[pct-l] tarp/poncho

[verber at gmail.com (Mark Verber)]

> Just wondering any of you have used any of the tarp/ponchos out there

I used one of Brawney's extended poncho / tarps for a couple of year along
california sections of the PCT (and a few other places).  Years ago I used
an a coated nylon poncho for a couple of seasons.

> add netting

I don't think you would want to add netting to the poncho... cause it would
get in the way when you were wearing it. I used an A16 bug bivy and loved
it.

>  realize there is one from golite, integral designs, sixmoon designs, and
more...

A lot of the poncho/tarps are pretty much the same. There is slight
variation in material which might save you a few ounces.  Some are hoodless
which lets you wear a rain hat.  I would have prefered one of these... but
really the only significant difference between the high quality poncho/tarps
is size.

My experience suggests bigger ponchos are better.  It is nice to have a
poncho that easily fits over the pack will still providing protection, and
the extra protection from a larger tarp is a very nice.  But even the
largest typical poncho/tarp is too small to give adaquate protection in a
real storm.  If you are facing serious weather you have to use a bivy or you
are going to end up wet.  If you are using a quilt and the bivy is part of
your system, then this most likely works well.  But if you are using a more
traditional sleeping bag, then you are carrying around extra weight because
your tarp isn't big enough.  I think it would be better to have a tarp which
is large enough.

I have used ponchos in a flying diamond, classic A, and as a lean-to.  I
liked using the flying diamond (if poncho was big enough and wind was from
mostly one direction).  The lean-to worked well if the wind was from one
direction.  If the wind was highly variable the A was the best compromise.
There are lots of interesting tarp pitches which aren't really possible with
a poncho/tarp because they are just too small.

I haven't used Ron's new cape/tarp, but it looks like the right idea to me.
A tarp which is large enough that it can provide full protection.  It looks
to be approx the same size as the gossamer gear spinnshelter which I have
been happily using in all sorts of weather without a bivy.

Personally, I don't like ponchos are rain gear, which is why I switched from
a poncho/tarp to a light tarp + rain gear.

--Mark