[pct-l] Tarp use

[Andrea Dinsmore]

What would be the best tent (or tarp) for the Washington Stae area in
September and October ?

PCT MOM

On Sat, Dec 19, 2009 at 1:58 PM, Timothy Akin <timothyakin at mac.com> wrote:

>
> Here's some info on my tarp camping experience on the PCT (or a very small
> portion thereof) for anyone that may be interested.
>
> I hiked section A nobo with the herd after the 2009 Kickoff.  I used a very
> nice little tarp (1.35 SilNylon) from Mount Laurel Designs:
>
>
> http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=85&osCsid=021c170cec4961227267a2b8551d12e0
>
> I prefer to cowboy camp, but also like to stay dry.  The tarp worked
> perfectly for me, fending off the morning dew.  It was no problem setting up
> quickly even in a 20 knot wind.  With the foot end oriented into the wind,
> the tarp was very stable and with Bernoulli's Principle working for me,
> (opening at foot end much smaller than opening at head end) the wind is
> reduced to just about nothing under the tarp.
>
> In July of '09, I hiked the JMT sobo with this same tarp.  I do not regret
> my shelter choice, but there were some discomforts associated with the
> mosquitoes.  Since I carried a head net, I found the mosquitoes usually to
> be mildly entertaining as they tried to get to me in my sleeping bag. I
> called them "my little friends".  I had to play this mental game with myself
> to keep my sanity. The worst mosquitoes were at Tully Hole, where I had to
> get into my too warm sleeping bag to escape them. My body was still hot from
> hiking and my only escape was to get into my bag and tough it out with head
> net and earplugs.
>
> It was a joy for me to pack light and maximize my comfort while hiking.  Of
> course, I paid for it on occasion in camp, as I had only the bare
> necessities to be comfortable overnight.  So my advice concerning shelter
> selection would be to be honest with yourself.  Know the risks and rewards,
> then make your selection.  Know your own comfort level.
>
> In 2008, I hiked the Tahoe Rim Trail with my Henry Shires "Contrail"
> tarptent.  Weighing in at 20oz. or so was nice, but I discovered I did not
> like being zipped into a completely closed environment.  I like to drift off
> to sleep looking at the Outdoors, not a wall of fabric.  Incidentally,
> that's how I got my trail name... promoting the one true and proper
> direction to hike the TRT.  Clockwise! (as viewed from above).
>
> A quick review of my 2009 gear choices can be found here:
>
>
> http://postholer.com/journal/viewJournal.php?sid=3841fdec3041668819ce2ffbdb8f602c&entry_id=11108
>
> Tim A.
> "Clockwise"
> Placerville, CA
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-l mailing list
> Pct-l at backcountry.net
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>