View Full Version : Tent or no tent?
My question's in the title!
thanks
Your title is ambiguous.
If you mean hiking with NO shelter, then... I would have to say that you are an idiot. Not only that, but an unnecessary strain on the more prepared hikers you will be sharing the trail with.
I hope that answers your question.
Maybe you should start out with a tarp and switch to a tent or add a bug bivy when the bugs come out to play.
Egads
You most definitely need to have a shelter with you of some sort, be it hammock, tent, tarp or bivy. It's not unusual at all to find shelters full, so to expect others already in the shelter to accomodate your lack of preparation is a big, fat no-no, an unspeakable taboo. :eek: Also, there may be times when you have to stop somewhere short of a shelter for whatever reason. If you do, you'll need somewhere to sleep for the night or to ride out a storm or what have you. Bottom line? Be prepared and take a shelter of some sort. :D
My question's in the title!
thanks
A "carried shelter"; tent,tarp,etc is essential.
ok so i'll take a shelter of some kind - but should it be a tarp or a tent
there's a new question for you :)
and thanks 4 the replies
ok so i'll take a shelter of some kind - but should it be a tarp or a tent
there's a new question for you :)
and thanks 4 the repliesIt's all a matter of personal preference, really. A tarp will be lighter, but a tent will provide better bug protection when you need it. Likewise, a tent will provide better protection from the elements. Of course, there's always the hammock idea. :D
Lone Wolf
02-29-2008, 07:00
tent for sure
tent for sureOr a hammock. Either way. :D http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/ad/poke.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)
yeah i like the look of these hammocks - are they sturdy enough/ apparently they can be bad for your back over long periods of time??
ok so i'll take a shelter of some kind - but should it be a tarp or a tent
there's a new question for you :)
and thanks 4 the replies
Best thing to do is see which one you will adapt to best. If your going soon, IMO, get a tent then graduate to the tarp-hammock-bivy. You will see so many different set-ups and ways to do it while your out there. Once you gained the knowledge of the how to and the involvement of each you can decide whats best for you.
This is of course unless you now have the time and resources to try all the methods out you wish to.
yeah i like the look of these hammocks - are they sturdy enough/ apparently they can be bad for your back over long periods of time??Yes thay are sturdy enough. No, when used correctly they are not bad for your back. If you want to know more, go to WB's sister site, Hammock Forums (http://www.hammockforums.net). When you sign up, tell 'em Hooch sent ya!:D
sixhusbands
02-29-2008, 07:51
take a tent and you will be gald you did when it rains ... and it will rain!
Take a hammock with the right rain tarp and you won't get wet, either. Especially from below. :D
Frolicking Dinosaurs
02-29-2008, 08:01
I'm assuming given your location you are more accustomed to the European style of hiking where Inns are accessible pretty much every day. This is not the case on the AT. The shelters are actually more like open carriage sheds and only hold 8 to 16 hikers - They are often full and you must sleep out.
If you are trying to avoid excessive weight while still having adequate protection from the elements, I would suggest using a silnylon tarp (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=88643) (305 x 244 centimeters - weighs 397 grams) plus a no-u-see-um bug net tent (http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=55)
If you prefer at single unit set-up, look at the tarptents from one of these manufacturers:
Henry Shires Tarptents (http://www.tarptent.com/products.html)
Ron Moak Six Moon Designs (http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=11&cat=Shelters)
George Andrews Antigravity Gear (http://www.antigravitygear.com/categories.php?cat=64)
FallGirl
02-29-2008, 08:18
It's all a matter of personal preference, really. A tarp will be lighter, but a tent will provide better bug protection when you need it. Likewise, a tent will provide better protection from the elements. Of course, there's always the hammock idea. :D
Sometimes you need more than bug protection. There's nothing like waking up at 3 in the morning with a muskrat in your face. I was all for light, but I now consider the extra pound for my tent a must. Love nature, but don't want to cuddle with all of it.
jersey joe
02-29-2008, 08:25
Sometimes you need more than bug protection.
Go with a tent. Worth the extra weight. I have woken up several times with slugs all over my tent... better than all over my face!
Sometimes you need more than bug protection. There's nothing like waking up at 3 in the morning with a muskrat in your face. I was all for light, but I now consider the extra pound for my tent a must. Love nature, but don't want to cuddle with all of it.
