[pct-l] Tarp vs Tarptent

[Steve McAllister]

> Bivys can be a bitch to get into and out of unless you go for a side zip.

I agree, most are and I don't mean a hardcore bivy. Something to keep
the bugs off and windblown rain/snow off and it acts as a groundcloth
as well.
I use SMD Meteor bivy. It's easy to get in and out of. I usually only
use it as a ground cloth.
Titanium Goat and others have these.
They don't weigh much more than a groundcloth, but are a godsend in
buggy or wet/windy conditions.

If you do use a bag with good DWR, you may only need a headnet and
groundcloth, but a bug bivy will be more comfy.

> I'd suggest you consider a sleeping bag (or quilt) with a microfiber outer shell to make it windproof and water-resistant. Then get the larger, 2-person tarp and skip the bivy sack entirely. The larger tarp will give you a huge sheltered area for one + gear.
>
>
> For example, using Mountain Laurel Designs, the added weight and cost to go from a 1-person tarp to the same tarp in a 2-person size is:
>
> - cuben fiber tarp adds 1.8 oz and costs $20 more
> - spintex (spinnaker) tarp adds 3.2 oz and costs $10 more
> - silnylon tarp adds 6.5 oz and costs $40 more
>
> IMO, only the silnylon tarp adds significant weight and cost, but the additions are still less than the cost and weight of a separate bivy sack.
>
> YMMV.
>
>  ----- Original Message -----
>  From: Michael Peterson
>  To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>  Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 12:30 PM
>  Subject: [pct-l] Tarp vs Tarptent
>
>
>  I am left wondering - the advocates of tarping tout the advantages (mostly
>  weight, I think, at 7-12 oz) but then add, oh yea, then there' s the bivy
>  bag (16+ oz). So, why not just go for the tarptent at 24.5 oz?
>
>  M
>
>  --
>
>  "A little learning is a dang'rous thing;
>     Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring:
>     There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
>     And drinking largely sobers us again."        -  A.Pope
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