Tarp and bivy camping in bad weather | Robens Mountain Bivy

[@tim1289r]

I know you don't drink coffee, and rarely take a stove, but when you're wet and feeling a bit miserable, the ritual of making a hot drink and some hot food I think can be a moral boost. Could be challenging without any lighting though 😁

[@TheWalkingKev]

I did actually have a stove as I've been drinking a lot of peppermint tea. I just couldn't be bothered on this occasion as the tarp was quite low down.

[@mtbgreg]

If nothing else, it was worth the nihgt out for that amazing sunrise time lapse!!

[@TheWalkingKev]

Yeah, I wouldn't want to wake up to more rain.

[@kreestuh4367]

I live on the East Coast of the US and use a bivy, but I'm usually able to make use of fallen logs to block wind. This kind of environment would be rough if you couldn't get right up to the rock wall. That misty rain is miserable no matter what too. Good on you for sticking it out!

[@TheWalkingKev]

Thanks. Yeah in this part of Wales there are very few trees, just sheep and grass so you don't have much natural cover.

[@Nastja3000]

Nice and honest video.

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@Nastja3000 thanks, appreciate it.

[@morgs4mountains]

Thank you for sticking it out and I'm pleased for you that you had such a well deserved sunrise. I will always think of the discomfort you experienced when I pitch my Terra Nova in various locations and varied weather!

[@TheWalkingKev]

Ha. Yes, a decent tent is better in those conditions. I'm still searching for my perfect tent. Have another arriving tomorrow...

[@tomhart3058]

You mention that you like the Robens bag's long side zip but note that it's not waterproof on top. I have used a tarp in the similar configuration to your morning setup but with a waterproof zipless bivi (ex-army) in a T shape, i.e. with just the head end under the tarp and the rest sticking out at right angles, getting wet. This provides a lot of space on either side of the bivy entrance, for storing gear, cooking and for getting changed and into/out of the bivy, all in the dry. Great video. Lots of possibilities.

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@tomhart3058 yeah, that would be ideal with a properly waterproof Bivy. I've got a new Bivy to try out soon...

[@northumberlandmountainhopper]

Hi and lol, a tarp is not for everyone without doubt,I have got rid of most tents as I mainly only camp with a tarp and bivy, You should have pitched with a Star configuration 1 pole in the centre, bomb proof and more room than a tent, You will have to try again You have to love a tarp and bivy lol Cheers Adrian

[@TheWalkingKev]

That tarp doesn't have a central point as it's only a small one. I'll definitely try it again at some point.

[@AB-qp6yj]

A realistic introduction to using a tarp and bivi for a shelter. Well done.

[@TheWalkingKev]

Thanks. Appreciate the kind words.

[@conrad1969ch]

Maybe try a tarp tent configuration next time, it'll be more enclosed, like a tent

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@conrad1969ch I'm not sure the tarp is big enough for that and it only has limited guy points as well.

[@MarkSweeting_]

Thankyou for doing rhis so i no longer have to for the first time 😆👍👍

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@MarkSweeting_ ha ha, I'm sure in better weather it's loads of fun!

[@johnhumphreys2700]

There are several different ways to set a tarp but good on ya man for sticking it out.

[@TheWalkingKev]

Thanks John. Appreciate you stopping by.

[@desfarrell909]

All the discomfort makes the video much more enjoyable for us! Great video sir! I expect a battle with Orcs in the next one to better this one. Or at least 2 dragons.

[@TheWalkingKev]

Ha, I'll see what I can do!

[@MoeketsiThebe-fe2bh]

South african weather that. Had a blast a day ago in the campsite. Cool company

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@MoeketsiThebe-fe2bh thanks for stopping by.

[@andrewgreen7996]

I use the decathlon tracking Tarp and it's fine I prefer it then a tent to be honest just my opinion plus it's very waterproof iv had it in quite heavy rain no worries great video as always mate 👍

[@TheWalkingKev]

Cheers Andrew. I'll have a lot at that tarp, hear a lot of good things about Decathlon.

[@welshrambler1893]

Informative video Kev and a great introduction to a less popular area of the Beacons, well done! You would still have got wet setting up a tent in those conditions. A tarp does seem more adaptable than a tent especially if you use a tarp/tent setup but less protection from the bugs and wild life. Enjoyable video. Regards Keith

[@TheWalkingKev]

Thanks Keith. It's a great hill and I've camped there a few times because it's so peaceful and lots of different places to pitch.

