advice on bivis

MP said:

Planning ahead, been thinking of getting a bivi for use from say early May
to October ish, camped a lot never used a bivi hence a bit clueless about
them. Liked the look of the Terra Nova Jupiter, off the face appealed price
didn't. Any advice on others to think about or not, where to buy or other

By all accounts the Rab Survival Zone is pretty good. I've been thinking of
a project which combines one of these with a Hilleberg Tarp which you can
order from Knoydart Accessories.

http://www.hilleberg.se/default-e.HTM
http://www.knoydart.co.uk/display_access.php?category=8&access=11&id=197

It's all a bit daunting, but I kind of feel that I should be trying this
out at some stage. Most of my trekking recently has been in mountain ranges
that are prone to dramatic storms; not sure I would have wanted to have been
in one of these then. But at lower levels they could be quite fun.

--
Andy Howell
Birmingham, UK

To mail simply put back the dots ...

Ysgrifennodd "MP" <[email hidden]> mewn neges
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Quoted message said:

Planning ahead, been thinking of getting a bivi for use from say early May
to October ish, camped a lot never used a bivi hence a bit clueless about
them. Liked the look of the Terra Nova Jupiter, off the face appealed
price didn't. Any advice on others to think about or not, where to buy or
other thoughts on bivis.

Also posted on uk.rec.camping.

Thanks,

MP

If you like podcasts, then backpacking light have just started doing
lightweight backpacking podcasts, and you dont get much more light weight
than in a bivvy.
Reason i mention it, is that there is currently a podcast about bivvying.
The podcasts i've listened to are informative and high quality, but this one
is stil on my mp3 player ready to listen to, but i'd imagine it's worth 30
mins listening time.

The website is http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/page17.asp , and they add
new podcasts frequently.
HTH.

T Dave R

p.s. you don't need an i-pod or i-tunes, you can listen on your PC, they're
just normal audio files.
--

Walking in Snowdonia and the Llyn Peninsula
www.walkeryri.org.uk

I have a Terra Nova Jupiter which I have used down to about freezing and I
found it fine.
However I have found them stuffy and made a slight addition to mine by
peggin out the top opening
so that I can have the door a little bit open to allow a small flow of air.

Of course if its fine they are absolutely brilliant to have completely flat
and open as I have done on many fine summer nights, when waking up in the
middle of the night is fantastic as you look up to the stars.
You really fell close to the outside world.

They are also a much safer and lighter option to the awful plastic survival
bags that still sell.
Pricey though. You soon recover this cost if you are going to use it a lot
from saved accommodation.

For very little extra weight and a bit more protection and comfort I
recommend the Akto Hilleberg.
I take the missus with me in this one as despite the descrition you can
sleep two head to tail.

I could ramble on here.
E-mail any further questions if you like.
Hope this helps
Zinc

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To reply to address don't click.
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------------------------------------

"MP" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Planning ahead, been thinking of getting a bivi for use from say early May
to October ish, camped a lot never used a bivi hence a bit clueless about
them. Liked the look of the Terra Nova Jupiter, off the face appealed
price didn't. Any advice on others to think about or not, where to buy or
other thoughts on bivis.

Also posted on uk.rec.camping.

Thanks,

MP

"MP" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Planning ahead, been thinking of getting a bivi for use from say early May
to October ish, camped a lot never used a bivi hence a bit clueless about
them. Liked the look of the Terra Nova Jupiter, off the face appealed
price didn't. Any advice on others to think about or not, where to buy or
other thoughts on bivis.

Also posted on uk.rec.camping.

Thanks,

MP

Personnally, I don't like the fully enclosed bivi, I tried one many years
ago and had to open the zip fully as it became stuffy and clausrophobic.
IMO, you might as well get a lightweight tent.

The other types of bivis are great for the summer and warm autumns and
spring. I used to have a very lightweight Rab Survival and they are Very
very strong. I now have a ex-army Goretex in excellent A1 condition for
£60. What I found in the past, was that these types are good for sleeping
on mountain sides, rather thenn having to find a flat area, I could just
find a nice sitting position and sleep there.

