A bit of a ride …

[She'llbe]

Hey Jeff, did you get rid of your 2 bedroom tent? Who makes the blue tent in the photos? Is that a 2 man tent? Looks like some very cool weather camping, you guys really know how to play with fire!! Have a good, colder time at the Alpine.

[Airbear]

Great fires. I bet you had some fun making them!



Just warming up for the Alpine huh!

O yes, fire making is always fun with Jeff the Pyro along. Give him sufficient firewood and inspired fire 'sculptures' will result. This one was like a pulse jet for a while:



Jeff and I were chatting the night after we returned. Both agreed that it was one of the better trips but it was bloody good to be home. Hot running water was mentioned along with the pleasure of crashing into a comfortable warm bed without having to build a house first.

And yes, the Alpine Rally looms - just two weeks away now. I'm already packing.

[Sibbo]

Uncool Charlie .

[ME 109]

Hey Jeff, did you get rid of your 2 bedroom tent? Who makes the blue tent in the photos? Is that a 2 man tent? Looks like some very cool weather camping, you guys really know how to play with fire!! Have a good, colder time at the Alpine.

I usually take the big tent to the cold weather rallies, if I'm solo. I can't fit it two up.
I can't remember the brand tent in the pic, I'll have a look. It's good for layout but I don't think it will stand up to very wet weather. Not now that it's five or six years old and the seam tape is starting to come adrift. I can always fix that.
Can't remember the last rainy tent camp tho, probably Talbingo!

[Airbear]

Hey Jeff, did you get rid of your 2 bedroom tent? Who makes the blue tent in the photos? Is that a 2 man tent? Looks like some very cool weather camping, you guys really know how to play with fire!! Have a good, colder time at the Alpine.

G'day She'llbe. If you are after a good tent for motorcycle camping I can recommend the one I bought a couple of years ago - it's the red/grey one in the pics. It's nominally a two person tent which is what a solo traveller needs. It is compact and lightweight (2Kg). Importantly, the aluminium pole sections are only 350mm long. It sets up easily enough and is very robust in the wind. I've used it in pretty heavy rain without problems.



Here's a link:

http://www.trekkinn.com/outdoor-mountai ... lsrc=aw.ds

There is a movie link there showing how it's erected.

It has a door and vestibule each side and a lot of good features normally found only on much more expensive tents. Ferrino is an Italian company. They also make high end expedition tents with pricing up to $3600.

For travelling with a partner you need a three person tent so you have room to put stuff.

[Sibbo]

Charlie, how do you find a full mesh tent like that in the winter down your way ? Is it colder than one with more complete fabric walls ?

[Airbear]

Charlie, how do you find a full mesh tent like that in the winter down your way ? Is it colder than one with more complete fabric walls ?

G'day Peter. Seems counter-intuitive but mesh is best. In cold weather condensation from exhaled breath will soak into bedding and clothing, reducing insulating properties and conducting heat away from the body. I make sure that the top vents are open and will often leave the outer door flaps open to encourage air flow through the tent. This works well, and prevents the inside of the fly from icing up. An insulated air mattress makes a big difference in cold weather too.

[Sibbo]

Thanks Charlie, as you say counter intuitive but I see your point . I was thinking that the ''dead air space'' between the two layer would offer some insulation and of course slow the breezes .... all intuitive. thus likely wrong !

Water vapour , OK. I'm still looking for a tent to replace my Aldi and this looks as if it would be good, bearing in mind mesh inners and my colour prefereneces.
http://www.appliancesnow.com.au/_fwai_/ ... 368673.htm

[Airbear]

Looks good, mate.

Black Wolf Grasshopper 2 Hiking Tent





It has the advantage of being freestanding - in that you can pull the pegs and move the tent as a stand-up unit. It is similar in size and features to mine. Packed size is indicated as 430 x 140, so assume that the pole segment length is 430. If that length fits in your panniers you should be good to go.

[Sibbo]

Ordered .