Mummery Tent

[johndavidjr]

Does anybody know where one might find images, design specs, etc?

 

I've got a book that says it was manufactured, in some form, until 1968. I don't remember it.

 

"Until the 1950s it was virtually emblematic of high-altitude camps" according to author Mike Parsons who was, or perhaps is, head of Karrimor (English gear maker).

 

Was designed by Mummery in late 1880s and in oiled silk weighed less than two pounds. He used it on Naga P & elsewhere.

[DPS]

Try Walmart.

[ryanb]

I got intrigued and did some digging on google books:

 

http://books.google.com/books?id=9AIFAAAAYAAJ&dq=MUMMERY%20TENT&pg=PA63#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

A floor-less tent that used old school long ice axes as poles. A black diamond beta light would probably be the modern version but I don't think nomics are going to cut it as poles.

[johndavidjr]

The Mummery Tent, in some form, was used by a number of the British Everest expeditions of the 20s & 30s, by Mummery on Nanga Parbat, & in Caucasus, and by many, or perhaps nearly all, of the best English climbers from 1890s, supposedly to 1950s.

 

Wondered if REI or Camp & Trails, etc., ever imported this item.

 

4x6 feet, pup tent configuration, except it had low walls. Under two pounds. Floorless. Many variations.

 

Is open question whether a contemporary Wal-Mart pup tent offers superior performance.

 

They are comparable in a number of respects.

 

Borrowed "Invisible on Everest" (Parsons, Rose) regarding history of mainly British gear. Well worth a look, but didn't give good sense of what the stuff was like.

Edited April 10, 2011 by johndavidjr