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Re: [pct-l] Tents? Tarps? Bivy Sacks?



On Thu, 25 Jun 1998, Natasha Sullivan wrote:

> I was talking to someone the other day about my plans to hike the PCT in 
> the near future.  He suggested that I shouldn't take a tent if I hike 
> during the summer months, it wasn't worth the weight.  To me this seems 
> totally odd, since I've always taken a tent with me when I go 
> backpacking.  I've heard of people using tarps and bivy sacks on the 
> PCT, but wouldn't that get kind of lousy during the rain?  What about 
> mosquitoes? 

For much of California and southern Oregon, you're not likely to
encounter much rain. I made it all the way to the Columbia River with
only having been rained on once at night but that's exceptionally
lucky.

You might carry a tent from Campo until Kennedy Meadows where you'll
want to pick up your tent. As you say, you'll want it for a haven from
those awful mosquitos. Then switch back to a tarp somewhere in the
Northern Sierras like say Belden. It's a judgement call to decide
where you'll need a tent next. Play it by ear.

> If I did use a tarp, does anyone have any recommendations 
> for a size? (6' x 8' maybe?)

I found 6'x8' a little too small. 8'x8' would be about right for me.
As with everything, go experiment now to find out what will work for
you.

-Karl

*********************************************************************
Karl 'Birdman' Brandt  PCT-97, LT-any day now           (650)725-3686
http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~kbrandt/

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