Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
Information => Introductions => Topic started by: micmon74 on April 08, 2011
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Hi guys
My names Michael, I'm from northdown and Am just getting back into this outdoor lark. Looking to get my wee boys out this season for their first night under canvas. My oldest is only 21 months old so thinking of an overnighter at a campsite near the mournes so I can show him the mountains he'll be climbing in a few years time. I'm a bit of a dreamer I know but get them started early I say. Not a complete newbie as I've spent a fair bit of my youth backpacking round Europe and oz and even did Annapurna base camp after a drunken night in an Irish bar in pokara when someone suggested it would be good craic. Really looking forward to some adventures and meeting up with you lot soon. Oh yes I'm thinking of a vango tempest 200 tent to get started, Good or bad choice ? Any hints and tips would be greatly appreciated.
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Welcome to the forum Michael.
Redleader and LandyLiam are the people ask about tents. Between them they could put up a tent on every Hill/Mountain in the Mournes ;D
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Hello and welcome to the forum.
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Welcome Michael. There's plenty on here with wee'uns so you'll have no bother getting advice or some company.
The Vango Tempest 300 is a great tent (Suspectmonkey will probably be along in a moment, he has one and rates it well) so I'd assume the 200 is just as good. I have the Vango Banshee which I think is awesome but doesn't have the headroom or porch that the Tempest has.
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Oh yes I'm thinking of a vango tempest 200 tent to get started, Good or bad choice ? Any hints and tips would be greatly appreciated.
The Vango Tempest 300 is a great tent (Suspectmonkey will probably be along in a moment, he has one and rates it well) so I'd assume the 200 is just as good.
As predicted :) Welcome to the forum Michael. I have the Vango Tempest 200 and find it to be a great tent. Really well made, excellent in all weather conditions and a good backpacking tent for two people. There is enough space inside to sit up, and easily enough room in the porch for two rucksacks and cooking when the weather is inclement. It's perhaps a tad heavy at around 2.5kg, but perfectly acceptable if you split the weight between two people and not unmanageable for one. My only real criticism is that it can be a wee bit slower to put up than some designs of tent, but as it pitches outer first you are never worried about the inner getting wet.
If you live in North Down you are more than welcome to call over to my house some evening and see the tent pitched? It's probably the best way to get an idea of what its like as its hard to judge going by photos online. If you are interested feel free to drop me a PM.
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Redleader and LandyLiam are the people ask about tents. Between them they could put up a tent on every Hill/Mountain in the Mournes
I may have 10 tents but half of them are popup ones ;D no vango's though. Welcome to the forum.
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Thanks guys.
Suspectmonkey your very kind but the tent is on it's way. Ordered it sat morning hopefully get it tommorrow. If I can get the rest of the kit soon I might even get out camping in this glorious weather :)
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Hi Michael and welcome to the forum.
Plenty on here with kids so it will be interesting to hear about how you get on with the boys first trip. Another year and you can get the wee man to carry his own gear ;)
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Welcome Michael
I'm going to get my 5 year old started this Easter, something gentle maybe like Hen Mountain!
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Took the tent, some beer and a BBQ down to lodge last night with a few mates. had a blast. Tent very sturdy. Very happy with it. even had a wee dander up the hills in the morning. can't wait to do a bit o wild camping.
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hello and welcome!