View Full Version : A tent for July-August on the AT
Hello All
I decided to take a whole month off this summer (mid july to mid august) to do a section of the AT. I'm very excited about it but don't have much experience so I'll appreciate any tips and help you can offer. I'm starting to gather all my equipment. Since I'm working with a limited budget I was thinking to get the "REI Half Dome 2 Plus Tent" (http://www.rei.com/product/794296/rei-half-dome-2-plus-tent). I'm looking for a 2 person tent cause I'm a big guy 6,2 and I like the space and don't mind carrying an extra pound in order to be comfortable during the month of living in this tent. All the 300$ (and up) priced tents are a little over my budget. I'm starting in NY/CT border and heading north so anything you can tell me about the condition I should expect would be most appreciated ! I'm sure I'll be posting a few more questions in the next few days as I gather the equipment so far I have a backpack and cat stove (tuna can to be exact) not a whole lot but a start :) thx in advance
BTW any suggestions for a sleeping bag/pad (do I need a liner, or anything else in this department ? ) would be appreciated. thank u
Odd Man Out
06-26-2012, 21:02
There are some options from the cottage industry tent makers for two person tents for less than $300. Some for less than the REI Half Dome that will save you a couple of pounds off your back. Have you looked at these?
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?85162-list-of-cottage-industry-manufacturers-updated
There are some options from the cottage industry tent makers for two person tents for less than $300. Some for less than the REI Half Dome that will save you a couple of pounds off your back. Have you looked at these?
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?85162-list-of-cottage-industry-manufacturers-updated
THX for the quick reply OddMan ! I really appreciate it but there's just so many websites on the list you mentioned with so much equipment and other things besides the shelters that I just find it more confusing/overwhelming. I really don't have a clue what I need exactly for this trip. I was hoping for a simple advices from people who hiked this area, around that time of the year (or other areas with similar conditions). Ideally, I want to hear about specific shelters that people use and find to be great for the conditions ! (and within the budget)
again, thx
ScouterDave
06-27-2012, 07:56
A buddy picked this up earlier this spring. I used it last month and had a good time. Plenty of room for 1 person and it has a huge gear loft up front. Also, the fly can be rolled up and guyed out if the weather's nice to get some good ventilation during the warmer nights.
Mountain Hardwear Lightwedge 2 (http://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Hardwear-Lightwedge-Backpacking-Tent/dp/B004NHT6XS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340797909&sr=8-1&keywords=mountain+hardwear+lightwedge+2)
Monkeywrench
06-27-2012, 10:04
I'm a big guy 6,2 and I like the space and don't mind carrying an extra pound in order to be comfortable...
6lb 5oz is a bit more than an extra pound. That's a lot of tent weight for one person!
Monkeywrench
06-27-2012, 10:11
Take a look at this: http://www.lightheartgear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13
Sleeps hikers up to 6'8", costs < $300, weighs < 2 lbs.
Here you go: http://www.tarptent.com/rainbow.html
Tarptent Rainbow. $245 Weight 2 lb 2 oz <includes stakes, most tent makers to NOT include stakes in weight>
Freestanding or you can stake it down and pretty much bombproof.
moongoddess
06-27-2012, 14:35
I'll second the suggestion to look at the Tarptent Rainbow; it's a fantastic tent. I'd also suggest seeing of you could pick up a Lightheart SoLong 6 (http://www.lightheartgear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=&products_id=13&zenid=4275d6795dfee92e0c783599be5dcc1c), as it's specifically designed for tall people. Unfortunately Lightheart Gear is closed for the summer, but you might find a used SoLong 6 for sale on the various backpacking websites gear forums. Yet another roomy lightweight and very large alternative would be the Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo - the Explorer version if you can afford it, or the Outfitter version if you need something a bit cheaper (http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/tents.html).
Any of those three tents would be quite a bit lighter than the REI Half Dome T2 Plus, but every bit as comfortable.
WIAPilot
06-27-2012, 14:43
I would recommend the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1 or UL2.
I used the Mormot EOS 1 person light just under two lbs, plenty of room for gear and still be able to sit up and do whatever you got to do, and a Vestibule for all your wet gear.
thx all. I ended up getting the tarptent squall 2. can't wait to get it !
I'm trying to figure out now the sleeping bag ..
