FAILED Experiment - My New ULTRALIGHT Tarp and Bivvy Set Up!
Vložit
- čas přidán 18. 04. 2022
- I head off for a wild camping to test my new ultralight tarp and bivy set up, but things didn't quite go as planned!!
Anthony's Channel: / @anthonypayne1
#wildcamping #camping #leavenotrace
🔗 Links:
☕ If you enjoy my stuff, why not buy me a coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/WalkWith...
👣 My Hiking, Camping & Vlog Gear:
www.amazon.co.uk/shop/walkwit...
🔔 Please subscribe: czcams.com/users/boably1?...
🔗 Other useful links: linktr.ee/WalkWithWallace
****
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information in my videos is correct, I cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. Hiking and wild camping can be dangerous and you head out at your own risk. Please ensure you’re adventure smart before heading out:
1: Do you have the right gear?
2: Do you know what the weather will be like?
3: Are you confident you have the right skills and knowledge for the day?
For more information visit: www.adventuresmart.uk/ - Jak na to + styl
⚡ If you like my stuff and would like to support the channel, please consider buying me a coffee. 😋
www.buymeacoffee.com/WalkWithWallace
Mate! I think that was ace. I laughed a couple times. A perfect example of sense knowing you have a comfy bed at home and as you said you’re not in any danger.
Haha, aye 40 mins back to the car and 20 min drive home. No brainer unless I had the Scarp with me. 😂
I am planning on using a tarp and bivy set up on my tramp around the world although I have no experience using these items. I don’t expect to be using it all the time as often I’ll be staying in hotels and hostels, for me it’s just a basic shelter when I need it and when I do some camping (probably in good weather most of the time). My priority was ultralight and my sleep system: bivy, tarp, cordage, quilt, and sleeping pad weighs about 1 kilogram total. This video was very helpful, thanks 👍
Sounds ideal PT, I think for weather where its less windy then you're on to something. 1kg is just about right too for travel of backpacking.
Just make sure you air it out laddie, wouldn’t want it getting mould inside.
@@ashab1 💯 👍🏻
It's good to see what works and what doesn't, and just for the night view alone, it was worth the hike!
Cheers Steve. 😊 Always worth it for that city view. 🏙
I am not a big fan of such a tiny tarp. My favourite tarp set-up is as tarptent or pyramid shelter for the mountains - the rest is just too drafty/wet/not wind stable enough in the hills/mountains hence why I built mine as I did...
Pasta, couscous, ... not bad at all and definitely a good alternative instead of spending 6.50 for a meal. 👍
Cheers
Stripey
Cheers Stripey, aye you're onto something with the pyramid shelter. MLD Duomid is a cracker. Do love the Scarp though.
@@WalkWithWallace yeah plenty of nice ones out there....the scarp is an absolute excellent tent which is just overkill in a lot of conditions I am going out. Said this I would never sell it!
I can recommend a dehydrator machine. I got one for £15 second hand. Then cook your own meals and dehydrate them. Saves a fortune.
This ⬆️⬆️⬆️
Seeming more and more like a great idea that.
I can see me going down that road, I'm just a lazy git at times when it comes to prepping food. They better watch they don't price themselves out of the market.
A light or ultralight tarp is perfectly fine for such conditions, IF you promptly find a protected campsite with reduced wind, and pitch the tarp properly. 3:00 This is not a sheltered campsite with reduced wind.
It is best to have a topo map and/or other sources to help you identify the likely places to find a campsite protected from the wind.
Thanks for the advice Karl, I've been up this hill several times. I didn't want to drop any lower as cows frequent and more people around. 👍🏻
I used a similar setup in winter, had a bit of a snow storm overnight, and woke up in a snow cave, it was toasty warm though, only issue I had was of my own doing. I only put stones on one edge of the tarp to secure it to floor, so when the wind changed direction in middle of the night I spent a couple of hours holding onto that flappy side, couldn’t leave sleeping bag as wind was so strong the lot would have blown away.
Sounds like a bit of an epic Andrew. 🥶 I need to revisit this set up, it kinda put me off.
@@WalkWithWallace it was, and I not done it since, but I intend to very shortly.
Loved the camera fail there, did the exact same thing at the weekend, and almost every other outing, 😂
Good to see the Pentlands feature again 👍
I noticed a price hike on the meals as well, I’m seriously considering making up my own packs of porridge etc, shame the tents have rocketed in price as well 😢
Looks a decent shelter, if still do get up the bottle to do the first bivvi and tarp set up, at least you were close enough to home for a bail out 👍😂
Haha, you've got to include these as it's not always easy. 😁
I've managed to get a discount code that'll share in my next video. Will help take the sting out of the price.
@@WalkWithWallace cheers bud, much appreciated 👍
I’ve had that same rab silwing for about 6 years now - it’s not brilliant in really crap weather but otherwise I’ve found it to be ok for light summer camps. I tend however to pitch the front pretty high and the back right down with just a breathing hole so it’s essentially more like an A frame. It works really well combined with a Dutch army bivouac just for that extra bit of shelter
Yeah I'll not use it again unless the winds are light. I'll try it again soon.
What a simply lovely video and channel, and have a lovely weekend and stay safe debs xx.
