Tarp worries.

You have to get a grasp on the weather to expect, and you can make the best shelter decision then.

I did a couple of weeks in Alaska during 2010, and I had great problems with gear weight on aircraft, so I had to minimize everything. I ended up taking a Gossamer Gear SpinnShelter so I was fully enclosed. That went about 8 ounces plus CF poles, floor, etc.

My tarp weighs about the same, so it would not really hold any advantage. Plus, it is open-air.

–B.G.–

What is your current setup?

I used a MLD cuben fiber Grace Solo Tarp (purchased in early 2008) on my 2009 PCT hike. I still use that same tarp today and would gladly hike the PCT again with it. However, I do use it with a bivy sack. In my case, a 2009 model MLD Superbivy though I use to use a much cheaper Titanium Goat bivy until I lost it off my pack. Together they weigh just under 15oz with stakes and cord. If you don't want to use a bivy, you probably would be better off with a larger Tarp though your cuben fiber quilt might be good enough against any wind blow rain. However, you'll need something for bug protection. A few nights I use my bivy sack as my sleeping bag since it was too hot for a quilt. If you are hanging outside of your quilt due to heat, you might have mosquito problems unless you choose your campsite carefully.

Here is my post from a thread last week on why I like using a bivy with a tarp:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=51359&startat=23

You don't need a bivy. Just use a ground cloth of Tyvek or the polycryo ones from Gossamer Gear. Besides I think a 'rainy' year on the PCT might mean you'll set up your tarp a dozen times.

Jace,

Very difficult question. I think the MLD Grace Solo size-wise is in between a 5' X 8' and a 8' X 10' tarp. With the smaller tarp I use a bivy and with the larger I don't. So with the MLD I would go with a bivy, unless I use my cuben quilt.

I may be wrong, but I think the Grace has a catenary ridgeline, which limits your pitching options.

If bugs bother you, then a bivy might be needed in the Sierra's with a tarp.

From our conversations, you mentioned you will be taking a WM Ultralite, is this correct? Or is it for just certain sections?

You already have a GG Squall, which would is a fine tent for the PCT.

To be honest, in clear weather just sleep under the stars. Heck, you saw me do this in 50 mph wind gusts and my quilt only has a 40" girth.

Now, keep in mind that I am a tarp guy. But in your case, you have a perfect PCT shelter in the Squall, and you can probably get by just cowboy camping at least 80% of the time. So I would stick with a shelter you are already familiar with and is paid for. It looks like you have fine-tuned your gear list for this trip, and at this point I would just keep taking those weekend trips to make sure everything is working perfect, without throwing in new systems this close to the start. Plus you need to concentrate on finishing your last semester in high school with good grades before taking off.

You'll be fine, and I am thrilled that you are doing the PCT solo at 17 years of age. Looking forward to following your progress. BTW, will you be keeping an online journal? If so, please post the URL for us.

I used the same setup as Sean on the PCT: Cuben Grace Solo Tarp + Superlight Bivy. The tarp is small enough that, in a hard rain, it's hard to avoid some splashing on your bag. So, if you're going to go with the tarp, I'd say get a bivy.

One more thing to put into your calculations: if you use a bivy, you can go without a ground cloth. I don't carry one when I have my bivy.

Jace, for me, a tarp is not simpler than other shelters. For sure, the actual piece of fabric is a simpler object than a tent which has the poles, zippers, and flys. The *idea* of tarping is simpler because of the minimal materials and the fact that you're less walled off from nature.

But when it comes to actual setup, tarps can often be more complicated and fiddly than other shelter choices. I still like tarping for various reasons, but there have been times where I wished for a freestanding tent or something a bit easier, like a tarptent.

YMMV, but that is my take on whether or not a tarp adds simplicity. Good luck on the trail!

“If you use a bivy, you can go without a ground cloth.”

The bottom of a bivy will always weigh more than a comparable ground cover made of window shrink wrap, simply because the material needs to be slightly stronger in order to be sewn to the upper liner.

I’m a huge (oversized) tarp fan because in the final analysis, it’s lighter, simpler & more effective. In essence, a bivy is merely a (small) tarp sewn to a ground cover, so why not separate the two in order to provide more flexibility + weight savings? In addition, placing the tarp away from you (between 12-24″ above tail to head) increases flow & partially eliminates condensation issues.

Here are the numbers:
9×8 solo 1.3 sil tarp 10oz
4×7 gc 1.5oz
6 Ti stakes 1.5oz
Grand total = 13oz

(Add another oz for no-seeum if you don’t like bugs.)

Any non-WP bivy will need a tarp in case it rains, and/or any undersized tarp will need a bivy, so you would be hard pressed to get a combination total around 13-14oz. Even if you did, you’d be carrying around an extra piece of gear (either bivy and/or tarp) and still have to deal with not insignificant condensation issues with the bivy.

13 years after Henry Shires developed his tarp tent, it’s still the best, most functional UL shelter available. As an added plus, it’s by far & away the easiest MYOG project out of the big 3 (tarp, quilt & pack).

Seriously, you guys are advocating him spending another $150 over splash and bugs. Jace get (or make) a headnet/bug net and dry your bag out the next day if you get some splash. Learning to pitch the tarp will help with the splash but thats the whole point of doing the hike. Save your money for the trip.

I bought the same tarp for my CT trip. I also bought the Serenity to go with it though.

Travis: Didn't you win an HMG Echo 1 set up? Since a tarp isn't you're thing, I was thinking maybe you'd want to sell it to me….for cheap. I mean, no reason to have that beauty just sitting in the closet right? =)

I don't bring a bivy all the time, but there are times I do.

Examples

Wind
Wind with sand or dust
Wind with snow
Condensation- moves the dew point to the outer layers of the sleep system. Easier to dry
a sleep system in two parts.
When using a quilt, keep the edges out of the dirt and drafts out
Keeps you on your sleeping pad
Store extra gear out of the weather and closer to the heat source (me) to prevent freezing
of stove, boots etc.
Keep a fancy down bag cleaner over time, hence warmer.

Having two pieces of gear for the same weight as one large piece can be a good
backup when a partner needs to split from the group.