San Gabriel Mountains Discussion Forum

edenooch · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 363 Location: Eagle rock

Hey all i was wondering if any one could provide any info on bivy's.
I want to know whats good for winter. Im gonna go look at some this weekend. But i dont know much about em, except they are better to haul then a tent!
Thanks
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EnFuego · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:11 am Post subject:

I have the REI minimalist bivy and love it for three seasons (fall, spring, summer).

I also have an Alpine bivy sac which I really like. Used it on Shasta and it was nice.

The only problem with these two bivy sacs is there is no pole to hold the bivy sac (netting area) away from your face. So if it snows during winter, the snow will collect and press against your face.

I jsut picked up a sweet solo tent which is just barely 2lbs and plan to use that during my winter adventures.

Black diamond has a winter bivy sac that is 9 oz. You should look into that one.
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There is no place for me in this world, Chanchito, I don't belong out there and I don't belong here. So I'm going into the wilderness, probably to die. I hope to see you again Chancho, maybe in the next life.

Hikin_Jim · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:12 am Post subject:

I've got an OR Aurora bivvy (which by no means indicates I have broad knowledge of the general subject). It's not high end, but it works.

Here's my experience with a bivvy:
Upside:
-Light weight
-Relatively compact (as compared to a tent).
-Provides wind and rain shell (to a point; not as good as a tent).

Downside:
-Condensation problems (internally)
-Not as warm as a tent (in my experience)
-Not as water proof (generally, depending on which tent used for comparison)
-Confined space -- no space to hang out if it rains or snows which can be important in winter. Being trapped in a bivvy for a couple of stormy days is no way to go.
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Hiking? Aw, gee, do I have to?

Hikin_Jim · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:14 am Post subject:

TacoDelRio · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:50 pm Post subject:

Not 4 season for most folks!!!

Hell, a light tarp is 4 season. It's all in the mindset.

FWIW, and I don't think what I'm saying here is worth much, but I've got a UK Army issue bivy sack. Goretex, super simple, just a draw at the top. I use it all the time. If I had down pants, jacket, and booties, I'd rock that with the bivy sack without a tent or sleeping bag here in winter, both as a bivy setup ("emergency"), and also for 2-3 day trips where you aren't hanging out in camp a heck of a lot.

hvydrt · Joined: 27 Sep 2007 Posts: 211 Location: IE

I cant stand them. I need some room to roll around. Except for the days when it is actually storming, a basic 1 man 3 season tent like enfuego mentioned is more than enough in the local mountains.

edenooch · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 363 Location: Eagle rock

My needs arent huge 5-7 hours sleep. over nighters only i aint the roughing it in the woods type. Im gonna go to rei sunday and look at the minimlalist and black diamond.
thanks guys Idea

Kit Fox · Joined: 25 Dec 2007 Posts: 141

My dream set up http://www.junglehammock.com/models/northamerican/index.php

I couldn't afford it, so I settled for a Singlenest. sleeping on the ground is not a favorite activity of mine.

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"The Mountains are the means, the man is the end; the idea is to improve the man, not to reach the top of the mountain."

Walter Bonatti