Cheers Debs and you too. 😊 👍🏻
Ah pity the tarp didn’t work mate! Looks an ace little setup though, the Klokes brilliant. I need to get out on a tarp and bivi camp soon, it’s been a while. Getting to warm now though😉 Cheers Robin👍🏻 Mark
Haha, got another 3-4 weeks yet to get a tarp camp in. 🏕
Great video. I love tarp and bivvy, but i reckon it needs to be 3x3 min so you have some room. I’ve wondered about these smaller ultralight ones, but I’m thinking they are more of a survival shelter than a trekking option. Always lovely to see them being used. Thanks.
Cheers Steve, I reckon next time it has to be light winds or if there is some natural shelter like rocks or something. 🤔 I'll be sticking to the tents I think.
Nice one sir, I couldn’t be arsed with that tbh 😅 Nonetheless, it was a good wee test and helps to figure things out for future trips 👌🏻
I do like a city view at night, imagining all the things that are going on underneath the blanket of lights - but away from it. 🙂
Haha, it would have been a grim night if I sat it out.
Lots of blues and twos about. Makes you wonder what's going on down there. 😄
Nice tarp camping. Thanks for your share.
Cheers Neil. 😎
It’s nice to see an honest assessment of a tarp being used in less than perfect conditions but for me, it’s a tent every time if you’re venturing into the hills.
Yeah, I'll need to rethink the tarp setup. Back to the tent for now. 😁
For Scotland, I like a tarp which can be closed at the back when the weather is unfriendly. That means either a tarp with beaks or a long tarp which you can pin to the ground and still get inside. I have a Golite Cave with excellent beaks and a GG Spinnsolo which can be pitched without a rear pole. But, I rarely use them because I have a Trailstar!
Loved the Trailstar, I might stick an alert up on ebay for one. My only grip was the large footprint of the TS made it tight sometimes. I pitched with rocks inside. 😁
I'm sure you'll have better luck next time. I love a good tarp camp and find them perfect for the flat grounds and woodlands, but I must admit that if I'm up on the hills, I prefer the all around protection of a tent. Good video though, always good to experiment. Thanks for sharing. Atb Shaun
Cheers Shaun, aye the flat pitches were to exposed to the wind so I was kind of struggling for a decent pitch. Still a good test though, I'd agree I'll probably stick with the tents for the tops. 🏕 👌🏼
Good effort with the tarp. I always saw tarps for pitching in valley areas where there is some shelter or for regions/countries where the weather is favourable for this style of camping. Rather have a tent that is closed to the elements. In terms of food dried meals are too expensive and usually a hit or miss. Get the Kimchi or Pot Noodles, or the dried pasta that Kev uses.
Kimchi noodles are magic or the Ko Lee ones. Get them in Costco.
Think you'd get more shelter in the West Highlands, pitch behind a rock outcrop or something.
Congrats on the page in The Great Outdoors :)
Cheers, it was a nice article. 👍🏻 😁
Hi Robin. Yes, you either love 'em or hate tarps. I've an Integral Designs Silshelter which is HUGE and performs well although I'd always take a tent if the weather was looking wet/too windy. ATB
Loved my Trailstar, not so convinced on the Silwing. Definitely has its place in more settled conditions.
Always liked the idea of tarps, but then I remember draughts and ticks ( seen dozens of them already this year on my first night out around conic hill at the weekend). I'll stick with a tent! Good to see you out though, even if it was cut short! o/
The Trailstar was something else, but the Silwing just isn't quiet right. I'll be reverting back to the tent too. 😆
@@WalkWithWallace I've always fancied a silwing, been looking for one for months. Let me know if you want it taking off your hands
That's my daily walk more or less 🙂! Loving the video as per...
Cheers 4xD. It was my regular haunt during the height of lockdown.
Nice honest review Robin, I've never really given any thought to a tarp but I'm sure there's s time and a place for them...Good to see you out again even if only for a wee while 🤣 atb Brian 👍
Haha, aye about 4hrs on the hill. 🤣
See what this weekend brings, are you out at all?
@@WalkWithWallace aye Robin heading up the Lost Valley for an overnight camp 🏕 with a few fellow CZcamsrs 🎥🏔😎 have a great weekend atb Brian 👍
@@thelifeofbrian282 nice one mate, enjoy. 🙃
Nice looking tarp mate. Shame you had to bail, but safety first. Nice video buddy
ATB Adam 👍🏻👍🏻
Cheers Adam, I suppose you win some and lose some. 😁
So I have this and I like it. It pitches much better with guylines from the tie down points. It pitches even better between trees or from one tree and a pole.
Yeah, I reckon I could add some guylines and try again. I usually camp high so wouldn't use it in wooded areas.
Fab vide Robin even if it seemed like a failure to you. I`m going out next Tuesday night onto out local fell. Not decided on whether to take my tent or bivvi as yet, prob wait to see what the weather says ! Cheers Pal 😀
Cheers Martin. Hope you get the weather for it. Weekend is looking a shade windy. 🤔
A couple of Katsu Currys with rice (85p each), similar to pot noodles. Just remove from pots and carry in sandwich bags. Boil water then add and leave for 5 minutes. Higher in calories and carbs, lower in fat, fibre and protein. I'm giving these a try. Freeze Dried prices are getting too high. Was in Go Outdoors last week and they were doing buy one get one half price on Summit to eat and Firepots.
Are they not empty calories though and end up waking up starving? 🤔
it is all a learning process Robin, I have often thought about tarps and bivvies but think I prefer bothies and youth hostels. I guess I like the idea of comfort and space though I have just purchased a small lightweight tent for a couple of wee expeds planned this year.
