Bivvy is almost synonymous with freedom — the word conjures up wild nature, the joy of spending an evening under a starry sky and breathing in the morning dew. But a successful bivvy is never improvised. It's better to set out with a clear head about what to think through. So here are 13 tips — a sort of checklist — to give yourself every chance of a perfect evening and night in the great outdoors!
The 13 key points of a successful bivvy
Timing: not too early, not too late
Of course, you're not going to set up your bivvy at 3 in the afternoon when you can still enjoy the nature around you! But there are other reasons not to settle in too early — among them, avoiding onlookers and getting a better sense of the site's qualities (or flaws). And don't set up too late either, as you risk running out of light. Ideally, get yourself set up 1 hour before sunset.
Flat ground first
The main criterion for choosing your bivvy site should be flat ground. This prevents you from sleeping on a slope, or in a hollow that will be damper, and avoids putting excessive strain on your tent structure.
Avoid meadows
Choosing a meadow for a bivvy is the surest way to find yourself face to face with a herd, a sheepdog, a shepherd or even a bull in the middle of the night or early morning! Even if you're convinced the meadow is empty, find somewhere else!
Never under an isolated tree
Pitching your tent under an isolated tree is dangerous, as you become a target for lightning, effectively acting as a lightning rod. A bad idea!
Check where the wind is coming from
Orient your tent entrance away from the prevailing wind: this makes it easier to cook or use your stove. However, in strong winds, always position the most aerodynamic part (usually the lowest) facing into the wind.
Set up your sleeping gear as soon as the tent is up
Too many people set up their sleeping gear (sleeping mat and sleeping bag) only a few minutes before going to bed. That's a mistake. By doing it well in advance, you give your sleeping bag and mat time to fully expand and reach their maximum effectiveness in terms of warmth and comfort.
Opt for a stove rather than a fire
Even if it's romantic and fun to make a fire, the downsides are many: danger, preparation time, long cooking time, ash disposal, and even local bans… In short, if you can, pack a stove in your bivvy kit for cooking!
Avoid bright colours
A discreet bivvy is always preferable, but the real reason to avoid bright colours is mosquitoes. They are strongly attracted to red, yellow and orange, and will happily gather in large numbers around your tent and kit! Even if you're wearing mosquito-repellent clothing, it would be a shame to have a swarm of insects lurking around your camp!
Layer up in the evening
You're always surprised by the drop in temperature in the evening, as night falls — especially after a body that has put in a long effort during the day and finds itself slightly overheated. So layer up and opt for example for warm fleece jackets and thermal base layers for your legs.
Don't go to bed fully dressed
This is a fairly common mistake. It's better to sleep with just thermal base layers and keep a jacket within reach to pull on in the early morning if it's cold. That will always beat sweating at the start of the night and shivering later.
Wash your clothes
A good bivvy spot has a water source, so take the opportunity to wash clothes as soon as you arrive. Leave them to dry outside first, then bring damp clothes inside the tent for the night. They'll be dry by morning — or finish drying hung on your pack as you walk in the sun!
Set off early enough
Without leaving before sunrise, it's best not to linger too long in the morning. You never know if the spot is heavily trafficked or used for various purposes. It's best to plan to break camp within one to one and a half hours after sunrise.
Clean up the spot you leave behind
We can't say it enough: take your rubbish with you and leave no trace. Fluff up flattened grass, put displaced stones back in place, and above all eliminate any trace of a fire if you made one! Wild bivouac spots that leave a mess are the worst advertisement for trekkers and hikers!
Photos Cyrille Quintard
