Bug Out Bag Debate: Tarp or Tent for Emergency Shelter
A bug-out-bag is designed for emergencies, so some inconvenience is to be expected.
When on a family outing you can carry a six or eight person cabin tent in the back of your vehicle. Weight is not a large factor when you can pack your supplies in the cargo space of an SUV or pickup.
When packing supplies on your back however, weight can be a deciding factor. What you think you can carry on your back, and what you can actually carry, are two different things. Twenty minutes hiking up and down the sidewalk with 30 to 50 pounds strapped on does not mean you can perform the same way physically while in a crisis when walking over rough and uneven terrain for hours at a time.
Tents
Most backpacking tents are designed for 1 to 2 people. A one person tent allows approximately 15 square feet of sleeping space. Keep in mind you will have gear as well, so it will be cramped. The weight can be anywhere from 3 to 6 pounds depending on the model and actual size.
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The bulky nature is always a problem with tents especially after they have been removed from the retail packaging and set up. They rarely roll up as tight and compact as they were from the manufacturer.
Pros
• Better Protection From The Elements, Wind, Rain And Snow
• Provides Good Protection From Insects
• Easy Set Up Generally, Because Today's Tents Have Integrated Support systems, So It Is Just A Matter Of Telescoping The Support Poles In Most Cases
• Tents Usually Do Not require Other Materials For Set Up
• Provides Some Ground Protection Against Wet/Dampness
The correct place to set up the fort is also a key factor. You’ll want to pick a spot with at least three walls or doors. If there’s not any room for the blanket to hold up, it won’t stay. Do not pick somewhere with only one wall, because the “chair method” won’t cut it anymore. The chairs make for no room to spread out and be comfortable. The perfect spot may take a little while to curate, but it’ll work out.
Each hut was 16’ by 14’ and a door on one end. It may seem like a lot of room for one but you had to share with 12 other people. Even though there was a fire inside the ventilation between the logs was not the best, so the air was really sick and made it hard to breathe. With the conditions of weather getting colder outside they would have to keep the fire and in the diary of Dr. Albigence Waldo he states himself that, “Hartley wish myself at home, my Skin and eyes are almost spoil’d with continual smoke. A general thro’ the Camp this Evening among the Soldiers.” (Document C). Between the cold and have to share a space so small and compact wouldn’t be something I would enjoy.
In the book, The Things They Carried, by Tim O'Brien; the men in combat carried many things, each with a specific purpose for survival. Each man carried individual items, which weighed between 12 and 18 pounds, and added onto this weight with other necessities for the whole group. The necessities the men carried depended upon a man's rate of metabolism, and their habits. All the men were required to carry large 5 lb steel helmets, and jungle boots, with a weight of 2.1 lbs. Another requirement was that all the men carry a steel centered, nylon-covered flak jacket, with a weight of 6.7lbs. In the field, a poncho was a multi-purpose treasure, and could even be used as a body carrier. What the men carried also depended on their rank, and their
Inside the unoccupied tent agents found typical camping supplies including a sleeping bag, lantern, and camp stove. (R.2,9.) Agent Dolan very
There was no comfy pillows or blankets not even mattress, but alike all camps there were wooden bunkers that fitted six people in each all stacked up. After being in there is no way out only death from barbed wires, electric fences, machine guns, and automatic rifles. There is many that still had determination to stay alive.
To go even more rustic, thirty tent camping areas offer picnic tables, grills and potable water access. And, hammock camping is permitted in designated areas. Fire circles round out the evening in this quiet, natural
From this scene, we cannot dispute Nick's intentionally pitching the tent so that it was "drum tight." Weeks explains:
Transitioning from my comfortable sixty degree waterside house to a one hundred degree tent was challenging. I had to live independently, collaborate with others from different states, and work past my heat tolerance. The isolated enclosement known as my campsite was dirty, cramped, and reeked from the stench of porta-potties baking in the southern sun. Limited showers made everyone all the more uncomfortable around each other. I wake, aching from sleeping on the ground,
The three most important items to bring in a bug out bag for a zombie apocalypse are duct tape, a knife or multi-tool, and a fire source. These items are most important because they can be used for multiple things. Also, they are light and easy to pack.
Carrying additional luggage can be a hectic experience, if you are traveling to a forest far from your city. And if you are a cycler, then you must avoid carrying more bags. It would not only make it difficult for you to move but it would also slow down the speed of your vehicle. It means that you would not be able to carry all the bedding accessories to the destination. But that also means that you would not be able to sleep under the open sky, as the threat comes in the form of wild animals. The invention of the sleeping bags has solved such a problem. But one of the problems still lies and that is the capacity of the sleeping bags. Most of them are designed to fit only one person at a time. That means if you are travelling with your spouse, you would have to spend the night detached from the love of your life. This is not the same situation for the American Trails Ozzie
When you get to choose what to carry, but are limited on what you can carry, you have to pick wisely. Shelter, fire, water, and food are your priorities. When you can carry a shelter with you, you probably should, because it can save time and energy, both of which are always in short supply in the wilds. You can add forest debris to harden the shelter, but having a tarp on hand means you have a quick shelter for that first night that can be improved upon with your time.
We never did the tent thing, as my husband said, "My wife will not go, if we don't have air conditioning." He was right that was my first requirement, living in Texas it gets really hot and sleeping in the great outdoors when the temperature at its coolest is 85 degrees is not my idea of a good time. We looked at all types of recreational vehicles, pop-up campers, travel trailers and fifth-wheels. With our budget we decided it had to be a pop-up camper with air conditioning and room to sleep four. Once we had purchased our camper, we then began trying to figure out what else we would need. Neither my husband or I had camped when we were younger so this was all new to us. We were lucky enough to have some close friends that had been camping for years and they helped us out by telling us some things that would make our experience better. If you do intend to camp in a pop-up camper here are a few suggestions of things that you will probably want to have, because I promise there will come a time when you wish you had them. 1. Flashlights are a must they are great for walking to the restrooms at night in the camp ground. Also, we have been caught out in storms and the power went out in our camper so they really are a great help then. 2. Lanterns are great for using in the camping area, when you sit outside at night and visit with your family or friends, it is a great source of light and fairly cheap to use. We always used the
Plus, as mentioned before, the bladder system can be slow and difficult to refill, but otherwise this is a very nice backpack.Best Bits
Keeps you out of the weather. The weather plays a big factor in how often and when you can use your deck. By putting a roof over your deck you can use is rain on shine. Another benefit concerning the weather is that it can make your deck last longer. This is due to the fact that it doesn't have to suffer as many natural elements
It is important to have good company in order to make the camping trip worthwhile and full of memory-making opportunities. It can also be great for those who prefer to have some peace and quiet time alone. This also gives us a moment to witness and experience nature first hand, and to take a break from all the distractions of the faster pace lifestyle. Camping is an opportunity to get away from the usual day to day routine and to get involved with something new and exciting.