(Part 3) Reddit mentions: The best camping shelters

I've tried those, but have had...less-than desirable results. Apparently I lack the sort of coordination needed to use one without peeing all over myself. 😆

So I did the next best thing and created my very own Whiz Palace! It's essentially a large bucket with a toilet seat on top; I secure a small trash bag inside and fill with cedar shavings (like you'd put in a small pet cage), to mitigate any noise or smell. The toilet is then placed inside a pop-up shower tent and voila! I also include toilet paper and other accouterments. I change the bag and cedar daily. It's not pretty, but it beats the heck out of stumbling to a porta-potty at 5am.

I purchased THIS I had the exact same one last year but didn't stake it down well enough and it was lost to coachella. The best thing about it is that it's super light and packs down to the size of a tiny duffel bag so it doesn't take up much room.

I own something similar only without the whole jail aspect. I use it whenever I get dragged to the beach, so I can hide fully-clothed from the sun. Unless I'm going to play in the water, then I wear a full body rash guard. Lol. I sound a little crazy, but I'm sun sensitive. I'm sure this would be too much for others, but I think SCA can appreciate it.

https://www.amazon.com/Shade-Instant-Family-Shelter-Yellow/dp/B002KRZQMS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473140546&sr=8-1&keywords=Shade+shack

I picked up this tarp off Amazon. It was way cheaper than a CCS or a Kelty so results may vary. Well see how it goes next summer. It's pretty thin but seems like it will keep my head dry and the sun off my face.

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As far as the shade cloth, do you prefer nylon or aluminum?

I really don't encounter rain that often when i camp (almost always in the desert), so I think this will be the way to go over a solid tarp. More airflow etc.

Aluminum is more expensive but I kind of think it'd work better for the purpose since it's reflective.

If you want to work under some cover, see if you can get one of these type of tents: Coleman event shelters.
They're up to 15x15ft and you can get separate walls and doors for it, so at least it's a couple of degrees warmer for you to work in. They're also quite easy to set up and break down.

/u/bubblybreath and I holding hands because we love each other <3

In the event that we ever get stuck on an island together, my beach shade will come in serious handy because the hot sun can cause some serious sunburn and I know that it's SPF 50+ will help a lot.

Definitely move him if you can.

You could put a net over an x-pen also, to make sure nothing can get in. https://www.amazon.com/EVEN-Naturals-MOSQUITO-California-Installation/dp/B014J3O32O/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=net+for+bed&qid=1562026504&s=gateway&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1

I have something like this. It's a vango airbeam tent that attaches to the side of my rig. It's really nice but takes up a lot of room when traveling. Also if you wait long enough these go on sale on amazon. I picked mine up for $170 over the winter! https://www.amazon.com/Vango-Galli-Screen-House-Cloud/dp/B01LWU8FC1/

>Size isn't too much of a factor cause I'm not sleeping in it, but being able to fit a few people would be nice.

So which is it? A two person tent is enough for two people facing each other, but more than that can be a problem. I respect the fire hazards of a heater too much to use it in a 2 person tent. Not to mention the short height. At a minimum, I'd want a 3 person tent if I were the only person in it with the heater, a 4 person tent for 2-3 people in the tent with the heater. The problem is a large 4 person tent takes a lot of time to heat up. I'd say my Mr Heater takes about 10 minutes before I start feeling the heat, and about 45 minutes before the tent finishes heating, and that only takes it from about 35°F to 50°F where it stops getting hotter because the tent is just too large for the heater and one warm body. If you want to be able to stand almost anywhere in the tent, you'll probably have to get a 6 person tent. To heat that at all, you need a larger heater than a Mr Buddy, and heating the area quickly is going to require a heater that puts out several times as many BTU's. This is the smallest I'd even consider for a tent that large for heating that area before you're done with your smoke. Either heater is already over half your ideal budget, and you still need to buy fuel, or a tank plus fuel for the second heater.

Maybe you should get multiple options. Maybe a popup "bathroom" tent for when you're solo, and a patio heater if you have a group.

Another problem is the type of smoking you're doing. I would not smoke cigarettes in a tent with a floor. Super dangerous. Vaping might be okay. Some would say using a heater or vaping in a tent with synthetic fabric is super dangerous, and I can't disagree. At least if I'm by myself, I can manage the risk. Adding others into the mix serious cranks up the danger.

Awareness is most effective. People are often so much in their heads that they don't notice what's crawling on them. But if you brush or wash a crawling tick off before it bites, that's safest. Once it bites, it releases a chemical that can inhibit your perception of it.

After awareness, self-inspection is important. Lyme disease is not transmitted until the tick has been attached for 24 - 36 hours, so thorough daily inspection should prevent infection.

