Kids Seek Outside

My Children Live Outside....

...so, I thought, it's pretty harmless to let your children camp out in the yard. What the heck, it's summer!

Now it's been 42 days and they are still out there. I have my minor issues, one being that school has started, and I worry that the kids are getting enough sleep. Also, it's getting pretty chilly and one of them has a cold. Another concern is about my poor dog being forced to sleep outside. I love that dog and he really likes to sleep on the couch - he seems really reluctant to camp out every night and he sleeps on the couch all day.

The kids however are doing well. Their tent has two cots, a table, two chairs, a wood stove, and a string of Christmas lights for reading at night. They also have toys and books and markers, which definitely leads to some messiness. If you think it would be so great if kids always took their messes outside, think again. Now, not only do I have to say "please clean your room," I also have to say "please clean your room and your Tipi." I guess they don't have to make their beds, so maybe it's not so bad for them.

They have a wood stove and have been firing it up every chance they get. We initially had a small stove that we made for backpacking, but the boys did not think the door was very easy to use, so we are redesigning it. (We want our products so easy to use that a ten year old can use them!) Now the boys have a small sheep herder stove, and they love that thing. They have even cooked themselves breakfast on it. They were determined to have a cooler and totally take care of themselves, but I decided that it was taking a little too long getting ready for school in the mornings.

The weather has been splendid, except for a few storms that had tons of wind and rain. I was a little worried that the Tipi wouldn't hold up, only because they are living in an old prototype that I made. Happily, it turns out that geometry just can't be beat, even if part of the zipper is coming undone (we actually have a company that is sewing our tents in Grand Junction...no worries about quality there!). The boys come inside for breakfast and give us reports on the weather conditions every morning. They eat their breakfast and tell us about their sleeping bags and if the dog got up to bark at something (honestly, the dog is probably trying to get back in the house somehow).

One of my sons was gifted a old military sub zero down bag, so he is never cold. His little cheeks are rosy and warm when he comes in the house for breakfast. The other son has been testing the many sleeping bags that we have. He started with the bag he has always slept in and has decided that one is a piece of junk. Then he tried an old Coleman bag from way back, and he really liked that one till he put a warm rock inside of it “to stay warmer” and it melted part of the bag. He has since moved on to my down bag, which I have advised him not to put rocks into.

Funny how it is with little men. The first time we took our oldest son camping he cried all night and wouldn't sleep (okay, he was only two years old, but the whole campground hated us I'm sure). Now he doesn't think he'll move back inside. I have asked him about winter, and he assures me that if I get him a bigger stove and a better bag, he will be just fine. (I think I should get started on the prototype bag I was thinking of....) The younger son was about 5 weeks old when we took him camping for the first time. My husband and I figured he spent about 30% of his first year camping out. He is most comfortable outdoors, and it doesn't surprise me that he doesn't intend to come back inside either. I guess as a Mom, I have to be proud that I have raised these really independent, strong little men. I do, however, worry about when I have to close the window in my bedroom and can no longer hear the dog barking at night.

Tipi Pitching Options

Our Ultralight Tipi's are capable of being pitched in several different configurations. Each pitching configuration has it's own set of benefits. In a standard pitch, the tipi tie outs are held to the ground by the tent stakes. In a high pitched method the tie out is connected to a tensioner , or extension which is connected to the stake.

Standard pitch advantages: This is where the tipi is pitched all the way to the ground.

• Tight seal to the ground helps keep bugs out
• Improved wind resistance
• A tighter seal when used with an optional floor

Standard pitch disadvantages: There are no real disadvantage to the standard pitch. The following are disadvantages in comparison to a high pitch.

• There is no ability to auto tension the tipi
• Living space is smaller (but the shelter is already very large)
• Condensation can be more noticeable in certain conditions

High Pitch advantages: With a high pitch, there is no longer a tight seal between the lower part of the tipi and the ground, although the sod skirt drapes down toward the ground and may touch the ground. A high pitch may only be elevated a couple inches or as high as six inches from the ground.

• Increased ventilation
• Increased headroom which increases living space. For instance our forthcoming three person tipi, can accommodate four when pitched high.
• Increased latitude with stake placement. If there is a rock, moving the stake left or right an inch does little to effect the pitch.
• The ability to auto-tension the tipi. By using tensioners (provided with the tipi) the tipi can adjust to environmental changes (sun, rain, temperature fluctuations). There is some ability to adjust the tensioners to provide more or less tension based on conditions as well (this will be covered in a later blog post).
• High pitching with tensioners provides some structural give and take to the shelter.

High Pitch disadvantages: Having the tipi elevated from the ground does have some disadvantages.

• It's an easier pathway for bugs. If the sod skirt touches the ground, then some bug problems will still be mitigated.
• Wind, if it is to windy, it is best to lower the shelter close to the ground or pitch the tipi to the ground (you can double or triple up the tensioners as well to get some of the benefits of tensioning still). In high winds, it is best to use a couple tensioners with the guyline points on the tipi to minimize wind issues.

Other Options: We provide points for using a guyline tie outs. These can provide additional support in times of inclement weather or during fourth season trips. During very hot weather, since the main zipper goes almost to the top on the 6 person and lower, the tipi can be opened up and used as a sun shade with ample of ventilation.

Personal Preference: Everyone will end up having ways that they like to pitch the tipi for one reason or another. In 3 season conditions, where nighttime temps are near freezing, and wind is moderate (below 20 -30 MPH) , I prefer the high pitch with the use of tensioners. The high pitch creates more room, less condensation, and self tensions the fabric. In high winds, I'll use a tensioner and tie out on the guy out points. In winter conditions, I would either go to the ground or double over the tensioners in a few spots but still pitch the shelter low enough to the ground that the sod skirt was touching all the way around.