Gatewood cape on Colorado trail

I don't live in Colorado, but we get plenty of heavy rain and sometimes high wind here in the Smokies.
I think as a shelter is is excellent for stability and protection.
As a rain poncho, it has some flappy characteristics which can be helped with a little elastic waist string, or drawstring, so that it stays under control. Also, it can hang a little low in the back if you don't have a large pack, so it can be gathered up a little into this kind of waist drawstring/belt type of arrangement. So, I recommend using some sort of waist string or something like that with it.

I think it is a great item, and I love mine.

I've carried it for 3 CT section hikes, and it works fine as a shelter. CO monsoons can be intense enough or run on long enough that I'm more comfortable with a full-on hooded rain jacket. I can hike in the jacket without overheating excessively while still being able to see the area around my feet.

The GC was also my go-to shelter for most of the PCT. I'm considering replacing it with SMD's as yet unreleased Deschutes Tarp because (1) I don't use/need the poncho functionality, (2) the DT has more covered area than does the GC, and (3) the DT is 4 ounces lighter than the GC. I got to see and try out the DT at ALDHA-West's recent Cascade Ruck and it was impressive, but I'm waiting to see the price point for it and the new net tent that is being designed for it.

About the same as a poncho for wind, but it is a cape and has hand holes rather than open sides. +1 on a cord belt for taming.

As a shelter, it is as stable as any other single wall/single pole "shaped tarp." I don't consider ANY tarp shelter with flat panel sides to be a high wind shelter option. Good stakes and a taut low pitch will help.

It *is* light and is much more of a real shelter than a poncho or tarp of similar size. I would consider it more of a forest shelter and rain gear than for extended use above treeline. You do get rain gear and shelter with 360° coverage for a couple ounces less than most 2.5 layer rain shells. In other words, it is the best for what it is.

Travel above treeline is another world in my book. The alternatives are several more pounds of tunnel tent and rain shells. Compromise is a mean goddess!

you might enjoy Fritz Nuffer’s trip with photos:
– Golite 3-Season (20F) down quilt
– TiGoat Ptarmigan bivy
– Golite poncho tarp
– Two-thirds Ridgerest, the extra third under my hips (doubled as a frame for my Jam)
– Pack as a pillow

Most nights I slept in wool baselayers and a 100-weight fleece without a hat and was perfectly warm and dry.

9.4lb base weight, 24 days including Hope Pass and summits of Missouri, Belford and Oxford. Way more trees than I expected, but still a fantastic experience.

PHOTOS

From Paul Magnantis’s blog(He is a triple crowner and lives in Colorado,he has done the Colorado trail)

I’ve seen poncho tarps in the past and I was not impressed. Not much space for sleeping, turns into a big sail in the wind, too exposed overall for Western hiking. Then I saw Ron Moak’s design at the 2006 ADZPCTKOP . I was impressed! Very easy to setup, enough room for a person who is not overly tall and though it does have potential to get too “billowy” in the wind, no where as bad as a traditional poncho.For an item of gear named after one of the pioneers of KISS backpacking it works well: simple, functional, multi-purpose.

It worked great as a shelter on my CDT trek. I did not like it so much as rain gear. Then again, I never did get into ponchos..probably most drag on the ground for a short guy like me. ;)

For those who love ponchos AND love an easy to setup and light shelter, this shelter would fit the bill great!

A planning guide for The Colorado Trail
He has a great site with lots of trip reports,and gear reviews,including how to to do it cheap.

He lives in Boulder

Though I've never been on the CDT, I've been in enough windy down pours to recommend the Gatewood as a shelter. No matter the conditions I've never had an issue.

As for rain gear, it does have a few problems. First, you will need rain chaps unless you want your legs to get wet. Even if you are wearing shorts, the cape is at the right length that your shorts will start wicking up the water.

Second, if you have rain chaps, the next area you need to worry about is your feet. If you are wearing waterproof boots, make sure you have gaiters or water will funnel right into your boot. If you are wearing fast drying shoes, this wont be a problem.

Lastly, if caught in snow or really cold rain, your forearms and hands are exposed. If you did find some sort of rain chaps for your arms, it would most likely funnel inside to your shirt or whatever you are wearing.

So, if the conditions are warm enough for exposed skin, the Gatewood is good enough rain gear IMO. If it's cold, too many points of failure and too much exposed skin to be used for an extended amount of time.

As for it being too hot, having hiked in hot summer weather during a downpour, there is more than enough ventilation if you take off your shirt to keep you from overheating.

You should go to THIS Event in Boulder, Paul Magnanti will be there to answer questions and Gary is a great guy.

Sounds great! Ill be there, across the street from my house haha!