How To Choose A Location For Bivouac Tent?

Some nights are more fun than others, the choice of a place, the best camping tents, and a location is one of the conditions for a successful camp!

Here are tips that we have selected:

Overview

Make sure you have the right to pitch your camping tent in the space provided. National parks, private property, etc., legislation exists, it will avoid seeing dismantle your tent to sleep elsewhere…

• Consider potential herds of animals (cows, sheep, goats, etc.) that can come in the morning and grazing in peace.
• Install your camping tent in a place sheltered from the wind. Avoid basins where rainwater can accumulate.
• Do not pitch a tent at exposed or dangerous locations such as gorges, beneath high cliffs, in an avalanche slope, under seracs near a stream fed by a glacier, etc.
• Trying to find a location that easily takes the sun until late at night and/or early morning. It is always nice to be slowly warmed by the rising sun.
• Trying to find a flat location to prevent the inflatable mattress and/or sleeping bag from slipping
• Flatten the site and remove any sharp object that could damage the tent floor. To protect the floor of the tent, you can use a plastic tarp or space blanket.

If you plan to stay in one place for more than one night, think about installing your tent in the shade UV rays which accelerate aging of fabrics and coatings.

Because of fire and choking hazards, it is not recommended to cook in a tent. If we have no choice, ensure that the air supply is sufficient and install the stove as far as possible from the walls of the tent.

Bivouac in the mountains

Depending on the season, we will choose a tent for 3 or 4 seasons. Wherever possible, we will take care to choose a location away from any risk (rock falls, avalanches, seracs fall, thought of a stream, etc.)

In the mountains, do not forget to wear all your gear for hours. It is therefore recommended to choose a lightweight tent.

The weather can be very changeable in the mountains, it is better to have a quick and easy to install a tent.

According to the proposed field, we will also make sure the surface of the tent to the ground: not always easy to find enough flat surfaces.

The winds and storms can suddenly get up and blow various directions. In this case, forms of tent “geodesic” and “tunnel” will be favored.

Your camping tent near rivers and lakes

It is often recommended to bivouac near a water point: hydration, preparing meals, etc. It’s more convenient than walking 30 minutes to the front…

But beware: the proximity of water can cause abundant condensation in the tent, especially in the morning. Remember to ventilate enough tents.

In warm weather, mosquitoes can be a hassle if we camp near rivers and lakes. It may be convenient to use mosquito nets that maintain good ventilation.

Sleeping in tents in arid areas (deserts)

If sleeping in tents in the desert or in other dry and mineral regions, there may be a lot of sand and dust, which particularly damages the zippers. To repair stubborn zippers, clean them with a toothbrush and a little silicone spray.

For optimum ventilation, the tent should be tight.

If the wind and rain are not the parties, and if it is hot, you can install only the inner tent of some tents. This takes advantage of optimal ventilation while being protected from mosquitoes, other insects and even a snake or a scorpion.

Bivouac when it rains

Dig around the tent a groove 4 to 5 cm in depth allowing water to store and discharge through the ground. This will prevent unintentional runoff into the tent.

Ensure that the external fabric of the tent is watertight (no gaps) and check for leaks at the seams.

A double-wall tent has the advantage of better ventilation. It reduces condensation and the inner tent stays dry.

Important: the outer tent should be tight when it rains. This prevents contact between the inner tent and outer tent and ensures good ventilation.