Homemade Tyvek tent

“I just score a roll of Tyvek from a contractor. He was nice enough to donate it for a project I'd like to try with the kids I take backpacking. The question is-what would be a good design for a homemade tent? It would be nice if I could keep the kids out of the bugs at night. I was thinking I would start with a basic tube tent with mosquito netting in places to let them breathe (the kids). I'm open to other ideas.”

“I made one that uses my hiking staffs for poles. It is 5' high at one end and had a 2' pole centered at the other the basic design is a lean-to with venting at the top of the sided and at the back where the 2' pole is. It is made out of sil nylon and weighs about 22 oz not including the poles. all the vent are covered with mosquito netting and it was quite comfortable at Philmot this summer. Because of its hight my wife does not feel closed in as she did with my 4 man timberline a frame and this tent only sleeps two and a small dog.”

“Believe it or not, there is "another" BP site, and they have a pretty good *make your own* page. Check out http://www.backpacking.net/bbs.html, & surf from there.

I would only refer you there, of course, becasue they offer something TT does not...

Another example of why TT is the place to check first...”

“Wolfsister, your design will depend on what you chose to use for structure. Rope? Hiking poles? Pre-constructed tent poles? Sticks? Draped over a backpack? The options are endless.

We once made a very comfy shelter by laying ponchos on top of overturned canoes.”