[pct-l] UL Tents

[jason moores]

Over the past six years I have learned many lessons about sleeping in the outdoors. Most of my knowledge was gleaned from other hikers and a few of the lessons I learned the old fashion way, the hard way.

My shelters have progressed from: a second hand Walrus arch- Mountain Hardware single wall-Granite Gear tarp-MSR Hubba Hubba-SMD Lunar Duo-and now a GG Spinntwin with a Granite Gear A-frame bug net(24.5oz total for two hikers); all of these are excellent shelters, but by far the most versatile is the tarp/bug net combo(also the lowest weight). 

It took a short time to learn how to utilize this combo for maximum protection from inclement weather. I stay warmer, dryer and better ventilated under my tarp than I ever was in my Hubba or Lunar. Plus, the amount of space provided far surpasses that of any lightweight tent. Gone are the sleepless nights in Washington downpours with all of our gear inside with us as we bump and elbow each other in a search of comfort. No longer do we experience the miniature snow showers of frozen condensation as we rouse ourselves in the cold mornings in the Sierra. I no longer carry a pack towel to mop up condensation in the morning. Swarms of "hell spawn" skeeters, the bug net is up in three minutes. The superior ventilation and generous space provided by a tarp nullified almost every problem that I faced sleeping in the outdoors.

In general, what I've learned is that when it comes to shelter(as with most gear choices), it's a very idiosyncratic choice. There is no single right answer for everyone. Many hikers will never feel "safe" and comfortable unless they are ensconced in a nice double-wall tent. Six years ago I was one of these hikers. I thought it foolhardy to traipse into the wild with nothing more than a half pound piece of spinnaker. Over time my comfort levels shifted as I gained more experience, living and hiking in 7 different states in the west. Like many hikers, I now prefer to cowboy camp every chance I get. The thought of spending the summer "trapped" inside a tent makes me uneasy(especially being trapped with the smells associated with long distance hiking). The freedom I experience cowboy camping is one of the magnets that keeps drawing me back to the mountains year after year. If mother nature's nocturnal creatures disturb my sleep I am able to identify the level of threat to myself or my food quickly and take appropriate action. In years past I might spend sleepless hours buttoned down in my tent questioning, "is that a bear? Sounds like a bear...maybe a deer...,"and so forth. Now, a quick flick of my headlamp reveals that it's a deer. I roll over and am back to sleep in moments- in the fresh air under a blanket of stars.

During the past two summers on the PCT my partner and I have had the privilege of befriending a hiker whose experience is unsurpassed, Billlygoat. Hiking with someone who practically lives on the long trails has been invaluable. The ease and modesty with which Billygoat dispenses his knowledge is one of his most endearing qualities. In an early discussion with the "goat man" I pressed him for the secrets of his success on the trail: how do you get your pack weight so low, what do you eat, gear recommendations and such. One of the most memorable things that he told me was this: " The more that you hike, the less that you need." The saying that you pack for your fears rings loudly in this statement. I immediately realized that many of my gear choices over the years had naturally followed this logic. On my first section hike in '06 my base weight was in excess of 30lbs(70+ total). Four years and 8,000 miles later, it hovers around 8lbs.

My point is this: pack within your comfort/knowledge zone. If you have never spent long periods of time on a trail with ultra-lite gear, walking off the border with a shiny new ultra-lite rig, the newest "gram weeny" friendly cuban fiber shelter and esbit stove may sound like a good idea. But without the knowledge of how to uttilize your gear you are asking for grief. It would be better to start you hike with slightly heavier gear(shelter) and some money in your pocket. As the miles tick by you'll be exposed to every conceivable shelter option out there. When the time is right, fork out the cash for the shelter that suites your hiking style.

Jackass
(who has diarrhea of the keyboard today)