• Long pants
  
  
• Long-sleeved shirts
  
  
• Tie-down cuffs
  
  
• Hat
  
  
• Permethrin on cuffs, collar, boot tops (keep Permethrin away from cats; it's very toxic to them)
  
  
• Other repellents can deter ticks, but Permethrin deters and kills them if they contact it
  
  
• Daily self-inspection; you usually have some minutes or hours before a tick attaches and begins to feed (inspection is more effective with a willing companion; use a mirror if you don't have a partner)
  
  
• Carry a tick key or other removal device
  
  
• Learn proper and improper methods of removal, because if the mouth parts are left embedded in the skin they can transmit disease
  
  
• Be attentive and check more frequently in areas known for harboring ticks
  
  
• Use a screened shelter when sitting for long periods: shelter 1 | shelter 2 | shelter 3

Yeah, $95 on Amazon. Had to look this up, hadn’t heard that name before. Maybe they will have some go on sale for Amazon Prime Day, or you can have it delivered to an Amazon pick-up box where you’re visiting.

My set up -

ENO Eagles Nest Outfitters - Sub7 Hammock, Lichen https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TQZH9Q8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_4sihzbF49WS5X

Snugpak Hammock Cocoon with Travelsoft Filling, Olive https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0167IYNLU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Zrihzb6T8TFYN

Pro Force All Weather Shelter, Olive https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001LZ9EEG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_zsihzb89Y1Y40

Add some paracord, couple figure 9 carabiners and some climbing o-rings and your set. Relatively lightweight and affordable for what you're getting. Highly recommend this set up if you want to get into hammock camping.

After living in new mexico for one summer, the best thing is just to stop the sun from directly hitting your tent. Whether thats via a tarp or a sun shelter, similar to: sun shelter

I suggest you plan for mosquitoes to be present. We used something similar to this to sit in during the evenings and were grateful to have it.

This one would be better:

https://www.amazon.com/MP-Mighty-Products-Shade-Green/dp/B00XNW7S5M/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1468948260&sr=1-2&keywords=MP+Heavy+Duty+Shade+Mesh+Tarp

Reminds me of Shelter: http://www.amazon.co.uk/SHELTER-The-Moonshine-Conspiracy-2001/dp/B000ZJ7POA

Good times.

This might be something to consider

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q4CQLY2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_5WaJBbVGJF419

I purchased a knockoff 6'6" awning of the ARB for $109 and have had my fair share of issues so can't really recommend it.

http://hennessyhammock.com/products/hex-rainfly-70d-polyester

https://www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com/product/PROFLY.html

https://aquaquestonline.com/product/guide-sil-tarp-med/

http://www.amazon.com/Kelty-Noahs-Tarp-Shelter-Tree/dp/B012FCGLEY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1458577259&sr=8-2&keywords=noahs+tarp

these hex and rectangular tarps will provide more coverage than a diamond, and i think are about your cheapest options

Yeah, exactly. A thrift store has a couple of these still in the boxes for $5 each, I keep debating getting one. They fold down really small which is ideal since I won't need it much, hopefully never really. http://emeditems.com/images/P/Portabletoilet.jpg

It would be handy for forest/desert use. A cheap privacy/changing/shower tent isn't too expensive, but adds to the packed gear (and cost):
https://www.amazon.com/Stansport-Cabana-Privacy-Shelter-Tent/dp/B00DYVQGB4

But I guess a week's use would more than pay for it.

We used this Sunwall attachment which worked pretty well. Add it to the side thats going to block the sunrise.

How about a mosquito net canopy? I don't know how determined your kitty is to get to your office, but this might work. You could tack the edges down with some gaffer's tape maybe?

https://www.amazon.com/MOSQUITO-Openings-Rectangular-Protection-Repellent/dp/B014NT0QUW

It's also not unattractive. Not sure if that's an issue with you, but it wouldn't be claustrophobic like a portable shower/tent.

Try a mosquito bed canopy.

Not exactly this but I bought universal walls for my canopy that just clip on

canopy walls

I usually get one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Instant-Canopy-Sunwall-Accessory/dp/B00AU6JQ6S/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1549416949&sr=1-2&keywords=coleman+canopy+wall

It's one wall you can attach to a canopy. It keeps air flow going, but I put that up the way the sun rises.

Shower Tent: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AT3SZ36/ref=ox_sc_act_title_10?smid=AA9QUDWBLIJKI&psc=1


Shower Head: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IFHFJXI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_22?smid=A2LM6ZPY06LT1N&psc=1

or you can go ahead and use a solar bag shower: https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000014865-5-Gallon-Solar-Shower/dp/B0009PUT20/ref=sr_1_10?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1550432756&sr=1-10&keywords=solar+bag+shower

http://www.amazon.com/Snugpak-All-Weather-Shelter-Olive/dp/B001LZ9EEG/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1426255790&sr=1-3&keywords=ripstop+nylon+tarp

I'll just leave this here...

We use this alps canopy during TW '15 because it was light weight. Do not recommend for groups larger than 3.

Canopy

Edit: buy longer stakes, it doesnt like the wind very much.