Jhimmy

I have a Mt Range Gortex bivy used twice. Didn't particularly like it
especially when it rained and you had to close the zip over your face.
I also have a Terra Nova one man tent which I prefer as there is a bit
of room and you can keep everything inside it.

Lindsay
www.caledoniahilltreks.com

In article <[email hidden]>, MP
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Planning ahead, been thinking of getting a bivi for use from say early May
to October ish, camped a lot never used a bivi hence a bit clueless about
them. Liked the look of the Terra Nova Jupiter, off the face appealed price
didn't. Any advice on others to think about or not, where to buy or other
thoughts on bivis.

If you are thinking of the Jupiter, which weighs in at 825g, I think you
would be far better off with the Terra Nova Laserlite tent which wheighs
990g. Apart from the 165g advantage of the Jupiter the only other plus
is its size. Slightly lower profile and smaller footprint make it easier
to conceal and easier to find a suitable pitch.

The extra room of the Laserlite and the porch for kit / cooking make it
vastly more comfortable to live in. Living in / out of any bivi for more
than the odd night in poor weather is no fun at all :-(

If you really want to go for a bivi go for one that gives you a really
significant weight advantage over a light tent such as the Rab Survival
zone at 350g which goes for ~ 50 pounds. Having no hoop they are very
much more discreet and you can use them almost anywhere.

--

Dominic Sexton

Sorry if this appeared twice.

I have a Terra Nova Jupiter which I have used down to just below freezing
and I
found it fine.
However I have found them stuffy and made a slight addition to mine by
peggin out the top opening
so that I can have the door a little bit open to allow a small flow of air.

You can still have the mozzy net completely seled up though.

Of course if its fine they are absolutely brilliant to have completely flat
and open as I have done on many fine summer nights, when waking up in the
middle of the night is fantastic as you look up to the stars.
You really fell close to the outside world.

They are also a much safer and lighter option to the awful plastic survival
bags that still sell.
Pricey though. You soon recover this cost if you are going to use it a lot
from saved accommodation.

For very little extra weight and a bit more protection and comfort I
recommend the Akto Hilleberg.
I take the missus with me in this one as despite the descrition you can
sleep two head to tail.

I could ramble on here.
E-mail any further questions if you like.
Hope this helps

Regards
Kev

--
zincnews123 at tiscali.c123o.u123k
To reply to address don't click.
Cut and paste, change at to symbol
then delete
all 123's

------------------------------------

"MP" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Planning ahead, been thinking of getting a bivi for use from say early May
to October ish, camped a lot never used a bivi hence a bit clueless about
them. Liked the look of the Terra Nova Jupiter, off the face appealed
price didn't. Any advice on others to think about or not, where to buy or
other thoughts on bivis.

Also posted on uk.rec.camping.

Thanks,

MP

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

them. Liked the look of the Terra Nova Jupiter, off the face appealed
price didn't. Any advice on others to think about or not, where to buy or
other thoughts on bivis.

Quoted message said:

Personnally, I don't like the fully enclosed bivi, I tried one many years
ago and had to open the zip fully as it became stuffy and clausrophobic.
IMO, you might as well get a lightweight tent.

The other types of bivis are great for the summer and warm autumns and
spring. I used to have a very lightweight Rab Survival and they are Very
very strong. I now have a ex-army Goretex in excellent A1 condition for
£60. What I found in the past, was that these types are good for sleeping
on mountain sides, rather thenn having to find a flat area, I could just
find a nice sitting position and sleep there.

The Jupiter has 2 peg out points which usually need to be used,
to let air in, this way you get fresh air and keep all the rain out,
the Jupiter has a mosquito net, which also helps,
thats something else to think about when using a bivi instead of a
tent, its harder to get away from the blighters, and things like the
Rab surviavl zone, let rain in and mosquitoes at you.
At a push you can read a book with a headlamp on inside a Jupiter,
I've done this between eatting and sleeping, just to get away from
the midges.
The biggest selling point to me for a bivi is their ability to be used
anywhere, as Jhimmy points out, and this includes the Jupiter, as it
doesnt have to have the pole in place.

