Should tents blend in or stand out (tent color)?
Matthew Barritt
groups opinions about tent colors. What do you like (or what do you
think is most appropriate)? Of course the tents intended use matters
(mountaineering/above tree line, winter camping, general three season
backpacking). I use a tent in all three so I'm having trouble selecting
the *best* color. I've had both light and dark tents in the past.
A light color (yellow) would be lighter and more pleasant inside, be
cooler in the sun, and be easier to locate in bad conditions (either by
me or someone looking for me). A darker color (green) would blend in
better when below tree line and therefore be less obnoxious to others,
would be darker inside and hotter in the sun, and maybe harder to find in
some conditions.
It is the issue of creating an eyesore for others when using the tent in
the more traveled seasons and areas which has given me pause - otherwise
I'd select yellow.
Any opinions out there? What color did you choose?
-Matthew
GeoBear
asthetics, but safety as well (the safety of being not noticed). That
said, I carry one "loud" t shirt in my pack that could be used as a flag.
I have this particularily colorful tiedye shirt that I would never wear
anywear else, but for solo trips I pack it along in case I need an "alert
flag". You could do the same thing with a bright yellow shirt.
Walk softly...and carry a loud shirt. :-)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Should tents blend in or stand out (tent color)?
From: Matthew Barritt <Matthew...@umich.edu>
Date: 9 Jun 1995 02:16:28 GMT
Message-ID: <3r8ats$3...@lastactionhero.rs.itd.umich.edu>
Mark Peterson
>So I'm torn about the color of a new tent and I thought I'd ask the
>groups opinions about tent colors. What do you like (or what do you
>think is most appropriate)? Of course the tents intended use matters
>(mountaineering/above tree line, winter camping, general three season
>backpacking). I use a tent in all three so I'm having trouble selecting
>the *best* color. I've had both light and dark tents in the past.
>
>A light color (yellow) would be lighter and more pleasant inside, be
>cooler in the sun, and be easier to locate in bad conditions (either by
>me or someone looking for me). A darker color (green) would blend in
>better when below tree line and therefore be less obnoxious to others,
>would be darker inside and hotter in the sun, and maybe harder to find in
>some conditions.
>
>It is the issue of creating an eyesore for others when using the tent in
>the more traveled seasons and areas which has given me pause - otherwise
>I'd select yellow.
>
>Any opinions out there? What color did you choose?
>
My current tent happens to be blue with a grey fly. I like it, but
bought it because blue in the particular brand and model I was seeking
was on sale at the time I was tent shopping. I used to own a green
Bibler, and really preferred it colorwise -- it was nice to have a tent
that blended in better with the landscape.
A point of interest: I have camped at campgrounds in the U.K. that give
campers with green and brown tents a discount on sites, specifically for
the reason your question raises -- to reduce "visual pollution and
clutter" as one campground manager told me.
Mark Peterson
Bud Kuenzli
> From: Matthew Barritt <Matthew...@umich.edu>
> Date: 9 Jun 1995 02:16:28 GMT
> Message-ID: <3r8ats$3...@lastactionhero.rs.itd.umich.edu>
>
deleted
> A light color (yellow) would be lighter and more pleasant inside, be
> cooler in the sun, and be easier to locate in bad conditions (either by
> me or someone looking for me). A darker color (green) would blend in
> better when below tree line and therefore be less obnoxious to others,
> would be darker inside and hotter in the sun, and maybe harder to find in
> some conditions.
>
> It is the issue of creating an eyesore for others when using the tent in
> the more traveled seasons and areas which has given me pause - otherwise
> I'd select yellow.
>
> Any opinions out there? What color did you choose?
Yellow is hands down my favorite. If you are in the mountains backpacking,
or kayaking along the shore, and you see another tent and don't want to
come close, well fine...if "you" feel like being a hermit then go in
another area - that's my opinion. As to ruining somebody else's time
merely because they have become aware that you are there... hey, I can't
be responsible for everybody's thin skin, and I'm sure not going to sit in
a dark tent for a week in a storm because there MAY be somebody out there
who wants to pretend they are the very first human being to every set foot
on this mountain. This idea that one may be offensive by virtue of your
very existance is offensive to me! So, quite frankly, I don't give a hoot
whether or not somebody likes or dislikes yellow or blue or green. I could
care less if they are bummed out because I happen to be in the area too.
Who knows, they may break a leg in the next ten minutes and be glad they
tent was visible. Just get the type of tent YOU want and don't worry what
others think. That's good advice in most situations.
--
Bud Kuenzli, North Pole Alaska
Charles W. Butcher
comes in funky circus Colors, I want one in green or brown. The color is
the only thing holding me back!
On 9 Jun 1995, Matthew Barritt wrote:
> So I'm torn about the color of a new tent and I thought I'd ask the
> groups opinions about tent colors. What do you like (or what do you
> think is most appropriate)? Of course the tents intended use matters
> (mountaineering/above tree line, winter camping, general three season
> backpacking). I use a tent in all three so I'm having trouble selecting
> the *best* color. I've had both light and dark tents in the past.
