Bothy bags for single use?

In message <[email hidden]>, Judith
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Has anyone here attempted to use a 2-person Bothy bag on their own?

I'm thinking of the type of bag in which 2 people would sit facing
each other, tucking the fabric underneath themselves and using their
weight to keep the material taut.

I've been toying with the idea of getting one for lunch stops in foul
weather but I wonder if I'd spend all my time trying to stop the thing
either blowing away or suffocating me?!

Judith

Had one - until I lost it who knows where - use your rucksack as the
other person. Useful for getting changed at the end of a wet day on the
river/hill when the wind is blowing and no other form of shelter.

--
Martin Richardson
664/1554 Marilyns - aiming for 777 71/118 New Donalds - only 40% to go
88/211 Irish Hewitts - 123, it's easy 42/220 Corbetts - only 81% to go

On Jul 9, 12:43 am, Martin Richardson <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

In message <[email hidden]>, Judith
<[email hidden]> writes>Has anyone here attempted to use a 2-person Bothy bag on their own?

Quoted message said:

I'm thinking of the type of bag in which 2 people would sit facing
each other, tucking the fabric underneath themselves and using their
weight to keep the material taut.

Quoted message said:

I've been toying with the idea of getting one for lunch stops in foul
weather but I wonder if I'd spend all my time trying to stop the thing
either blowing away or suffocating me?!

Quoted message said:

Judith

Had one - until I lost it who knows where - use your rucksack as the
other person. Useful for getting changed at the end of a wet day on the
river/hill when the wind is blowing and no other form of shelter.

--
Martin Richardson
664/1554 Marilyns - aiming for 777 71/118 New Donalds - only 40% to go
88/211 Irish Hewitts - 123, it's easy 42/220 Corbetts - only 81% to go

The bothy bag can also be used as an emergency shelter if you take
unwell or become injured while out on your own as well as in a
group. Well worth carrying as it is easier to get into than a
plastic survival bag.

Lindsay
www.caledoniahilltreks.com

In message <[email hidden]>, Judith
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Has anyone here attempted to use a 2-person Bothy bag on their own?

I'm thinking of the type of bag in which 2 people would sit facing
each other, tucking the fabric underneath themselves and using their
weight to keep the material taut.

I've been toying with the idea of getting one for lunch stops in foul
weather but I wonder if I'd spend all my time trying to stop the thing
either blowing away or suffocating me?!

Judith

Hi Judith,

I notice in one of the posts from Lindsay that he says a bothy bag can
be used as an emergency shelter. Well that is exactly what they are -
but that is just a question of terminology. I have a "two" person
emergency shelter but don't know if there is such a thing as a single
person shelter.

They are certainly excellent for their intended use and would probably
be very useful for your needs. Maybe a two person shelter would be
better - it would afford a little more room without being "huge". They
are normally meant to be sat on - I think one should pull them down over
one's head like a bag and tuck the hem under ones backside to sit on it.
I f you use walking poles then you could use them as supports for the
roof.

I've never used mine in anger so I can't really say how comfortable it
would be - though I'm sure in foul weather it would be better than not
having one.

They come with a stuff sack attached and are easy enough to stuff back
into the sack after use.

You should have to pay about 35 ukp for a decent one.

Hope you find exactly what you want.

Best wishes
--
Bill Grey

Bill Grey said:

In message <[email hidden]>, Judith
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Has anyone here attempted to use a 2-person Bothy bag on their own?

Quoted message said:

I'm thinking of the type of bag in which 2 people would sit facing
each other, tucking the fabric underneath themselves and using their
weight to keep the material taut.

Quoted message said:

I've been toying with the idea of getting one for lunch stops in foul
weather but I wonder if I'd spend all my time trying to stop the thing
either blowing away or suffocating me?!

Quoted message said:

Judith

Hi Judith,

I notice in one of the posts from Lindsay that he says a bothy bag can
be used as an emergency shelter. Well that is exactly what they are -
but that is just a question of terminology. I have a "two" person
emergency shelter but don't know if there is such a thing as a single
person shelter.

They are certainly excellent for their intended use and would probably
be very useful for your needs. Maybe a two person shelter would be
better - it would afford a little more room without being "huge". They
are normally meant to be sat on - I think one should pull them down over
one's head like a bag and tuck the hem under ones backside to sit on it.
I f you use walking poles then you could use them as supports for the
roof.

I've never used mine in anger so I can't really say how comfortable it
would be - though I'm sure in foul weather it would be better than not
having one.

They come with a stuff sack attached and are easy enough to stuff back
into the sack after use.

You should have to pay about 35 ukp for a decent one.