Ive had a few bivies over the years, but I still fine that I have used
them more for urban camping than for mountain travel, when a low
profile is needed.
I only take a bivi to the mountains if I expect to be sleeping amongst
rocks, so I can curl into a comfortable position, the lightness of
solo tents makes them worth carrying if I expect to find a small patch
of grass.
the biggest problem I find with bivis is getting a bag and myself into
them, when its raining.

Dominic Sexton said:

If you are thinking of the Jupiter, which weighs in at 825g, I think you
would be far better off with the Terra Nova Laserlite tent which wheighs
990g. Apart from the 165g advantage of the Jupiter the only other plus
is its size. Slightly lower profile and smaller footprint make it easier
to conceal and easier to find a suitable pitch.

Or wait for the Laser Competition at only 860g!

S.

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Andy Howell said:

By all accounts the Rab Survival Zone is pretty good.

Roos got one we took to accompany the Emergency Bag for a ski tour
last year (took a Blizzard pack each this time as we planning on
keeping them packed and comfort wouldn't be an issue if we did need
them).

Nice bit of kit, really just an over-bag for the pit, and has been
used to keep a bag clean in a mud floor bothy for New Year where it
created no problems in use. Weighs substantially less and packs to
a fraction of the size of my old Goretex Bivvi, used with a tarp I
think it'd work well.

Since the hooped bivvis weigh only a little less and pack only a
wee bit smaller than the lightest tents I don't really see that
much use for them. If I was going minimalist I'd take the RSZ or
similar, I think.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

I have had the experience (expense) of various bivis, ex-army,
Kathmandu Trekking, Force 10 and Rab Survival Zone and I can say
without exception the Rab wins hands down.

Initially I thought the material and wieght would give it a very short
life, but without fail it has performed beautifully. Apparently techies
tell me, and I can vouch from experience, gortex isn't a good performer
around the zero mark. I did a Scots May trip with the Rab and although
there was ice and frost on the outside of the bivvi bag, the only damp
areas was around my mouth where the condensation has frozen and then
dripped back on my face ... hmm nice!

The Force Ten, really looks the biz, with a zipped in hood and bug
mesh. But every time I've tried it, too much moisture builds up inside
the bag lining and starts to make my down bag wet. I want to try again
with this one as it is much more heavy duty with a waterproof base and
storage space.

The army one has been great, almost too much space inside, but at times
(gortex I think) a bit too damp in chilly conditions.

The Kathmandu bag, (Milair material) as mentioned in the podcast, is a
tube style affair with an opening at the end, rather than around the
head like the Rab and Army bag. Its a very slim fit and I struggled to
get into a decent sleeping position as the lip kept falling over my
face all the time. It too seemed quite damp halfway through the night.

The Rab is cheap, very light and although a bit on the thin side, has
never let me down. It never leaves my bag, although I want to try the
others once again, I keep coming back to the old favourite.

For those of you suggesting tents, you are missing the point. A
bivvying experience is totally unlike a tent and you need to try it to
understand the pleasures. The air of freedom and views of the ever
changing sky are unique. When weather looks too miserable a small tarp
and a couple of walking poles keeps your head out in the open and you
can have a brew with impunity.

I spoke to Rab last week and the new Survival Zones we have in stock
are grey and they tell me it is even better Pertex than the purple
thing I use. There's only a few of the grey ones around so they tell
me, so if you want one of those, make your mind up soon!

Enjoy!

I use a combination of the Hilleberg Bivanorak and a tarp. Found it
very comfortable even on a soaked crossing of Rannoch Moor last
"summer".
The Bivanorak is spacious enough to take a sleeping bag (even an
isolation mat if you're below 6ft and not too wide !) and it has the
great advantage of having sleeves for the arms; you can cook without
having to peel yourself out of the comfy bag.