I like bothies but they're static, hostels I always get a snorer in the dorm too. 😆 I'll be sticking to my tents from now on. What did you by the way, tent wise?
Thank you - really enjoy your videos
Thanks Matt, I appreciate your comment. 😎 👍🏻
It's the effort and thought that counts right? 😄 fair play mate i enjoyed watching that good light entertainment 👌
I think so, yes. 🤣Cheers Bob. 👍🏻
Great insight, as always mate. I've never been a fan of just a tarp, purely because of the exposure to midges for one and, like you've shown, strong winds combined with rain.
A good bivvy does combat most of that but not all, I think.
Again, great insight and there's nowt wrong with bailing if the cars 20 minutes away.
Great stuff as always 👍🏼
Cheers Jimmy, totally agree but the Trailstar really broke the mould it was like a tent/tarp hybrid. These smaller ones are definitely for the less windy nights but might get a passing shower. Can't see me using it again to be honest. 😂
@@WalkWithWallace I did like the size of your Trailstar but my query always was "how does he combat midges?" 😂 Was it as simple as just using a headset? Didn't it have a bathtub also that you had?
the moral of this vid is...NEVER EVER EVER SELL YOUR TRAILSTAR!!!
Could be right Jay, I do love the Scarp though. Having both would have been better but the Trailstar fell down the pecking order.
you made the right move man! Still a wicked view ...cool video
Cheers Nathan. 👍🏻 It was an easy descent in the dark, no need to hang around if it wasn't to work out.
Your videos are very helpful in my camping experience..you are amazing
Thanks Maza. 😁 👍🏻
@@WalkWithWallace No problem my friend. always take care of your health
Nice 1 Robin.
Never been a fan of the tarp and bivi set up, never tried it before just I don't think it's for me and this vid tells my why!!!!!
Some like it some don't
I'm a deffo don't
⛺ for me
Yes the freeze dried meals have shot up in price like everything else.
Noodles and chopped up smoke sausage 😋.
Aye it didn't quite work out. Ah well.
I'm pescatarian these days so it would have to be mackerel or something in the noodles. Could be a new thing instead of our wraps. 😂
You win some you lose some , i don't like the idea of the pole at the end of the tarp unlike the TS where the pole is in the centre of the tarp allowing the back end to be pegged out. I think i'll be taking my TS out on my next trip ...Good video as usual mate ..cheers Stevie
Aye, back to the drawing board. Folk seem to rate a standard rectangular tarp. I need to do more research. 🤔
Great setup! Crow✌️
Cheers Crow. 😁 👍🏻
Those Summit To Eat packs are buy 1 get one half price at Go Outdoors as long as you've got the discount card. They also do the Firepot ones which are meant to be pretty decent.
Handy to know, wonder how long that offer will go on for? 🤔
With the prices being what they are you should definitely look into just getting food from grocery stores. Vacuum packed meats/sausages and something easy to heat up, cous cous like you said and instant pasta :)
Also you could have set the tarp up in a plough with the back against the wind, that'd have made a massive difference.
Yeah, once I run out of meals I'm going to look into making my own. Admittedly I'm a bit of a tarp novice. Will need to do some practise pitches in the garden. 😁 👍🏻
With today's costs I have resorted to eating cheap aldi noodles and beef jerky as a main meal really cheap and I only have to boil water in my pot too so that's a win
Hi Robin, what a shame things didn't quite go as intended, but that was a very fair assessment and I found myself nodding at the screen thinking Yeah, that's what I found too! The height thing is not really an issue for me being vertically challenged😁 and I've found the catenary cut does seem to help get a good pitch on uneven ground. The point about adding guylines is something I will be doing in the future to add to its flexibility. Also, I really appreciate your listing everything else you used, I need some longer stakes for sure! For Sale One Careful Owner? I hope not! 😉Many thanks for the shout-out, I'll look forward to what you do next! Atb Anthony
Cheers Tony, I'm not going to sell it just yet. I think it's a versatile bit of kit, I just need to pick and choose my location a bit more carefully. A wall or rocks could have given me more protection from that wind.
The 9" Eastons pegs are excellent, Valley and Peak usually sell them.
I have a Tarptent protrail, similar but with a bucket floor and integrated bugnet. Sets up the same with 2 walking poles. Do like the look of the sil wing mind 👌
I'm not familiar with the Protrail, I'll have a look. 😁
@@WalkWithWallace I had mine altered slightly by Lucy from quintcrafts, putting two mid panel tie outs on. Trekkertent do a similar tent as well.
@@chrisweldon2817 Lucy is brilliant. 👍🏻 I had a Trekkertent Stealth, didn't get on with it.
I had to chuckle Robin, Should have stayed with the grand palace (Trailstar) wouldnt be without mine. ATB George
Beast of shelter isn't it. Could have a party in a Trailstar. 😁
Top vlog Murray and refreshingly honest review of the gear and pitch. I’ve been there a few times mate and stayed to endure and also bailed safely. Think we both know the right choice there.😂 I’ve been using the duomid recently and love it but it’s testing my pitching skills. Love the design of the trail star, will be one for the future. Atb, Michael
Cheers Michael, it's Robin here. 😜
If I was to get another tent it would definitely be a Duomid, seeing one in the flesh a few weeks ago and me likes. 🏕 👌🏼
God knows where I got Murray from, sorry Robin. 🙄 Yes I took the plunge and got the DCF version. Made a few blunders on the second pitch but there’s something quite special about the duomid. Really versatile and weighs next to nothing compared to my Unna.