>
> A light color (yellow) would be lighter and more pleasant inside, be
> cooler in the sun, and be easier to locate in bad conditions (either by
> me or someone looking for me). A darker color (green) would blend in
> better when below tree line and therefore be less obnoxious to others,
> would be darker inside and hotter in the sun, and maybe harder to find in
> some conditions.
>
> It is the issue of creating an eyesore for others when using the tent in
> the more traveled seasons and areas which has given me pause - otherwise
> I'd select yellow.
>
> Any opinions out there? What color did you choose?
>
> -Matthew
>
>
Markus Bjorksten
motivation is that a hiker is an outside visitor in the ever diminishing
and often fragile wilderness. Thus one has no right to behave obnoxiosly
by disturbing unnecessarily, neither by noisy presence nor by leaving
lasting marks.
Another important motivation is that a quiet hiker gets so much closer
to Nature. Being quiet one will hear, see and experience much more. This
is the way most wildlife moves too. Like a shadow...
Visual impact is impact much in the same way as noise or smell.
All of these will disturb the wildlife, with the relative importances
depending on the sensory reception of the particular species in the
particular terrain. Eg. many birds are visually oriented and have
excellent colour vision.
Hiding visual presence is difficult on the move, but is easier when
being still. In both cases camouflage colour and patterns help at
least somewhat. Thus, imo, camouflage fits well into the philosophy of
minimum impact, although it is just a minor part of it. Besides, it
has usually very little effect on the functionality of the gear.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to get some quality gear in
camouflage, or even in a single well blending colour. The outrageous
bright colours may be safer in case of an accident, but why signal all
the time? Like having a bell around the neck. One can have a piece of
fluorescent cloth packed instead, to be used only when needed, like
a whistle.
Being 'noisy' will not only disturb the wildlife, but is also obnoxious
towards the fellow human visitors having to share the same wilderness.
It will diminish their experience of the natural land.
Needless to say, loggins and such, can have an impact larger by orders
of magnitude than even the most obnoxious hikers.
Markus Bjorksten
Linden Lindy Sisk
: So I'm torn about the color of a new tent and I thought I'd ask the
: groups opinions about tent colors. What do you like (or what do you
: think is most appropriate)? Of course the tents intended use matters
: (mountaineering/above tree line, winter camping, general three season
: backpacking). I use a tent in all three so I'm having trouble selecting
: the *best* color. I've had both light and dark tents in the past.
: A light color (yellow) would be lighter and more pleasant inside, be
From an aesthetic standpoint, tents which blend into the surroundings are
probably preferable. As you point out, though, WHICH surroundings are
problematic. The tents I tend to buy rarely offer a choice of colors
anyway, so it's really moot, but I'd go for a light color, which really
picks up those days stuck in the tent in a storm.
--
Lindy Sisk li...@shell.portal.com
Stealth Paddler
"If you didn't see me, it's not because I wasn't there!"
"Gene Police! You - Outta the Pool!"
Paul Wake
>whether...I could care less if they are bummed out...That's good advice in most >situations.
Sure.
So, what kind of boom box do you take along on backpacking trips? Oops,
I was going to ask how much poop you leave on the trail. Or was it
something else I was wondering about? Doesn't matter; as long as you
ignore the fact that minimum impact camping beats "I'm the only thing in
the universe that matters, eveything else can go to hell" camping, I can
predict the answer.
----------------------------------------------
Trivia tidbit--
Janet Reno is not childless, she has two sons:
Lon Horiuchi and Timothy McVeigh
Richard647
comes in funky circus Colors, I want one in green or brown. The >color is
the only thing holding me back!
I just bought a new Megamid as my old Pyramid bit the dust. I WANTED the
circus colors (yellow and silver) as it is my solo and winter tent.
Unfortunately they are now being offered in a muted grey and purplish
color that should not stand out in most high environs. I bought it anyway
though. It's hard to be pyramidless.
Richard Kullberg richa...@aol.com
Mark
your tent? When I'm tramping down the trail, I only have one thing on my
mind... and it certainly isn't tent color. The real beauty lies in the terrain,
and another tent only serves as a reminder to us that we aren't the only ones
enjoying one of the only natural beauties left.
--
Mark Wells. ^|^
maw...@unity.ncsu.edu O
Mark
consideration by every hiker, but I wouldn't be so quick to change my entire
wardrobe to camo. I frequently cross hunters where I hike, and the thought of a
sleepy outdoorsman even drawing a bead on my body in the wee hours frightens me
a little. My philosophy is to stay low-key (no flashing neon) whilst I take up
what ma-nature has to offer.
UniPacker
to have a green tent, but I got a REALLY good deal on the yellow one...
Of course, the matter of blending in all depends on where you are. In
winter desert hiking in Big Bend NP, for example, I think the yellow tent
blended in better than a dark green tent would have.
