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PART 11: Tents

Tents come in all shapes and sizes. Each design provides different features - more headroom, greater stability in wind etc. Some have solid wooden poles, others flexible fibreglass rods.

Most tent designs fall into two categories low land and high land or mountain tents. Low land tents are usually larger and heavier being used in the most part for standing camps. Mountain tents however are usually of lightweight design and capable of withstanding high wind conditions. The tend to be one and two person tents which can be easily carried in a rucksack.

Door fastening
On lightweight tents door fastening is usually be zip. In heavy weight tents such as a 'Scout' tent, door closing is by way of loops and eyelets. Starting at the top of the door the first loop is slipped through the eyelet and then through the next loop and continued down the door.  

Airing the tent
A tent can be aired in two ways. If the day is dry you can roll up the walls using the loops provided on most tents for this purpose. You can also air the tent and prevent rotting of the sod cloth by hanging the walls on the brailings of the tent.
When airing a tent you should also remove the groundsheet so that the grass can get a chance to breath.

Tent Pitching
Spread tent out flat, with inside facing upwards. Fit together set of poles( a ridge pole and two uprights)and place in position.
Fold tent over and attach main guys while still on the ground.
Raise tent, making sure the poles are straight. Secure with main guys. Close doors before proceeding to peg out tent.
Finally, place in corner guys and line up side guys properly with seams of the tent.

Hike tent
This is the procedure if you are erecting a tent with a sewn in ground sheet.
Layout tent on the ground and peg down the groundsheet.
Put in poles through door or air vents. Fix main guys.
Straighten poles and secure main guys.
Fix side guys and adjust all round until canvas is stretched and ridged.

Get to know more about Camping Essentials here.