What equipment should you take for a bivouac?

Whether it's a tarp, an ultra-light tent or an old tent lent by a friend, a tent is an essential part of bivouac equipment and not everyone needs the same model. Above all, take the time before you set off to unfold the tent and check that all the accessories are present. For a quality bivouac, you should practise pitching your tent before setting off. This means that you don't spend too much time on it once you're at your campsite, and can be very useful if the weather conditions are difficult. In the event of rain or strong winds, you'll be glad you can put up your shelter quickly. For a first bivouac, our advice is to choose a tent that is easy to put up, even if it may be heavier. This is one of the rare occasions when you have to forget about the weight of the equipment in favour of habitability and easy pitching. Ultralight tents or tarps are often more complicated to put up if you don't have the knack for it. So ignore the weight and focus on ease of pitching. And if you're going away with several people, you can divide up the different parts of the tent between you so that everyone can lighten their bag a little. On the other hand, ultralight tents are often very narrow and have relatively little space. This means that they’re designed for you to sleep in and that's it. If you're planning to spend any time in the tent, or if the weather is mixed, this is an important consideration.

Similarly, if you want to sleep under a tarp that you can set up with your hiking poles, make sure you find a place sheltered from the wind. The protection offered by the tarp is minimal. As a result, pay attention to the weather conditions and make sure you're well equipped (in particular, remember to take a very warm sleeping bag and an overbag to protect it from damp). Above all, be aware that the tarp, while attractive in its apparent simplicity and lightness, can prove much more difficult to pitch than expected. This is a solution often favoured by trekkers who set off with the bare minimum, as the weight of the tarp is negligible compared with that of a tent. You'll need a few trees, hiking poles, a groundsheet and a lot of practice! To sleep comfortably under the tarp, make sure you have a mattress with a high R-value to isolate you from the ground as much as possible. And find out the forecast overnight temperatures so that the comfort temperature of your sleeping bag matches. And a groundsheet or tarpaulin to put under your things can be useful to avoid waking up with all your equipment soaking wet. When camping in the wild, you need to find out about the rules in force where you are planning to go. And for a quality bivouac, remember to shelter from the wind, and not too close to watercourses.

One of the golden rules of bivouacking is: find out about the weather. Because the best thing is to set off in good weather to enjoy a good day's hiking and a pleasant night's sleep. That's why summer is often the ideal time to go bivouacking, knowing that you'll be woken early by the light. Beware, however, of summer thunderstorms, which can be violent in the mountains. Summer is also the ideal time to indulge in a night under the stars, as it's usually shooting star season. If the weather is fine and the sky is clear, you can make wishes for the next ten years! That said, spring (when it's sunny) is also a good time to organise your first bivouac. Make sure you bring something to keep warm even when the sun goes down.

Find out about the regulations in force. Especially if you're planning to go to a national park or a protected natural area. Bivouacs are sometimes prohibited in these natural areas, but it is possible to sleep in tents around existing refuges. A quick phone call means you could set up camp in a magical place without risking endangering biodiversity! Whatever you do, always respect the bivouac areas and don't camp just anywhere. Above all, for your own safety and comfort, avoid setting up alongside hiking trails, public roads or near herds (you don't want to risk having your equipment trampled underfoot by animals unhappy with your presence). You can sometimes bivouac on private land, provided you have the owners' prior agreement. If you do it right, they may also point out a watering hole or offer to fill your water bottles. Make sure you check with them whether they agree to you building a campfire or not. And of course, leave your pitch perfectly clean and tidy. This avoids unpleasant surprises for the owners of the site and will make them more inclined to accept other camping requests.

Sitting round the campfire is one of the precious moments that stay with you after a bivouac. But don't do it lightly. Fires are strictly regulated, especially in summer when many regions are on drought alert. They should be reserved for bivouac areas where there is sometimes a dedicated pitch. To cook your meals, opt for a gas stove. It's less romantic than a campfire, but just as effective. And it helps to leave no trace on your bivouac site.