After an enjoyable but hot (and buggy) early trip to the Sierras this year, I’m strategizing a shelter for this unique blend of conditions.
The Borah bivy I brought was fine, but I found myself wishing for something a bit more spacious — a place to eat dinner and hide out from the bugs for a bit. Especially with the very long days, it’s almost inevitable that one finds oneself with some downtime while the sun is still up and temps haven’t cooled down enough to send the bugs packing.
I have other UL trekking-pole-supported shelters, but all of them are fly-first designs — i.e. the bugproof inner hangs from the tarp. That’s one thing I do miss from my freestanding tent days — the ability to set up a shelter sans rainfly when the weather allows. This is especially nice when it’s hot out and you can get some breezes moving through the tent.
What I’d really like is something that can be set up standalone as a roomy, well-ventilated, bug-proof shelter, with a weatherproof fly that can be added if conditions require. Something that provides bug protection with maximum ventilation. I see lots of “bug bivy” type shelters out there but many don’t really have room to sit up.
Anything like this out there? I hike with trekking poles so I generally go with shelters that use them, but I’m open to anything lightweight. Interested in both 1 and 2-person shelter formats.