@@williammay6879 watching Scotland's Mountains beforehand? DCF version will be mint mate, I'd probably settle with the silnylon version. 🤔
Hands up, you got me….🤣🤣 DCF is great but a buggar to pitch. Both have pros and cons, the main thing is the design is brilliant. I think you’ll love it. I’m using UFL four season inner but not so keen so going to go back to my bivvy. Take care RS. 😉🤣🤣🤣
@@williammay6879 aye, there is pros and cons. Speaking of RS I know he loves his DCF shelters. 🏕 😁
Try a Rab Element 2 O....pitches more like a tent and has end pieces to close it off.
Cheers FB, just had a nosey and that does look more workable.
Thanks for all the great videos. CWT series was fenomenal. Considered the Splitwing? Works pretty good in both forest and windy mountains. Need to seam seel it though. AtB from Norway
Cheers mate, it was a year ago today was day 5 on the CWT. Can't believe that's a year already. Who makes the Splitwing, I'll have a look.
@@WalkWithWallace
Did try to answer but cannot find what I wrote. Might be too old for this.
The tarp/tent company is Slingfin. Better luck second time around?
@@toftaontour5728 just had a quick look and bookmarked their website. Their tents look interesting.
I very nearly went for an MLD Trailstar once but after much shelter circumnavigation settled on my TT Notch! I just don't think a tarp is my thing if I'm honest. You might've abandoned ship but at least you got a vid' out of it. I did a great camp last week but managed to accidentally delete all my footage😭 . I was gutted but in the grand scheme of things, a first world problem! ATB pal.
The Trailstar is an amazing shelter but then you need a bugnet inner for summer which defeats the purpose. MLD Duomid on the other hand looks a good alternative. Love my Notch / Scarp set up though. 😁
Bummer about your footage mate. 😔
Sounds like you have talked yourself out the tarp 😂😂 I think however way you pitch space will always be limited , I’ve heard those trailstars are better 😂. Give it a few garden setups and out on a starry night might be a different story .. how much for the silwing is it on eBay as we speak lol . I would have bailed too being only 20 mins from home ⛺️👍
Beavo nailed his night in the Silwing, much calmer but colder conditions he had. I'm not feeling it to be honest. 😂
"This whole set-up weighs in at about 700 kilograms..." (4:54). I don't think your maths IS correct there, Robin! LOL!!
Haha. Just a tad heavy. 😂
That silwing looks very odd lol like it went into the flies time machine 😳 but as others said pitch rear to ground and front higher but width of that not wide enough really looks similar width to my grace solo fun video thanks for sharing
Must admit I wasn't feeling the love for the Silwing. Quite fancy a Cricket now. Like a mini Trailstar? 🤔
@@WalkWithWallace kind of or like a Monk on steroids 😆 it seems much improved from the one I sold years ago 😀
The only tarp I'd use these days is a trailstar with a solid inner. Open tarps and bivvying i just don't understand. They sound nice because they are cheap, and simple, but I just don't see how it's fun in bad weather on a hill. Open tarp in the woods is great fun but that's about it. Best thing you need is a wee bolthole to keep you safe and sound on the hill.
I think you're right mate, I did use my Trailstar in some pretty poor weather with just a bathtub groundsheet, but the Trailstar offers a lot of protection.
I’d have also missed off the short pole and pitched that end into the ground for a seal. Did you drop the other end pole low. Top of hills never works as it catches the wind. I have done this in an emergency but with a wall sheltering me. Tarps and bivvies are emergency use only.
I was on a bit of a slope too, just didn’t work out. Depends which tarp, I had a Trailstar before which could boss windy conditions no problem.
A timely reminder that open-ended A frames really don't suit Scottish conditions - as you discovered they often end up as a wind tunnel. For a similar weight you can get a fully enclosed A frame like the Stealth from Scottish cottage manufacturer Trekkertent. Far more robust and practical.
Indeed, I did have the Trekkertent Stealth. Unfortunately didn’t get on with it. MLD Cricket would be the one if I was in the market for another tarp.
@@WalkWithWallace What was your issue with the Stealth?
@@tullochgorum6323 found it really fiddly to pitch, didn’t like uneven ground.
Enjoyed watching that, it just confirmed that tarp and bivvy is not for me. Which of the Pentlands was that? It would be great to watch the fireworks from there at hogmanay on a good night.
Yeah I'm not sure its for me either. 😔 I was up on Allermuir Hill for this one, it's a grand view point. 👌🏼
I know Rab say that the Silwing is for ground camping but all other manufacturers of tarps in that shape sell them as sunshades or hammock tarps. A square or rectangular tarp with more anchor points is more versatile in terms of configurations and from a certain size onwards - about 2 x 2.5m or 2.5x2.5m or larger, you can make different shelters which are enclosed on 3 sides, with a square you can make a fully enclosed shelter using one pole.
Cheers Simon, that's useful. I kind of thought a shaped tarp would be better. I need to look into it more. Apart from the Trailstar I don't have much experience of tarps in general.
@@WalkWithWallace enjoyed the vid. I use a DD superlight tarp (3x2.9m and 490g) which as Simon mentions can make a variety of shelters with protection on multiple sides. Silwing tarp seems like a one trick pony to me.
I also use a hunka xl (500g) and last camp used 6 pegs (8g each) so total weight was only a can of coke heavier than your setup in the vid but much more versatility.
