[pct-l] SuperSecrets - Shelters for the 2009 Campaign

[hiker97 at aol.com]

I know thousands of hikers have been waiting for my pronouncements about shelter for the 2009 campaign.? My gear priorities in order of importance are; safety, comfort, light weight.? I guess a small ground footprint is important too when you are looking for that flat spot to set up camp.? You would be very surprised how tough this is sometimes.

I do not like to be in a nylon prison in the Great Outdoors.? That does not make any sense to me at all.? So, that takes care of about 95% of today's shelters as not being acceptable.??I have to see everything around me when I am in my shelter.? This is super neat to be with Mother Nature.

First, let me say that I think just simple cowboy style camping is best.? Just throw a blanket under a tree, roll up?and go to sleep.? Simple.? But on a long hike with weather, bugs, blowing sand, etc., etc., this might not be best.? So, now what do we do?

Getting in and out of the shelter easily is very important to me.? I have some medical issues that make entry and exit very important.? Tarps, bivys, and netting tents would meet our criteria in one fashion or another to be in the Great Outdoors and not be cut off from it in the traditional shelter.

I have?used tarps in the high mountains and do not like them.? Too much wind/rain and breezes with wind chill issues for me - too much blocking of the views. ?Bivys are very nice, but you can have a nice light one person?netting tent for about the same weight and ground footprint.? Plus, you can protect your gear better in bad weather.

So, that leaves me with a netting tent for the veiws and rainfly for the weather.? What are our options in this category?

If you are super light weight, you should consider the www.SixMoonDesigns.com Gateway Cape and the Serenity netting shelter.? The netting shelter weighs about 7.5 ounces.? No bad with a nice entry and exit door.? I think the cape weighs in at around 10 ounces for weather protection.? One thing about netting shelters is that they cut the wind down to almost nothing inside.? Very nice.? Of course, there are other places to consider netting shelter combinations like?www.mountainlaureldesigns.com.? This has some cutting edge ideas too.? 

I am currently using a MSR Hubba netting tent with rain fly at about 2.5 pounds.? Very nice too.? I have carbon fiber poles to save?weight.? See www.fibraplex.com?for big weight savings on your shelter poles.? Very cool.? Remember, that super light weight gear is delicate and you have to treat it with more respect.? That is why I like the Hubba.? It is a little more robust and I am not going on any big hikes where I would have to consider gear weight more.

Whatever you decide, just make sure you are safe in your shelter for your experience level and comfort needs.? Light weight should NOT be your first or only criteria.? This could get you into trouble, IMHO.? HYOH.

Cheers, The Switch Back