Shopping for shelter

bulgron

bulgron

Joined
May 19, 2005
Messages
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I'm trying to get back into backpacking, but the whole shelter thing is driving me a bit crazy. Part of the problem is that most of my backpacking experience is from decades ago when I used to hang out in Northern Minnesota. So when I heard about hammock camping, my thinking was "Yippee! That's for me!"

Problem is, a lot of my trips from here on out will be in the Sierra Nevada. The one guy I've found to go backpacking up there is a firm believer of being above the treeline. (He also apparently doesn't carry a shelter of any kind, but instead uses an "emergency rain tube" when it rains. Sounds weird to me.) Also, near to me there are at lot of state parks, but these tend to be coastal areas full of scrub brush and scattered oaks, unless you hang out in the redwoods. Anyway, upshot is, I'm not so sure a hammock is very workable in the areas that I think I'll be initially visiting.

So then I thought I'd get a tarp. But do I then need a bivvy sack? Seems like yes, if for no other reason than bug control. The idea of the bivvy sack bothers me; they seem like they'd be confining and unless I get a really good one I'm afraid of condensation. (And, yes, I know not to breath into the thing.)

So then I started looking at very ultralight one man tents like this Lunar Solo. It's basically a tarp, but with a bottom and some bug netting. Weighs in well under 2 lbs without stakes or poles. You can use your hiking pole to hold the thing up.

All of which means that I'm leaning towards the Lunar Solo right now, even though what I really want to do is use a hammock. And so around and around I go.

Anyone else out there have High Sierra and coastal California experience? What do you use for shelter?
 
I use an Integral Designs Poncho Tarp (8oz.) 8x5 and a Mountain Laurel Designs Superlight bivy (6oz.). Never feel confined and if you do get a good bivy (with a breathable outer shell), you can breath into it and not get condensation. It's the waterproof ones that people have that problem with mostly.

-RB

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Want more room? Get a Golite lair 1. It weighs in at 11 0z. and can fit two people plus gear.
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Inside
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Clark hammock rocks. They come with detachable rain fly/tarp, you can set up hammock on ground like bivy with bug net, or hang from the trees
 
Thanks, RB. That MLD bivvy is one of the ones I'm considering (along with a Vapr Quantum bivvy). I was going to go with a slightly bigger tarp so I could use it with a hammock when I finally get one.
 
Myakka, I was definitely looking hard at the Clarks N-250, but then I shied away because of the weight of the thing combined with a probable need for an under quilt was just too much for high country backpacking, especially if I can't actually hang. That left me considering a Warbonnet Black Bird, but the likelihood that I can't hang in most of my backpacking pursuits leaves me to think I should let it go for another day.
 
bearthedog said:
So you thinking of using a bivy/hammock combo?
-RB
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Uh, no, I'm thinking about using a tarp/hammock combo, or a tarp/bivvy combo, or a one-man ultralight tent (which is actually the least amount of money, of my three options).
 
tents....3+ pound Wenzel for $29 from...?Campmor.


(I don't like dem bugs.)


have fun.
 
My experience has been that the southern and central Sierra are actually pretty mellow 3-season camping. You will get afternoon thunderstorms, but rarely will you get a front that comes through that will bring rain for days on end. That said, I have been snowed on in every month of the year, so don't ever take anything for granted! The fall is probably the most sketchy time for unpredictable weather. It is not unheard of that an early storm will come through, leaving unprepared folks stranded in the high country in deep snow.

Not much recent experience in the coastal ranges, but on the western side wet fog and rainforest type conditions can make things miserable, and you don't need "storm" conditions for that to occur.

Consider that it is very possible to take the "ultralight" thing to far. I always carry a good solid tent, and a sleeping bag that will get me through the worst conditions I might encounter for the time of year! If you are ill, injured, just plain tired, or a freak storm rolls through, you need a secure no nonsense, bug free, cold draft free, place where you can rest, shelter, and recover, or ride out a storm.

Camping/backpacking is actually just survival....except that you are going super well prepared!
 
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give a good look at "six moons designs", "mountain laural designs (MLD)" and "tarptent."

One of these companies should have something that will meet your needs.
Personally, my tent has to be waterproof (I've camped in an all day, all night rain/hail storm), and bug proof. I also much prefer a double wall tent due to condensation issues with single wall tents. I also would like to be able to pitch just the net if it's not going to rain.

That's why after months of research, I've pretty much decided on the two tents below. Of course, there'll probably be something better out next year, but from what I have been able to find, I like these the best.

For a single person, I've actually had my eye on an six moons gatewood cape w/ serenity nettent. Together they weigh only 18oz. and you have a double wall tent.

For my wife and I, I've been trying to convince her to let me buy a six moons Haven w/ nettent for a total of 2lbs. That would be a 3lb. savings over our current tent, and you would still have a double wall tent.

Apart from these two tents, I think one of the MLD pyramids would be my next choice.
 
I too highly recommend anything by MLD. I currently use their DuoMid if I'm not using my Oware flat-tarp.
 
bearthedog said:
I use an Integral Designs Poncho Tarp (8oz.) 8x5 and a Mountain Laurel Designs Superlight bivy (6oz.). Never feel confined and if you do get a good bivy (with a breathable outer shell), you can breath into it and not get condensation. It's the waterproof ones that people have that problem with mostly.

-RB
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funny :) that's exactly what I use as well :D

I use mine in the Rockies, but weather patterns are similar to the Sierra's

the poncho/tarp can be pitched a bunch different ways (lots dependent on weather)- check out a previous thread of mine w/ a bunch of pics

here's my combo in action

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there are several good solo tarp "tents" to look at as well if your not ready (or into) for a tarp (Lunar Solo being one of them)
 
Hilarious! My 3-season setup is the ID SilPoncho and MLD Superlight Bivy as well.
 
Or lemings all walk off the same cliff! :D

Combined with the new Neo Air pad and Nunatak quilt, the big three are pretty friggin' small!
 
Pritch said:
Or lemings all walk off the same cliff! :D

Combined with the new Neo Air pad and Nunatak quilt, the big three are pretty friggin' small!
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I had a Nunatak quilt too but I just studied it and sold it! Started making my own. I won't give up the MLD Bivy or ID poncho tarp.

-RB
 
Pritch said:
Or lemings all walk off the same cliff! :D

Combined with the new Neo Air pad and Nunatak quilt, the big three are pretty friggin' small!
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well I guess that's a possibility too :)

< also have been "converted" to the Neo (I sleep better in the mountains than at home :))- no Nunatak (they do make a spectacular bag/quilt from everything I've read)- I've got a Marmot Atom that was converted to a quilt (by a very accomplished gear maker- Tim Marshall)- picked the Atom on fleabay for $95 :)
 
Some other gear options
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Pitched as a wind break only
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Bivy/Quilt only
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In Peru
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