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Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia




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  #1  
Old 12 Oct 2013
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Originally Posted by markharf View Post
Funny. It's almost like discussing religion or politics.

I camp mainly in places where trenching is forbidden or at minimum morally reprehensible. That's what we did back in the dark ages, but no longer.
Mark
So Mark, what do you do to keep the pools of water out from under your tent? I think everyone here needs to know your secrete, since trenching is the only way to achieve the goal that I know of.
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Old 13 Oct 2013
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Originally Posted by MilesofSmiles View Post
So Mark, what do you do to keep the pools of water out from under your tent? I think everyone here needs to know your secrete, since trenching is the only way to achieve the goal that I know of.
I start out by using tents with fully waterproof floors. Simple, really. Can be expensive, but I'm in favor of using expensive tents if they work well and last for a long time. Mine do. Water under the tent doesn't mean I get wet.

I also pitch on high spots so that water drains away. Easy with a small tent, harder with large tents.

I try to pitch on well-drained soil, e.g., pure sand or gravel. Seldom available, but nice when you can get it.

I don't use a footprint (groundsheet), since I've never yet had a tent floor wear out. Footprints tend to collect water unless very carefully placed, and I'd much rather let any water drain away than collect a major lake on a waterproof groundsheet right under my tent. Occasional punctures are easily enough repaired with the kit I carry anyway for my thermarests.

None of the above represents any sort of secret knowledge or requires a high degree of skill. However, YMMV.

Mark
(tenting for 5.5 decades)
Last edited by markharf; 13 Oct 2013 at 02:52.
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  #3  
Old 18 Oct 2013
MilesofSmiles's Avatar
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Location: Riverside California
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markharf View Post
I start out by using tents with fully waterproof floors. Simple, really. Can be expensive, but I'm in favor of using expensive tents if they work well and last for a long time. Mine do. Water under the tent doesn't mean I get wet.

I also pitch on high spots so that water drains away. Easy with a small tent, harder with large tents.

I try to pitch on well-drained soil, e.g., pure sand or gravel. Seldom available, but nice when you can get it.

I don't use a footprint (groundsheet), since I've never yet had a tent floor wear out. Footprints tend to collect water unless very carefully placed, and I'd much rather let any water drain away than collect a major lake on a waterproof groundsheet right under my tent. Occasional punctures are easily enough repaired with the kit I carry anyway for my thermarests.

None of the above represents any sort of secret knowledge or requires a high degree of skill. However, YMMV.

Mark
(tenting for 5.5 decades)
Every thing you mentioned is known. Every tent I have ever purchased has a water proof floor. I always use a footprint to keep punctures from damaging the waterproof flooring. High ground is nice when available. Porous soils are everywhere here in California, so not a problem.

I'm still going to trench...
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Old 18 Oct 2013
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I'm not arguing with you or anyone else, and I'm not pretending that what I know is special in any way. In fact, I was merely answering your question.

I am, of course, pointing out that trenching is generally considered in very bad form away from established campsites. In wilderness and parks it's also often illegal. You probably know this.

And, I'm stating that I personally haven't found any use for trenching since the days of porous canvas and WWII army surplus. Which is why I then added "YMMV," as it apparently does.

Mark
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