Yes, the interior of a yellow tent is brighter, which helps when you're
stuck inside during a storm, but I think that blending into the
surrounding colors helps the packer feel more a "part" of the environment,
and I think it really does help conserve the visual experience of
others...
Scot Carpenter
(...)
:I frequently cross hunters where I hike, and the thought of a
:sleepy outdoorsman even drawing a bead on my body in the wee hours frightens me
: a little. My philosophy is to stay low-key (no flashing neon) whilst I take up
: what ma-nature has to offer.
The danger from hunters is probably about the same as that from
bear attacks, ;) but it does happen. Wasn't it some 15-18 years ago that a
person with a rifle (I refuse to call him a "hunter") shot two people
making whoopee in their tent (which was some dark color), because in the
dusk he mistook that large, rounded object which was was making grunting
noises for a bear?
And there are those warning signs at some NF trailheads about
wearing a piece of blaze orange during hunting season.... which is
apparently a good idea even in one's own backyard up in Maine.
--
| Scot Carpenter carp...@uh.edu |
JR3PT14
with the pines here in Alabama to a blue that matches the color of the
lakes I camp at. I've found that making a tent color decision based on
matching my shirt color works just as well as any other means of choosing
a color. I don't care what tent color you buy. I don't care what tent
color is pitched near me. I don't care whether or not my tent color is
offensive to you, and to extend the argument that my not caring about tent
color means that I crap on trails, leave trash all over, and carry a boom
box with me is childish, asinine, and stupid. Take some of that "Too much
time on your hands" you seem to have and get a life.
John Richardson
Alfred Falk 450-5185
Matthew Barritt <Matthew...@umich.edu> writes:
> So I'm torn about the color of a new tent and I thought I'd ask the
> groups opinions about tent colors. What do you like (or what do you
> think is most appropriate)? Of course the tents intended use matters
> (mountaineering/above tree line, winter camping, general three season
> backpacking). I use a tent in all three so I'm having trouble selecting
> the *best* color. I've had both light and dark tents in the past.
>
> A light color (yellow) would be lighter and more pleasant inside, be
> me or someone looking for me). A darker color (green) would blend in
> better when below tree line and therefore be less obnoxious to others,
> would be darker inside and hotter in the sun, and maybe harder to find in
> some conditions.
>
> It is the issue of creating an eyesore for others when using the tent in
> the more traveled seasons and areas which has given me pause - otherwise
> I'd select yellow.
>
> Any opinions out there? What color did you choose?
I chose all the tents I've owned on the basis of structure, and never had a
choice in colour.
I don't find bright colours in the backcountry to be at all eyesores.
Sometimes it's kind of neat to have a little spot of colour showing waaay
down there in a photo.
Think about this, if you are inclined to take trips longer than one night:
what if it's pouring rain (or snowing) and you decide not to move for a day
or two? You definitely want a tent that is bright inside. Blue and light
green will do, but they can give an unpleasant cast to your companions'
face. I'd go with yellow, given a choice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alfred Falk fa...@arc.ab.ca A L B E R T A
Information Systems Dept (403) 450-5185 R E S E A R C H
Box 8330, Station F C O U N C I L
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
T6H 5X2
http://saturn.arc.ab.ca/~falk/ http://www.arc.ab.ca/
David Paul
either. Maybe a natural color that contrasts the surroundings would be a
nice compromise.
mgod...@ub.com
I was on a whitewater rafting trip last year and a guide trainee related a
story which made me re-think tent color choices. He was tenting in the
woods behind the lodge area. The night before he told us this story he
was at his site reading or something when he heard some loud and fast
crunching coming towards him. He looked where the sound was coming from
and saw a moose barreling towards him. He waved his arms, flashed his
flashlight and shouted at the moose, causing the critter to veer away.
Blending into the environment might seem like a good idea, but I don't
think I want to be sleeping in what looks like a bush when some moose
decides he really needs a drink NOW! I know the chances are slim, even
infinitesimal, but this would probably be the lottery I would win.
Frank Loeffel
>Matthew Barritt (Matthew...@umich.edu) wrote:
>: So I'm torn about the color of a new tent and I thought I'd ask the
>: groups opinions about tent colors. What do you like (or what do you
>: think is most appropriate)? Of course the tents intended use matters
>: (mountaineering/above tree line, winter camping, general three season
>: backpacking). I use a tent in all three so I'm having trouble selecting
>: the *best* color. I've had both light and dark tents in the past.
>: A light color (yellow) would be lighter and more pleasant inside, be
>From an aesthetic standpoint, tents which blend into the surroundings are
>probably preferable. As you point out, though, WHICH surroundings are
>problematic. The tents I tend to buy rarely offer a choice of colors
>anyway, so it's really moot, but I'd go for a light color, which really
>picks up those days stuck in the tent in a storm.
