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Solo Tent or Bivvy and Tarp?

Solo Tent or Bivvy and Tarp?


Postby willsdad » Mon Aug 17, 2015 12:38 pm

Recommendations for the Cape Wrath Trail?
I'll be doing it in May so the weather could be changeable.
I'll be using bothies where possible.

I own both the bivvy & tarp system and a solo tent. I'd like to keep the pack weight down to a minimum but would the bivvy system be making life too uncomfortable?
I also have a midge net which in the past have slept wearing when using the bivvy although again this isn't exactly comfortable.

Do I go for the lighter system and be uncomfortable when without a roof?
Or do I add the extra weight and have a tent?

My thoughts are that a solo tent is never exactly comfortable but you can get away from the rain and midge inside one.

Before it's said..... I can't afford the kind of solo tent that is light enough to match the bivvy system. My solo tent is a Vango Blade at 1.7kg.
The bivvy system comes in at 1kg approx.

I have failed at this trail before due to pack weight. That time I had an old 2 man tent that weighed about 3.3kg.
I don't like failing and don't want it to happen again hence my dilema.
Also I don't want to spoil the trip by having awful nights.

What do you think?
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Re: Solo Tent or Bivvy and Tarp?

Postby basscadet » Mon Aug 17, 2015 1:09 pm

Well at least midges wont be a problem for you in May, but you are right, weather could be changeable.. I'd make a last minute decision :D
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Re: Solo Tent or Bivvy and Tarp?

Postby Roeboe » Mon Aug 17, 2015 3:58 pm

If i were sure I could keep my sleeping bag dry i would go for the tarp bivy setup...

What size tarp do you have?
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Re: Solo Tent or Bivvy and Tarp?

Postby willsdad » Mon Aug 17, 2015 6:59 pm

Basscadet, knowing my luck it'll be blazing sunshine the day I pack my kit then **ss down for 2 weeks!

Roeboe, the bivvy set up was all bought to be as light as possible so the tarp is an Alpkit 6x4. With no tree's about I'm limited to my poles for height. Once I'm in my bivvy I'm dry but obviously there's no moving about, no kit sorting etc.
If I could guarantee being in a bothy most nights I'd definitely go for the lighter option.
Will the bothies be busy at that time of year?
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Re: Solo Tent or Bivvy and Tarp?

Postby Roeboe » Mon Aug 17, 2015 8:12 pm

If you leave early may, you'll be ok with bothies. Go with the lighter option.
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Re: Solo Tent or Bivvy and Tarp?

Postby willsdad » Mon Aug 17, 2015 8:17 pm

It's the last 2 weeks of May I'm going :?
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