Bivouac: a guide to go light, move fast and be more autonomous in your activities.

When we do an activity such as trekking, fastpackingmountaineering, or bikepackingWe want to be autonomous, free during long hikes or climbs, independent when deciding where to go or where to spend the night. We want to take our activities to the next level, linking ridges in creative and impossible itineraries or linking trails in multi-day circles with no provisioning and no places to stay overnight. Bivouacking is a way to be freer and more autonomous in our itineraries. To bivouac with guarantees you will need the right equipment (bivouac cover, mattress, bag, rucksack,...) as well as knowing the applicable regulations, choosing a good place to spend the night and other questions that we will deal with in this guide.

• What is it? How bivouacking can take your activities to the next level.
• What equipment do I need
• Where can I bivouac. Places and regulations.
• Advice

What is bivouacking? What is the difference between free camping and bivouacking? 

Bivouacking is "sleeping or resting during the night outdoors, using or not elements of shelter, such as a sleeping bag or bivouac cover or the means provided by the environment without altering it", according to the terminology in the Regulations on Protected Natural Spaces in Spain, which seems to us to be very valid. As opposed to camping: "to stop and stay in an uninhabited area in a tent". Camping implies the use of at least one tent.

Why choose bivouacking? We like to move fast, with ultralight backpacks, to go long distances but in record time, and one way to go lighter is to do without a tent. One way to go lighter is to dispense with the tent - are we willing to trade the comfort of a tent for the convenience of a lighter backpack?

Traditionally, mountaineers and climbers from big wall would take refuge on ledges in very technical terrain, in impossible bivouacs, for days, to complete their objectives. Today, the hiker, fastpacker or solo adventurer chooses the bivouac as a way to shed weight from their packs and go further in their activities. Minimalist luggage is all the rage, and this is where the bivouac comes into play in our adventures.

Get to know the basic equipment to bivouac without freezing: What materials are necessary for bivouacking?

You will need a sleeping bagto protect you from adverse weather, an insulator from snow or wet ground, such as an mat inflatable and a bivouac cover waterproof and breathable.

Lightweight and warm sleeping bag

If you're going to bivouac on a regular basis or are planning a big trek where sleeping outdoors is going to be your way of spending the night, don't skimp on a good sleeping bag. You'll never remember the money you spent on a good bag, but you'll remember the nights of being cold and shivering. (YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED: 3 key things to consider when choosing your sleeping bag)

Obviously it should be as light as possible. Here you can also save a lot of weight, you can find sleeping bags with the same comfort temperatures and a much lower weight. It should have an adequate comfort temperature for the activity you are going to do and the weather you are going to encounter.

• With a weight of less than 1k (985 grams in size L) the sleeping bag Spark SpIV from Sea to Summit (€529) is designed to withstand extreme temperatures down to -15°C, a +850 feather treated Ultra-Dry Down™ to protect against both external moisture and condensation inside the bag. It's not all about cold resistance.
• Slightly cheaper is the Ferrino Lightec 1000 Duvet with a comfort temperature of -3 ºC and a weight of 950 gr. 450 g down 80/20 550 cuin. This is a bag for mountaineering or trekking users in all seasons, without sacrificing comfort. If you use its compression sleeve, you will considerably reduce its volume to put it in your backpack.
• The brand Thermarestwith high quality products (their inflatable sleeping mats) which we'll discuss below, have developed ultralight sleeping bags that look like a great option. Therm-a-Rest's Fast & Light range are designed with lightness and "high speed" adventures in mind. Thermarest Parsec 20F/-6C (305€), designed for alpine climbing and ultralight bivouacs,  you can brave the cold and sleep comfortably on your high mountain fastpacking itineraries. Bag weight 539 g.