[@PhilipOlsen11]

That was great I love it. I’ve got a Belgian army bivi and Tarp. It’s great 👍

[@TheWalkingKev]

Cheers Phil. You planning any camps soon?

[@PhilipOlsen11]

@@TheWalkingKev funnily enough I planned on doing it Saturday. I was down in Somerset. All set up but plans were scuppered as I had to pick up my wife and drop her off while I was there. Apart from that no definite plans but like my walks they just tend to happen - so watch this space 🤷🏻‍♂️😁

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@PhilipOlsen11 I will do. I've really enjoyed your videos as you explore South Wales.

[@mountain_del1863]

All about experimenting in order to gain experience Kev. You did it in June as opposed to December when you'd be in bother. Ive tried it a good few times up the Munro's but for me, tent every day of the week given how light they are nowadays. Still, variety is the spice of life and if you don't try, you'll never know.

[@TheWalkingKev]

Yeah, I've got a few different tarps to try with. I've used one tarp and Bivy in the snow and it was great.

[@joebadger]

I thought this was going to be a hatchet job on bivvies at first but glad you came around in the end. I think a different setup with some more headroom was maybe in order? All my camping this year, from January onwards has been in the Alpkit Elan bivvy, with or without tarp depending on rain forecast. Haven't felt the need to get the tent out at all, but I probably might have if I'd been camping in that spot in that weather. You have to use the right tool for the job. My next few planned camps are going to be in my new swag, hoping that will be the best of both worlds. We'll see.

[@TheWalkingKev]

I'm thinking of creating 3 short guy lines so that rather than pegging the tarp directly to the ground I could have it lifted a few inches to give it more height and not compromise protection too much. I think it was only raining lightly I'd use it as I had it setup in the morning. I've looked at the Alpkit Bivy and it is tempting but quite heavy.

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

Nice video and timelapse 👍

[@TheWalkingKev]

Thanks. Appreciate the kind words.

[@kwakkers68]

I've got the Robens Mountain bivvy, so was interested to see this review. Robens are pretty cagey in their 'water resistant' rating - but most people will use it with a tarp if necessary, and it is very cheap - think I paid £60-70 for mine; but all the same, always interesting to hear other people's experience re: water ingress

[@kwakkers68]

You can use a rucksack placed at the top to keep the material off your face, but I'm still looking at adding a hooped jobbie to my ever expanding collection of tents & bivvys. The Squall looked like a good bet, but looks like it's production run is over :-( And some of the cheap double-hooped designs have pretty iffy water-proofing, even if their spec is supposedly sound. So... I'm umming and arrring between the Alpkit, the Snugpak and the OEX. Interested in hearing your (and anyone else's) recommendations Kevin?

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@kwakkers68 I think this is good value and spacious, and light. I've got the OEX Salamanda which I really like in terms of size and structure, but not ideal being clamshell entry and it's heavy. Not sure whether you could recommend it over a Phoxx 1...

[@kwakkers68]

@@TheWalkingKev Thanks for taking the time to reply. I've got a Phoxx 1 v2, which I do like; although you can't sit up in that either, but it is small/discreet which is handy sometimes. Saw Vango had branched out into Bivvies last year, but they seem to have disappeared from their website now oddly. The Vaude looked like a good option, but also seems to have been killed off. It's an odd part of the market really... so changeable, and manufacturers have this bizarre tendency to kill stuff off that people love! Thanks again 🙂

[@thedetectorist2419]

hiya mate great vid . you pronayy know now you can do diffrent tarp combos a tarp tent combo woud of worked for you

[@TheWalkingKev]

Yeah, it's just a very small tarp this one, very limited as to what you can do with it.

[@Dutcharmytent]

I was there same time as you on the highest road and managed to make a lean to with my 7x8 Basha. Strong winds stoped play, so returned to base camp also the ground was too rocky to take pegs, never again.

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@Dutcharmytent yeah, it was a bit breezy in exposed locations. Beautiful still morning though.

[@RealMash]

Maybe a much bigger tarp with a reflective coating might have made it easier to bear. On the other hand, I wasn't there, and you roughed it ;-)

[@TheWalkingKev]

Yeah, I did have a second tarp on me - a Rab Silwing - but I knew it was going to be nice the next morning.

