Site selection for larger shelters

[Travis Leanna]

For those of you who use larger shelters such as MLD Trailstar, any of the larger pyramids, or other large tarps, do you find it difficult to choose a good site to pitch it?

The thing about floorless shelters is that even if there is a boulder, or small shrub, you can pitch over them if needed.

So, what are your experiences with finding large tent sites, and what are some of the creative pitching techniques you've discovered when dealing with this?

[Jack H.]

It totally depends on where you hike. If you're in a place where you're more likely to camp in established sites, sometimes those sites aren't big enough for a large shelter. Sometimes the person with the large shelter squeezes other group members into less ideal, but doable sites. In some regions (the pacific northwest comes to mind) shelter sites can be hard to find because there is so much ground cover. You simply can't pitch a tent on endless expanses of huckleberry bushes. Many places this isn't much of a concern though.

Floorless shelters are indeed better because of the reason that you state.

One way that I deal with this is that I'm fit, and I keep hiking. I've run in to situations where I just need to keep putting in miles, even when I don't want to, because there is nowhere to camp. Look at maps, it can help. Camp near water, people have usually found a place to camp near there before. Having an oversized shelter will mean that you can't camp in the same places as someone who has a bivy. Please don't rip up shrubs or level sites permanently to camp in a spot. I also sometimes just drape a tent over myself if I'm dealing with a drizzle.

[David Lutz]

I've often wonder the same thing……I look forward to the responses.

[Travis Leanna]

>Please don't rip up shrubs or level sites permanently to camp in a spot.

No worries, Jack. I just rip out plants and shrubs for the night then replant them in the morning.

JUST KIDDING!! : )

[EndoftheTrail]

You're supposed to replant them? Dang…

[george carr]

Why replant them when they make such good kindling……

[Travis Leanna]

Anyone else? Eh, I guess this is a shameless bump.

[Author]

Posts