ultra lite poncho trap

[kiwihiker]

Gid' day

Has anyone used one of these??? Im really trying to cut down on pack weight for next year! I would normally carry a tarp and rain gear but im thinking about trying out the poncho, I here its great to keep ya body and pack nice and dry but on the other hand i also heard that they can be a rather pain to set up each night?? Plus sleeping in what ya wear seems a little weird......... but who knows?? they may work well???

[hopefulhiker]

Most of the thru hikers i saw used seperate rain gear and shelter but if you really want to cut the weight and you arn't too big then look at the Gatewood Cape.. not really a poncho but good if you are less than 5'10"" I think... really light weight too..

[winton sanders]

i still a nylon tarp i bought from campmor several years ago. i have used it during a 2 ft snow and a four day rain that was the aftermath of a hurricane. i have a down sleeping bag and it has never been wet. the nylon tarp weights 12 ounces coated with silicone. i will use it next feb when i start the hiking the a.t.

[bigcranky]

There's some great information over at Backpackinglight.com, but you'll need to pay for a membership to view it. I've gotten enough good info from them over the last few years that I gladly pay my renewal. If you decide to do that, just put "poncho tarp" in the search box, and then click the "technique" link.

For a good preview, check AYCE's story (http://www.thru-hiker.com/articles.asp?subcat=3&cid=80) on using a p/t on the JMT.

Poncho tarps are a popular choice for ultralight hikers -- your shelter, rain gear, and pack cover all in one, usually around 10-14 ounces, plus a couple of ounces of titanium tent stakes and spectra guy lines. This takes the place of several pounds of tent, rain shell, and rain cover. If you're already a lightweight backpacker (silnylon tarp user), it can save a pound or two. If you're a traditional backpacker, it can save as much as ten pounds.

BUT, you can also get very wet, very cold, and die. Like a lot of ultralight hiking techniques, this one takes some practice, especially in inclement conditions. Just setting up your shelter during a rain storm is an interesting exercise -- you *will* get wet doing so, so the question is, how quickly can you get set up, inside, changed into dry clothing, and in your sleeping bag? Oh, and then you need to go to the bathroom, and it's pouring rain, and you are sitting under your rain gear, all nicely staked out as a tarp.

There are answers to all these questions. The main thing is to practice, practice, practice. Think about a lightweight, water resistant wind shirt to wear when setting up and going to use the facilities. Or maybe an umbrella. With some effort, the weight savings can be considerable. There's alsop something psychologically satisfying about the sheer simplicity of a poncho tarp.

[Franco]

Ultralite poncho trap

Yes, it can be.

Honestly I have resisted posting this for days but since I am the only idiot around here, I finally gave in.

This brings me to my gripe, not being able to edit the text let alone the heading.
One of my very forgettable threads was
5Oz wood burning stove, no one replied.
So I changed that to what it was supposed to be
5 oz wood burning stove. Twice as many responded to the corrected version.

I hope that I have made my point.

Franco

[SGT Rock]

Ive done it, but not my favorite way to go. If you are going out for a few days and want to go fast and light - then you could probably hack it for a while. If you were going somewhere like the Smokies where you have to stay in the shelters on the AT but wanted some back up shelter and wanted to stay light - then you might want to go with this option. But otherwise I didn't find the weight savings worth it when it came to functionality to make it a permanent part of my packing system.

[jaiden]

Rather than discuss the merits, since I'm not experienced enough to do so, I'll just give you some ideas for choices
golite (I got mine for $30 on sale. haven't used it yet, but plan on it as a backup to my hammock, for emergencies on day hikes and for extra room. Also, I may replace the hammock tarp with it when I don't expect rain)
campmor (two choices, one is longer)
mld (cuben fiber!, or sil, looks like an above average tarp design)
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/index.php
The Packa: http://www.thepacka.com/ (don't think this will work as a shelter)
ID silponcho: http://www.integraldesigns.com
custom made: http://www.moonbowgear.com/ reviews on http://www.hikinghq.net/gear
Gatewood cape http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=45 (nice features)
Sea to summit (brand has a mixed reputation) http://www.rockcreek.com/products/listing/item4669.asp

good luck

[Newb]

I've been pondering this very subject lately. I'm rather taken with the Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape, but I'm 6 ft. tall, so it scares me. Also, I like to be sealed off from the environment, so using a poncho in anything but an emergency, or as a temp shelter in a storm, worries me. A tent I've seen that has good reviews and is super light is the Lunar Solo Enhanced ultralight tent, and thought it would be a good compliment to the Gatewood Cape.

Currently, I'm using a Eureka Spitfire UL tent, but want to get lighter. Also, I'm disenchanted with my current rain gear and want to try the ventilation offered by a poncho. I got caught in rain on Blue Mountain and even though it was chilly out I got SOAKED in sweat and ended up nearly hypothermic due to that. Stoopid Red Ledge rain jacket and Frogg toggs pants..shoulda gone naked.

[mike!]

I used a mountain laurel pro poncho for 1200 miles of AT this year, didnt have any problems at all, kept me dry and comfy while wearing and over-head. I'm 6' and really enjoyed the length, (i got it a little shorter at 8'6 length) i also used it with a light bivy which helped. the poncho tarp does take a little more caution when pitching, but you become used to it and guaging what you need to do. when i head back out next year, i'll deffinitly be using the same set-up. really enjoyed the simplicity and weight/space savings. my only complaint, was during the summer when it was raining, i didnt put on the poncho but would like to keep the backpack dry. my solution was just to put my clothes and sleeping bag in mylar turkey bags, little extra hassle but it worked fine.
mike!

[Rambler]

I used the Gatewood Cape for 10 days on the AT in TN/VA. It is an excellent shelter for one. It is roomy and closes up like a tent. It withstood some rain and winds. I do not like a poncho as my only raingear, however. I was glad to have a lightweight rain jacket,(Frogg Togg) both for warmth as a windbreaker, and to wear around camp when the poncho/tent was set up in the rain. A poncho leaves your arms exposed, even more so when cinched in to keep from flapping. I would like the Wild Oasis as my shelter and the "packa" as my rain gear.