Check out papa hikers channel. Shows all kinds of ways you can pitch a dd tarp and is what made me decide on one.
@@GearTutorials cheers mate, I think you're right. The Silwing is a bit of a one trick pony. I've been considering the MLD Cricket too but I need to do a bit more due diligence on the DD tarps.
@@WalkWithWallace the trailstar seemed great. Watched your video with it from before the first lockdown several times (think it was your first use of the kloke too). Can't beat DD tarp for the versatility and cost in my opinion though.
@@GearTutorials loved the Trailstar mate, still my most used shelter by a good few nights. For some reason it just fell out of favour. 🤔 That was a good night just before it all seriously kicked off.
3:53 😂 living up to the stereotype.
You saying us Scots are tight? 😏
Tarps always pitch better with guys rather than direct to a peg. The Silwing has a cat cut to the ridge pitch it tight as you can....big pegs needed on the ridge guys!
Enjoyed the video TFS
Cheers Alistair 👍
Cheers Alistair, the Silwing was going nowhere to be fair. Well anchored down with the 9" Eastons. I tried to pin down the backend and that mucked it up when I tried to put the rear pole back in place. Nice wee learning curve. 😁
good effort! on the low end of the pitch, is it possible to bring the points in and peg them together at the foot of the short pole, to close off one end and keep more wind out?
Hi Will, I believe you can actually. Never thought of that at the time though. 🏕
Excellent, thanks. I've learned a lot from your videos.
@@willsmith7475 cheers mate. 😎 👍🏻
You were going a canny clip up that bank mind and a big fan of Anthony's videos here. To be honest, its good to see a video where everything is not perfect, so no problem with that from me. Not a fan of boil in a bags and the price of some them are an absolute joke. I think you did the right thing by calling it a day, or even a night! Cheers Alan
Totally agree, Tony is a top lad and yes you need some realism too. Enjoy your log cabin mucker. 👍🏻
For food, last time we brought some instant mash potatoes. Amazingly easy to make and really easy to flavour. For protein we brought some soy chunks, (texturised vegetable protein). Soak in a bottle 20 min before dinner, squeeze out water, fry in bottom of pot with some spices and oil, add water back in and add potatoes. Really cheap, easy and filling.
Also once we added some instant peanut sauce and that was quite a treat.
If it doesn't need to last that long, home dehydrating meals is a nice option too. Your enemy there is fat, since that can go rancid when you store it for a while. But for just a few days that's not an issue. Just make a big pot of pasta red sauce and pop it in the oven at 80 c for a couple hours. When it stops being nice to snack on because the pasta is too hard it's ready ;). Did this last year and it rehydrate on the stove with some water amazingly quickly.
Some meal preppers first fry their ground beef and then rinse out the fat, looks quite disgusting and wasteful too boot. Easier just to omit it all together or sub in mushrooms if you want the protein.
I think it's so cool you decided to bail when it wasn't working. I think a high tolerance for suffering gets a lot of people into trouble. Hypothermia and repeated stress injuries are common hiker issues for a reason.
I love the Idahoe instant mash 😋 I've been thinking about investing in a dehydrater for making up meals. The freeze dried efforts are just too convenient. 🍝
@@markkalsbeek5883 it was only a 40 minute walk in the dark back to car seemed stupid to sit it out when I wouldn't have got any sleep. Used the bivvy bag on its own last night and loved it BTW. 😁 👍🏻
DD Hammocks tarp tent best of both especially in midge season
DD has been mentioned a few times on the comments now. Tbh I think I'll stick with my tents for now. I was looking for something light and just to cover me in the bivvy bag for any passing showers. 🤔
@@WalkWithWallace I know it’s a balance of weight to comfort and conditions play a big part in that I like the comfort of basic light tent and live with down jacket instead of sleeping bag
@@ralphdavidson2932 I'm loving the quilt these days. 😁
I've been using tarps for years. That one looks good - until you tried to use it. Am I right in saying that you are pretty limited as to how you can pitch it? It appears that you can raise or lower the ends and that's about it.
Nice to see the Pentlands there, one of my favourite places for walking, but always bloody windy!
You are pretty limited in how you can pitch it, I don't think my pitch location helped either, as I couldn't find decent flattish ground. I think an MLD Cricket would do me as its essentially a smaller Trailstar.
My cairngorm has ( so far 🤞) just been a winner every time, I actually think they're flying under the radar 😁
Is that the Vango effort?
@@WalkWithWallace aye
I have a thing called a Burrow Bivvy Tent. It is a cross between a bivvy and small one man tent. Still need a tarp as it builds a lot of condensation. But works well. I've bit the bullet and bought a Zpacks Duplex...I had to sell a couple of the kids to afford it 🤣. Get a chance to use it soon.
Nice one, sounds good. Much does the Duplex weigh in at?
@@WalkWithWallace the Duplex comes in at 500 gm. I bought the free standing kit with it which is another 250 gm. Mainlt for bike touring. The tent doesn't come with stakes so I bought some Sea to Summit lightweight ally ones. About 180 gm.
@@OldBumOnABike ideal. That's proper ultralight gear. 🏕
@@WalkWithWallace yeah pretty good. I had issues with the first one but they were very quick in sending a replacement. Approx $1260 AUD. But I have 3 tents for different reasons. This will replace them all. Good for touring, bikepacking and hiking.