Don't forget that the color of the tent will be the color of the light
inside the tent. I have a blue tent that renders people's skin tones
an unpleasant greenisch gray. Not good for one's erotic desires
on long camping trips with one's SO.
My other tent is yellow/red and does a lot more for my sex life,
and it's roomier, too. Really, I'm quite serious about this, perhaps because
I'm a photographer sensitive to color casts.
So I'd vote for red, yellow or gray.
Al Gerheim
> So I'm torn about the color of a new tent and I thought I'd ask the
> groups opinions about tent colors. What do you like (or what do you
> think is most appropriate)? Of course the tents intended use matters
> (mountaineering/above tree line, winter camping, general three season
> backpacking). I use a tent in all three so I'm having trouble selecting
> the *best* color. I've had both light and dark tents in the past.
>
> A light color (yellow) would be lighter and more pleasant inside, be
> cooler in the sun, and be easier to locate in bad conditions (either by
> me or someone looking for me). A darker color (green) would blend in
> better when below tree line and therefore be less obnoxious to others,
> would be darker inside and hotter in the sun, and maybe harder to find in
> some conditions.
>
> It is the issue of creating an eyesore for others when using the tent in
> the more traveled seasons and areas which has given me pause - otherwise
> I'd select yellow.
>
> Any opinions out there? What color did you choose?
>
I'm remeinded of a woman skier who once said if anyone let -color-
influence their choice of equipment, they had no business on the
black diamond trails.
Whenever I hear about soothing colors for tents and other gear, it
makes me wonder what kind of candy-asses are taking up backpacking.
I once deliberately got a tent in a wild color so it would attract the
eye of a rescuer. You want pleasant colors, don't look at the tent,
look at the mountain!
-
***********************************************************************
Al Gerheim, N4QN |Opinions expressed here | Sonalysts Inc. POB 280
ger...@sonalysts.com |are my own. Contents may| 215 Parkway North
Work: (203)442-4355 |settle during shipment. | Waterford CT 06385
***********************************************************************
Timothy Hague
: I was on a whitewater rafting trip last year and a guide trainee related a
Personal opinion based on a Air Force friend's experience: Backpacks and
tents should be made of a brightly coloured material - no matter what your
back-country experience, there might come a day when someone has to search
for you. A person in drab clothing is VERY difficult to find from even a low
flying helicopter!
John Y. Liu
thought I'd ask the
>groups opinions about tent colors.
I'm not too concerned about my tent being an eyesore
in heavily used areas. It seems that either you are
packed in a site where all the tents side by side
would be obvious no matter what color they were, or
you are basically by yourself.
Bright colors are nice for photos, being found, and
seem to lift one's spirits a little in unremittingly
foul weather.
My current tent is green with a bright yellow fly.
Donald Haines
if I happen to pitch it on top of someone...............
Jeff Guild
: I was on a whitewater rafting trip last year and a guide trainee related a
: story which made me re-think tent color choices. He was tenting in the
: woods behind the lodge area. The night before he told us this story he
: was at his site reading or something when he heard some loud and fast
: crunching coming towards him. He looked where the sound was coming from
: and saw a moose barreling towards him. He waved his arms, flashed his
: flashlight and shouted at the moose, causing the critter to veer away.
: Blending into the environment might seem like a good idea, but I don't
: think I want to be sleeping in what looks like a bush when some moose
: decides he really needs a drink NOW! I know the chances are slim, even
: infinitesimal, but this would probably be the lottery I would win.
I know from personal experience that moose don't see static objects
very well; they see moving objects much better. Most good tents,
regardless of colour, don't move a lot.
Does anyone know if moose can see colours at all? Very well? That is,
would a moose see a fluorescent tangerine tent any better than a plain
green tent?
--
O Jeff Guild, Librarian/Canoeist Dynix Library Systems, Inc.
(\____\==^\___/) j...@ca.dynix.com Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
\ \ /
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lorraine Chisholm
and the second one is "Moss" baby-_____ brown.
I prefer the subtler colors because they blend in, and like the grey-blue,
grey colors to be in if a squall is on. I like it bettter if others in
the backcountry blend in, though I've seen some hot pink polyester shorts
that put orange pup tents to shame.
All this said... my criteria for a tent usually center on waterproofness,
durability, weight, and cost. Though I once chose between two tents on
the basis that one had a two foot logo on it (you know the one) so I chose
the other one.
I carry a very bright yellow plastic emergency tube tent.
Also, I think it's weird that if you care about colors (i.e. aesthetics)
you get called candy-ass,
told to get a life, look at the scenery, etc. Where is that coming from?
Gary A. Bushey
chis...@wimsey.com (Lorraine Chisholm) wrote:
> My first tent was red, next was grey-blue, and now it's grey and charcoal
> and the second one is "Moss" baby-_____ brown.
>
On kind of a tangent, how many types of animals can distinguish colors. I
seem to recall that deer are either completely or somewhat colorblind and
they cannot tell blaze orange from anything else.
