Originally Posted by
Dogwood
A bivy adds warmth to the sleep system. My MLD Superlight's w/ the .75 DCF and ProSilny floor versions have added about 7-8* when side zipped up. If you have experience and understanding in how to add warmth to the sleep system in other ways you may not need an accurately rated 20* quilt or sleeping bag for a typical early April NOBO start. BUT, that temp rated quilt enables you to never have to change out if you want. BUT, at that temp rating it adds sleep system warmth and wt overkill which sounds like you're trying to minimize.
I'd throw out the poncho for the start. It will not be used/worn as a clothing shell necessity often. It gets breezy. It does not rain heavily during you're start. It's HOT during the day. Can be cold at freezing a few nights in April in the Mojave. It doesnt do great at adding sleep system warmth if worn to sleep or draped over a bag/quilt or used as a ground cloth. Therefore it becomes a heavy ground cloth for the Hex TENT. You do not need a bathtub floor for the Mojave, through Cali, much of OR but might like it in WA if you dilly-dally. Some like it for sand protection in soCal. IMHO it's overkill. A capable experienced PCT tarper does not need a great coverage(sized) tarp...especially if you have the MLD Superlight. The vast majority of PCT NOBO thru camp time you will have the option to cowboy. It helps to understand site selection. Therefore the overhead shelter wt largely becomes added wt not being used IF you choose the cowboy option. You dont need a Supertarp AND Superlight for a NOBO start with OK site selection on a windy sand blown night. Go polycro. Have an extra that can be sent. Most PCTers have more evolved lighter wt and lower bulk kits than AT thrus. Strayed's Monster is quite the aberration! The NOBO good SoCal weather and your gained experience at logistics and going Solo does not demand a Duplex at the start...perhaps if you had a dog or another in your party?
Hex .51 DCF tarp or a flat or cat cuben or silny solo sized tarp at the start. It can be left un set up the vast majority of nights with a Superlight. When the skeeters hit cha in OR and southern WA think addressing increased bug pressure. the Superlight floor is your ground cloth. Personally, I'd do a lighter DCF cat or flat tarp then the Hex .51 TENT IF I was carrying the Superlight. If I fit under it I'd be doing a .51 Hex Pocket tarp with the Superlight and swapping out the 20* quilt for a 50* non hydrophobic 900 fp down SUL quilt once past Yosemite. I'd be going UL to SUL and bagging 35 MPD avgs. Helps to offset the water carrying too. With the .51 Pocket Tarp I'd have careful site and equalized tension selection. What's the use of having a WR bivy and an undersized tarp when the tarp doesnt offer the coverage one might need in WA?
the MB Tachyon version with the underarm mesh vents can be ideal for your shell at the start or an UL highly breathable true rain jacket in the 6 oz category w pit zips that serves as both a light rain jacket and "wind shirt." I would not carry both unless you're doing it for something to do with your sleep system, night hiking a lot, or are willing to suck up the ozs for the very rare PCT NOBO April Socal times it MIGHT be useful. That double layering shell system would possibly be more appropriate in WA doing a moderately paced NOBO.