[pct-l] Tents....I know, I know, beating a dead horse

[Stephen]

Uh, how much star graizing can one do sleeping?  I've been thinking 
tart/tent for a while, but I like my Mobasa net that I hang over my poles or 
with string from trees etc...  This gives me a nice bug free room that I can 
rig my tarp over.  If it's raining as it was in the Sierra on a couple 
outings this last season, I rig the tarp first and the net underneath after 
cooking a meal.  But this system seems fine for my more relaxed photo 
outings when I try to get to a location early enough to rest a bit after 
hauling camera gear.  I'm not so sure about wanting to do too much rigging 
after a twenty five mile day on the trail.  Esspecially if continuing on 
'til dark after supper break somewhere back along the trail.   Thus the 
tarp/tent seems a good idea, just plant two poles or a quick line from a 
branch and maybe push in a couple stakes and bed time. I used a bivy for 
many years in the Sierra and now favor the tarp asthe extra sit up room is 
way more user friendly.  the nice thing about the bivy is the added warmth, 
which I don't see as a necessity unless hanging aroung up in the barren 
rocks or around tarn lakes like I was doing a lot where all I need is a 
space large enough to lie down, and sometimes barely.  In consistent rain a 
bivy can ruin a good time.
So back to tarp/tenting.  Light, simple set up as  the bug netting is always 
attached.  I haven't ordered any material yet as I am still contemplating 
modified designs.  At this point I am thinking to have netting along the 
under side of the front half of the tarp so I can fold it back and will have 
grommets tosupport thefron oif the enclosure and thereby add your 
stargazing, better ventilation and if damp out can simply set up as the 
regular tarp tent.  Even this, or some variation may end up seeming too 
involved, or too hard to get in and out.  I'm used to having to crawl 
underneath the net anyway, so my net will just be a drape held down withgear 
and or a couple handy rocks, and a couple string ties if Iwant it up.
So the things I am focussing on are:
Very light weight
Bug free enclosure (bathtub if you don't like ants)
Simple quick set up (means can be done easily when exhausted, in rain, or in 
the dark)
Can safely cook within
Will go the distance
Stargazing is last on the list but that sleeping out under the stars thing 
is worth consideration.
I'm sure on bug free nice nights I'd just throw down on top of the ground 
sheat and shelter.
That's my two cents...

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bradley Issler" <bradley.issler at gmail.com>
To: "PCT-1" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 11:11 AM
Subject: [pct-l] Tents....I know, I know, beating a dead horse


> Sorry for bringing this topic up again as I know it has been exhausted to
> the extreme.....like most other topics.  However, I have been doing my
> research, going back and forth trying to decide on what kind of shelter to
> buy and I am still undecided.  The following are the features I would like
> to have for my shelter:
>
> Lightweight (obviously).  Preferably around 24oz. or less like the 
> contrail
> tarptent, which does not have the next feature I really want:
> Ability to be used as just the net without the fly
> Bathtub floor
>
> I am 6'1' and will have trekking poles to use for my shelter.
>
> So, I am heavily leaning towards the contrail, or the sublite, except that
> you can't use either without the rain fly to stargaze on nice nights while
> keeping out pesky insects etc..
> I am also considering the gatewood cape/serenity net combo.  This seems 
> like
> a good option, even though I don't think I would use the cape as a poncho.
>
> If anyone has any advice, and recommendations for a net/tarp combo I would
> sure appreciate it.  Again, sorry for the redundancy.
>
> Can't wait to start this adventure already.  See y'all on the trail.
>
> Brad.
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-l mailing list
> Pct-l at backcountry.net
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l