The shelter
Having designed and built shelters for the last 18+ years at YAMA Mountain Gear, this is right up my alley! I’d like to create a reliable, minimal shelter that offers solid protection. Think glorified bivy.
Criteria
- Minimal weight
- Small footprint
- Ability to pitch in less than ideal locations
- Solid, reliable protection
- Able to pitch and operate with numb hands
Considerations
- Materials: do I prioritize lower weight or less bulk?
- Support: What support structure should the shelter use?
- Style: Should the shelter be single wall? double wall? Bivy/Tarp hybrid?
- Access: Zippered access? Overlapping flaps?
- Able to pitch and operate with numb hands
Design Process
I start by considering the criteria I want to meet, and contemplating the various questions to consider. Then I do a brainstorm by mocking up a bunch of ideas as computer models.
The models are super quick and rough. I create a basic shape to represent the volume I expect to require for me, my bag, and buffer space to the shelter walls.
After I’ve zeroed in on the approach I want to pursue, I create a more refined model and initial set of patterns. I then construct the first prototype, cross my fingers, and pitch it. From here, it’s an iterative process; I see where I might want to add or remove material, update patterns, try again, repeat. If it’s going to become a product that goes into production, I’ll put more effort into the refinement of the patterns and consider the efficiency of the construction process itself.
Decisions decisions…
I’m still working on it! I’m basically at the ‘brainstorm’ stage right now.
Initially, I leaned towards a single pole shelter that’s part bivy and part tarp. Maybe something like a small pyramid style tarp that sits over the head while the feet stick out in something more bivy-like.
I’m drawn to this approach because it should be easy to set up and more forgiving to pitch in less than ideal situations.
The downsides that concern me are the expected condensation in the bivy portion, the small interior space available to do things like change clothes (maybe), and my general lack of experience using a shelter of this nature.
Another option is to revisit one of the first shelters I designed, the Stratiform. With the experience gained since I first worked on this shelter, and the advancement in available materials, a revamped Stratiform is enticing.
Concerns with the Stratiform include its likely heavier weight with the two pole design (though not necessarily) and that pitching in awkward places and emergencies would probably be more challenging. Advantages include my familiarity, user experience, and confidence with the design, and the space provided.
Currently, I lean towards the Stratiform. I know what I’m dealing with, it shouldn’t have a significant weight penalty, if any, it’d provide minimal, yet sufficient space inside to change clothes, and it would provide better performance with condensation.
With current materials, I bet I could make a Stratiform that weighs in between 10 to 13 oz.