Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Sleep - tarp or tent?
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Unas10 |
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MikeinMpls |
LukeMacGillie37: "I say tent, and a free standing one. To be honest, and probably a different thread, but I wouldn't consider anything other than a free-standing tent in canoe country. So many variables, rocks prohibiting or limiting staking being number one. Mike |
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shouldertripper |
Mike M: "My first time in BWCA. I use a similar tarp and use a borah bivy with it if there are any bugs, which is pretty much any time outside of winter. I will add this is far from the typical/standard shelter, any time of year. Mid September shouldn’t be too bad bug wise, comparatively speaking, but I would still recommend something more than just a tarp. I do use a tent at times as well, especially if going in a group that doesn’t plan to move nearly as much. |
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boonie |
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Mike M |
Six days in mid-September Going with two others who have done multiple trips. (They encouraged me to put this question on the forum.) Using Entry Point 14 We'll have a 10'x10' tarp for camp, rain etc.. My questions... Can I use a 5x8 tarp for a sleep shelter and go without a tent? (I'm an experienced backpacker and do this often in the American SW). Are bugs, ticks, critters a concern? What is the typical/standard shelter for the BWCA in September? I want to go light, but I also want a good shelter. |
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billconner |
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YaMarVa |
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Deeznuts |
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PuffinGin |
Unas10: "If there were only one active mosquito in all of northern MN, it would be buzzing my ear at 2 AM...tent." Haha! Yup |
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mgraber |
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bobbernumber3 |
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MikeinMpls |
Mike |
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BonzSF |
So I set up a lean to on the second night and had virtually no bugs for the remaining 6 nights…. During a drought year… in the end of August. I got lucky and probably will never get away with that again! Last year I was safe in my bug netted hammock and heard the swarms outside wanting to get me. Not all the time but I would’ve gone nuts if I didn’t have shelter when needed. Lean to’s work great in the winter though |
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LukeMacGillie37 |
You never know if you are going to have appropriately spaced trees at your campsite, or ground you can drive stakes in. So tarps, hammocks or even one pole tipi type tents could end up not being able to be deployed. Nothing worse than setting up a tent 3 times because the first 2 sites had solid rock 2 inches underground that kept you from driving a stake. |
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tonyj |
1. I've never gone mid-September, so I can't speak on the bugs. To me, that's the biggest part of the equation by far. June through August, I'd never dream of any sleep setup that didn't include a bug net. 2. Saving weight makes travelling easier, but canoe camping is different than backpacking (I backpack a lot). Even if you're on a very aggressive route, the amount of time that stuff is on your back is so much shorter. A few pounds is not that big of a deal for the added comfort at camp. Case in point: many of us carry cast iron to cook. 3. I never want to get too preachy about this kind of thing because the challenge is a big part of the experience for many. (Edit: I should probably mention that bug-netted hammock with a tarp has been a great setup for me my last few trips.) Whatever way you go, I'm sure you'll be fine. Enjoy! |