Poncho/Tarp vs. raingear

[Duff]

Talk to me about technique. I recently made the transition to SUL using a poncho/tarp/bivy combo rather than tent and raingear. Setting up in the rain with you poncho as your tarp sucks; at least I can't figure out a good method yet. I'd thought that maybe shelters might be an option when the rain got to be more than a mist, but I know how crowded they get in the early Spring. Does anybody have experience that will help me keep the poncho/tarp rather than carrying both raingear and a tarp. Just for info, I'm carrying the MLD poncho/tarp along with a Sulak46 bivy.

[10-K]

I would suggest a .99 plastic poncho from Walmart to wear while you setup your poncho tarp.

I've got a Gatewood Cape from Six Moon Designs and have ran into the same situation - it sucks to have to take off your raingear when it's pouring down rain because it's also your shelter. At least with a .99 plastic poncho you can pretend like you're staying dry and when you get into your shelter you can use it to keep out splash if your site selection is less than optimum.

Good luck!

p.s. Also, be careful not to rip your poncho/tarp on a stray limb or briars because you just put a hole in your shelter too.

[Slo-go'en]

I would recommend taking a rain jacket of some kind. This could be a nylon shell with DWR coating, which does not add much bulk or weight. A nylon shell jacket also gives you extra warmth as a vaper/wind barrier when in camp or while hiking and the poncho doesn't give you enough protection (like crossing a bald in sideways driven rain).

[ScottS]

I second the Walmart poncho.
I've only done 700 miles of the AT, but I've done it with a $1, 2oz (only 2oz after it's used, 1oz until then) Walmart poncho and it's been completely fine. It is actually my only rain gear outside of a hat I use to keep the hood on (2oz).
So for $2 and 4oz you can replace "real" raingear and pack cover. The poncho fits my pack just fine.

[bigcranky]

A hooded wind shirt like the Patagonia Houdini jacket will hold off the rain fairly well while you set up your poncho tarp as a shelter. It will eventually wet through, but you should have your technique down so that the tarp takes well under 5 minutes to set up. I find the half-pyramid pitch provides the speediest setup times and the best weather protection, as long as the wind is mostly coming from one direction and doesn't shift later.

That said, expect to get wet. Using a poncho tarp as both rain gear and shelter is a great way to really lighten one's pack, but it's not the ideal solution for all hikers or all locations. It takes a fair amount of experience and technique to pull it off well.

(The wind shirt makes a versatile layer for hiking, too. Plenty of brands and models out there, so don't choke on the Patagonia price. Or do what I did and get it on end-of-season clearance sale.)

[wwbriggs]

I have a GoLite Poncho/Tarp setup with a bivy and have the same issue. I have not found any rain gear that I don't get as wet from my sweat than if I would have just left it off. Only benefit is warmth in cool to cold weather, which I have resolved to just dry off and put on something dry after the setup party is all over. I carry an extra shirt, sox, and underwear and let the rest dry out. Look at it as a hygiene moment :0) Seriously, I am struggling with the same issues when it comes to rain and the best solution I have found so far is to go with a tarp shelter and separate buy net/bivy that I can keep in my pack and crawl into after I secure a dry spot from the rain.

I am interested in what others have to say as well.

[wwbriggs]

Another tip on wearing the poncho is to tie it at the waste with para cord or shock cord. You can put another piece, or make a strap that goes between your legs. This helps keep the poncho from blowing around and up, or down below the waste. Your still going to get wet though, just not as much, and it helps hold the heat in better.