Regarding poncho tarp combos…

The SMD Gatewood is different than others.
You can set it up while your inside, never having to leave.

I've also worn a windshirt under the cape. So when I have to get out of the shelter for some reason or another, the windshirt blocks most of the rain.

Lately I find I don't like it so much as a poncho/cape, unless the forecast is for relatively dry weather.

It is pretty bombproof and roomy as a shelter. I also combine mine with the Serenity Net-tent or Meteor Bivy.

Ben,

There is a great article on this site about setting up a poncho tarp in the rain. Ryan Jordan, I believe. Check it out.

Todd

I only brought my Golite Poncho tarp as my primary shelter/rain gear on trips where the forecast was either for no rain or passing thunderstorms. If it was 50% or better, I forwent the extra weight and brought separate rainwear and shelter. Summer in the Sierras, to my memory, is mostly passing thunderstorms. So you just need to keep an eye on the skies.

If you are also carrying a wind jacket with good DWR, and you’ve mastered setting up your tarp, you could probably get that tarp set-up without too much damage in all but the worst downpours.

Another suggestion I recall was to pick up something like this emergency poncho. Since it’s just a polycro groundclouth with a hood, I can’t believe it would weight more than 1.5-2 oz. Just looking at a twig would cause it to tear, but as something to throw on while setting up a poncho tarp, it would probably suffice.

Link to Poncho Tarp Techniques article mentioned above by Todd.

Thank you, Lance, for finding the article for the OP. I sometimes don't give the extra time to do so – but I should!

+1 on the thanks for finding that article. BPL's search/archive system isn't the most awesome for casual perusal. I had no idea that article existed. Lots of good stuff in there.

That article is a good start. The reality is that you can get really wet when using a poncho tarp as your shelter and rain gear.

+1 on the emergency poncho.

For 1 ounce of weight, it gives me the freedom to stay dry while taking my time to setup my MLD Poncho Tarp into a shelter.

Saved my butt on Mt. Whitney when I had to relocate my shelter in the middle of the night in a storm.

Only bummer is that once you use it, it is near impossible to get them folded up nice and small when unopened.

Prior to the using the emergency poncho, I would just have to use my Wind Shield to give me a little time before wetting out to setup my shelter.

Personally, if I knew that I was going into a trip where I faced multiple days of rain, I would bite the bullet and take rain pants and jacket to guarantee being comfortably dry and safe.

-Tony