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Re: [AT-L] down & going tentless

Charlie Thorpe wrote:

  Never had any problem with
> rain or wind (will get into various pitches and the mod's I made to my
> tarp, if interested).

Yes please.....more info.
Been going tentless all summer but got severly soaked in a bad T-storm.
I'm at the point now, or rather the weather is to the point now that
I __have__ to decide whether to get a tent or a much better bag.
Any input would be greatly appreachiated.	Kahley
> 
> The PCT is made for tarps <g>.  In fact, we didn't even bother to pitch the
> tarp most of the time.  The nights are cool enough to allow you to mummy up
> and wear a headnet when the mosquitoes are out (Oregon).
> 
> Critters (scorpions to snakes to mini-bears to skunks to feral dogs to
> bears) didn't seem to be any more of a problem to tarpers than they were to
> tenters.  I really enjoy sleeping out where I can watch the sky, feel the
> breeze, and wake up with the false dawn.  I must admit that I never did
> much like eating all those dehydrated foods, feeling my gut rumble, passing
> more gas than I ever have in my total years on this planet, and THEN zip
> myself up in a little almost air- tight envelope and SLEEP with it...
> 
> There is a downside to using a tarp.  If you are not going to carry poles
> (I didn't), you either need to find something to substitute for them or
> camp where you can tie to trees/rocks.  You can get wet where you brush
> against the tarp while it is raining.  You need to pitch the tarp so that
> you have plenty of moving around room (no problem if you have some way to
> hold it up).  I carried a walking stick on the AT and used it many a time
> as part of a two-stick pitch (when hiking with someone else) or a one-stick
> pitch (solo).  My preference is to have plenty of trees to choose from -
> the pitch is both simpler and quicker.  The biggest challenge is to pitch a
> tarp in the middle of a big flat rock!
> 
> My tarp setup (10'X10' tarp, little bag of #18 braided nylon string, small
> mosquito net, and end panels) weighs a smidgen under two pounds.  It sleeps
> two with no problem (plenty of room to hang clothes, cook, and stash packs)
> and three if friendly.  I have slept four under it in a drizzle-type rain.
> Quite often, rainy-day tenters will come over and visit with me while they
> cook (I collect my fee with my spoon...<g>).
> 
> I started using a tarp for four reasons.  The first was because I was going
> out with groups of kids (Scouts) and I liked to be able to stay aware of
> all that would be happening in the camp throughout the night.  The second
> was because I really liked the feeling of openness I got when using a tarp.
> The third was because I enjoyed the challenge of figuring out how to pitch
> the blasted thing in the many different situations I seemed to find myself
> in.  The fourth was because I was (and am!) a lazy sot...
> 
> y'all come,
>             Charlie II
> 
> charlie2@ro.com    Huntsville,Al
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