[@campingcaledonia76]

Cracking setup there Kev. Could see you were miserable at first before you got the bivi and bag on the go 😆 but was worth the pain in the end. Cheers 👌🏻

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@campingcaledonia76 thanks. The glorious morning made it all worthwhile!

[@kennethcarter5720]

Nice adventure. Take a look at papa hiker, or mountain hopper he loves his tarp/bivvy and based in Northumbria

[@TheWalkingKev]

I've watched a few of Mountain Hopper's videos, he definitely shows the flexibility of the tarp and Bivy shelter.

[@michaelbutler1557]

I have nearly 50 years hiking including mountaineering including professionally. Q. What is the obsession with using a tarp, trekking poles and bicycles bag and ‘quilts’, A. They are a fad. Whilst bobby bags are a great emergency bobby item this combination is cold, inefficient and heavy. Seems to be a UK and Yankee thing.

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@michaelbutler1557 everyone has different ways of spending time outdoors, I say embrace the difference. I enjoy a tent and I enjoy trying different tarps etc.

[@Turnbull62]

DD 3x3m tarp setup in teepee configuration with only one walking pole. Fairly wind firm and good rain protection. Can sit upright inside. With practice can set up in a few mins. DD hammocks do a good set up demo on their web site. Link to video of one I set in wind (no rain). kzbin.infou5c3uP7jI4E?si=2uMwyIrSU1XqBk-z

[@TheWalkingKev]

I might invest in a bigger tarp at some point.

[@CmdrDjBurp-dr5uy]

Please remind me Kev...... You still have your Nordisk svalbard 😂. Your nutts m8. Great upload tho

[@TheWalkingKev]

I do yes, I've still got around 20 tents... I will be selling a lot of them soon though.

[@CmdrDjBurp-dr5uy]

@@TheWalkingKev That sunrise 🌅 must of truly been worth the pain. Beautiful views too. And your footage is crystal clear. 👍

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@CmdrDjBurp-dr5uy yeah, glorious morning to wake up in the hills. All shot on my Action 4 as I forgot my other camera and left my full frame camera in the car due to the weather!

[@CmdrDjBurp-dr5uy]

@@TheWalkingKev Hi Kev. Hope you see this. Millets are doing eurohike rucksacks £19 65l and £29 75l +10l. Sale on today. I grabbed a 75l. Does exactly what I need 😎👍both with metal frames 👍

[@garethmorrall1047]

How big was the tarp please?

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@garethmorrall1047 250x200cm

[@garethmorrall1047]

@@TheWalkingKev Thank you. Ive just bought second hand one 2.8 x 1.5 prob bit narrow to be much use.

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@garethmorrall1047 this tarp is just about big enough for snug use, but it's an ultralight and fairly small one at 240g with guylines.

[@cyrilhaessig27]

Weather aside. The ratio weight/space/price definitely goes in favour of the tarp/bivy setup. I like that you can raise the head part of the Robens bivy with paracord/loc lines, very smart.

[@TheWalkingKev]

Yeah, pack size and weight is great and in good weather you have plenty of space and headroom.

[@nicknickerson4674]

That tarp never should have been flapping all over like it was. Perhaps tighter pitch with a slightly larger tarp that you had headroom would have been fine. 😀

[@TheWalkingKev]

@@nicknickerson4674 like I said, I'm a amatuer with tarps!

[@garymartin557]

Kev, I would rather put pepper in my eyes, or even spend a night in a phoxx 1 than tarp/bivi in the rain.

[@TheWalkingKev]

Ha ha. I was very thankful it was a lovely morning to wake up to!

[@MoeketsiThebe-fe2bh]

I've woken up under a tarp and bivy in the rain. Not too bad not too bad

[@terrypatterson1481]

I would have bailed- I'm a fair weather camper.

[@TheWalkingKev]

I woke up to fair weather, that makes all the difference for me!

[@Fishy1764]

Its not sheep muck mate , there called mountain malteezas . Maybe if you went with the right gear you might enjoy it more.

[@TheWalkingKev]

I've got plenty of gear, I just fancied using my lightweight tarp. As I said in the video, it was all worth it in the end.

[@jamesdobson5022]

F%#K that !!!

[@TheWalkingKev]

Worth it for the morning sunshine.

[@TheWalkingKev]

Thanks!