To bring a tent…to not bring a tent.
What’s the verdict?
winnie6381
Tent? - Appalachian Trail
system
#3
I personally think it’s foolish to go on an overnight hike without some kind of shelter, never mind a long distance hike, yes even the AT where there are numerous roads. There aren’t always bailout points at the exact spot where an injury might occur - having nothing forces you to get to a shelter and then forces you to be inside a shelter that could be full.
I may have misread the question too-is the question whether to bring a tent vs. another kind of shelter? or no shelter at all?
Bluebearee
system
#4
I agree shelter of some kind is a need.
I use a bivy - Light, Warm, in cold weather can be used in or out of shelter without using up shelter space. Can be too warm for summer but still available for emergency.
Lilac
system
#5
You should always bring some form of shelter with you. The choices include tent, tarp, bivy and hammock. I wouldn’t expect to rely exclusively on shelters.
Peaks
system
#7
I read on someone’s journal that hikers really get pissed when shelterless hikers arrive at full shelters in bad weather and expect to be accommodated.
nycman50
system
#8
I will put my two cents worth into the last comment. An AT thru-hike is an adventure into the world of self sustaining yourself with what you have on your back. If it isn’t that for you then you, in my option, are depriving yourself of what long distance hiking is about. So yes, when fair weather hikers or backpackers show to a full shelter without a method of shelter of their own in bad weather, some hikers will get at least silently upset. It can be seen as not pulling your load with the task at hand. It is also dangerous. The guy that started with me on Springer the mid of February was without it. That didn’t last long for him. By the way, no tent also can put you pulling into shelters late because you have no choice, as in after dark. You don’t make friends with that one either. Don’t get me wrong, hikers are compassionate to other hikers, within reason. I had a bad day today, sorry.
Two Scoops
system
#10
Make sure it’s light. The shelter is one of the big three weight items, along with your bag and pack itself. Conventional tents (over three pounds) are usually too heavy for thru hikers and hog too much pack space.
WaterStickEm
system
#11
I don’t like staying in shelters. You have to put up with the mice, the snoring and the overcrowding. I alway’s liked to socialize during dinner and around the fire but to the tarptent I went when it was time for bed. Also I didn’t have to worry about waking someone up when nature called at 2-3am. The only time I’d use a shelter is if I got caught in a blizzard or very bad thunderstorm and didn’t want to get soaked while setting up my tarptent. The Henry Shires tarptent w/floor weights less than 2 lbs as do some bivys and other tarp designs. Take something just in case.
Nooga
system
#12
Why…Back in my day everybody carried their own shelter. Sure they were kinda heavy and bulky, what with being made out of such dense wood and all, But it got a lot better with the invention of synthetic wood…
I remember my first Pergo Shelter. I got it custom made for three out of a lightweight synthetic Mahogany. Those were the days.
Hungry Howie -Class of 2000
Hungry Howie
system
#13
I had Moonbowgear.com make a tube tent out of sil-nyl with one end closable via a cord and with the other end having a pop in/out mesh insert for bugs…length is 10 feet so lots of room, tot. weight is just over 11 oz…
It could do as a primary shelter but I always carry it on day or slak hikes and use a hammock for multiday events.
Medicine Man
system
#14
When I planned my thru-hike, I planned to stay predominately in shelters, and use my tent occasionally. However, I found that I tented much more than planned for several good reasons. So, having shelter along with you gives you that flexibility.
Peaks
system
#16
Youve just hiked 15 miles in the hot Virginia sun. You get to the shelter area anf thers only 3 people. You stake out your spot, eat and do all that stuff you do in camp. Everyone lies down to sleep. The guy next you is out in 5 mins cause he is taking prescription pain pills for his sore knee. He starts to snore louder than chainsaw. You nudge him but hes in Prescribed drug land. The other guy is sick cause HE DOESNT NEED TO TREAT OR FILTER HIS WATER, so hes farting, puking, and craping all night long. You cant sleep, but I can cause im in a tent 50 ft away from all that.
Chef