--
Gary A. Bushey | The nice thing about being a
E-mail: Gary.A...@Dartmouth.Edu | pessimist is that everything
| is a pleasant surprise.
Jeff Guild
: Also, I think it's weird that if you care about colors (i.e. aesthetics)
: you get called candy-ass,
: told to get a life, look at the scenery, etc. Where is that coming from?
I figure it's coming from an excessively high ratio of testosterone
to grey matter. It's the juvenile, macho, out-to-prove-something
attitude. Of course aesthetics matter. Wilderness travel is
to a large degree an aesthetic experience. I try not to take large
amounts of loud man-made colours into the wilderness for the same
reason as I don't take all the comforts of home with me. I'm there
to commune with nature, not to inflict the synthetic human world on
it. Let's leave the loud music and the loud colours at home.
Shhhh... Look at that view.
David Paul
>
>I was on a whitewater rafting trip last year and a guide trainee related a
>and saw a moose barreling towards him. He waved his arms, flashed his
>flashlight and shouted at the moose, causing the critter to veer away.
>
>Blending into the environment might seem like a good idea, but I don't
>think I want to be sleeping in what looks like a bush when some moose
>decides he really needs a drink NOW! I know the chances are slim, even
>infinitesimal, but this would probably be the lottery I would win.
>
Logical conclusion, except that moose, and most woodland critters are
color-blind. To them, your day-glow chartruse tent looks tan.
All that logic put to waste by one silly little fact. Don't ya hate it?
Jeff Guild
: I'm remeinded of a woman skier who once said if anyone let -color-
: influence their choice of equipment, they had no business on the
: black diamond trails.
: Whenever I hear about soothing colors for tents and other gear, it
: makes me wonder what kind of candy-asses are taking up backpacking.
: I once deliberately got a tent in a wild color so it would attract the
: eye of a rescuer. You want pleasant colors, don't look at the tent,
: look at the mountain!
By your tone, I'd say you're in serious need of a soothing-coloured
tent! Take a prozac and chill.
Alan Silverstein
Some have said, "Do what you want." I say, fine, but if you care enough
to be nice to the people around you, get a tent that doesn't stick out.
Go with earth colors. Use orange ponchos or other devices for
attention-getting colors. Don't do what I did as a newbie and buy an
orange tent! It's ugly inside, too. :-)
Now, that's fine during the daytime, when you shouldn't have any trouble
finding your tent anyway. What about at night? Once I returned from a
long hike in pitch darkness and found it hard to find my tent. Never
again! I bought some reflective tape (not cheap, but you don't need
much) and stuck small pieces to my tent poles (wrapped around) and rain
flies in strategic places. I covered those bits of reflective tape with
clear packing tape so they'll stay on. Now the tent is easy to find
with a flashlight.
David Paul
>
>Whenever I hear about soothing colors for tents and other gear, it
>makes me wonder what kind of candy-asses are taking up backpacking.
>I once deliberately got a tent in a wild color so it would attract the
>eye of a rescuer. You want pleasant colors, don't look at the tent,
>look at the mountain!
Here's another reason not to get a brightly colored tend. They make better
targets! Next time yer sleepin in that thar dayglow yuppified sissy tent
with yer spandex hiking shorts and yer trendy fleecies, best hope thar ain't
no gun totin, beer guzzlin rednecks over on the next ridge.
"Hey Bubba, lookee what I see in my scope!"
"Sure nuff Cletus, don't see none-O-them thar yuppies around, but watch me
fill that shiny new tent full-o-holes!" BLAM, BLAM, BLAM! "You know? I'll
bet that thar tent leaks!"
HAR HAR HAR!
Donald Haines
Lorraine Chisholm
My first tent was red, next was grey-blue, and now it's grey and charcoal
and the second one is "Moss" baby-_____ brown.
I prefer the subtler colors because they blend in, and like the grey-blue,
grey colors to be in if a squall is on. I like it bettter if others in
the backcountry blend in, though I've seen some hot pink polyester shorts
that put orange pup tents to shame.
All this said... my criteria for a tent usually center on waterproofness,
durability, weight, and cost. Though I once chose between two tents on
the basis that one had a two foot logo on it (you know the one) so I chose
the other one.
I carry a very bright yellow plastic emergency tube tent.
Also, I think it's weird that if you care about colors (i.e. aesthetics)
Gary A. Bushey
In article <chisholm-140...@pme84.bby.wis.net>,
chis...@wimsey.com (Lorraine Chisholm) wrote:
> My first tent was red, next was grey-blue, and now it's grey and charcoal
> and the second one is "Moss" baby-_____ brown.
>
Jeff Guild
Al Gerheim (ger...@sonalysts.com) wrote:
: I'm remeinded of a woman skier who once said if anyone let -color-
: influence their choice of equipment, they had no business on the
: black diamond trails.
: Whenever I hear about soothing colors for tents and other gear, it
: makes me wonder what kind of candy-asses are taking up backpacking.