Since I'm working with a limited budget I was thinking to get the "REI Half Dome 2 Plus Tent" (http://www.rei.com/product/794296/rei-half-dome-2-plus-tent). I'm looking for a 2 person tent cause I'm a big guy 6,2 and I like the space and don't mind carrying an extra pound in order to be comfortable during the month of living in this tent.
That thing's more than an extra pound :S
That time of year you won't need too much in the way of a bag, this is what I used http://www.rei.com/product/830841/lafuma-manor-extreme-600-45-sleeping-bag-2012-special-buy You could get a sleeping bag half that weight not for that price. Other schemes I've seen involved fleece blankets or even baby quilts.
Here's a cheap, comfy, light sleeping pad. If it doesn't look big enough, check the others at REI outlet, they have the square version of that pad and prolite both in long.
http://www.rei.com/product/834367/big-agnes-iron-mountain-mummy-sleeping-pad-regular-special-buy
If you use a water bladder I'm a big fan of putting this filter inline.
http://www.rei.com/product/801824/sawyer-3-way-inline-water-filter
If you use a water bladder I'm a big fan of putting this filter inline.
http://www.rei.com/product/801824/sawyer-3-way-inline-water-filter
Can you offer more info on the filter? I have used Ceramic filters, Iodine, and Steripen. Any information you can give will be helpful. Thanks!
Thx Bucho
It would be amazing to find a bag at that price but I'm not a fan of the mummy ( I like to have enough feet room) and really prefer the rectangle shaped ones that has the L shape zipper. I understand that I probably don't need more than a 40degree bag for this area (CT, MA, VT) that time of the year and I'm not sure if its better to get something cheaper just for this trip or to invest more (the most I can go is probably 200$ but I prefer not to get there) and get something that I'll be able to use also on future trips for colder weather (at least fall/spring). I'm also not sure what's better down or synthetic ? any tips would be most appreciated. thx
BTW Already got the sleeping pad (Big Agnes rectangular shape), and going with aquamira drops for my water.
BTW Already got the sleeping pad (Big Agnes rectangular shape), and going with aquamira drops for my water.
Cool, and the tent you ended up picking was a popular choice last year so I suspect you'll be happier with it than what you started off the thread looking at.
It would be amazing to find a bag at that price but I'm not a fan of the mummy ( I like to have enough feet room) and really prefer the rectangle shaped ones that has the L shape zipper. I understand that I probably don't need more than a 40degree bag for this area (CT, MA, VT) that time of the year and I'm not sure if its better to get something cheaper just for this trip or to invest more (the most I can go is probably 200$ but I prefer not to get there) and get something that I'll be able to use also on future trips for colder weather (at least fall/spring). I'm also not sure what's better down or synthetic ?
Well if you want something fancy you could spend $200+ on a down quilt or down blanket or make one yourself for cheaper but a friend of mine used a spiderman fleece blanket she found at goodwill last year, so you really don't need much. Also when you're pondering whether you want something just for summer vs. a 2 or maybe even 3 season solution keep in mind that it's not just a matter of extra weight, too much can end up being too hot to comfortably use.
When it comes to down vs. synthetic I'm sure you could run a search and find plenty of argument threads. Long story short, I'll just say down is better. Some worry because down looses it's ability to provide warnth when wet but you can get down with a water repellent coating (look up dridown) which addresses that achilles heel.
Can you offer more info on the filter? I have used Ceramic filters, Iodine, and Steripen. Any information you can give will be helpful. Thanks!
There are several recent threads on the sawyer 3 way, it uses hollow fiber which is a next gen filter technology that's extremely light and can be cleaned by running water the other way which gives it a much longer lifespan. Hollow fiber is being used in a number of different ways:
http://www.campmor.com/platypus-cleanstream-gravity-filter-system.shtml?source=CI&ci_sku=67065&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}
http://www.rei.com/product/767564/msr-hyperflow-water-filter
http://www.rei.com/product/837824/sawyer-squeeze-water-filter
http://www.rei.com/product/801824/sawyer-3-way-inline-water-filter
I'm a fan of the inline setup for single thru hikers because of the light weight and ease of use. Here's a picture:
When I was a solo hiker I used it inline so that it filtered water as I drank it while hiking. In my opinion using it that way is faster, easier and no heavier than using Aqua Mira.
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