Hope you find exactly what you want.

Best wishes
--
Bill Grey

I have three sizes, 2 man, 4 man and 8 man (or should I say person to
be correct) as I need to have a selection depending on the size of my
group. However the 2 man is not half the size of the 4 man when in
the stuff sack. I don't think you can get any other variations of
bothy bag, well at least I haven't seen any.

Their weight is not much different from a plastic survival bag.

I actually use them instead of a plastic survival bag as the can be
pulled under a casualty if necessary. Thankfully never had to put it
to this test.

Lindsay
www.caledoniahilltreks.com

I'm not too sure how a single person bothy-bag would work! The
Glenmore/MCofS winter courses teach that all the occupants sit on their
rucksacks with their backs outwards, looking in, holding the shelter
tight by leaning out. This provides, particularly for four and up, a
space in the middle to cook or throw dice.

I think I hear the sound of one hand clapping?

Maybe a lightweight bivi bag is the singleton's answer? Alpkit are about
to offer a 400g "hunka" for under £30, available end July!

Richard

Richard Spencer said:

Maybe a lightweight bivi bag is the singleton's answer? Alpkit are about
to offer a 400g "hunka" for under £30, available end July!

No, that's not what I want at all. I already have a Rab Survival Zone
bivi bag (and have registered my email on Alpkit's webpage in case
they want to send me a free one!).

I want to be able to sit up and get some shelter for a short time.
I'm not talking about emergency over-nighters, in which case a bivi
bag would be useful, but lunchstops (when lying on the floor would not
be the usual position to take!)

The suggestions here about using rucksacks and trekking poles were
useful as it suggests that it may be possible to keep the bothy bag at
least slightly box-shaped.

Judith

Message-ID: <[email hidden]> from Judith
contained the following:

Quoted message said:

The suggestions here about using rucksacks and trekking poles were
useful as it suggests that it may be possible to keep the bothy bag at
least slightly box-shaped.

It's a shame they don't do a wired one, like the 2 second tent.
--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/

Judith said:

On Mon, 9 Jul 2007 14:29:17 GMT, Richard Spencer

Quoted message said:

Maybe a lightweight bivi bag is the singleton's answer? Alpkit are about
to offer a 400g "hunka" for under £30, available end July!

No, that's not what I want at all. I already have a Rab Survival Zone
bivi bag (and have registered my email on Alpkit's webpage in case
they want to send me a free one!).

I want to be able to sit up and get some shelter for a short time.
I'm not talking about emergency over-nighters, in which case a bivi
bag would be useful, but lunchstops (when lying on the floor would not
be the usual position to take!)

The suggestions here about using rucksacks and trekking poles were
useful as it suggests that it may be possible to keep the bothy bag at
least slightly box-shaped.

Judith

Vango call them storm shelters. Their website shows them here:
http://www.vango.co.uk/products/tentsinfo.asp?typename=148.

They don't list a single-person one, but the weight only grows at
50g / person, so a double is probably the better bet just so you have
a bit more space to get the soup flask out. That said, I've only used
one as part of a group of four, with one bum in each corner holding it
in place. Very cosy. All you can really do on your own is put the
rucksack on the far side with the fabric tucked underneath and accept
that it will kind of flop down on top of you. Poles will help a bit
if you use them. If you take a brolly, however, you have instant
shape & structure!

Colin

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

Quoted message said:

The suggestions here about using rucksacks and trekking poles were
useful as it suggests that it may be possible to keep the bothy bag at
least slightly box-shaped.

I have not tried my Terra-Nova Bothy 2 alone before this thread but have
just done so now. Even with just a wee day sac at the other end it held
the material away quite well. There was plenty of room for eating etc.
Much more room than the last time I used it with two companions!

Beware that is wasn't blowing a hoolie in my bedroom when I tried it so
a more substantial sac may be required if there's a bit of wind about.

--

Dominic Sexton

Dominic Sexton said:

Quoted message said:

The suggestions here about using rucksacks and trekking poles were
useful as it suggests that it may be possible to keep the bothy bag at
least slightly box-shaped.

I have not tried my Terra-Nova Bothy 2 alone before this thread but have
just done so now. Even with just a wee day sac at the other end it held
the material away quite well. There was plenty of room for eating etc.
Much more room than the last time I used it with two companions!

Thanks Dominic, that's interesting to know.

Quoted message said:

Beware that is wasn't blowing a hoolie in my bedroom when I tried it so
a more substantial sac may be required if there's a bit of wind about.

:-)

Judith

Judith said:

On Mon, 9 Jul 2007 16:35:46 +0100, Dominic Sexton
<[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Beware that is wasn't blowing a hoolie in my bedroom when I tried it so
a more substantial sac may be required if there's a bit of wind about.

