Wall tents for camping

Wall tents are fine for more or less permanent camps, although they take longer to erect and do not provide as much headroom in proportion to their area as does the umbrella design. Since they can be set up without standard poles, they represent a considerable saving in weight. A wall tent has to be much bigger than an umbrella tent to give the same amount of living space; an extra fly extension with the ever necessary insectproof curtain to enclose the ground area is also needed. You will have to make up this rig yourself, which is a lot more trouble than buying the standard additions to, umbrella tents. Sewed-in floorsstandard equipment on umbrella tents-are not standard on wall tents, so you will have to pay extra for them or provide your own ground cloth.

Despite these shortcomings, the wall tent is an extremely durable, weatherresistant shelter. Unlike the umbrella tent, it is able to withstand high winds, and since it can be well heated with a small stove, it is the logical choice of biggame hunters.

Setting up the wall tent

Erecting a fair-sized wall tent is something of a problem, and unless you are a minor genius you will not be able to do it alone. First. assemble the standard poles and insert the projecting pins into the grommet holes at each end of the ridge strip. You will need someone to lift the poles and tent to an upright position while you stake out the corner guy ropes to hold the poles (and tent) in position. Peg down the corners of the walls firmly, then stake out the intermediate guys to trim the roof straight before driving in the wall pegs. At best, it will take a little shifting of guys and pegs before the tent trims up square, with the walls hanging straight.

If you don't have standard poles for your tent, you will have to cut two pairs of shear poles, one for each end, on which you lay the ridgepole, which you must also cut and trim. Next cut a hole in each end at the ridge peaks to allow passage of the ridgepole. Bind the openings with heavy waxed thread for durability. If heavy winds are expected, it is a good idea to rig extra guys to the ends of the ridgepole, staking them out from each end so that they follow the same direction as the ridgepole.

When you are setting up camp for more than one. night, ditch the walls to permit rain water to Tun off. Dig completely around, using a folding camp shovel, and channel the run-off ditch on the downhill side.

If the added warmth of a campfire is needed, build this directly in front of the tent opening. Make a reflector of logs in front of the tent so that the heat will be forced into it.

It is always practical to make up a pair of extra tarpaulins for ground cloths and flies. If the tent is not set in a well-shaded area it will get as hot as a Turkish bath when the direct rays of the sun hit it. Rig a fly above the tent on poles and stake it out with four guy ropes to provide shade. The extra fly is also a great help over a cooking fire and table if the weather turns wet. Get light nylon tarpaulins with sewed-in grommets at each end; be sure to buy them large enough to provide shelter from rain or sun.