I don't know if Brian is specifically marketing them yet....some at HF got in on a test run last year. An email to OES would confirm.
Start out slow, then slow down.
good to know. i'm currently weighing (get it) my options b/t the MLD and zpacks tarp. will shoot brian an email to see if he gets into the running...
" It's what people know about themselves inside that makes 'em afraid." ~Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
Best single person option is a full size, two person, free standing tent. I am sure plenty will think otherwise. Try them all and see what works for you.
There are so many miles and so many mountains between here and there that it is hardly worth thinking about
it varies. I have a Henry Shire tarptent (old Squall2) that works great for 2 people, I also have some hammocks that we use.
Conquest: It is not the Mountain we conquer but Ourselves
I didn't read everyone's responses just gonna give my 2 cents worth.
The hennessy hammock(backpacker asym) 1lb the whole AT on my 2008 thru hike and did well with it, the weight is right and the pack size is perfect. On that note Hammocks are tricky to use and there are problems to deal with.
In 2010 I Thru hiked the PCT with the Contrail Tarptent and still have and use it. I just spent the night in a Blizzard in it and it is still kickin. The Contrail is about 1.5 lbs has a bottom and bug net. Even slept two a ton on the PCT (my girl for 5 weeks and my buddy for a week). I think this is one of the best shelters for a thru hiker hands down.
Both choices are under 200 bucks retail and will last the whole trail if you take care of it.
Peace,
Chiefdaddy
AT 2008, PCT 2010
Hwy chiefdaddy, you did the AT when I did the PCT, and you did the PCT when I did the AT. I'm on the CDT this coming year going SOBO; I suppose that means that you'll be walking north? :-)
Okay, original thread question: I started on the AT last year with a Gatewood cape and light bivy, slept always in shelters though for the first several weeks. With an early start (February) and lots of blowdowns to slither through, the cape worried me as rain protection, so I switched to a normal rain coat and carried my Tarptent Contrail for the rest of the trip. Still slept mostly in shelters; with an early start on the AT, the PCT was a far more "social" trail for me !
I'm getting one of those lightheart solo tents in cuben for the CDT; if doing the AT again, I'd definitely go for that.
Really, all sorts of options will work. I would encourage folks to err on the light side rather than the "maximally comfortable in camp" side of the equation and just make do when conditions aren't optimal. Having all of those shelters certainly helps. My hiking partner for most of the AT had a SMD Wild Oasis, which was an even better choice given that --- again --- we slept mostly in shelters. So he had a lighter "tent that was rarely used".
Obviously the shelter use dynamic is a bit different if you start in April rather than February. Still --- err on the light side and spend your time hiking the trail and not sitting around inside a tent.
Gadget
PCT: 2008 NOBO, AT: 2010 NOBO, CDT: 2011 SOBO
I use the SMD Lunar solo and the Lunar Duo when my wife is with me, the only downside (not a downside for me) is that they are not free standing.
Squall 2 or double Rainbow when 2 are hiking.
Gatewood cape for solo work.
Eureka Spitfire 1, I am 6'2" and 225 and had plenty of room.
TT Contrail-worked great in hot and cold....
I just picked up a Gatewood cape the other day and am going to take it out on an overnighter tomorrow. It's supposed to rain and this'll be the first time I've been out with a floorless shelter too.Originally Posted by RockDoc
Worse case I'll get soaked but I should only be about 5 hours from my truck.
Dumped my tarp for a Lightheart Solo and have never regretted it.
Everyone who hikes with me ends up wanting one when they see the room, the view, and the ease of set up. No poles, cept for the hiking poles. If ya dont use hiking poles, this wont work.
I use a cabelas XPG ultralight 2-person tent plenty of room, nice venting, and under 5-pounds. nice tent ...
big agnes fly creek ul2. 2lbs, 4oz, plenty of room for one. Not completely free standing, but easy enough to stake out, sets up quick.
MSR Carbon Reflex - basically a non-free standing Hubba with carbon poles
I got my hybrid Lightheart solo in the mail. Upper is cuben, the floor is sil-nylon, I got dual side doors and the awning option on one side. Total weight is 19.7 oz, without stakes or groundcloth; this does include all needed cord (included) and a cuben fabric stuff sack.
Thus far I've only had it up in my backyard, but it seems very nice; looking forward to a shakedown trip using this tent sometime in May or so.
Perhaps I should mention that this isn't white cuben, it's colored, a sort of green that I quite like. With the black sil-nylon floor I think the whole thing looks pretty good too, and fairly ~subtle.
Gadget
PCT: 2008 NOBO, AT: 2010 NOBO, CDT: 2011 SOBO
I usually hang a Hennessy Backpacker UL at a little under two pounds packed. When it's too cold to hang (don't have the winter gear yet) I use the Eureka Solitaire, it's a little bit of a pain to set up, but it's sturdy and roomy inside for the 2.9lb weight of the thing.
Not all those who wander are lost.
Gatewood Cape and NetTent for if/when de bugs be out. NetTent can be set up inside shelters without Gatewood if you like as well.
"Keep it light" . . . . . . QiWiz (aka Qi Wiz)
Check out the lightest cathole trowels, wood burning stoves, windscreens,
cooking options, and buck saws on the planet @ www.QiWiz.net
I had a Eureka Solitaire, and every single pole segment broke. If you like this tent, get the Canadian version. It has 7000 series aluminum poles, and a few other differences. The poles from the Canadian version can easily be made to work with the American version. Also, if you get the Canadian version, use the seamseal, and spray it with waterproofer.
The only thing I don't like about both versions is that there is no vestibule. I wouldn't want a large vestibule. I just want a place to store my shoes next to my tent without getting too much dirt in my tent.
BottleStoves.com alcohol stoves $7 or $8
I have several different tents and they all condensate if it's warmer in the tent than outside...laws of physics!...just wipe it off in the morning before packing up.
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