[pct-l] Tents vs Tarps - Bivies?

[Kevin Cook]

A muddy trail is a reason to use a tent? I don't understand.

Let's leave hammocks out of the discussion. That's fine.

I always use a tarp. I've never thru hiked, but have used a tarp for about 8
years now. I've used a tent 2 times since I made the switch. Once was
camping in snow using my old 4-season Moss tent. The other time was the same
tent, but for a different reason. We had driven out to a trailhead and
wanted to get an early start in the AM. It looked like it might rain/snow,
and neither of us wanted to unpack our packs. We wanted to get up in the AM
and go, so we just put up the tent for the night. This was total car
camping, big air matress, synthetic heavy bags, etc.

What are the advantages of a tent over a tarp?

On Sun, Feb 6, 2011 at 10:16 AM, John Abela <pacificcresttrail2011 at gmail.com
> wrote:

> Well said Jeff.
>
> Let me follow that up with this:
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/abelajohnb/4619499718/
>
> Now granted, that is not the PCT, that is my own local trail. But as I made
> clear in my initial post about this, my question about tarp/tent was not
> specifically for the PCT. I was wanting to approach the topic from
> something
> that would work for a lot of people for many years, regardless of where
> they
> were. Your case, and this photo, are both answers for the "why a tent"
> question.
>
> (that said, I am not 100% advocating a tent setup. just helping to make a
> point for one side of the issue)
>
> As for "using a hammock"... yeah, I own the finest hammocks made
> (WB/HH/etc)
> and love them all... but that is just not what this discussion was about...
> :-p
>
>
>
> On Sun, Feb 6, 2011 at 8:59 AM, Jeffrey Olson <jolson at olc.edu> wrote:
>
> > You've been hiking through snow and the trail has been as much a creek
> > as a trail for days and days.  It's been beautiful, but you're tired.
> > You're making 15 miles a day and it's really tough hiking.  You come
> > down to camp below the snowline and the hatch is on.  You throw up your
> > tent in a couple minutes, get into it, kill 50 mosquitos, lie down with
> > your quilt over your legs, and fall asleep.  (This could be anywhere,
> > and snow isn't necessary.  The Three Sisters in July or August for
> example)
> >
> > Just one perspective on why some of us carry a tent.  (There are many
> > paths to the same place.)
> >
> > Jeffrey Olson
> > Martin, SD
> >
> > On 2/6/2011 9:50 AM, Kevin wrote:
> > > I just can't fathom eer using a tent Unless it was in a snowy winter
> > setting
> > >
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