View Full Version : Tent for Section Hike
I am section hiking in NC/Tenn for three weeks at the beginning of June. I was wondering what your thoughts were on tents/tarps. I want to purchase a one man tent but would like some suggestions. Also, I like ultra lite stuff!! Thanks.
hikerjohnd
03-17-2005, 13:24
I personally do not like bugs - and June can be buggy in that area. I'd go with something fully enclosed and I like my Tarptent by Henry Shires (http://www.tarptent.com/products.html). I have the Virga, but I've seen several single hikers carrying the Squall model. Both are super light for a fully enclosed space.
minnesotasmith
03-17-2005, 13:29
I've ordered a Virga myself, with beak and floor.
I am section hiking in NC/Tenn for three weeks at the beginning of June. I was wondering what your thoughts were on tents/tarps. I want to purchase a one man tent but would like some suggestions. Also, I like ultra lite stuff!! Thanks.
IF you've been looking @ Ultra-Lite gear...you know you're gonna have to spend the BIG $$$....
go with a double wall (no rain fly needed) single or double tent...
mine, a Kelty Dart-2 (they dont make it anymore)just under 3 lbs, is single wall with mesh openings...its done me fine!
i also have bought an EL CHEEPO TexSport Knollwood Bivy (http://www.texsport.net/acatalog/Knollwood_Bivy_Shelter_Tent.html) TWO man tent for my wife...& have used it several times...
TARPS???? not fer me.
see ya'll out there...APR 28-May 20 Hot Springs,NC to Pearisburg,VA
I personally enjoy tarps and tarp like shelters. You can always use a bug bivy underneath to protect you from pesky insects. If you have a fully enclosed bivy, or bug bivy, you do not need a ground cloth. You can also use an ultralight ground cloth, like sil-nylon or tyvek, and use a headnet for bugs. There are a few floorless tarp shelters that extend all the way to the ground to provide complete rain protection, such as the Integral Designs Sil-Shelter, GoLite Trig, LW-Gear's one pound tent, etc... If you chose the path of tent camping, there are a good handful of light, well made one man tents. The MSR Hubba, Henry Shire's Tarptent Virga and Squall, Mountain Hardwear PCT, Sierra Design's Light Year, Six Moon Design's Lunar Solo, Marmot Eos, REI Roadster, Alps Mountaineering Taurus 1, etc... So, get on the internet, do your research, figure out what you want based on your own cofort and pack weight levels and have fun!
:banana
BookBurner
03-19-2005, 21:21
I just got back from Springer and had a great trip, as always, with one of Henry Shires' tarptents - the Virga. Light, roomy, and bug resistant. What else could you ask for. A little bit of an eave on the sides might lessen rain splash. But now I'm just being picky. Do yourself a favor and check one out!
-- BookBurner
www.enlightenedthruhiker.com
trailfinder
03-24-2005, 13:09
Obviously the one wall tents/shelters are lighter; however, I prefer a one man two wall tent. There are many one man two wall tents that are under 4 lbs.
Kerosene
03-24-2005, 14:02
I just got back from Springer and had a great trip, as always, with one of Henry Shires' tarptents - the Virga. Light, roomy, and bug resistant. What else could you ask for. A little bit of an eave on the sides might lessen rain splash. But now I'm just being picky. Do yourself a favor and check one out!The Virga's lack of a side eave is the reason I went with the Six Moon Design Europa II. Otherwise they are very similar tents.
Tim Rich
03-24-2005, 14:10
I use an OR Advance Bivy Shelter on my hikes, but I split time between it and shelters. There's only enough room for me, my boots, clothing and very few other small items. I believe it's 1 lb. 10 ounces.
I have a Eureka Gossamer that weighs about a pound and a half with gutter nails used instead of tent spikes.
bulldog49
03-24-2005, 17:59
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=40000000226&storeId=226&categoryId=17305&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=250
Campmor has some good deals you might want to consider. The MH PCT 1 at $109 looks like a great deal.
Homemade tarp ($10 of nylon and my wife's sowing), a used bivy about $25 and a ground sheet is what I used in July a few years ago around Mt Rogers. It was the lightes setup I'v used (and bug proof). I would still use it but like the versatility and comfort of my Hen. Hammock (a little more $ and weight).
Have fun.
i heard the North Face Particle 13 tents are pretty nice. that's what i'm considering for my section hike in July.