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Re: [AT-L] Freestanding tent or not?
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>>...What about the tent platforms in the Whites?...
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>We used a trail tarp on both the AT and the PCT.
>I am convinced that (given enough #18 braided nylon string and lots of
>imagination) a trail tarp can be set up anywhere...from alpine tundra to
>abandoned fire tower to the top of a flooded hostel picnic table!
>y'all come,
>Charlie II
>charlie2@ro.com Huntsville,Al
Thanks for your reply, Charlie. Alway enjoy your posts and trail wisdom.
Unfortunately, I'm not ingenious or patient enough to rig a tarp. I usually
get in after dark, find a place with trees too far apart, or big, unmoveable
rocks where I do find trees close together. I know a tarp is a purist thing
as well as the lightest way to go, but I think I'll stick with my tent right
now. I believe the debate is down to staked tents are the lightest, but
slightly inconvenient in certain places and free-standing tents are very
convenient, but slightly heavier. Weekenders and section hikers can get away
with the extra weight, but I would think if I were doing the entire AT or a
really big chunk of it at once, I'd go with the lightest possible tent to
save my chewed up knees.
What do you do about no-see-ums, mosquitoes, black flies, chiggers, nasty
spiders, scorpians, and other creeping annoyances when a tarp is your only
shelter?
Pete
Peter H. Fornof
athiker@plantnet.com
broknspoke@aol.com