[pct-l] Tents and other items

[Bob Bankhead]

Any shelter or rain gear can be damaged, whether through accident, our own foolishness, or nature dropping a limb through it. I make a habit of carrying a repair kit for all but the shortest (overnight) hikes. Just be sure your repair kit's functionality matches the type of material you may want to patch. McNett makes several different field repair kits, usually available at REI and other outdoor stores. For the Gatewood, you'll need a silnylon repair kit.

Once you set up your ponchotarp as a shelter, you have nothing left to wear if you must leave your shelter during the rain. For most three season hikes, and assuming your surroundings allow, nudity is suggested. Your skin is totally waterproof and dries quickly on a bandana upon return to your shelter. 

That said, I own a Double Rainbow and a Lunar Solo E, which I used in Yosemite last summer. As much as I like the LSE for solo trips, I'm adding a Gatewood Cape and Serenity Net Tent for next summer's JMT trek. That combination will save me 9 ounces on the shelter and another 6 oz for the rain jacket I leave home; a total of 15 ounces saved. 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Sean Carey 
  To: pct-l at backcountry.net 
  Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2008 3:03 PM
  Subject: [pct-l] Tents and other items


  After doing much more reading and research I am starting to rethink some
  things. I had been kind of set that the tent combo
   I was going to use was going to be the Serenity Net tent and the Gatewood
  cape tent and rain poncho. This looked to be a good mix and
  I also had heard it was what someone else here would use. The gatewood
  doubles up as a rain poncho so I figured I could save money on having
  to buy another rain poncho. As I am trying to do this on somewhat of a
  budget. The thing I just thought about though was what if the cape tears or
  becomes damaged in some way while I am using it as a poncho or cape as they
  call it. LOL! That would be the end of my tent and possibly my poncho/cape
  as well. Hmm. So does anyone have any suggestions for a good tent for a thru
  hiker?

  I even read somewhere about someone making a cheap tent out of tarp? I don't
  know. I know for sure after reading all of the mosquito posts that having
  something like the
  serenity net tent is a must. I just heard it mentioned that someone liked
  that combo and I thought it looked good as well.

  Thanks again.

  Sean C.