Solo 4-season, sub-alpine bivy/floorless shelter combo?

Hi Craig,
One thing you might want to keep in mind is the added warmth of a bivy and mid combo, thinking if you try this during the summer months you will probably find this a little too warm.

If switching to a bivy would suggest a tarp and bivy combo for three season then possibly using a mid/bivy combo once things start to cool down.

With what you mentioned it might be wise to consider a 8×10 flat tarp which can be also set up as a half pyramid which is perfectly sized for one person. Learning tarp configuration could save you money on the investment of a mid.

Found out on this end once you switch from a tent to bivy & tarp combo, your probably not going back, YMMV on that one

Best of luck with this one
Jim

Craig, I've been going over the exact same bivy thoughts. I currently use a Montbell Dry-Tech Breeze Bivy that I really like but found on my last trip that it was too hot. I was expecting cooler nights and it got down to only 45 degrees so I slept on top.

So I wanted a bivy that had a bit more space. Since TG changed from the purple bivy to now black I was considering them. My other consideration was MLD Superlight. Since the TG did not have a side zip and MLD superlight is a side zip I went with the MLD bivy. I ordered it a week ago. I didnt realize you could custom order the TG with a side zip or it would have been a tougher choice.

Regardless I eagerly await my MLD bivy as I am planning a trip in a few weeks.

Jamie

Craig, I've gotta go along with Jim's comments about flat tarps. I've been using them for years in the NC mountains, as well as the Rockies and S. Utah/ N. Arizona. In pretty much all seasons, except above treeline in snow. I find a flat tarp much more versatile, especially for the variable conditions we get in the Southeast.

The tarp I'm using right now is a Granite Gear White Lightning 8×10. There are certainly lighter options; I really like the Oware tarps alot, and the MLD Supertarp looks really functional too. The side pullouts both of these companies incorporate really expand the possible pitch options, including some really solid storm pitches. There's a great diagram and pictures of a storm pitch on the oware website, and you should check out the advanced tarping techniques articles on BPL.

We have a pretty good contingent of Southeast members here; we need to organize a trip this winter. Maybe something like Roan Mountain or The Smokies? The Big Creek drainage is awesome in winter, though it can get pretty frosty up on Mt. Sterling!

Craig,
I currently use a Golite Shangri-La 3 and a TiGoat Ptarmigan bivy for above tree line hiking, three seasons in the Pyrenees. I usually camp up at 2500 meters, maybe 8000 feet (don't know the conversion).
I've found the combination to be bomber, and I've been hit by some serious storms this summer, despite the forecast. Going solo, it's nice to have the confidence to ride out a storm in this set up.
My SRL3 comes to 24 ounces, and the bivy, 5.5 ounces, minus pegs.
When I hike lower, and sometimes when I'm above tree line, I have been using my new SMD Serentity bug net- 7 ounces. I get a few degrees of warmth with this set up over the bivy.
I always set up either on top of my poncho tarp, which protects me from wet ground underneath where I sleep and my other gear in the shelter.
These combinations are a bit heavier than your goal of 23 ounces for shelter/ bivy combo, but weight isn't everything, sometimes. Safety, comfort and knowing your level of experience count too.
I use a Rab Top bag and sleep in Icebreaker wool, and in shoulder season, carry a MLD 2 Thirds XP quilt. Top Bag weighs 16 ounces and quilt 8. This has kept me warm to 30 degrees.
I found combinations of all this gear tailored to widely varying mountain conditions, really works for me.
I wouldn't use a flat tarp above tree line in the mountain conditions I walk in because I don't have that much experience with them, but I'm thinking about it as I gain confidence. You have to know your level here.
I hope this helps.
fred

Scott
Lets do it you can count me in for sure. How about sometime in Feb when its brutal cold?

Oh yah Bivies and tarps rock. I'm a recent convert and will never go back. Unless the old lady and the dogs comes with then it's a Rainshadow2 or hex3 with floor depending on season

Thanks all. I've considered a tarp, but I've been skeptical of their protection even in storm mode. I guess I will have to take a harder look at them since I have ample time to research my selections. I've never considered exactly how large 10*8 is.

As for a Southeast trip — consider me in if the trip is a short, weekend trip. I made my first trip to the Big Creek area last September, and it was great. A burly winter trip sounds great, and it's likely all the horsies would be off the trails in the winter. Is anyone considering a Mitchell summit this winter? It's something I would like to try one year, but not a trip I would like to take solo since I have little experience in the conditions Mitchell is subject to in the winter.

I would possibly do a trip too how about MLK weekend I will be off monday. Slickrock creek wilderness would be great that time of year too.

I could be in too depending on location.

I would definitely be down for Mitchell, it's really close to my house! Not really sure about access in the winter; I know the summit area is closed, I don't know about the lower trailheads. You guys know how that goes around here: the trailhead is at the end of a 10 mile FS access road with a gate at the beginning of the road. I'll do a little research, I know some of the NC Parks staff at So. Mountain, they may know of some easy (read: NOT MUDDY!) winter access points.

Slickrock would be incredible as well. It's been awhile since I've been out there, but I remember the trails; it seemed like everything went straight up with no switchbacks! I think it was Slickrock Creek? trail, one of the toughest I've ever ascended, but WELL WORTH the effort! I can't imagine how beautiful the "Miracle Mile" would be with a blanket of snow!

Sorry for the hijack Craig, I'm just getting really excited about this winter! May it be a long, cold, wet winter for all of us in Dixie!

I use the Sierra Designs pyramid tent. I'm really likin' it. And the savings were substantial. I bought mine when the pole was optional and paid about 130 for it. I have various different homemade bivies. One of my bivies is just like a TG bivy except that it has a pu coated floor and weighs 12 ounces. For me it is a really good set up in the fourth season – East Tennessee.

Scott, no worries on the hijack! It seems like we could all benefit much more from your idea than anything I could personally benefit from regarding my original question.

For more visibility, I created a meetup thread in the Trip Announcements forum here:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=16548