: I once deliberately got a tent in a wild color so it would attract the
: eye of a rescuer. You want pleasant colors, don't look at the tent,
: look at the mountain!
By your tone, I'd say you're in serious need of a soothing-coloured
Alan Silverstein
David Paul
ger...@sonalysts.com Al Gerheim says...
>
>Whenever I hear about soothing colors for tents and other gear, it
>makes me wonder what kind of candy-asses are taking up backpacking.
>I once deliberately got a tent in a wild color so it would attract the
>eye of a rescuer. You want pleasant colors, don't look at the tent,
>look at the mountain!
Mark
teach you in the armed forces, but only because they are specialized. Day Glo
material should be kept in your survival kit for such emergencies as you
described.
--
Mark Wells.
maw...@unity.ncsu.edu
Daniel J. Cochrane
: Lorraine Chisholm (chis...@wimsey.com) wrote:
: : Also, I think it's weird that if you care about colors (i.e. aesthetics)
: : you get called candy-ass,
: : told to get a life, look at the scenery, etc. Where is that coming from?
: I figure it's coming from an excessively high ratio of testosterone
: to grey matter. It's the juvenile, macho, out-to-prove-something
: attitude. Of course aesthetics matter. Wilderness travel is
: to a large degree an aesthetic experience. I try not to take large
: amounts of loud man-made colours into the wilderness for the same
: reason as I don't take all the comforts of home with me. I'm there
: to commune with nature, not to inflict the synthetic human world on
: it. Let's leave the loud music and the loud colours at home.
: Shhhh... Look at that view.
: --
: O Jeff Guild, Librarian/Canoeist Dynix Library Systems, Inc.
: (\____\==^\___/) j...@ca.dynix.com Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
: \ \ /
: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
--
later... d...@ca.dynix.com
Farkward P. Parkenfarker
Loeffel) wrote:
> Don't forget that the color of the tent will be the color of the light
> inside the tent. I have a blue tent that renders people's skin tones
> an unpleasant greenisch gray. Not good for one's erotic desires
> on long camping trips with one's SO.
> My other tent is yellow/red and does a lot more for my sex life,
> and it's roomier, too. Really, I'm quite serious about this, perhaps because
> I'm a photographer sensitive to color casts.
>
> So I'd vote for red, yellow or gray.
Yowza! My tent is red, yellow *and* grey! I better pitch it quick and go
find my SO...
Hey baby, wanna step inside my vestibule?
--
I used to feel stupid, but then I found alt.fan.rush-limbaugh
Antti J. Roppola
>
> I do agree that disturbance to the wildlife should be taken into carefull
> consideration by every hiker, but I wouldn't be so quick to change my entire
>
I read some interesting stuff about the "safety orange" type of clothing
hunters wear and how most animals don't notice it anyway (they're colour blind).
The colour we in a tent/piece of clothing is not going to be the colour an animal
sees. 'Lurid' colours are probably only going to offend other humans. I suspect
someones perfume/aftershave would disturb an animal more.
Some idle thoughts...
Jon Heaton
: Whenever I hear about soothing colors for tents and other gear, it
: makes me wonder what kind of candy-asses are taking up backpacking.
: I once deliberately got a tent in a wild color so it would attract the
: eye of a rescuer. You want pleasant colors, don't look at the tent,
: look at the mountain!
And if the mountain is covered with tents in "wild" colors?
Besides, only "candy-asses" use rescuers, real men drag themselves out of
the woods on their bloody stumps. ;-)
Jon
--
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Respond to: n...@umich.edu * What would the world be, once bereft
Fascism is found on the * Of wet and wildness? Let them be left,
far right side of the * O let them be left, wildness and wet;
political spectrum. * Long live the weeds and the wilderness yet.
Just ask Rush and Newt. * Gerard Manley Hopkins
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Gene Kane
Fear not the fetid slings and arrows of overly-bearded outdoors types
disclaiming your desire to see natural colors in Nature. When in doubt,
remember that no less an authority on the subject as Frank Lloyd Wright
always opted for the camouflaged approach to architecture, just as
outdoors types should (unless, of course, they are in fear of being shot
at by their cousin Jed).
Bright colors are an eyesore in the wild, from the green of the Pac
NWest, to the muted sands of the SoCal deserts. Any person so inclined as
to showing off their neon tent (or shorts), is better served by staying
home and attending that weekend's keg party (at cousin Jed's).
Happy trails!
GK
Markus Bjorksten
> I read some interesting stuff about the "safety orange" type of clothing
> hunters wear and how most animals don't notice it anyway (they're colour blind).
'Most animals' is a rather sweeping statement. Most animal species are
insects living in tropical rainforests, and most species are unknown
to science.
To repeat my original point: All of these [visual, auditory, smell] will
disturb the wildlife, with the relative importances depending on the
sensory reception of the particular species in the particular terrain
and the behaviour of the paricular species and individual.