Well insulated and lightweight mattress

Keep in mind that you can lose a lot of heat through thermal conduction through the floor (even if you have a good sleeping bag) and that you should therefore have a well insulated mattress (insulation is measured by the R-value, which should be as high as possible). You will find foam, inflatable and self-inflating mattresses (hybrid between foam and inflatable). (YOU MAY BE INTERESTED: Equipment for a good rest in the high mountains: mountain mats)

• The Thermarest NeoAir XLite is the best inflatable bivouac mattress, with an R-value of 4.2 for only 430g (standard size). Lightweight, comfortable and warm in a very small volume, it is the choice for minimalist and ultralight equipment. Obviously this quality comes at a price, which for this product is about 165€. ThermaCapture™ technology that traps radiant heat, along with Triangular Core Matrix™ construction minimises convective heat loss.
• Without leaving the reference mark (Thermarest), its model NeoAir XTherm is the top of the range, with the best warmth/kg ratio. Extreme insulation (R-value of 6.9) and an ultra-light weight and size (570g in your size L). If you are looking for a mountaineering mat, or you will be moving in cold or high mountain environments, this is your choice.
• The only 395 g (without holster) of the Robens Vapour 60The outer fabric is made up of a soft, flexible and flexible fabric, making it one of the lightest and most compressible mattresses on the market. The outer fabric is made of 20D Ripstop Nylon very light and without detracting from the strength. The price is unbeatable for the performance (54€). The R-value is 1.6 (6°C) which makes it suitable for hikers and campers for warm nights and warm terrain. A good quality/price ratio, unbeatable if the insulation factor is not so important for our activity.

Bivouac cover

The bivouac covers are minimalist shelters for you and your sleeping bag, nothing more than a weatherproof cover for your sleeping bag with a breathing hole. Simplicity and sophistication to insulate us from the harshest weather (wind and precipitation), waterproofing but also breathability (you don't know how much water your body emits, it would soak your bag). This is the key to travelling light and safe on long hikes. There are also bivouac shelters(YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN...), which often add an internal pole to extend headroom, and longitudinal zips, offering a tent-like experience but at minimal weight. (YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN...): Mountain bivouac covers).

• The Msr Advance Pro Bivy (240€) has been designed for professional mountaineers looking for a minimum of shelter for very demanding activities. Weight 280 grams. It has a robust nylon floor ripstop coated with waterproof coating Xtreme Shield for increased durability. On the upper, breathable 2-layer ripstop nylon helps manage condensation, providing a more comfortable night's sleep on technical terrain.
• Millet Bivy Bag waterproof fabric Dryedge (10,000 mm/cm²), breathable and durable. Slightly heavier than the Msr Advance Pro Bivy450 grams. Ideal for trekking and hiking activities. It is a more economical option (78€).
• And if you are looking for the ultimate in minimalist bivouac cover, we have the Mountain Equipment Ultralite Bivi. Super light (110 grams), compact and wind and water resistant. The outer fabric is made of ultra-light polyethylene and the inside is coated with aluminium which retains body heat. It is not breathable, so we will probably be warm inside after a night's bivouac, if we don't leave some openings. However, this alternative is very interesting for emergency bivouacs or short breaks in the middle of a very intense activity. It is similar to a "premium" thermal blanket in sack mode.

Where can I bivouac. Places and regulations.

Find out about the legislation in the country or region where you will be bivouacking. The laws vary from place to place. And if bivouacking is prohibited somewhere, there is bound to be a good reason for it (protection of the natural environment, security, private land).

Bivouac regulations in Spain

In Spain, free camping is prohibited in general, except for certain areas of "controlled camping" in delimited spaces in each municipality. The regulations are varied, on the one hand a state regulation from 1982, in addition to those of each autonomous community, which have attributed the competences. To all this, add the by-laws of the local council of the day. So, to find out if you can spend the night in that place, you're going to have to study it well.

So I can't bivouac? No. There are exceptions. In many places you can overnight stay in the high mountain mode, above a certain altitude.

Consult the local regulations. For the different parks and natural areas This is very clear with regard to camping and overnight stays in the open air.