@@OldBumOnABike if you can get one tent to replace them all then that's a bonus mate. 👍🏻
Loved your comment on bull💩 wind speeds! So true. People need to get a Kestral and align reality to perception. I’ve seen some videos using these really cheap anemometer’s that are clearly way off too. Anyway shame about the tarp, looked like no space in there. Cheers Ben.
Cheers Ben. The Kestrel efforts are the way to go. Expensive, but will last years. Wouldn't mind a more advanced one but the 2000 does.
@@WalkWithWallace yeah I’ve had a 2000 for a while and it’s great. They are also actually calibrated to be accurate. The kestral D1 drop is a great little thing too. Most if the pricier ones either don’t add that much functionality or cost a huge amount.
@@OutdoorIntrigue if the Kestrel is good enough for Mark Wahlberg's character in Shooter for lining up a sniper shot then it's good enough for me. 😁
@@WalkWithWallace 😂🤣
It's good to experiment. I prefer to just use my bivy without a tarp unless it's going to rain. I've even used it in the rain without a tarp. Yes, you get a bit wet but so what. Sometimes I just throw my rain jacket over my head. I don't like to breathe inside my bivy because it soaks the sleeping bag, even with an integral bug netting. The bag is for your body not your head. I recently bought a very small tarp and will experiment with it but only for covering my head.
Looking back, I think I will just take the bivvy bag or invest in a hooped one. Admittedly I prefer tents, as I have all my gear spread out in the tent.
@@WalkWithWallace you can get bivvies that you can suspend of your hiking poles to get them off your face. But that that point add a tarp and you've reinvented the tent.
@@markkalsbeek5883 ha, that's true. Had my first bivvy last night without the tarp and it was magic. 👌🏼
Lakeland do boil in the bags so you can cook your food and not get the pot dirty. Often make a curry and freeze In boil bags then just add a packet rice
Nice one, I definitely need to stop being lazy with food prep
Why suffer? 'Cause it builds character! :>)
Well there is that. 😁
I've tried a few tarps over time. Agree the TS great but now use the Flames Creed Xunshang. Has an inner if you want to be bug free but the tarp has more weather protection. Aricxi tarp a more basic copy. Check them out. Not sure if Ali' still selling it tho'. Great vids always😁.
Cheers Catherine, I'll have a look but admittedly I'm thinking do I just stick with tents. 😂
@@WalkWithWallace fun trying out different kit tho😁👍
@@catherineweaver2540 definitely. 😁 🏕
Nice tarp adventure and video. Well done. Enjoyed watching. Atb Steve 👍
Cheers Steve. 😊 👍🏻
Really enjoyed the video. Would be good to know how it feels compared to a dd tarp or british mil basha for instance.
Re meals, Couscous is really bad to keep on the boil it just sinks and burns, so prob Kev's problem maybe. especially cooking in lightweight pots.
Pasta and couscous are really convenient as just needs boiled water, add carbs, cover and wait enjoying the scenery. In fairness that's what allows the pouches to work..
Nor sure its just myself, but feel like the pouches just have scraps for meat anyhow. For flavour well, can get an oxo of choice :D or other flavour. Just pack any dehydrated stuff in a zip lock bag, boil the water and pour. Any meat/fish, I'd bring separately, either cans or fresh (with a sealed bit of ice if need be, which can then be used for water after, just needs the right double zip lock bag as container and a little care). ATB.
Be interesting to know if you tried pitching that tarp lower to ground, closing the lower side too, or pitch it sideways. .
Cheers Pedro, I don't have a huge amount of experience in tarps other than my old Trailstar which was almost like a hybrid. I do need to experiment more with the Silwing though.
I'm a bit lazy when it comes to cooking, I like the convenience of just boiling water, it's clean and hassle free.
@@WalkWithWallace aren't we all. :D
Fair play
Win some, you lose some. 🏕
The pasta packs only cost 50p. And I've no burnt ma pot in ages. 🤭😉 Nice wee review of the tarp mate. Bit on the small side. Nothing compares to your Trailstar tho eh. Guid times in that eh 😉
Haha, 50p you say? Bargain. 😁
Aye the Trailstar was huge like. 🏕
@@WalkWithWallace Prob went up in price now. 😏Dunno if I've ever put cous cous in pasta. Maybe once and I dinnae think it worked. Or was it cous cous in noodles 🤔😁
@@Kev_Russ I'm sure I mind you putting Cous-cous in. 😂 I'm sure it's gone up to 75p now. 😜
@@WalkWithWallace shut it 🤐😉
@@Kev_Russ 😏
Pity it didn't work out for you mate atvb jimmy 😎😎👍👍
Always the next one Jimmy. 😁 👍🏻
Hi Robin. Can you tell me the name of the trangia style cookset you have, i've forgotten what its called. Cheers.
Hiya, I'm using the Speedster Stoves setup. Google it and you'll find his website no probs. 🔥👍🏻
@@WalkWithWallace Thats great. Thanks.
it happens to everyone, have to bail out. sometimes nothing goes right. heres ca, a ribeye steak used to be average $7, Now days the same steak is about $22. a backpack freeze dried meal was $5.50 now they are $16
Yeah you're totally right, and it's usually the right call to bail too. Prices are mental in the UK too, at least gas and diesel prices have dropped a bit.
@@WalkWithWallace ever headed over here, give me notice, I'll set up dome great treks
@@PHARRAOH hopefully one day, maybe next year but sight seeing with the missus. Might sneak in a couple of day hikes.
