View Full Version : Help with shelter choice! SMD/TARPTENT/HAMMOCK?
Cgconrad
09-18-2013, 07:15
I've narrowed it down to either a SMD lunar solo or a Tarptent Contrail, or maybe a DIY hammock. Doing a section hike on the gsmnp area of the AT in a few weeks and I'm trying to go lighter then my current set up(4lbs). Let me you what you think!
Studlintsean
09-18-2013, 08:11
It's all personal preference but I don't think you can find many (if any) poor reviews on either tents. I own the contrail and love it.
HooKooDooKu
09-18-2013, 09:05
When hiking the AT in GSMNP, you don't really have much of a shelter choice... the Park regulations require you sleep in the trail shelters. There are exceptions for registered thru hikers IF the shelter is full. Otherwise, tents are not allowed at shelters, and Park regulations treat hammocks like a tent. So for hiking the AT in GSMNP, there's only three reasons to carry any shelter:
1. Emergencies
2. In case a shelter is full
3. You plan to stay at camp site #113 (the 1st site coming into the Park from Fontana), the one camp site in GSMNP on the AT that isn't a shelter.
Gambit McCrae
09-18-2013, 10:15
What HooKooDooKu said :/ And If you use the shelters dont be suprised if you find little buddies(mice) in your backpack or burried up in your nice down sleeping back cause that love them lol
Cgconrad
09-18-2013, 11:22
Location aside, will be used for rest of my AT sections as well. Leaning towards the SMD.
Slo-go'en
09-18-2013, 11:47
I love my new SMD skyscape Trekker.
Likeapuma
09-18-2013, 13:08
A hammock might carry a slight weight penalty, but the increased comfort is well worth it to many
Hill Ape
09-18-2013, 13:40
a hammock is a personal choice, people either seem to love them with religious fervor, or not like them much. I am in the tent camp. I love my new SMD Trekker, it replaced an old TarpTent Virga (basically the same as the Contrail) Both are high quality tents, with outstanding attention to detail, and both companies are a pleasure to deal with. My issue with hammocks is all the components involved; top quilt, bottom quilt, tarp, ropes and carabiners, etc. I like simplicity and ease
broken arrow
09-19-2013, 05:31
hammock. good day.
ezdoesit
09-19-2013, 13:05
Hammock anytime-:)
No experience with the Contrail but I love my Tarptent Notch. And Tarptent is a top-notch (pun intended) company.