Other tents for camping

The baker tent

The Baker and Campfire tents are recommended for areas where the nights are chilly. Either of these tents can be erected to face the campfire, with its awning just reaching to the edge of the fireplace to catch the reflected heat. Heat waves will flow under the awning, roll back into the tent, and keep it warm. Once in the sleeping bag, you will not need the extra heat and can drop the front flap to keep out insects. These tents, which are really lean-to's, are not as easy to put up as the umbrella, but either is very pleasant with the night campfire.

The explorer's tent

The explorer's tent is an excellent compromise model, combining good features of both the wall and miner's tent. In Egyptian cotton or in extra-light material, it weighs as little as 15 pounds in an 8' x 8' size. This tent has low walls, can be set up easily with poles cut on the spot, and has a small awning that can be used either as a cooking shelter or to collect heat for the tent, or both. It is ideal for comfortable living for a two-man pack trip or wilderness canoeing.

The mountain tent

For extra-light back-packing by one man, the mountain tent in an insectproof model is your best bet. In 4' x 4' x 61/2' size, of extra-light material, it tips the scales at four pounds and will comfortably shelter two men, and hold three in a pinch. This is about the smallest, lightest tent for adequate summertime protection. Campfire tents, shelter-halves and pup tents afford shelter from the rain, but that's about all.

In many areas, state and national parks particularly, it is illegal to cut down trees to set up your tent. Where this is the case, you'll have to provide your own poles and pegs. A telescoping pole is easy to carry and takes up little space.