A Muskrat :eek:
FallGirl
02-29-2008, 08:32
It's all a matter of personal preference, really. A tarp will be lighter, but a tent will provide better bug protection when you need it. Likewise, a tent will provide better protection from the elements. Of course, there's always the hammock idea. :D
A Muskrat :eek:
Yea. A muskrat! Even though they are pretty ugly...I think my face scared the rat more than his did mine. Not sure what that says :rolleyes:. I do have to say, I am very proud that I was able to hold in what would normally have been a very girlie scream. GO WITH THE TENT.
I am very proud that I was able to hold in what would normally have been a very girlie scream. .
Thats a good thing, that could o turned out to be trail-name material. ;)
_terrapin_
02-29-2008, 09:00
tarps require skill. tents far less so. tarptents are single-walled, light tents. you must carry some sort of shelter.
Footslogger
02-29-2008, 09:03
My question's in the title!
thanks
=================================
Like others have said ...TAKE A SHELTER OF SOME SORT
If you are concerned about carrying something you MIGHT not use then just carry a 1lb or less tarp.
'Slogger
Time To Fly 97
02-29-2008, 09:15
Tarps are awesome - you can fall asleep watching the rain or a sunset, you are cool in the summer and they are super light weight. I think you miss out on some things with tents because you are inside the "bubble." I feel the same way about all the other posts saying that you need something. I would add that you will miss out big time by not having the flexibility to camp at that beautiful overlook or by that brook in the pines. This is part of the experience - don't miss out!
Happy hiking!
Time To Fly 97
jersey joe
02-29-2008, 09:32
Tarps are awesome - you can fall asleep watching the rain or a sunset, you are cool in the summer and they are super light weight. I think you miss out on some things with tents because you are inside the "bubble."
Time To Fly 97
I wouldn't use those as reasons for bringing a tarp. You can leave the fly off your tent and see a sunset or be cool in summer. I would however consider a tarp for it's weight advantages.
sparky2000
02-29-2008, 09:48
You can set up the tent/tarp/poncho and sleep outside on the ridge, etc. If uncumfy later, you've got the back up waiting.
sparky2000
02-29-2008, 09:54
My second night out on the AT I thru down the sleeping bag by a stream. Slept great. With time, I've learned to distrust Shelter Life - rats, bears, and other unfriendly hungry animals.
Figure out your shelter - it's your hike!
cannonball
02-29-2008, 10:01
yeah i like the look of these hammocks - are they sturdy enough/ apparently they can be bad for your back over long periods of time??
Not only your back but your reputation will be damaged as well.:D
dessertrat
02-29-2008, 11:23
If all else fails, and you are in an area where the shelters have a picnic table, take along two survival blankets, and lay down on one blanket underneath the picnic table and put the other over the picnic table if it rains. People in the shelter might kill you if you make too much noise, though.
Sometimes you need more than bug protection. There's nothing like waking up at 3 in the morning with a muskrat in your face. I was all for light, but I now consider the extra pound for my tent a must. Love nature, but don't want to cuddle with all of it.Don't tell me you didn't see this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lbh9c0noR4s) coming. :D
Blissful
02-29-2008, 12:58
Tarps are fine under certain conditions, but I would not use a tarp in Massachusetts with the mosquitoes....
LIhikers
02-29-2008, 12:59
ok so i'll take a shelter of some kind - but should it be a tarp or a tent
Yes, it should be a tarp or a tent. :-?
Don't tell me you didn't see this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lbh9c0noR4s) coming. :D
I DID think about that eariler,Hooch. However, I was able to hold back. LOL
:D
My new trail name . . . "Uses-tent-cause-no-sleeps-with-snakes." :D he he, better than Dances-with-wolves! :D
I DID think about that eariler,Hooch. However, I was able to hold back. LOL
:DIt's all in good fun, nothing personal against anyone. :D
not at all, its all about when something like that gets "floated out there" LOL
Time To Fly 97
02-29-2008, 15:46
Tarps are fine under certain conditions, but I would not use a tarp in Massachusetts with the mosquitoes....
This is good point. Bugs can be a problem with a tarp. I ended up ordering one of those hanging mesquito nets for a 1 person cot from Campmor. I tied this to my hiking poles (which I used as poles for my tarp), underneath the tarp each night. This worked well and weighed almost nothing. I remember having to be careful with this because it was fragile though (velcro, boots, etc). I didn't need it long as temps at night dropped and bugs weren't a problem.
Happy hiking!
Time To Fly 97
Tent for the start - it's warmer than a tarp or hammock.
