I use a classic A–shaped tent (home made). I found the existing tents om the market too small, especially because I like to sit upstraight in a tent. If I would buy a regular, dome shaped tent with appropriate size it would weigh about three kilograms. An A shaped tent however weighs less then two kilograms because of its straight outline. I made my own A shaped tent because there was the idea to use ski-poles for the tent, and to make an opening for ventilation. Furthermore I used little carbon poles at the back, and to limit the surface area of the tent, as in the wildernesss it can be hard to find a good tentspot which is large enough.
For more information see the video: How to pitch the home made YK 3 classic tent
The tent has the following characteristics:
– is large enough for one or two persons who are 2 meters tall
– has two zippers at the front for 2 persons
– has been tested in winds of 40 knots
– weights 1500 grams without poles, ski poles or other straight subjects can be used for pitching the tent
– can be hung to the branch of a tree
– has a roof for ventilation and view, and can be closed by a cover
– uses little hooks to attach the inner to the outher tent. Therefore the inner tent is kept dry when pitching the tent in heavy rain. It also enables to make a large vestibule,
– uses two carbon sticks at the rear to provide room for the feet
– uses ice – proof zippers for the outher tent
– has strips to prevent wind coming in from beneath
If you are interested to see how to pich this tent, click on How to pitch the home made YK 3 classic tent
Tips
– Take your time to find a good camping spot. If you do not camp in a hole with water, or on thorny roses, you don’t need an extra layer of fabric to protect the inner tent. Find a place that is protected from the wind, and has sunlight in the morning.
– Personally I don’t trust ultra lightweight tents in winds from 30 knots. Especially if the wind blows at the largest surface (sideways for most tents) I support the walls with my body and the poles with my hands. I favour one sleepless night in stead of a damaged tent.
– If the ground is frozen solid, bring one steel peg with you to hammer in the soil with a rock. Draw the peg out, and slide the aluminium (lightweight) peg into the hole. If there is a chance of deep snow, take the special pegs with you.
– If there is a chance of snow combined with strong winds, make shure your inner tent stops even the finest powder snow. In a blizzard your tent can completely disappear under the snow, so be warned.
– Bring a waterproof plastic bag to stow a very wet tent, to prevent other gear to become soaked. This is especially important in the event of heavy sleet.
Packing
The pegs are stored in a shampoo bottle which is cut for the opening to prevent damage to the tent if packed tightly. The jellow tubes are the extentions for the skipoles, in order to use them for tentpoles.
The peg box is stored with the inner and outher tent in a lightweight stuffsack. It is carried lower in the backpack, as the tent is only used one time a day. The tent poles are stored outside the backpack.
Building plan
Here is the building plan for the YK3. If you are interested in making this tent, you can get a readable version by sending me an email, and donate 20 euro’s with the button at the front page (sorry, it’s not there yet). For another 50 euro’s I will send you the real size template by post, so you can draw the outlines of the tent quickly, saving you lots of time.
A little history
In 2001 I made my first tent (the ‘YK1’) which I used in Norway, Bulgaria and France.
In 2009 I made the ‘YK2’ which I used in Sweden and Siberia.
