tent and lean-tos

[swoop]

what's the etiquette for pitching a tent inside a lean-to, against mosquitos and blackflies? my guess is that's probably not ok since it's open to all and has the capacity of sleeping 8, but then, how to you keep the bugs away?

[Kevin]

You can buy bug netting that will drape over your sleeping area. Most lean-tos have nails that people have put inside for hanging their nets. Bring extra rope just in case there's no nails.

The other thing to consider is most bugs don't come out at night. Black flies disappear altogether when the sun goes down and it takes an hour or two of sunlight for them to come back out in the AM.

Tents are not allowed in lean-tos for the exact reason you mention.

[BrawnyMan]

Brawny Man says: With 8 dudes crowding into one lean-to, pitching a tent is the last thing that should ever happen, but if it does become a problem, try cold water down the shorts or maybe hop into the nearest creek for a minute. If it happens more than once, stay out of my lean-to; I'm always the big spoon.

[hickoryskier]

Hey Brawneyman, wanna go camping??
I'll bet you spoon well.

[Wldrns]

what's the etiquette for pitching a tent inside a lean-to, against mosquitos and blackflies? my guess is that's probably not ok since it's open to all and has the capacity of sleeping 8, but then, how to you keep the bugs away?

It is illegal, as specified in the Regulation on Use of State Lands:
"§190.5 Permissible structures
a. Permits for the erection of permanent tent platforms and/or lean-tos (open camps) will not be issued by the department under any condition. No person shall erect a tent platform or lean-to (open camp)."

Bugs are a way of life in the Adirondacks, just like muddy feet. You just have to accept it and accomodate in other ways than to try to enclose a lean-to.

[Neil]

You can buy bug netting that will drape over your sleeping area.

And here is the HAPPY RESULT.

[hickoryskier]

I dont believe Wildrns is quoting the correct regulation.

a. Permits for the erection of permanent tent platforms and/or lean-tos (open camps) will not be issued by the department under any condition. No person shall erect a tent platform or lean-to (open camp)."

That sounds to me like you cannot erect a lean-to or a tent platform.


My solo backpacking tent without the fly looks no different than the photo Neil submitted. And it takes up just as much (or less) floor space. So I see no harm at all for doing such.

[Neil]

It says somewhere that you can't put a tent up in a LT, I just can't remember where. However, if you have some sort of a unit that doesn't take any LT space beyond one sleeping pad width or require guy ropes to be strung up in front of people's faces than I (who admittedly dosn't make the rules) wouldn't care.
I would just consider you to be anti-social.

[BrawnyMan]

I believe Wldrns should have referred to the following: 190.6 section c.
--------------------------------------
§190.6 Open camps
a. Open camps (lean-tos) may not be occupied by the same person or persons for more than three successive nights or for more than 10 nights in any one calendar year, provided others wish to use such camps.

b. The enclosure of the fronts of open camps is prohibited, except by tying canvas or nylon tarpaulins in place or erecting snow walls. The use of wood, nails, screws or other fasteners is prohibited.

c. The erection of tents in open camps is prohibited.
-----------------------------------------

That said, I agree somewhat with the sentiments of Hickoryskier. What is the fundamental difference between an ultra-light solo tent without fly and the little set-up that Neil is using? The essential thing to consider is, am i taking up more room with the tent/netting than without? Does anyone agree that on a week day or off-peak time when bugs are bad and perhaps the rain is coming down, perhaps some flexibility to the rule is reasonable….just use common sense and courtesy?

Finally, is it 6 or 8 to a lean-to?? Where is that listed in the DEC regs?

[hickoryskier]

This is a great thread. Thanks to Brawnyman and Neil for setting it straight. It is a useful rule for sure, and I probably wouldnt set up a tent in a shared lean to anyway, but it's a rule that I'm sure would be abused if it didnt exist.

[redhawk]

I dont believe Wildrns is quoting the correct regulation.

That sounds to me like you cannot erect a lean-to or a tent platform.


My solo backpacking tent without the fly looks no different than the photo Neil submitted. And it takes up just as much (or less) floor space. So I see no harm at all for doing such.

Wldrns is correct. *It is Illegal to put up a tent in a lean to regardless of the wrong regulation quote.
Makes no difference whether it's "the same as bug netting" or not. And Although I don't know for a fact, I'm not that sure that bug netting is actually legal.

And, since the lean-tos are public, first come, first served, up to the capacity, in my opinion it's inconsiderate to pitch a tent in it, legal or not.

The only reason I carry a tent is so that i don't have to rely on a lean to, and I prefer the tent in most cases anyway.

[Neil]

We had the LT to ourselves that night. Several parties hiked in and my wife said to them she kept me in that cage because I bight.

6 to a lean-to is the legal limit but you can get a lot more than that in in a pinch. Especially if you stack.

[Wldrns]

I believe Wldrns should have referred to the following: 190.6 section c.
--------------------------------------
§190.6 Open camps
a. Open camps (lean-tos) may not be occupied by the same person or persons for more than three successive nights or for more than 10 nights in any one calendar year, provided others wish to use such camps.

b. The enclosure of the fronts of open camps is prohibited, except by tying canvas or nylon tarpaulins in place or erecting snow walls. The use of wood, nails, screws or other fasteners is prohibited.

c. The erection of tents in open camps is prohibited.
-----------------------------------------

Yup, you're right. I grabbed the wrong piece of the reg out of my list. Thanks for the correction.

[hickoryskier]

Wldrns is correct. *It is Illegal to put up a tent in a lean to.

No, Brawneyman was correct.

§190.6 Open camps
a. Open camps (lean-tos) may not be occupied by the same person or persons for more than three successive nights or for more than 10 nights in any one calendar year, provided others wish to use such camps.

b. The enclosure of the fronts of open camps is prohibited, except by tying canvas or nylon tarpaulins in place or erecting snow walls. The use of wood, nails, screws or other fasteners is prohibited.

c. The erection of tents in open camps is prohibited.

[redhawk]

No, Brawneyman was correct.

Tell that to the two rangers whom i know personally have issued citations for pitching a tent in a lean to. One down here in the Silver Lake Wilderness, another up on the raquette.