Tarps in New Hampshire

imported
#1

I’ve been hiking the AT for a few years now and have “only” 400 miles to go. I use a very lightweight 8’ x 8’ tarp which I string between 2 trees. I’d hate to have to start tenting again (tents give no view,are heavy, take up too much room in pack, etc). However, I’m finding that tent platforms seem to be the rule in New England due to the lack of flat ground. I can’t use tent platforms with my ultrasimplistic tarp set-up method. Are there any tentsites on the AT in NH where a poor, tired hiker could string up a tarp and sleep on the ground or is it simply too rocky and steep? (I really don’t like the shelters but hope to use some huts in order to save on the weight of food.) Two Hats.

Two Hats

#2

Last year coming into the Franconna notch area there was a trap setup. It didn’t seem to be much problem but I only hiked that area.

use to be YANG

#3

If you carry treking poles and extra cord, you should be able to set up a tarp on a tent platform. There are generally eye bolts around the sides of the platform to tie off to. Legal campsites without platforms are hard to find, but read the rules (no camping within 1/4 mile of established sites and huts, etc) and plan ahead so you’re not on steep terrain near or above treeline at the end of the day.

DebW

#4

Well, Deb, I gotta take exception to your use of words.

True, there are several sites in the Whites where there are tent platforms. But, if you ask, most caretakers know of a nearby overflow site that does not have platforms. And these sites are perfectly legal. They just don’t have a composting privy, water source, and caretaker to look after them.

But, you are right, know the rules, and plan accordingly.

Peaks

#5

You can easily set up a tarp on the platforms using trekking poles or just start looking for usable sticks about an hour or so before you expect to make camp. The trail has what you need if you look!

yo-yo

#6

I never had a problem anywhere and in any weather… been in a tarp in minus 40 degree weather… on platforms use you poles thru the grommets on each end. and tie the corners down to the platform… aswah… once in whites I had to use five boulders on one end to keep it from flying away… ciao

Aswah

#7

If you plan ahead, there are a number of good and legal stealth sites, but as Peaks said, ya gotta stay 200 feet from water, the Trail, etc. Research it. They’re out there. And some damn fine ones, too.

Cap’n

#8

Congratulations! Only 400 miles to go!

I’ve been camping under tarps for more than 30 years. We also have tent platforms in some of our AT campsites in Connecticut and Massachusetts. I carry an extra 30 feet of line to augment my regular 30-foot light nylon ridgeline. When I choose to set up on a tent platform I run both lines between trees as an extra long ridgeline, then position my tarp on the platform. I also carry about 6 2-foot lengths of nylon line to replace stakes and tie off my tarp to the tent platform. I don’t use hiking poles. They weren’t invented when I began hiking (during the Stone Age). I’m chucking it all away and thru-hiking this year and I’m taking a bivy tent rather than a tarp for the express purpose of escaping the bugs. I realize that I can’t pass through bug season in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont without sleeping. Otherwise, I’m much happier in a tarp.

The Walking Stomach

#9

Thank you all for your as-always sage and practical advice. Aswah, I love your 5-boulder story. Once in Georgia, my tarp blew out twice and I finally just wrapped myself in it and went peacefully to sleep. A guy from California told me this is called the burrito pitch.
Two Hats

Two Hats