Pushing this idea a bit further.

The thought is to have a area just big enough to sit in and heat water, that you can stick you legs out of into a bivy for just you legs ... and have it bug proof.

Keep in mind the leg area would lay loose not stiff like it is in the model but the tarp would be staked at the hips so it would be taught at your side like it shows.

Netting around bottom and up to arched tarp edges

An all cuben design.

The only concern is getting airflow for moisture.

Edited by ctracyverizon on 09/12/2012 11:21:16 MDT.

This reminds me of the "Pocket Hotel" by Early Winters.

Exactly what I have in mind but think around 7 ounces total weight.

Edited by ctracyverizon on 09/13/2012 06:08:26 MDT.

I too have thought about this type of design, but the reality is that when I experimented with it the complications and weight savings diminished it's value. Your design has the pole straight up, which greatly reduces it's utility...I'd want to be able to sit up to change clothes, etc. Now you're dealing with offsetting the pole or using two poles to free up the room. I have been using a 10 oz similar shelter this year but it's only for sleeping (I wrote an article under "multiuse gear" earlier). Once you get into the 10 oz range and beyond then a cuben tent like a ZPacks starts to make more sense. I found that trying to stake out a slanted pole (to create interior room) became such a complicated hassle that I pitched that idea and ended up with using a flexible delrin rod instead to keep fabric off my face.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=58916&skip_to_post=502989#502989

Stephen - Your input is much appreciated.

I had two poles in mind to free up the center as I hike with poles.

Edited by ctracyverizon on 09/13/2012 06:05:11 MDT.

If you want the modularity to be able to separate the bivy that's one thing, but I don't know what this saves in function or weight over just making a ShangriLa/Mid style shelter out of cuben.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=39259

I am trying to do two things

1) come up with an enclosed shelter that is the lightest possible usable space.

2) make use of scrap material

Edited by ctracyverizon on 09/13/2012 06:07:22 MDT.

Your design is moving closer to an old one, the Bivvy Bug Niche.

[this is an observation, not criticism...]

I do like the SketchUp models.

If you use walking poles, then they can obviously be used to support the shelter. Some other examples can be found here.

The crossed poles idea I've thought of using means that they sort of self-supporting, i.e. they don't need some other means to hold them apart.

This image made me rethink everything ... LOL!

I can only imagine what my hiking buddies would do to me at night if I was in this : )



I think I am going the hexamid rout!

> This image made me rethink everything ... LOL!

Ah, you found R_Mac's blog, then...

I am going this direction now : )

I know there nothing new to these but it's fun to morph designs together.

I like the idea of offsetting the poles and having guy lines squared off them for stability.

The thought was to have small pockets on the floor for the hiking pole handles to sit in and a plastic pyramid cup at the top for the pole tips to sit in.

Edited by ctracyverizon on 09/14/2012 14:33:48 MDT.

It is starting to look like an SMD Gatewood or Wild Oasis-- what I call a "stealth fighter" look. I think it is natural design progression when trying to surround a human body outline and have one peak.

Keep thinkin' and tweakin' and thanks for sharing.