new shelter setup

mapper66

mapper66

Joined
Nov 11, 2007
Messages
1,169
It was finally time to replace my 15 year old Sierra Designs tent. It's still in decent shape, but its big and bulky and doesn't really fit my current attempts to lighten up the load.

Was having a hard time deciding between a bivy/tarp setup and a lighter weight tent. There are things I like about both setups. I ended up finding a Big Agnes Seedhouse 1 SL tent and footprint on a pretty good sale for Christmas.

I plan on using it whenever I can in what they call the 'Fast-Fly' setup, which is just the footprint and the fly, no tent:

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The great thing is the weight in this config is just 1 3/4 pounds, which brings it in under many bivy/tarp setups (though I'm sure bearthedog will be along shortly to post up his 12 oz setup :D). There is just enough room for me to sit up in the forward area of the fly, and there is plenty of room along the sides and in the vestibule to bring in the pack and boots at night.

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Just set it up today, so field testing will have to come later. Waiting on a good rain to get out and see how weatherproof it is in this setup. If I want the tent, I can bring it along for another pound or so.
 
Very nice! Looks great, I'm interested to hear how you like it.

I too am fighting the battle of tent vs tarp as well. I think I'm leaning towards tarp for myself, but a tent for the family.
 
Congrats on your new shelter. Good luck with it.

I also have recently debated which way I would go, and I went with a jungle hammock. If you want to go light, you can always just carry the tarp. If you do decide to carry the whole shooting match, I feel I'll sleep much more dry and comfortably OFF the ground.

Of course family camping is a different story, as each person would need their own.
 
Hey Mapper,

I was going through a similar dilema last year. I decided to go with the REI Quarterdome T-2. It is designed as a '2 person' tent, but I am a big guy and needed the extra room for my Son and I.

Anyhow, it has a similar design in that it can be set up with just fly and footprint. Which is great if you are not worried about sideways rain or insects. I have not used it in this configuration yet, but have used it as a full tent and I love it. Easy to set up, light, sturdy and configurable.

What kind of pad do you go with? I started off with the ThermaRest .65 inch foam pad.:( Did not work for me. Got an REI short 1.5 inch and it is hella more comfy:D

Ready to hit the 1st section of the AT in the Spring!:)
 
This is my solo shelter, going to keep the Sierra Designs for when the family comes along.

Not too worried about the insects, having grown up in Florida the bugs up here in the N. Carolina mountains seem down right tame. I think this will be fine in the rain to a degree, the fly overextends the footprint by a wide margin, and there is only a couple of inches between the fly and ground. Really heavy rains or sideways rains might be an issue, hopefully I will have the tent if I expect really bad weather. If not, I'll deal with it!

Not sure which model that thermarest is, I've had it for years. I am ready for a thicker one, though. That is one area I willing to carry a little more weight for. Thanks for the reply, and enjoy the AT, are you attempting a section hike?

falcon72 said:
Hey Mapper,

I was going through a similar dilema last year. I decided to go with the REI Quarterdome T-2. It is designed as a '2 person' tent, but I am a big guy and needed the extra room for my Son and I.

Anyhow, it has a similar design in that it can be set up with just fly and footprint. Which is great if you are not worried about sideways rain or insects. I have not used it in this configuration yet, but have used it as a full tent and I love it. Easy to set up, light, sturdy and configurable.

What kind of pad do you go with? I started off with the ThermaRest .65 inch foam pad.:( Did not work for me. Got an REI short 1.5 inch and it is hella more comfy:D

Ready to hit the 1st section of the AT in the Spring!:)
Click to expand...
 
Great looking set up, hopefully you will have plenty of time this year to get out and enjoy it!
 
That's cool.

I got this new one I used on a couple trips this year.

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You can buy a floor and a floor w/ screen for it but I just cut Tyvek
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I wish I could have a setup like that... but in Texas the bugs would carry you away at night and feed you to their young. I'm against that. :D
 
hollowdweller said:
That's cool.

I got this new one I used on a couple trips this year.



You can buy a floor and a floor w/ screen for it but I just cut Tyvek
Click to expand...

Nice HD. I always like to see your gear, got the idea for the LaFuma from you. Tyvek is certainly a cheaper way to go...
 
kdstrick said:
I wish I could have a setup like that... but in Texas the bugs would carry you away at night and feed you to their young. I'm against that. :D
Click to expand...

I have a real dislike for the creepy crawlies which I attribute to growing up around the larger and nastier version of most insects... When they are really 'bugging' me on a trip I fantasize about working for Orkin. I would not use this anywhere insects are a real issue :eek:, like anywhere subtropical. I need to get with Joezilla and get my head on straight about the insect world. :)
 
This one you can pretty much pitch to the ground, but I have a smaller "tarp tent" Joezilla actually hooked me up with and one of the funniest episodes was I rolled over and my hand went out from under it and some sort of furry thing crawled over my hand.

Woke me up quick.

Dolly Sods where I hike is really short on the bugs any time of year.

I used it in Cranberry in July and figured I'd get eaten up but I put a little of the lemon eucalyptus bug repellant on my forehead and down each arm and no problem.

The key is don't leave the door open at all.:thumbup:

Mapper, those Lafuma's are cool. So small!:D

PS in that one pic we pulled the whole floor out to sun before we packed up.
 
I just went with a Bivy and siltarp setup for this year. Cant wait to get some dirt time with them when they arrive...
 
Here is what I have been using, it is an 8x10, plenty big enough for 2, bugs can be a problem but so far it has not been intolerable.

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Nice pitch on that runningboar!! Looks very weather resistant.

I love seeing all the differant ways a tarp is set up. Too cool.

Do you find wrestling with an 8x10 to be a pain solo?
 
My Clark north american jungle hammock has me really spoiled. On the few occasions when I leave it at home I just use an 8x10 sil nylon tarp.

When sleeping on the ground once I did get woke up by a mouse running over my face. I still think I reflexively jumped a couple feet off the ground on that one.
 
j williams said:
Nice pitch on that runningboar!! Looks very weather resistant.

I love seeing all the differant ways a tarp is set up. Too cool.

Do you find wrestling with an 8x10 to be a pain solo?
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I don't think it is a pain at all, practice some in the backyard and it is as easy as most tents. I love the room and so far I have not ran into any rain that was a problem, as a matter of fact, I like laying under my tarp and listening to the rain.

I think I have pretty much sworn off of backpacking tents all together, they are just too cramped. Chris
 
Mapper,

Yes. I live in North Georgia and it just seems to be pulling me to it. I am planning on starting at Amicalola Falls where the 8.8 mile 'approach trail' starts, which is not officially a part of the AT. Then to Springer Mtn. the official start of the AT and then on another 20 miles or so to Woody Gap.

Planning it over a long weekend in the Spring. Hard to find time away from Wife and Kid, or I would ATTEMPT the whole damn thing!:D Enjoy the new gear and getting out.
 
Hmm. cool! I ordered a 5x8 siltarp for my bivy, and now I am thinking of returning it when it gets here, and movin up to an 8x10. Just wasnt sure about wrestling with it solo. I think I will do it though, looking at sizes, I would really like the extra room.
 
j williams said:
Hmm. cool! I ordered a 5x8 siltarp for my bivy, and now I am thinking of returning it when it gets here, and movin up to an 8x10. Just wasnt sure about wrestling with it solo. I think I will do it though, looking at sizes, I would really like the extra room.
Click to expand...

I think I would, 5x8 is fine for just you, if you leave your pack and stuff outside. I like to have room for maybe an extra person and my stuff, most of the time it's just me and Rusty Dog but extra room is always nice. Chris
 
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