[pct-l] Different Mountains

[rmoak@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Ronald Moak)]

Tom writes >> We disagree about tents vs tarps. [Well known]

However [less well known] we also disagree about the relative weights of
tents versus tarps. My Stephenson 2RS tent is seriously mountain worthy and
weighs 3# 3oz. My Tacoma-for-Two tarp tent weighs 2# 5oz. A simple tarp,
groundcloth for two that did not provide any bug protection would weigh
about 1# 10oz. The difference for two is 1# 8oz. <<

Tom,

We really don't disagree all that much on tarps and tents. And it's
difficult to disagree on weights unless our scales are really far off.
Weight is weight and talking about it doesn't change things.

I merely state that you should understand the fundamental differences in
both systems in order to make a valued judgment about which is best for your
needs. I don't discount tents. If I did I certainly wouldn't have spent so
much time and money over the last year developing one.

In fact I've just finished a new design that's a true 2 person tent with
great interior space and ventilation all in the same weight class as the
Europa.

As to tarps and tents, you can be equally comfortable in either. You may
need to slightly alter you hiking style to accommodate the differences, but
that's hardly a monumental obstacle to overcome. All of us vary our hiking
styles by the packs we choose, the food we eat, etc.

I'm working on an article entitled "Focus on Maximizing Your Experience Not
Minimizing Your Weight". In it I go into great detail about defining your
hike not by your gear but by the experience you're trying to achieve. Your
gear is only a tool to helping you enjoy the experience. Bad gear = bad
experience no matter if your going ultralight or heavy. However, bad gear
can only be defined as to whether it enhances or diminishes the experience.

If you and I disagree on anything it's in that we are looking for a
different experience. If you think about it that's really not something we
can disagree on. You are looking for your nirvana moment as I am mine. Some
times our experiences will overlap and other times they will diverge.

The core of a lot of gear arguments is an attempt to overlay or force one's
experience on another. In general I don't believe its done out of malice or
spite. In fact it's just the opposite. Like missionaries with unbounded
zeal, we want others to enjoy what we've seen.

We've been to the mountain top and want others to follow. Too often we fail
to realize that the top of their mountain may be different from our own.

I'll see you on the summit, or maybe not.

- -Fallingwater