Tent platforms - Appalachian Trail

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#1

I’m an almost-to-Katahdin section hiker. Does anyone know the dimensions of tent platforms? I use a simple A-frame sil-nylon tarp, 8’ x 8’. So far, over 1870 miles of the AT, I have managed to avoid using a tent platform. But out of curiosity and in case I have to use a tent platform in Maine, how big are they? Knowing this, you see, I would plan on how long my tie-out lines have to be to reach the hooks on the side of the tent platform. No hooks on the side of the tent platforms in Maine, you say? This, also would be useful info. Many thanks in advance for any info. on the kind of pressing question that arises during a snowy January evening.
Two Hats

Two Hats

#2

You might try contacting someone at the MATC. I off hand have no idea of the exact dimensions of our platforms, and in fact they may vary from site to site. I think you can still get by through Maine by not having to use them, my tent isn’t free standing and I have yet to be forced into the situation of using a platform. I almost did @ Valley Way tentsite down from Madison Hut, but managed to squeeze the Walrus into the side of the hill on a semi-flat spot. I’m even trying to remember where we have platforms here in Maine, certainly not at every lean to site, in which case I usually sleep/slept in those instead. I re-hiked much of Maine last year and still never had to use a platform. There are some fine places to camp besides lean-tos here.

Bluebearee

#3

If you’ve tarped for 1800 miles you can tarp the last 300. I have been tarping for a while. I can safely say that you are only limited by your own imagination. One of the weirdest tarp set ups for Lisa and I this year was on top of Moxie Bald in Maine. Check out my journal for a photo. Where there is a will there is a way… oh, I use a 10X12 tarp just in case I have company for dinner…

ASWAH

Aswah

#4

The ones i saw were big enough for two small one man tents. Just try and pick one that has hooks :oh

Very strange things, those platforms.

Cheers

Cheers

#5

You have some really nice photos in your journal, Aswah.

Ozone

#6

Most, but not all, of the wooden platforms have hooks. Where they do not, you could try to anchor by using rocks (works with a tarp-tent–sort of–but I don’t know about a pure tarp.

Where there were no hooks, I found space away from the platforms, on the ground, to set up. Not sure if that’s “legal,” but no one said I couldn’t. My guess is that when the platforms fill up, and they must at certain times, that would be the only option anyway. If you stay away from fragile, boggy, or overused areas I shouldn’t think it would do any harm; you may have to set up a far piece from the shelter or platforms in a couple places I can think of.

BTW, in '03, the tent platform at the Birches (LD-hiker area near Katahdin Stream CG) did NOT have hooks.

Skyline

#7

We figured out a way to stake your whatever shelter on them by taking the guy line, tie it around the middle of the stake and where the boards hang over the edge slip the stake between them like toggle with the stake under the floor. Worked great with our Canyonlands which is not free standing.

BW

#8

Ozone… thanks for the compliment…

Like tarping anywhere else… use your geography to your benefit. Because I use a giant tarp I usually string it diagonally across a platform. My two main guylines (sp?) are long kelty triptease lines that I can attach to nearby trees and or boulders. The sides can be tied down to the eyelets on most platforms or staked down to the ground. A tarp is far more versatile than any tent in it’s configurations… Free your mind and your ass will follow…

Peace

Aswah

Aswah

#9

My tent is not freestanding, But I can set it up on a platform by adding cords to the loops, that are normally staked, Then just stake the cord to the ground.

Chef

#10

Thanks, everyone for your advice and encouragement. It is true that tarps can be staked to and hung from all sorts of stuff. I’ve used mouldy logs, boulders, bushes, tree trunks,and of course trekking poles. Aswah, I can feel my mind freeing already! Bluebearee, I’m really looking forward to Maine. I’m originally from Minnesota and love bogs and lakes. I know I’ll feel at home in your state.
Two Hats

Ellen Gibson