Never really understood tarp camping. The Lanshan 1 without an inner is lighter, higher and packs small and is fully enclosed. You only need a single trekking pole but the tarp needs 2! (in fact even with the inner I think it's about the same weight, ~700g and you wouldn't need the bidi) Seems like a no-brainer to me!
Pretty much nailed it, I've got the Lanshan 1 Pro for the nice summer nights. You can have both doors open, so this was a bit of a faux pas.
I seem to remember somebody a long long time ago (March 5th) in a place far far away (a forum) an experienced backpacker once said “Tent every day of the week just about, handy to have a bivvy too I suppose for benign conditions”.
Bivvy in Scotland no, too many ticks and midges.
I am looking at the notch li as my next
Haha, that sounds familiar. 🤭 I stand by that comment unless I still had my old Trailstar.
I need to get the Notch back out, it's slipped down the pecking order since the Scarp arrived. 🏕
@@WalkWithWallace no tarp for me, I have to be honest it did ring a bell in my head so I went and found it 🤣🤣 the notch li is lighter than that tarp setup my tn photon 1 weighs 800g (not kg 🤣🤣) but is a coffin ok for a couple of nights but not long trips or wet nights where you are stuck inside
@@SteveSmith-67 the Notch Li will take up a bit more space in the pack but aye a bit lighter. Tbh I think the Notch is perfect for long distance as space is less important as I'm usually too shattered to worry.
@@WalkWithWallace when you get older and less supple you need more space 🤣🤣🤣
@@SteveSmith-67 I'm there now. 😂
£6.90 for a meal is expensive
I dehydrate my food
The cost of the dehydrator and the vacuum sealer pays itself off very quickly
The Alpkit small or medium tarps are so versatile and I get very good protection from the wind
They can be pegged down close to the ground
I use little loops of shock cord to absorb the wind on the pegs
I need to look into preparing my own food. I just like the convenience of the freeze dried meals. 😁
Alpkit are excellent, but I'm not not sure I'm sold on the tarps now.
Hi Robin, have a look into the Aricxi Tarp/Tent £28 just now on Ali Express ~ you can drop the tail and bring in the sides & weighs nothing 😀. Love the channel.
P.s. recently done Stob Coire Creagach where you and Stripey camped. I pitched up on Fhidhleir (what a view). . But the descent with a heavy pack on had me praying to all the God's I could think off! Glad I did it. Never again. ATB Jim
Cheers Jim, I'll have a look into that. I can see me selling the Silwing, not quite what I was after.
It's a steep one that eh, straight from the road too, boom.
@@WalkWithWallace exciting climb, just not sure I'd have taken it on last Friday in that 25° heat! It only dropped to 14° through the night!
I double checked there, it's Silnylon and every review seen has very little complaints. For the money it's robbery!. Anyway cheers for getting back to me ATB
@@bearpaws5942 was that just last weekend? It was a roaster. We were futher up north on Ben Wyvis and nearby Corbetts.
@@WalkWithWallace yes, waited until 5pm before setting off but it was still 23° when I reached the first ridge/false summit.. nightmare. Found the trickle of a stream and filled the platypus (2Lt) I needed it 🙌. Nightmare. Worthwhile right enough.
@@bearpaws5942 that's what it is all about. 😁 👍🏻
120 at the front and 700 at the back. That pole must be massive.. the camera had a little accident 🤭
Haha, good to see people are watching as you're the 3nd or 3rd person to notice that. 😛 Camera survived the fall. 😁
Of course ive got the bell notification on too 🙃
@@madscottishmtber2093 good to hear. 😁 👍🏻
About the meals Go outdoors do buy one get one half price. Shame you didn't rough it out. Maybe a 2 man tarp would give you more room.
Since making this, Hannah from The Fell Store gave me a 15% off discount code that I can share out which is WWW15.
If I was further away I would have roughed it out, but I was like 40 min descent from the car and 20 mins drive from home.
Interesting you should raise the issue of the substantial increase in the cost of freeze dried food.
In preparation for a very cold wild camp by Culra Bothy last week, I went to buy my usual brand but refused to spend nearly seven quid( just about the price of a burger and chips in a pub) and came away empty handed. I went to my local supermarket and bought dried pasta in sauce and CousCous. I’m not going to lie, my mates chicken tikka smelled fantastic after our nine hour hike and my pasta was a wee bit chewy but I consoled myself in the knowledge that I’d only spent £1.80 for my entire meal.
I'm wondering if they're at the tipping point now where folk are now refusing to buy them. Giving everything else is going up in price something has to give. 🙁
Agreed. As you say, everything else is going up in price and I appreciate their costs have increased also but I think it’s hard for them to justify such a large increase.
Vote with our feet and hopefully the prices start to drop a little.
Always enjoy your vidz btw👍
@@timothyewart8160 cheers Tim. 😎
Or you can dehydrate your own meals, make pasta etc in bulk.... I have a cheap Andrew James dehydrator, and mylar bags, heat sealed with hair straighteners ;-) Way cheaper after a few meals, and you can just boil water in your pot and pour into the bags.
Also dried mushrooms and jerky are light, and great to throw into meals, as is small bottles of virgin olive oil and those little packets of parmesan and salt/pepper packets...they make a WORLD of difference to a boring meal of pasta (last time I was camping recently I was actually making pasta/risotto from scratch....yeah....my titanium pot didn't like the latter, very hard to get out! Hence the dehyrated meals to save fuel and also keep the pot mostly for water/coffee)...the Dol Mio sauces come in nice small plastic packets, very light.
