Resupply in the early months

imported
#21

The Clip Flashlight is a popular tent that has been around for a number of years. It’s probably a good choice from that standpoint.

But, you should consider weight, size, and cost. Before buying, go to your local outfitter and try on different tents. Put a pad inside, and spread out a sleeping bag. Then try to bring in all the gear you want to bring inside. Do things fit, or not? How hard is it to get in and out? Is there enough headroom for you? How are you going to cook on a rainy night? etc.

Myself, I like the Walrus (now MSR) Zoid. The weight is good, it’s big enough for one. My gear stays outside, and with the side zipper, I can reach everywhere inside without crawling in.

Food bag? I recommend a nylon stuff sack.

Peaks

#22

damn good tent. quick and easy set up. under 3lbs. side entrance. LOTS of mesh.

Lone Wolf

#23

For what its worth, my vote is not to take a tent at all. Save weight and save the hassle. Take a groundcloth and, if you really can’t stand it, take a rain tarp. (I sent my rain tarp home last time.) In three thru hikes, I have had perhaps 15-20 rainy nights. In every case except one, when it rained I slept in a shelter with no hassle. That one bad time worked out OK too. On the good nights, sleeping out on a tarp works great. Some folks worry about bugs, but I have had only one night when they really got to me – in Massachusetts near Jug End. Sometimes I used bug dope, but always I slept.

Old Man

#24

Old Man’s post illustrates how there are very few absolutes when it comes to thru-hiking!

With 3 thru-hikes, he clearly knows what he’s doing, but what works for him, or me, or anyone else for that matter, may not be the best choice for the next guy.

Myself, I slept best out in the woods instead of in the shelters. I spend plenty of nights sleeping out under-the-stars without tent or tarp, but for me I wouldn’t do a thru-hike without carrying some type of rain and bug shelter.

Personally, I got rain on plenty of nights to justify my Sil-shelter, and I dealt with mosquitos, ticks, ants, slugs, spiders, knats etc enough to make me glad I had a Bug Bivy along to keep them off of me on those many buggy nights.

I’ve owned 2 Clip Flashlights and a Superflash, and these tents are popular for good reason. Like some of these veterans have pointed out, though, for lone hikers there may be lighter options, and you’ll probably want to check them out.

I’m looking at sewing bug netting and a floor to the inside of my sil-shelter.

Colter

Colter

#25

The conventional wisdom along the trail is to carry a tent or other shelter of some sort. The good reasons outweight the savings in weight. Colter was glad he carried a Sil-shelter. I used my tent much more than I originally planned.

Peaks

#26

Besides, if you start in the crowd or just want to get away from a stalker, camp on a ridge, it’s nice to have something. I hate snoring, nuff said.

B+B

#27

I love my CD Clip Flashlight. But my wife thru-hiked with me. If I were solo, I would use the sil tarp with bugnet and floor (21 oz) from Moonbow. I saw their set up in Glencliff, and hiked with Sunrise and Sunset who used there tent and it worked great. I think they’re on the Net, and they had a booth at Trail Days this year.

Papa Smurf

#28

Back when I used a tent, I loved my Clip Flashlight. Then when I read Beyond BAckpacking (Jardine’s book), I went to a tarp. I liked it because it was roomier, dryer, and it saved weight. Now I use neither – and am even lighter and still happy. The moral is that they all work. So, go with what pleases you.

I do have one suggestion: for those with just a bit of sewing skill, it is easy to make a good lightweight tarp. Saves money! Jardine has a good design, or you can wing it.

Old Man

#29

Joe, I own a NF Canyonlands’ & agree with the B’s that it’s a great solo tent for quality, roominess, and ease of set-up. Also, check out the Eureka Solitaire, good quality for the money. Around $65 (Canyonlands is around $180) and weighs about a pound less than the Canyonlands. Packs smaller too. You lose some floor space, but may be worth the lighter weight to you. My buddy used one our last section hike, and I wanted to trade because of the weight difference. Check out tent comparisons at TheTentStore.com

Peep

#30

Here’s a helpful link: http://www.backpacking.net/geartent-chart.html
There is a comparison matrix there.

I used a Coleman INYO, weighs 4 lbs. I like it alot, but
there are some lighter tents out there. The more I hiked, the
more I tented.(mostly 'cause I hate flying critters)

Lighter is better.
Scamp

Scamp

#31

My wife and I have been section hiking AT since '73. We carried a tent the first year and since then have just used a tarp (originally the tent fly). Even in cold and wet we’ve been able to manage with only a few soggy nights (which we’ve also experienced car camping with a tent!). It’s amusing how the tent vs tarp discussion is now such a big deal. I’ll go with the lighter. When we expect bugs we carry mosquito nets. Just get out and do it!

turtle

#32

My wife and I have been section hiking AT since '73. We carried a tent the first year and since then have just used a tarp (originally the tent fly). Even in cold and wet we’ve been able to manage with only a few soggy nights (which we’ve also experienced car camping with a tent!). It’s amusing how the tent vs tarp discussion is now such a big deal. I’ll go with the lighter. When we expect bugs we carry mosquito nets. Just get out and do it! I hiked at Philmont in early 60’s with a tarp and a pack frame. It all works.

turtle

#33

When we got near Shaw’s last year we passed a group from town and one woman had a Camp Trails external frame pack that I swear I owned in the early 70’s. That gold nylon with the cool cutmemetal buckle. When you bend over it pinches the crap out of your belly button. She loved it. I shivered. We’ve learned a lot haven’t we? Or forgotten?

Bushwhack

#34

Bushwhack,

While on your thru-hike, I’m sure that you noticed a variety of gear, as did I. Some have new gear, and others have old gear. Typically, unless it’s worn out, we tend to continue to use the same old gear year in and year out. So, I’m not surprised to see 30 year old gear on the Trail. And, I suspect that the 30 year old camp trails pack is probably as light, if not lighter than many of the newer packs being used.

For what it’s worth, my thru-hike was an excuse to update a lot of my old gear, such as an old camp trail pack frame that was drilled out to hang an old REI bag on, and I tied a hip belt on to it also.

Peaks

#35

I like how that hip belt made me bleed. We made it Neels gap before replacing everything almost. We tried to use some older gear that we knew get trashed but it was to heavy. Three layer Gortex from Lands End etc. My 5lb Nikon. Missed that though. I only took six months to get everything I love and will never part with. Anyone want to offer me anything for 6300cube Gregory Massif? Used it for a bivy sac once.

Bushwhack

#36

You made me laugh!

I’m gearing up to continue my hike next year. Got new shorts
and looking at a new pack (ULA has a 37oz. internal frame one).
My old Camp Trails Astral tore just before I left the trail, and
it’s lighter than most REI/Campmor models, so I might repair
it this winter. Can I get a new mesh backband? (it’s frayed)
Also replaced a couple sports bottles with the 1.8l Platypus
Hoser.
Hopefully I’ll get my weight down a few pounds by cutting many ounces. Have definite ideas on what I can leave behind
since they were of little/no use this year. 30# plus food
and water is OK, but 25# plus is better!
Scamp

Scamp

#37

Sooo you don’t want my 7 1/2 pound pack then? Only use a few times.

Bushwhack