Do I really need a tent in South America?
 

On the one hand I've heard camping is dangerous in SA.

I've also heard (and seen in many countries)its cheap enough (or almost as cheap as camping) to stay in roofed accomodation.

Then again, a tent is nice for when things go wrong...

thoughts anyone? Do I keep my tent or not....

Lance

You're probably only going to use your tent in Chile and Argentina, where the camp grounds are many and well maintained, although not cheap. In Argentina it is normally free to camp behind the gas stations. Money could be saved here. Lots of places where you can camp wild too.

In the northern part, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, there are hardly such a thing as a camp ground, camping in the wild is generally not recommended, and roofed accomodation is cheap.

If you think emergency only, why not bring a rain cover and a sleeping bag only, saves a lot of space.

In the end it comes down to whether you want to camp or not...:)


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Dag
http://RocinantesTravels.com

I agree with Dag.

If you really WANT to camp out, and there are places in the south where it would be great, take the whole works, and enjoy the solitude and wilderness in the back country.

OTOH, if you only want it for emergencies, take a bivvy sack, light sleeping bag and plan on wearing all your clothes to bed. You don't even need a mattress. You'll cut a lot of weight and bulk.

Light is good!

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

thanks guys..
I think the answer is to get the tent et al. sent to me when I get further down south.

Meantime I'll travel light with just the sleeping bag.

cheers
Lance

Plenty of places to buy a cheap tent in Chile/Argentina if it turns out you need it.