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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Gear Forum extra tent |
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04/08/2017 12:47PM
Any body else take an extra tent on their trips? We set up camp with each of us (usually 2 or 3) with a four person tent for each at our base camp. I do the extra tent for the following reasons:
Damage from nature, animals, or tent failure from zippers, etc.
We take a four person extra on any long day trips of which could result in not getting back to our set up camp. We take some non-cook food and first aid products also.
If moving our location on the same lake to improve our camping experience, we would take that tent and a few items and set that all up to hold our new space while we return to move the rest of the camp. I know, that may be stretching the single camp standard, but moving and getting shut out of both locations is not really acceptable and would probably take an hour to actually get back to break camp leaving the new location as our only camp. We have yet to need the extra tent to hold a site to move to that site.
In some 20+ trips, we have only had to actually use it once, but it sure made the extra weight and space it took well worth the insurance that we used that time. We had one have major structural damage with the zipper. No mosquitoes this way overnight and no doubling up for the rest of the trip.
Damage from nature, animals, or tent failure from zippers, etc.
We take a four person extra on any long day trips of which could result in not getting back to our set up camp. We take some non-cook food and first aid products also.
If moving our location on the same lake to improve our camping experience, we would take that tent and a few items and set that all up to hold our new space while we return to move the rest of the camp. I know, that may be stretching the single camp standard, but moving and getting shut out of both locations is not really acceptable and would probably take an hour to actually get back to break camp leaving the new location as our only camp. We have yet to need the extra tent to hold a site to move to that site.
In some 20+ trips, we have only had to actually use it once, but it sure made the extra weight and space it took well worth the insurance that we used that time. We had one have major structural damage with the zipper. No mosquitoes this way overnight and no doubling up for the rest of the trip.
the greatest come backs are reserved for those with the greatest deficits.
04/08/2017 06:10PM
A roll of duct tape (or rip-stop nylon repair tape in a matching color, if you want to get fancy) would weigh a lot less. Of course, it's not perfect, or pretty, but it's (probably) temporary. We've used it to repair rips, broken poles, ripped out loops. Even some getcha-by zipper repairs can be done adequately enough in the field to drop that extra insurance weight.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." -- Yogi Berra
04/08/2017 06:36PM
Honestly seems like a bit of overkill to me as well. I do see the value of taking a small tarp the group can huddle under on day trips and our group has done that more than once, however, we are usually a large enough group that we actually leave someone at the new camp when we are moving. They scout, gather firewood, etc. I also have 10-20 feet of duck tape wrapped on a credit card and 30 or 40 extra feet of lash-it. I have yet to have a gear failure I couldn't manage with that.
04/09/2017 04:07PM
after my brothers first trip with us i told him he needs his own tent and set it up a long ways from us, my friend told him with the way he snores aint no bear coming into our camp LOL but to answer the OP , a bit over kill IMO , things can get damaged but you have to trust your gear or learn from it. and adapt/McGiver it if things do get damaged.
keep your line wet, good things will happen
04/09/2017 07:01PM
No, I do not bring a backup tent, but I bring a tarp. In case the tarp breaks, I have the canoe to sleep under. You could combine the two as well: Canoe Lean-to Shelter
"It is more important to live for the possibilities that lie ahead than to die in despair over what has been lost." -Barry Lopez
04/09/2017 07:23PM
quote Minnesotian: "
No, I do not bring a backup tent, but I bring a tarp. In case the tarp breaks, I have the canoe to sleep under. You could combine the two as well: Canoe Lean-to Shelter
"
Boys Life,
Now that magazine is a blast from the past, I remember looking over and over my old magazines when I was a kid.
Wish I still had them now.
The canoe shelter is a great idea.
I've never brought an extra tent, but I do have 4 tents, so I select the one for the circumstances that fit my outdoor activity.
They are all high quality, and after 40+ years of camping I still have not needed a back up tent. Knock on wood
May the rivers be crooked and winding, and your portages lonesome, leading to the most amazing view.
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