Shelter

Hiking in the Rain:

This is a very useful article. The author (http://gossamergear.com/wp/rain-guide-to-backpacking) is certainly right that after a while you are bound to get soaked to the skin. This may mean you have to camp early to get yourself under a roof and warm up (See: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/the-importance-of-a-roof/) or it can be avoided by using an umbrella or (I […]

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If you could only carry two things in the bush, what would they be?

Now I mean: if you suddenly found yourself there, having fallen out of a boat, after a plane crash which you miraculously survived – or if you were just magically transported there from your living room in just your shorts. Hauroko Burn Dusky Track Fiordland NZ. I think they should be things which you could

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Inflatable Insulated Clothing:

 I am surprised this idea has not taken off more given that it is (trapped) air which is the insulator in all warm clothing, the more air trapped per unit weight being the yardstick for cross comparison. A product known as Aerovest (http://www.survivalmetrics.com/store/Item/id_aerovest_emergency_survival_vest) was available a few years ago. This provided a waterproof inflatable mylar

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DIY Self-Tensioning Guylines:

I am not so keen on elastic rope (it is heavier than dyneema) and much of the problem of stretch can be overcome by caternary cutting the silnylon or using fabrics with very low stretch such as tyvek or cuben fibre, but nonetheless this method of keeping your tent taut is worth sharing: http://gossamergear.com/wp/diy-self-tensioning-guy-lines-2 A

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The Last of the Mountain Men:

Isn’t this the feeling everyone who ventures far from track or trail is seeking: the freedom of the wilderness, the exultation of the hills, the distant roar of rapids, the whistle of wind in the trees, the ubiquitous echo of birdsong, the warning bark of a deer in a golden sunset… Della and I are

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Honey, I Shrank the Tent:

I thought I would make a slightly smaller ‘Decagon’ tent. It turned out to be over 250 grams lighter than the original model. See: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/new-decagon-octagon-tyvek-igloo-tent-design/) It makes a tent which is still over 9’ x 7’6” (270 cm x 225cm) inside and 5’2” (155cm) high at the apex and 40” (1 metre) at the door.

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Flying Tent: All-In-One Hammock, Tent, Poncho, Backpack at 1.2 kg:

This looks like an interesting concept. If you have US$319 in loose change you might book yourself one of these. 7 second set-up sounds great. Check out its specs below. Almost too good to believe: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/255929858/flying-tent-7-seconds-to-the-stars & https://gearjunkie.com/flying-tent-hammock-poncho Other hammock related posts: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/a-hummingbird-in-the-hand/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/adjustable-hammock-ridgeline/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/continuous-loop-another-great-hammock-idea/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/whoopie-slings-what-a-great-idea/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/side-insulation/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hammock-pad-extender/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/diy-netless-hammock/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/klymit-hammock-pad/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/make-your-own-tarp-or-hammock/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hammock-camping-double-bunking/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hammock-hunting-till-dark/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/all-in-one-hammock-tent-poncho-backpack-at-1-2-kg/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/laybag/

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Australian Outfitter:

This is great news. In the depth of Tasmania there is an Aussie Outfitter and cottage manufacturer who can supply a myriad of interesting stuff which you previously had to wait ages for from the US etc – and at a very reasonable price. I purchased some 1oz/yd2 silnylon (2,000 mm waterproofness) for my new

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