Different species differ a lot in sensory abilities. Elk hunters
can well wear orange, as the colour resolution of elks is not good.
Day glow however, is not good, since it is brighter due to fluorescense
(UV->visual). The 'drivers' can wear anything since their business is
to drive the elks into ambush by scaring them.
Many bird species have excellent colour vision. Consequently eg.
pigeon hunters use extensive camouflage.
Markus Bjorksten
David Johnson
they go unnoticed. Bright colors are for pocket knives, ditty bags, and
other small, easy to loose items.
Let's go rafting! David "Duck" Johnson Seattle, WA
George Thomas
>On kind of a tangent, how many types of animals can distinguish colors.I
>seem to recall that deer are either completely or somewhat colorblind and
>they cannot tell blaze orange from anything else.
On a tangent, I am somewhat surprised that the emphasis here is
on tent colors and not camp odors based on my assumption that
most wildlife will smell or hear a camp before they see a tent.
Maybe those that have stated a concern over disturbing the wildlife
can give the rest of us some pointers on camouflaging odors.
--
George Thomas
geo...@geophys.washington.edu
Gene Kane
Jeff Guild
: I have to disagree about the brightly colored material. That is what they
: teach you in the armed forces, but only because they are specialized. Day Glo
: material should be kept in your survival kit for such emergencies as you
: described.
In the armed forces? I doubt the armed forces are concerned about
spoiling the aesthetics of the wilderness. I'd be willing to go out
on a limb and say they probably just don't want to be seen. The
military's idea of low-impact camping is using chemical defoliants
instead of napalm.
mgod...@ub.com
In article <3rmqcj$1i...@eljefe.ca.dynix.com>, <j...@eljefe.ca.dynix.com>
writes:
>
> I know from personal experience that moose don't see static objects
> very well; they see moving objects much better. Most good tents,
> regardless of colour, don't move a lot.
>
> Does anyone know if moose can see colours at all? Very well? That is,
> would a moose see a fluorescent tangerine tent any better than a plain
> green tent?
> --
Even if they don't see static objects well, they've got to see enough to
avoid big trees and boulders. Or maybe they just run into them and bounce
off. And being vegetarian, their choice of food is static.
I'd bet they were color-blind, but even in monochrome bright colors stand
out from their surroundings. Won't do much good if if they do the bounce
thing, though.
Marc
Pete Hickey
Markus Bjorksten <bjor...@finsun.csc.fi> wrote:
>Antti J. Roppola >
>
>Many bird species have excellent colour vision. Consequently eg.
>pigeon hunters use extensive camouflage.
>
Yeah, they disguise themselves a statues.
--
Pete Hickey | |
Communication Services | Pe...@mudhead.uottawa.CA | "Take off your shoes....
University of Ottawa | | .... for industry!"
Ottawa,Ont. Canada K1N 6N5| (613) 562-5800x1008 |
Paul Wake
>>pigeon hunters use extensive camouflage.
>
>Yeah, they disguise themselves a statues.
Wow--pigeon hunting sounds dangerous! To hunt that way you'd have to
shoot straight up, and then the shot would rain back down on top of you.
I guess the guano might cushion the impact a little.
----------------------------------------------
Trivia tidbit--
Janet Reno is not childless, she has two sons:
Lon Horiuchi and Timothy McVeigh
Krzysztof Kniaz
Some colors attract bugs, ants or other creatures. Two years ago I was
backpacking in the Sequoia Nat Park. I and my SO spent two nites
camping at Bear Paw Meadow next to a guy, who owned a cool North Face V25
with a gold-colored rainfly. Actually it wasn't gold! It was "moving" black
, if you know what I mean. Our blue SD Stretch Dome had barely any bugs on
it...
--
Krzysztof Kniaz, |
U of Pennsylvania, LRSM , | "A witty saying proves nothing"
Phila, PA, 19104, USA | Voltaire
Richard Penny
: Somebody noted:
: >On kind of a tangent, how many types of animals can distinguish colors.I
: >seem to recall that deer are either completely or somewhat colorblind and
: >they cannot tell blaze orange from anything else.
: On a tangent, I am somewhat surprised that the emphasis here is
: on tent colors and not camp odors based on my assumption that
: most wildlife will smell or hear a camp before they see a tent.
I have always been intrigued by the widespread assumption that nonprimate
mammals cannot see colors. When I was in grad school in neurobiology I
never saw any literature that provided a basis for that assumption. I
eventually came to suspect that the argument derived from counts of cones
in retinas flat-mounted onto microscopic slides. Doubt there has been
much direct experimental data.
I suspect that the assumption that most mammals are colorblind is a myth,
much like the popular myth that humans only use 10% of their brain capacity.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Penny email: rikp...@cybergate.com
2499 Los Altos Avenue Clovis, CA 93611
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Markus Bjorksten
> Maybe those that have stated a concern over disturbing the wildlife
> can give the rest of us some pointers on camouflaging odors.
