What kind of shelter do you carry/

[jima59]

I'm interested in knowing what type of shelter did you carry on your last AT trip, and why. I'm leaning toward a tarptent with netting for bug protection.

Jimajax

[Joey C]

There are tons of answers for this, as everyone has their own preference. It's all in what you want. There are a lot of tarptent users, and there are those that would never ever use a tarptent. Collecting opinions would be very diverse. That being said, and since you asked:

In the past I've used the 6 Moon Designs Wild Oasis. 13 oz tarp with bug protection.

Currently, I'm using a Cuben fiber tarp from Z-packs.com with my GT Ultralight hammock. 10.75 oz hammokc, 7 oz tarp.

[garlic08]

My Tarptent Contrail worked fine for me on my AT thru.

I saw a higher percentage of tarptents on the Western trails than I did on the AT, for some reason.

[Rick500]

Tarptent Moment. I'm thinking about the whole hammock thing though.

[Chubbs4U]

Im also looking into a single person option. Curious were this goes.

[Leanthree]

I saw a higher percentage of tarptents on the Western trails than I did on the AT, for some reason.

A possible explanation:

The major Tarptent weakness is condensation which is less of a problem at altitude. Higher altitudes (generally) out west.

[Bucherm]

SD Vaporlight 2

[Hikes in Rain]

Been using a cheap 8 x 10 tarp. I did receive a North Face Canyonlands one man tent as a gift a few years back, and haven't had the opportunity to use it. Set it up in the yard yesterday afternoon, and it's got a lot of features I like. It's no longer made, and a little heavy and bulky, but a lot larger inside that I would have guessed. I can sit up in it, room at the head, foot and sides for stuff, and even a little vestibule, probably just big enough for my boots. Seriously considering taking it on my next trip.

[Spokes]

In 2009 I carried an MSR Hubba HP. I recently swapped that out for a Six Moon Design Lunar Solo.

[Red Hat]

Used a tarptent in 08, but had problems finding campsite in Maine with all the camp groups. I switched to a hammock and haven't looked back since. My thru last year I used a Warbonnet hammock with a speer winter tarp. Fantastic!

[Stir Fry]

Hammock with a tarp. After years of tenting I discovered Hammocking and I wont sleep on the ground again unless no other options.

[Stir Fry]

There are tons of answers for this, as everyone has their own preference. It's all in what you want. There are a lot of tarptent users, and there are those that would never ever use a tarptent. Collecting opinions would be very diverse. That being said, and since you asked:

In the past I've used the 6 Moon Designs Wild Oasis. 13 oz tarp with bug protection.

Currently, I'm using a Cuben fiber tarp from Z-packs.com with my GT Ultralight hammock. 10.75 oz hammokc, 7 oz tarp.

I'm thinking about making a cuben tarp and was wondering about the noise leval in the rain.

[Raul Perez]

Blackbird hammock, OES MacCat Deluxe Tarp

[tiquer]

Taking my Tarp Tent, Sub-lite Sil in 12 days.
It will be my first time with a single wall tent, so learning to manage any condensation will be fun.

[Old Hiker]

Clark Jungle hammock - tropical with extra large fly. Several years old - 5? 6? Would buy again in a heartbeat.

[Tenderheart]

I used an Integral Designs silicone-impregnated tarp. Just a plain 8x10 tarp, no frills. I will use it again when I leave in April for my second thru hike. Hope it and I make it.

litefoot 2000

[BradMT]

Just a plain 8x10 tarp

Same here... that was in 1977.

[Tenderheart]

Been using a cheap 8 x 10 tarp. I did receive a North Face Canyonlands one man tent as a gift a few years back, and haven't had the opportunity to use it. Set it up in the yard yesterday afternoon, and it's got a lot of features I like. It's no longer made, and a little heavy and bulky, but a lot larger inside that I would have guessed. I can sit up in it, room at the head, foot and sides for stuff, and even a little vestibule, probably just big enough for my boots. Seriously considering taking it on my next trip.

I bought a cheap tarp and carried it on a few trips. Worked fine. I was in a very cold Low Gap shelter covered up in the tarp when a woman asked what a former thru hiker was doing with such a cheap tarp. What could I say? I hiked with lots of guys who had Canyonlands. Great thing was only one pole. These older tents are great and in many cases better than their new counterparts. Case in point is the little Clip CD from Sierra Designs.

litefoot 2000

[sbhikes]

I used a Gossamer Gear One on the PCT but I think if I was hiking the AT I'd bring my 8x10 tarp and bug net. There's a lot more humidity on the AT.

[RETCW4]

Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1.

Tumbleweed