:-)

You could always do some experiments with some Fullers 1845 or similar
bottle conditioned ale >;-)
--
Phil Cook, last hill: Angletarn Pikes via Beda Fell.
http://www.p-t-cook.freeserve.co.uk/May07/martin9.htm

Phil Cook said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Beware that is wasn't blowing a hoolie in my bedroom when I tried it so
a more substantial sac may be required if there's a bit of wind about.

:-)

You could always do some experiments with some Fullers 1845 or similar
bottle conditioned ale >;-)

I'm sure my Beanfeast and Smash veggie dinner will do the job
admirably!

J

Bill Grey said:

They are certainly excellent for their intended use and would probably
be very useful for your needs. Maybe a two person shelter would be
better - it would afford a little more room without being "huge". They are
normally meant to be sat on - I think one should pull them
down over one's head like a bag and tuck the hem under ones backside
to sit on it. I f you use walking poles then you could use them as
supports for the roof.

Hey, that's a good idea Bill. I almost bought one in Brecon a while back.

Quoted message said:

I've never used mine in anger so I can't really say how comfortable it
would be - though I'm sure in foul weather it would be better than not
having one.

Carl told me that he used one to sit in while he was waiting for the rain to
stop, before photographing a sunset. He said it was very comfortable and
warm, even though it was blowing a hoolie outside.

Paul
--
http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk/
http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk/weblog/
Latest Blog Post: Limestone Hill
http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk/weblog/pic-of-the-day/limestone-hill/

Bill Grey said:

In message <[email hidden]>, Judith
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Has anyone here attempted to use a 2-person Bothy bag on their own?

Quoted message said:

I notice in one of the posts from Lindsay that he says a bothy bag can
be used as an emergency shelter. Well that is exactly what they are -
but that is just a question of terminology. ................

Quoted message said:

I've never used mine in anger so I can't really say how comfortable it
would be - though I'm sure in foul weather it would be better than not
having one.

They get warm very quickly from the body heat of the occupants.

I've used them twice in Norway whilst skiing.
Once in a howling gale, probably the coldest from wind that I've skied in
for some time. We had to stop to fix a loose binding. Within two minutes of
getting inside, everyone had removed hats, gloves, undone coats, etc.
Outside you got very very cold with all ones hat/coats/etc on at the same
time unless moving to keep the body warm.
The other time was a nicer day, though still a bit of a chilly wind and no
immediate natural windbreaks. Decided a rest and food was appropriate, so
piled into the shelter to eat in comfort rather than shivering outside.

They also double nicely as windbreaks in moderate winds, fixed up with a
mixture of skis and ski poles. For use without snow, a few poles and stones
would secure in a modest wind.

- Nigel

--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

In message <[email hidden]>, Nigel Cliffe
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I've never used mine in anger so I can't really say how comfortable it
would be - though I'm sure in foul weather it would be better than not
having one.

They get warm very quickly from the body heat of the occupants.

MRTs use them frequently especially if they have a hypothermic casualty.
Get 4 or 5 team members and the casualty inside an 8 to 10 parson group
shelter (aka grope tent) and with the aid of a small GAZ cooker alight
it very quickly heats up inside.
--
Bill Grey

Bitstring <[email hidden]>, from the wonderful
person Bill Grey <[email hidden]> said
<snip>

Quoted message said:

Get 4 or 5 team members and the casualty inside an 8 to 10 parson group
shelter (aka grope tent)

Ok, that has to be typo of the month right there. I dunno what church
you belong to ...

--
GSV Three Minds in a Can
8,963 Km walked. 1,746Km PROWs surveyed. 31.7% complete.

GSV Three Minds in a Can said:

Bitstring <[email hidden]>, from the wonderful
person Bill Grey <[email hidden]> said
<snip>

Quoted message said:

Get 4 or 5 team members and the casualty inside an 8 to 10 parson group
shelter (aka grope tent)

Ok, that has to be typo of the month right there. I dunno what church
you belong to ...

A weird one? Oh, that doesn't help much...
--
Peter.
You don't understand Newton's Third Law of Motion?
It's not rocket science, you know.

In message <[email hidden]>, GSV Three Minds in a Can
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Bitstring <[email hidden]>, from the wonderful
person Bill Grey <[email hidden]> said
<snip>

Quoted message said:

Get 4 or 5 team members and the casualty inside an 8 to 10 parson
group shelter (aka grope tent)

Ok, that has to be typo of the month right there. I dunno what church
you belong to ...

No typo ...:-)
--
Bill Grey