Difficult because of poor sensory reception of man. Below are some
ramblings (carelessly written):
- Taking wind into consideration (direction, strenght etc)
- Avoiding man made odorants (perfumes, tobacco(?) etc.)
- Handling & packing food carefully
- Dry food, no cooking
- Covering faeces/urine well
- Certain chemicals (military use only)
- (Speculation) Using 'natural' smells to mask human smell:
Smoke, animal dung etc.
- Natural strong odors mask (recently plowed field and such)
- Other weather considerations: humid air is optimal for
for carrying odors. Cold is not humid (absolutely) and
is like hot air disadvantageous for smell reception of
certain species (eg dogs). Hot sunshine will 'evaporate'
smells quickly. Moderate/heavy rain will 'wash out' odors.
High wind will disperse smells quickly. Snow covers ground
track.
- Terrain considerations: featrures affect wind patterns,
and warm air rises. Ground: Two kinds of tracks: smell
of broken soil and vegetation (ground track, 24h) and a track
in the air of the smell of the person (person track, 1h). The
ground track forms best in dense/moist ground vegetation,
worst on hard ground or water. Masking into other tracks. The
air track is strongest in tight vegetation and if sweaty.
- Etc.
Markus Bjorksten
Alex Satrapa
Matthew...@umich.edu writes:
>So I'm torn about the color of a new tent and I thought I'd ask the
>groups opinions about tent colors. What do you like (or what do you
>think is most appropriate)? Of course the tents intended use matters
>(mountaineering/above tree line, winter camping, general three season
>backpacking). I use a tent in all three so I'm having trouble selecting
>the *best* color. I've had both light and dark tents in the past.
My tent is a sort of bright olive green. This means that it "blends in"
to some extent with the surrounds, but it shows up like a sore thumb on
dry grass or sand (I haven't tried snow... yet).
My personal opinion is that part of "Minimal Impact" bushwalking is not
just reducing our impact on the environment, but also reducing our impact
on other people's enjoyment of that environment.
Then again, I'm the one wearing the gaudy blue jacket with bright red
gaiters... I *want* to be seen, but not when I'm sleeping :-)
Regards,
-Alex
Brian R Frias
: Some colors attract bugs, ants or other creatures. Two years ago I was
: backpacking in the Sequoia Nat Park. I and my SO spent two nites
: camping at Bear Paw Meadow next to a guy, who owned a cool North Face V25
: with a gold-colored rainfly. Actually it wasn't gold! It was "moving" black
: , if you know what I mean. Our blue SD Stretch Dome had barely any bugs on
: it...
OK, so the gold fly of the VE25 attracts bugs. Maybe the campers got
overzeaulous and used a tent made for a different season. But I have
done lots of winter camping, and that same VE25 outperforms the SD
Stretch Dome by leaps and bounds. Not only is the vestiblue far
superior, but the little features like tie down loops and lash points and
interior stabilizing loops make the tent my choice for full force winter
camping.
--
*=====================================================================*
* Brian Frias || Gravity is your best friend =) *
* BFr...@shell.portal.com || UNIX and OS2 Rule! TEAM OS2! *
*=====================================================================*
MRFeathers
an >animal sees. 'Lurid' colours are probably only going to offend other
humans. >I suspect someones perfume/aftershave would disturb an animal
more.
That makes me an animal, I guess. Strong perfumes and aftershaves disturb
the heck out of me, although I can't say I run across them much on the
trail. Neon excepted, most colors don't bother me. I know they bother
others (my tent's green) and for that reason wouldn't use a neon tent but
I myself don't get bothered by stuff like the color of the other people's
tent or clothing. Life's too short for that.
Mary
Mary or Ron Featherston
Victoria, MN
Eugene N. Miya
>>On kind of a tangent, how many types of animals can distinguish colors.
You have to empirically test each and every species.
B.F. Skinner covered this in his research.
In article <3rslaa$e...@nntp4.u.washington.edu>
geo...@geophys.washington.edu writes:
>On a tangent, I am somewhat surprised that the emphasis here is
>on tent colors and not camp odors
Yep, that's a possible source of invalidity in experimental testing.
Dragon7654
use they should blend in
Sludgerunner
: tents should stand out in extreme alpine accents but normal backcountry
: use they should blend in
Baloney!! A little color out there doesn't hurt!!
john carpenter: just another Sludgerunner in space!!
Mark Wells
>tents should stand out in extreme alpine accents but normal backcountry
>use they should blend in
--
Mark Wells.
maw...@unity.ncsu.edu
Phil Keys
recently had a helicopter spot his tent. The search party then found the
climber nearby. Anything that can help localize a search area saves a lot
of effort.
--
phil...@pt.olympus.net (Phil Keys) KJ7ET Jeff Co Search & Rescue
Software Consultant - specializing in software safety & SQA
Port Hadlock, WA 98339 (360) 379-8650 122 44.0W 48 02.0N