Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

TYPES OF LIGHT TENTS 107* balloon silk.' In size 7x7, very high in the ridge andon the walls, the tent in its bag weighs only about 12pounds. A light waterproof floor is sewn into it. Bothends are sewn into it. On each side there are two largenetted windows, affording abundant ventilation. Thereare flaps arranged for these windows which can be buttoneddown in case of rain.In each end of this tent there is yet another largewindow for ventilation. The roof projects three or fourinches all around over the walls, making eaves whichkeep the water out of the open windows in case of rain.The front door is not a door at all, but a hole, round,and not triangular. This hole is fitted with a sleeve, likethe trap of a fyke-net, the sleeve, or funnel, itself beingmade of light material. You crawl through this hole and,so to speak, pull it in after you and tie a knot in it. Atleast there is a puckering string by which you can closethe bag which makes the entrance of the tent. Once insideit, you have a large, roomy house in which you canstand up with comfort, lay down your beds in comfort,and do light housekeeping. No mosquito can get at youunless you brought it in on your clothes. In case you havedone that you can put a wet sock into operation. At firstyou will think the lent a little close, but soon will see thatthe ventilation is perfect." {Out of Doors).Sewed-in Floors.— On the other hand, thereare objections to a sewed-in floor. Muddy bootsmake it odious, and hob-nailed ones are its ruin.Every bit of snow that you track in will help makea puddle. A lantern is dangerous in such structuresas the last two we have been considering, and onemust be very careful about matches. In the caseof the explorer's tent, which lacks the windows ofthe other, you can't cook inside, even on a vaporstove, without risk of disaster, and certainty ofsteam condensing where it cannot escape. Eventhe moisture of one's breath amounts to a gooddeal in the course of a night, and in cold weatherit will keep the interior of such a tent constantlydamp or coated with rime. As for the sewed-infloor serving as a mattress cover, to keep your bedof browse or leaves in place, if that bed is thickenough for comfort, the tent will not set well, andthere will be too much strain on the pegs and seams.