

I bit the bullet this afternoon, and ordered the Explorer Deluxe A-Sym (http://hennessyhammock.com/specs-explorerDL.html) and the Insulation System (http://hennessyhammock.com/specs_undercoverandunerpad_big.html) so that I'll be good for a solid 3 seasons. Comes with an extra tarp, and snakeskins right now. Rated for 300 lbs, so I can sleep easy knowing that I'm not pushing the envelope on the weight limit. Hopefully that extra margin will mean longer life for the hammock as well.

We have a bush right behind the house. I'll probably be sleeping outdoors in a week or so, experimenting. :-)

Once I've a chance to try it out, I'll report back.

Bring some paracord anyways. I have the ultralight rated for 50 lbs more than what I weigh and I have snapped the guy lines dozens of times, snapped the elastics that connect the hammock to the tarp, snapped the line running down the middle of the hammock (unpleasant surprise when I sat down) snapped the tree huggers (worn through from use), and snapped both plastic clips at the end of the tarp.

Bring some paracord anyways. I have the ultralight rated for 50 lbs more than what I weigh and I have snapped the guy lines dozens of times, snapped the elastics that connect the hammock to the tarp, snapped the line running down the middle of the hammock (unpleasant surprise when I sat down) snapped the tree huggers (worn through from use), and snapped both plastic clips at the end of the tarp.

Yikes! I'll be sure to bring some along - after I've tried the hammock out overnight in the back yard and I'm sure it's decent quality, and suitable for the task. From the sounds of it, you're either using yours a lot (so that you're wearing out the lines), or else you're using it like a circus trampoline! :eek:

Seriously though - I'm curious why you've had so many failures. Any ideas?

Yikes! I'll be sure to bring some along - after I've tried the hammock out overnight in the back yard and I'm sure it's decent quality, and suitable for the task. From the sounds of it, you're either using yours a lot (so that you're wearing out the lines), or else you're using it like a circus trampoline! :eek:

Seriously though - I'm curious why you've had so many failures. Any ideas?

I took it up BC for a month, down the Pacific coast for a month, across the US for a month, down to Mexico for two months. So about 150 days of use there. Most of the damage (guy lines, elastics, clips) came from winds pulling on the tarp. Anything over 15 mph would buffet the hammock like crazy and rip out or snap the guy lines. It also put quite a sag in the middle of the tarp from stretching. The tree huggers eventually wore through from having the main line cinched through the eyelets at the end. A full strength carabiner could solve that problem. I am not sure exactly why the main line inside the hammock snapped. Maybe I set it up too tight. I used to have a habit of grabbing on to it to lift myself up when I wanted to shift my sleeping pad or anything underneath me. I don't do that anymore.

I took it up BC for a month, down the Pacific coast for a month, across the US for a month, down to Mexico for two months. So about 150 days of use there. Most of the damage (guy lines, elastics, clips) came from winds pulling on the tarp. Anything over 15 mph would buffet the hammock like crazy and rip out or snap the guy lines. It also put quite a sag in the middle of the tarp from stretching. The tree huggers eventually wore through from having the main line cinched through the eyelets at the end. A full strength carabiner could solve that problem. I am not sure exactly why the main line inside the hammock snapped. Maybe I set it up too tight. I used to have a habit of grabbing on to it to lift myself up when I wanted to shift my sleeping pad or anything underneath me. I don't do that anymore.

So it sounds like you've gotten some pretty decent usage out of it then! The carabiner is a good idea. I'll check it out once i receive mine. And I will definitely be carrying some extra cord! :)

Not having any experience with the hammock yet, is there any way to reduce the wind buffeting you mention (aside from not using it in strong winds)? Would a lightweight bungee cord on the end of the fly pullouts or stabilizing ropes help at all to reduce vibrations?

The Hennessey site talks about reasonable prices on 'routine maintance'. Not sure if that's something you'd benefit from though, Dan. It sounds like you know yours inside out and backwards by now. :)

With 150 days of hammocking under your belt, you must have some good touring adventures to go with them!

So it sounds like you've gotten some pretty decent usage out of it then! The carabiner is a good idea. I'll check it out once i receive mine. And I will definitely be carrying some extra cord! :)

Not having any experience with the hammock yet, is there any way to reduce the wind buffeting you mention (aside from not using it in strong winds)? Would a lightweight bungee cord on the end of the fly pullouts or stabilizing ropes help at all to reduce vibrations?

The Hennessey site talks about reasonable prices on 'routine maintance'. Not sure if that's something you'd benefit from though, Dan. It sounds like you know yours inside out and backwards by now. :)

With 150 days of hammocking under your belt, you must have some good touring adventures to go with them!

If you don't mind parting with $15 (for two), this is the carabiner you want: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302697507&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442630974

I wrote up the first part of some touring trips here: cyclingnorthamerica.blogspot.com I should really get around to finishing that up.

I don't think that vibration is the problem so much as high forces. The best way to avoid that is to be very selective of where you put up the tarp and trying to stay as low to the ground as possible. It is actually really nice to set up the hammock so that your butt just scrapes the ground or the grass. You get more insulation under you that way and less wind.