Dumb luck? (poncho tarp & down bag, no b ivy)

“I am always looking for ways to lighten my load. Unfortunately, when I do get it lighter, as I am walking out the garage with pack in hand, I feel how light it is and compulsively throw the kitchen sink in as well.

Thankfully the knees are still good as I really like to be comfy and not worry about getting my bag wet. Plus it gets me good and strong so I could give short piggy back rides to the injured hikers back to the TH. =o)”

“Go Girl!”

“Hahaha...I didn't say that the 'piggy' on the back wouldn't be dropped a couple times. Might get a couple more injuries along the way. Pack might be heavy due to that ornamental string of lights I hang from the tent at night.”

“It cant be HPD on troll, this person actually sounds like he knows gear and hikes.”

“I tarped with a down bag and no bivy sack a bunch of times. Survived thunderstorms in New Mexico just fine.

If sideways rain is in the forecast, it's prolly the wrong setup.

I haven't taken a tarp on a serious trip since I bought a 3# tent. The tent is easier to pitch and all around better to camp with. I never noticed the extra 2#.”

“Going light means giving things up, or at least having dual purposes for some gear. If you are giving up a floor and raingear, going with a poncho, I don't see how going to a different poncho will help or switching to a different shelter will be near as light.

Rain blowing in is more of a nuisance than the ponding that will almost certainly occur with prolonged heavy rain. Puddles are what soaks a bag. A 2.5 inch pad only translates into about an inch of actual elevation gain, but it is a crucial inch.

During a storm you are likely to protect your head and not be aware of where your feet are until it's too late. This is why I would go with a long pad and maybe even a cuben fiber stuff sack to put you feet in during the worst weather. Still light, but prepared.”

“I agree...one can go light but you have to make sure you cover all bases. I have nothing against people going ultralight but at the same time I don't want them trying to shove it down my throat...saying I am all wrong and must do it their way. I don't try to convince them to add weight. I am all for finding dual purpose gear and trading off one item for another.”

“That was just wrong. There was nothing wrong with that post.”

“Hey MODS. You allow sticks to be a butt to newcomers and say things but someone isnt allowed to call him on it. C'mon.”

“Let it go nemster...you didn't bother me and I don't even know what got deleted...in other words I didn't care.”

“Well, I see that Sticks has succussfully run off the new guy. Nice work, Sticks.”

“Thank you.”

“I have been helpful to Bess and splashangel and numerous others...check the posts...Just like everyone else on this board I call it as I seed it. I have freely accepted my shortcomings and said as much.

Since it is Sunday let's do a little quote here:
"Let he that has not sinned cast the first stone."

Any takers? I shiver in anticipation...”

“Shiverin'? put on a wrap.”

“..a nice heavy one.”

“Gram weenie!”

“

Do ya love me?”

“If'n ya'll want to drag in out...I'm with ya...Bwahahaha”

“Cantankerous PITA, uh huh, uh huh....”

““Gram weenie!”
1camper

Is that all you got? Weenie Boy...
last edited: 5/01/11 7:14:53 AM”

“Graham Weenie.............
Wasn't he in Space Balls?”

“Take another pill you wacko. These pics are warped.”

“No...they are Time Warped...get out your dancing shoes...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6827163268088648679#

I know you love it...”

“Nobody wants to come out and play...sniff...........sniff.”

“eh................buck up, chuckaluck”

“I just selected "ignore this user" for a certain someone....ahhhhh.

Anyway. The current plan of attack is to go with a Cuben Fiber Poncho/Tarp, quilt and bivy.

Haven't chosen any specific items yet, but just quilt googling, I'd save 7-8oz on switching from bag to quilt. 6oz switching to cuben fiber tarp, and then I'd add back in 5-6oz on the bivy that I did not previously carry. I'd also save on bug net when I carry one for bug season....all while getting better rain protection.

I just need to research condensation w/ bivys as well as how well they do to stop drafts as I toss and turn a lot and my previous experience with a quilt (made my own Ray Way tarp and quilt) did not go well because of cold air rushing in as I tossed and turned. We'll see!”

“Welcome aboard. You seem to have it pretty well dialed in. Plenty of folks on this forum do, despite what this thread may indicate.

You just answered my question about what you do during a bug situation, which here in the Sierra, is a lot of the time.

I didn't really get a sense of where, as in geo locale, and when (season) you are camping. To me, that would make a big difference as to set-up. My set up varies from tentless to 4-season tent depending on conditions and location.

I've never had a down bag wet out on me, but take care to treat the nylon periodically with Nixwax or even Scotchguard. Even in a tent, bags can get wet. 1Camper made a great point about getting off the ground. I always just do a tarp underneath the pad and bag as well. I always bring a couple of tarps as they weight nothing and are great for covering up gear and self in a deluge.

I think your set up sounds good and the weight is admirable. I've done the tarp/bug net combo and tents, and decided that I think the TarpTent is the best of both worlds for where I do most of my journeying -- in the West. If stuff gets wet, spring, summer and fall almost always assure a dry day following where stuff can air out. Not so in some place like the South or NE where the humidity can prevent that.”

“Mostly Catskills and Adirondacks area.”

“Are you a peak bagger?

'32oz”

“Yeah, I like your choice too...I just always recommend the cheaper solution first.

You got me wanting a cuben fiber poncho. I'm just worried it would suffer snags hiking out here in the eastern mountains.

Take a look at stormcrow quilts, nice stuff.”

“Not a peak bagger, but have grabbed a small few. Most recently attempted the Cranbery 50 hike with some friends, but had to bail after 30 miles due to some injuries with other hikers.

I'd be 3 season camping.... did -31F this winter in Dacks.... but no backpacking during that night. Haha.”

“I use to block all the people that ragged on me too...then I just became a bigger A-hole then them...I know you will look because I always did too...BWAHAHAHA!!!!!!”

“@1camper, a poncho could def snag, bu I walk mostly on trails and no bushwhacking. I'd tie a bit of my bear cord around my waist to further keep things close.”

“http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=32&products_id=56

Here's the one I was looking at. I have a cuben fiber hammock tarp from them that I love. No ridge line, just pull it tight and hold it with soft shackles and prusikks, no knots. Stays tight and still let's in light.”

“Yup, that's the one....in fact, that's the only one as far as I know. :o”