Large tarp with some bug protection in warmer months, or a hammock with a large tarp.
shelterbuilder
03-01-2008, 09:12
Tarps are fine under certain conditions, but I would not use a tarp in Massachusetts with the mosquitoes....
If you can sew (or know someone who can), get some no-see-em netting, a strong zipper, and some waterproof nylon. Cut a piece of the nylon a little bigger than your sleeping pad, cut the netting to make a "tent" of sorts, and add the zipper along one side, betwen the netting and the nylon., add a loop to suspend the netting over your head, and viola: bug net tent. It weighs next to nothing, compresses WAY down, and when used in conjunction with a tarp can give you the best of both the tent and the tarp.
FallGirl
03-01-2008, 10:09
Don't tell me you didn't see this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lbh9c0noR4s) coming. :D
Holy cow was that funny. That was awesome. Scary, but awesome.
Nearly Normal
03-01-2008, 10:22
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=33127
My middle-age bones prefer the hammock and its the only way I can get good sleep when its warm in the woods. If you outfit it with a good tarp and underquilt, you're set for any weather. Don't be psyched out by the info overload on different configurations.
If you're younger, then you may not mind laying on flat hard ground, especially if you plan on staying in some of the shelters, which is the flattest and hardest. Personally, I would hate to be lugging around a tent to then go stay in a shelter. I'd probably rather go with a tarp and bivy which should be lighter overall, especially since the bivy would allow for a lighter rated sleeping bag.
mkmangold
03-01-2008, 22:05
Afore I go and get a hammock, can someone answer these questions? I'm sure I can find the answers if I searched the fora but I just need brief answers:
1. How can you guarantee you will have two supports to swing from?
2. Are those supports always or usually trees (I'm thinking maybe one end could be a shelter wall or something)?
3. How can you be sure the supports will be the right distance apart?
4. If you can't find two supports the right distance apart, what then?
5. Do you have to screw or drill into living trees?:confused:
Afore I go and get a hammock, can someone answer these questions? I'm sure I can find the answers if I searched the fora but I just need brief answers:
1. How can you guarantee you will have two supports to swing from?
2. Are those supports always or usually trees (I'm thinking maybe one end could be a shelter wall or something)?
3. How can you be sure the supports will be the right distance apart?
4. If you can't find two supports the right distance apart, what then?
5. Do you have to screw or drill into living trees?:confused:
Hammockforums (http://www.hammockforums.net/)
Afore I go and get a hammock, can someone answer these questions? I'm sure I can find the answers if I searched the fora but I just need brief answers:
1. How can you guarantee you will have two supports to swing from?
2. Are those supports always or usually trees (I'm thinking maybe one end could be a shelter wall or something)?
3. How can you be sure the supports will be the right distance apart?
4. If you can't find two supports the right distance apart, what then?
5. Do you have to screw or drill into living trees?:confused:
1) Hike where there are trees. This isn't a problem on the AT, generally.
2) Your supports for your hammock are usually trees, but I've seen several pictures of people hanging their hammocks in shelters. By the way, this isn't kosher wih other people actually in the shelter.
3) Generally, you'll probably need supports about 14' apart, but this isn't set in stone. A good, easily adjustable suspension system on your hammock will help this problem.
4) It won't be a problem.
5) No.
For anything you want to know about hammocks, go to HammockForums (http://www.hammockforums.net). It's a sister site to WhiteBlaze and contains about anything you want to know about hammocking. If you have a question, search the archive or ask in the forum, there are plenty of folks there to answer. Just tell 'em Hooch sent ya! :D
Tipi Walter
03-02-2008, 08:52
My shelter of choice is a good 4 season tent. It can be placed nearly anywhere there's a small open space including cold and windy open balds, and is not peculiar in regards to frigid temps and high, whipping winds.
Hammocks are subject to failure/discomfort in blizzards and high winds. Just Jeff on his website wrote of such a mishap: "I was warm, but the wind was blowing snow onto my PeaPod from underneath and also kept changing directions and blowing snow in from both ends . . . not good in these temps and gusts. If I stayed here, I would be wet soon. After 45 minutes or so, I decided to bail and went into Patrick's GoLite Hex tent."
http://tothewoods.net/GearTests.html
(Go to Cold Weather Tests, Winnemucca, California)
And Dorn, on a canoe trip, said: "Disaster struck at 2 am. I was awoken by a load ripping noice and then a "thunk". I found myself partially on the ground with my feet about 2' higher than my head."