• Picos de Europa. "Free camping is not allowed in the National Park. Bivouacking is permitted in areas above 1,600 m, and tents may be pitched one hour before sunset, and must be taken down one hour after departure".
• Sierra de Guadarrama Park. Camping is not permitted, but "bivouacking is allowed above 2,100 metres in areas of the former Natural Park, and above 1,700 metres in its Peripheral Protection Zone in non-forested areas".
• Sierra Nevada National Park. "Bivouacking or camping at night is permitted, subject to prior NOTIFICATION in writing to the Director of the National Park". It must be at an altitude higher than 1,600 metres.

Bivouac regulations in the Pyrenees

In the case of the PyreneesThere are regional regulations that limit free camping and mountain camping to certain circumstances such as altitude, proximity to rivers or roads. In the Aragonese Pyreneesfor example, free camping is generally prohibited - Decree 61/2006 of 7 March 2006 - but it does permit so-called "itinerant camping" and "high mountain camping" - camping above 1,500 metres above sea level, at least two hours' walk from any accessible point.

Quite a mess, isn't it? As you usually want to go high up and to a remote place, you will usually find yourself in a park. So check the specific regulations of the park. Here are some of them.

• Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park. Bivouacking or overnight camping is prohibited in the Ordesa sector, with a temporary exception until 31 December 2023. During this period, a quota of 90 people is allowed in the Góriz Moderate Use Zone, as long as the refuge is fully occupied. After that date, the quota will be reduced to 50 people and in any case, the overnight stay must not exceed three nights. In the rest of the sectors of the National Park, the activity is restricted to areas above certain altitude levels, establishing that overnight stays in the same sector must not exceed three nights: Añisclo: 1,650 m (Fuenblanca), Escuaín: 1,800 m (La Ralla), Pineta: 2,550 m (Above the Balcón de Pineta).
• Posets Maladeta Natural Park. Only high mountain camping is allowed within the territory of the Natural Park, at altitudes above 2000 metres.
• Alt Pirineu Natural Park. You can spend the night in the high mountains between 20 hours and 8 hours above 2000 metres. Only one night in the same location.
• Aigüestortes National Park and Sant Maurici lake. It is not allowed within the National Park.
• Pyrenees National Park. It is forbidden to camp within one hour's walk of the park boundaries. If you use a tent, it may be pitched between 9.00 and 19.00 hours.
• In other parts of the Pyrenean area it is totally forbidden, as is the case of the Cap de Creus Natural Park (in Catalonia) or the Irati Forest (Navarre)

What should you consider when bivouacking?

There are a few recommendations and tips to follow if you want to bivouac with your sleeping bag that you should not ignore:

• Look for a as flat as possibleIf possible on grass or sand. Sometimes you will have to adapt the place by removing stones, branches, etc.
• Don't wait until the last minute. If you find a suitable place in the middle of the afternoon, don't try to continue as you may end up on a rougher surface and in worse conditions.
• Watch the weatherTurn your back to the wind and if you can, protect yourself from it with natural barriers such as stones.
• If there is unevennessAlways place your head in the highest area to avoid circulatory problems and constant fighting against the sleeping bag in case of side slopes.
• Do not bivouac near ravines and cliffs.In the event of a storm, it can be a big problem.
• Look at the upper area above your head, to avoid places where branches, snow or rocks can fall.
• In winter, avoid areas of avalanches of snow and cracks.
• Do not stand near riverbeds.. This will save you from flooding in the event of a storm and in summer from the dreaded mosquitoes and other animals that come to drink.
• Look for a shady spot at dawn.
• If you already know the area, try to bivouac in the same places where you have bivouacked before and that you can find more suitable for this purpose.
• Be respectful of the environment and do not leave any residues that could give away your presence and deteriorate it.
• Take into account the regulations regulating this practice in the place where you are, as camping is prohibited in some places.