[pct-l] Tents vs Tarps - Bivies?

[giniajim]

I used to enjoy tent-less camping in the Sierras years ago.  But I'm now mostly using a tent.  Bivys are too confining.  The tent I've used the last three years (Sierra Designs) weighs 61.5 ounces, complete weight including a 6.8 ounce "footprint".  I've got a new Henry Shires Tarptent, 25.1 ounces (without a footprint/ground sheet) but haven't had a chance to try it out yet.  I've done some camping with a tarp, but I'm pretty leery of blowing rain and mosquitoes and no-see-ums.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jeffrey Olson 
  Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net 
  Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2011 12:44 PM
  Subject: Re: [pct-l] Tents vs Tarps - Bivies?


  Hey!

  I'm not arguing.  I've used different tarps, from a tube tent to an old 
  north face fly, to a silnylon tarp.  I simply prefer a tent - and 24 oz 
  for the tent is weight worth it to me to carry.  As I said - different 
  strokes for different folks.  I simply don't see there is a right or 
  wrong here.

  Jeff...

  On 2/6/11 10:14 AM, Kevin Cook wrote:
  > You're saying you prefer a tent, but I'm not clear why. My tarp has 
  > bug netting, so I can escape bugs too. Is it ease of setup? A tarp 
  > does require stakes, but it only takes me a couple minute to setup my 
  > tarp.
  >
  > One thing to keep in mind is I also use a hammock. I don't have to 
  > find that perfect piece of ground to set a tent on either. I just need 
  > 2 tres 13-20 feet apart ;)
  >
  > On Sun, Feb 6, 2011 at 9:59 AM, Jeffrey Olson <jolson at olc.edu 
  > <mailto:jolson at olc.edu>> wrote:
  >
  >     You've been hiking through snow and the trail has been as much a creek
  >     as a trail for days and days.  It's been beautiful, but you're tired.
  >     You're making 15 miles a day and it's really tough hiking.  You come
  >     down to camp below the snowline and the hatch is on.  You throw up
  >     your
  >     tent in a couple minutes, get into it, kill 50 mosquitos, lie down
  >     with
  >     your quilt over your legs, and fall asleep.  (This could be anywhere,
  >     and snow isn't necessary.  The Three Sisters in July or August for
  >     example)
  >
  >     Just one perspective on why some of us carry a tent.  (There are many
  >     paths to the same place.)
  >
  >     Jeffrey Olson
  >     Martin, SD
  >
  >     On 2/6/2011 9:50 AM, Kevin wrote:
  >     > I just can't fathom eer using a tent Unless it was in a snowy
  >     winter setting
  >     >
  >
  >