"It seems my jungle hammock ripped . . ."
http://www.canoe-suwannee.com/trip.htm
And then there's Michele on Hammockforums: "The wind is our enemy when hammocking in cold weather."
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=240
And Joe Martinez says: "I woke up around 7:45 am and it was raining. One side of the rain fly had come loose during the night and some rain had leaked into the hammock . . . I packed everything up wet(not very fun)."
http://coestatepark.com/trip_reports_3.htm
And fnally, Squilax reports: "Sometime during the night, the cords on my hammock stretched on one side and I found myself lying towards one edge of the hammock instead of comfortably snuggled in the center. Fortunately, my hammock has sewn-in bug netting, so I didn't fall out. Unfortunately though, the side that had loosened during the night was opposite the side from where the opening was."
"When I awoke to the sounds of everyone having breakfast, I tried to get out of the hammock, but kept rolling backwards away from the opening. After struggling, but before taking out my knife to cut myself loose, I was finally able to roll up and out."
http://www.webackpack.com/Trips/tripreport.php?id=12
Since this is tent related, and for some reason I can't post a new thread here, I have looked at the
REI Quarter Dome T1 and have found it to be a shelter for people under 6' and very thin. I'm 5'11" (barely) and 210 lbs. I had 6" to spare when touching one end, and my shoulders, without a sleeping bag, touched each side of the bathtub floor - not good when you get condensation on the inside of the sides of the floor. Brilliant pole design, solid construction, ventilation, and light weight are plusses. That, and it's freestanding at roughly 3lbs.
OK, I don't like that Tipi pulled some quotes out of context to make his point seem more serious than it is. However, cold (not wind) is an issue for even a properly outfitted hammock, although it is not overcomeable (Bushism?). Its just more complex that having a tent, plopping down a pad and crawling into a sleeping bag. This is the best thing about a tent - its simple - and it sounds like to me that a tent is the best way to go for you right now.
Here's one thing I will offer, though. Tents absolutely SUCK when its warm out, and hammocks absolutely ROCK. If you're inclined to get into hammocking full bore, you won't be sorry.
Oh, and yes, you need trees to hammock, but if there are no trees, you still have the tarp to work with.
earlyriser26
03-03-2008, 10:17
Tent. I've tried both and given that you never know what you are going to get go with the sure thing.
hnryclay
03-03-2008, 10:29
Since this is tent related, and for some reason I can't post a new thread here, I have looked at the
REI Quarter Dome T1 and have found it to be a shelter for people under 6' and very thin. I'm 5'11" (barely) and 210 lbs. I had 6" to spare when touching one end, and my shoulders, without a sleeping bag, touched each side of the bathtub floor - not good when you get condensation on the inside of the sides of the floor. Brilliant pole design, solid construction, ventilation, and light weight are plusses. That, and it's freestanding at roughly 3lbs.
I use the REI Half Dome 2 , it is large enough for me, my pack, and all my gear. This weekend it stood up to 2-3 inches of snow-ice, and 20 mph winds on the bald at Massey's Gap. It is heavy at 5 lbs with rainfly, ground sheet, and stuff sacks, but it also kept me warm and dry. For me that is worth the weight, esspecially when it is cold, and you are camping on snow. BTW I am a fairly large guy 205 lbs 6' and I have plenty of room. Total set up time for this style of tent is about 5mins. Which is great if you have to stop in a storm.
booney_1
03-03-2008, 17:29
I don't think anyone has made this point yet...but if you need to stay in a shelter you will lose a lot of flexibility when hiking. There will be many days you get to a shelter with plenty of day light left. You could walk a few more miles...but not 8. Also there will be days with bad weather or minor injuries when you don't cover as much ground, and you want to stop and camp...but the shelter is miles away.
Everyone has made good points...but in NC you don't need bug protection till the middle of may (you should be near Damascus by then).So you could use a simple tarp till then, then afterwards use something with bug protection.
The point's been made, but shelters can really get crowded at certain times and places.
Have a good hike...
cannonball
03-03-2008, 17:54
Afore I go and get a hammock, can someone answer these questions? I'm sure I can find the answers if I searched the fora but I just need brief answers:
1. How can you guarantee you will have two supports to swing from?
2. Are those supports always or usually trees (I'm thinking maybe one end could be a shelter wall or something)?
3. How can you be sure the supports will be the right distance apart?
4. If you can't find two supports the right distance apart, what then?
5. Do you have to screw or drill into living trees?:confused:
The mere thought of considering a hamock has your hrad swimming. Life is short, get a tent.:o