Cheers mate, I definitely need to be more creative with food. A dehydrater seems to be the way forward.
I’m happy to carry a bit of extra weight for a floor (tent!!). Your tarp and bivy is 700 grams, my six moon lunar solo tent is 740 grams (can’t remember if that includes the six pegs). You get a floor and sides, bug netting, and a warm cozy feeling at night. I think you tarp people are a bit nuts.
The SMD Lunar Solo is a decent tent, I suppose if I went out in benign conditions then it might have been different as I could have used the flat pitch that was too exposed at the time.
@@WalkWithWallace Famous last words from a miserable backpacking trip, “but I thought conditions were going to be benign”.
@@glenndorsey9068 😂
What litre pack did that lot fit in?.
Hi CC. It was the Osprey Talon 33L.
@@WalkWithWallace Thanks! First time bivvying this weekend 👍
@@CarterCreativeContent nice one, I'm out on Friday. Hope the dry weather continues into the weekend. 🤞🏻
Fair play for trying it.
Ultra light but ultra rubbish 😂😂
Back to a tent 👍😉
Mon the tents. 🏕 😁
Using a Poncho/Tarp with Bivi Bag is fine But certainly not on high or exposed places.
Yeah, unless you know its going to be a benign night.
A bit of an odd one 🤔 it looks like the cut and shape hampers it’s flexibility as a tarp, one for extremely calm weather me thinks.
Hmm, I felt the catcut shape helped with the pitch as it was taut. Just didn't help when the wind changed direction turning it into a wind tunnel. Interesting bit of kit though. 🤔 Definitely better for light winds.
Pal I really only see the sense in bivs on low / sheltered ground 😏
I know - I'm a gold medal winner at stating the obvious 🙈
I need to give it another go to be fair. I'm sure I could make it work.
@@WalkWithWallace no I've made up my mind.. I want a divorce 😂
@@EireFirst2024 😜
I'll never use em unless it's for extra cover when I'm in a bivvy bag.
That's the only time I'll use it now tbh. When I know it won't be windy either.
ooops above the tree line I meant
🤭
Pretty sure site selection, as you noted, was your biggest issue here...For me a tarp excels when used with natural shelter - block the wind with rocks, trees, hills , etc. Tarps have a place - and it is rarely in the open, especially up a hill. What really surprised me is how small the silwing looked, on paper it seems like it would offer more room...also not sure about catcut tarps in general - I think the flexibility of a flat tarp is one of its key features. Anyhow - really good to see an honest use case. I think it is often horses for courses - I always used a tarp/bivi as a kid so a tent always feels a wee bit overkill unless I'm with my partner or it is snowing!
Aye the pitch wasn't the greatest, as the flat spots were too exposed and no wall or rocks to shelter behind. I'll need to not give up straight away on it. Just unfortunate.
I have always struggled with tarps - the lowest point wAs when I woke up with a slug on my face
So I gave up and got a Pretents Soloist - really light weight walking pole tent (for good weather conditions) and don’t suffer with wind or wildlife anymore
But my scarp1 suffered a broken pole this weekend on Skye - really shocked
Yuck, I've had a few ticks in with me with the Trailstar. The Pretent Soloist looks like a better quality Lanshan. What happened with the Scarp? I've managed to bend my pole, story for another video.
@@WalkWithWallace You’re right about the Pretents - good quality kit
The Scarp was I think a combination of an exposed pitch, wind shifting to blow full side on - and the pole broke where I had attached a guy line - so not sure that was a good idea
Getting packed up and out of it was entertaining though - as well as getting everything squared away and not blown off to Cape Wrath 🤣
What make is your wind speed indicator - need one of those I think 🤔
@@nickchurchman6815 it's the Kestrel 2000. r-p-r.co.uk/kestrel/2000-handheld-thermo-anemometer.php
@@nickchurchman6815 that's what happened to me, the wind swinged and started to batter the side of the Scarp. Was only 30mph winds.
Just as good using a lanshsn 1 fly,, better still the fly sheet from Kev's flames creed
You know I was actually thinking I'd be as well taking my Lanshan 1 Pro which isn't much heavier tbh. The space saving in the pack with the tarp and bivy is good though.
700Kg Robin? You must’ve been in the gym mate.
I bought a Hilleberg Tarp 10XP and Allak 3 last week but I’ll definitely be using both, not just the tarp.
Never mind mate, we learn from the ones that go awry.
Better luck next trip.
Haha. The weight of an original Mini just about. 🤭 Aye you win some, you lose some eh.
@@WalkWithWallace Definitely. Love your films, keep up the good work. 👍🏼
@@dougieranger cheers mucker. 😎 👍🏻
The only person I know who'd happily stay under that all night in those conditions and feel joy would be Mr Iain Spence!
Spence is hardcore. 😆
@@WalkWithWallace one way to describe him! He's got a built in chin windbreak though, so thats to his advantage!
@@Orkneyboom 😂
You mix up kg and grams. Then mention inches of head room. Best get that sussed when giving details but otherwise great review. Not going to bivvy myself by good to see options. Why suffer? Good decision.
Ha, yes I know, It's not until you get home and edit the video you realise your slip up. 🤭 Would have been a brutal night to suffer. 😤
I'll need tae get up a bit higher for that view next time.
It's worth it mate. 👌🏼
Rather you than me, lol.
Haha, never again Malc. 👀😆