Live an adventure camping


Tent information

A 'tent' is a shelter, consisting ofround. One or more inner tents provide
sheets of fabric or other materialsleeping areas. The outer tent may be
draped over or attached to a frame ofjust a little larger than the inner
poles and/or ropes. Some tent styles aretent, or it may be a lot larger and
free-standing, while others are attachedprovide a covered living area separate
to the ground using guy ropes tied tofrom the sleeping area(s). An inner tent
stakes (pegs). Tents were first used asneed not be waterproof.
portable homes by nomadic peoples, butWhen a flysheet or outer tent is used,
today, their main application is forit is important that there be no contact
recreational camping. Modern tents arewith the inner tent it is protecting;
usually made of fire-retardant material.this keeps the inner dry even if the
Tents range in size from those barelyouter is wet. Expedition tents often
large enough for one person to sleep inhave extra poles to help ensure that
up to huge (circus) tents capable ofwind does not blow the two layers into
seating thousands of people. The bulk ofcontact. The double layer may provide
this article is concerned withsome insulation.
recreational camping using tents capableA groundsheet is used to provide a
of sleeping from 1 up to about 10waterproof barrier between the ground
people. Larger tents are discussed in aand a sleeping bag. With double skin
separate section below.tents, the inner tents normally have a
Tents for recreational camping aresewn-in groundsheet, but a separate flat
generally transportable by car.groundsheet may be provided for any
Depending on tent size and theliving area. With single skin tents, the
experience of the person or peoplegroundsheet may be sewn in or separate.
involved, such tents can usually beNormal practice with sewn-in
assembled (pitched) in between 5 and 25groundsheets is for the groundsheet to
minutes; disassembly (striking) takes aextend some 15 cm (6 in) up the lower
similar length of time (some verypart of the walls (sometimes called a
specialised tents have spring-loadedbath-tub arrangement); this copes with a
poles and can be 'pitched' in 2 seconds,situation where water seeps under the
but take somewhat longer to strike).side walls of the tent. Separate
Smaller tents may be sufficiently lightgroundsheets allow loadsharing when
that they can be carried for longbackpacking, and may make it easier to
distances on a person's back, or on apitch and strike a tent, but they
touring bicycle, a boat, or even a packprovide less protection against insects
animal.etc. getting into the sleeping area;
Tent fabric may be made of manyalso, if any part of a separate
materials including cotton (canvas),groundsheet protudes from under the side
nylon, and polyester. Cotton absorbswalls, then it provides a ready path for
water, so it can become very heavy whenmoisture to flow into the tent.
wet, but the associated swelling tendsThe poles provide structural support.
to block any minute holes so that wetThey may be collapsible for easier
cotton may be more waterproof than drytransport and storage. Some designs use
cotton. Nylon and polyester are muchrigid poles, typically made of metal, or
lighter than cotton and do not absorbsometimes wood. Other designs use
much water; with suitable coatings theysemirigid poles, typically made of
can be very waterproof, but they tend tofiberglass, or sometimes of special
deteriorate over time due to a slowmetal alloys.
chemical breakdown caused byStakes or pegs may be used to fasten the
ultra-violet light. Since stitchingtent to the ground. Some are attached to
makes tiny holes in a fabric, it isguy ropes that pull outward on the poles
important that any seams are sealed orand/or fabric to help shape the tent or
taped to block up these holes.give it additional stability. Others are
Rain resistance is measured as aused to anchor the bottom edge of the
hydrostatic head in millimetres or youfabric to the ground. Pegs may be made
could say,mm. This indicates theof wood, plastic, or metal. A mallet may
pressure of water needed to penetrate abe needed to drive thicker pegs into the
fabric. Heavy or wind-driven rain has aground. Skewer metal pegs consisting
higher pressure than light rain.essentially of a length of thick wire
Standing on a groundsheet increases thewith a hook on one end can usually be
pressure on any water underneath. Fabricinserted by hand, except if the ground
with a hydrostatic head of 1000 mm oris very hard, but may not be as strong
less is best regarded as showeras more substantial pegs. Pegs used for
resistant, with 1500 mm being usuallyguy ropes should not be driven
suitable for summer camping. Tents forvertically into the ground; instead for
year round use generally have at leastmaximum strength they should be driven
2000 mm; expedition tents intended forin at an angle so that the peg is at
extreme conditions are often rated atright angles to the guy rope attached to
3000 mm. Where quoted, groundsheets mayit. Lighter free standing tents may need
be 5000 mm or more.some guy ropes and pegs to prevent them
Many tent manufacturers indicatefrom being blown away.
capacity by such phrases as "3 berth" orMultiple air vents should be provided to
"2 person". These numbers indicate howhelp reduce the effects of condensation.
many people the manufacturer thinks canWhen people breathe, they expel quite a
be crammed snugly into a tent, with justlot of water vapour. If the outside of
sleeping bags. These numbers do notthe tent is colder than the inside (the
allow for any personal belongings suchusual case), then this vapour will
as, luggage, inflatable mattresses, campcondense on the inside of the tent, on
beds, cots, etc. Experience indicatesany clothing lying about, on the outside
that camping may be more comfortable ifof a sleeping bag, etc. so that
the actual number of campers is 1 oreverything is damp in the morning. Hence
even 2 less than the manufacturer'sit is important to have plenty of
suggestion.ventilation to help dispel the vapour
Tents can be improvised using waterproofand get it outside the tent, even if
fabric, string, and sticks. This allowsthis lets in cold air and makes the tent
them to be easily built and moved.feel a little cooler. Many inner tents
There are three basic types of tentsare made of some 'breathable' material
(but each type may appear in manyso that water vapour can more easily
different styles):pass through it.
Single skin (USA: single wall). Only oneAn optional tent footprint or
waterproof layer of fabric is used,groundsheet protector may be used. This
comprising at least roof and walls.is a separate flat groundsheet which
Single skin with flysheet. A flysheet orgoes underneath the main groundsheet,
rain fly is suspended over and clear ofand is slightly smaller than that
the roof of the tent; it often overlapsgroundsheet. The intention is to protect
the tent roof slightly, but does notthe main groundsheet, especially when
extend down the sides or ends of thecamping on rough terrain, since it is
tent.much cheaper to replace a separate
Double skin (USA: double wall). Thefootprint groundsheet than it is to
outer tent is like a flysheet, butreplace a sewn-in groundsheet.
extends right down to the ground all



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