Backup shelter

[jedbear]

I'm planning an AT section hike this Spring and plan on staying at trail shelter if at all possible. But in the event
that "there is no room in the inn" I will  pack a backup shelter. I may carry my hammock tarp because of the
minimal weight. I would entertain suggestion from some this forum's members. Something light and economic would
be nice!

[calicojack]

i have a tarptent contrail. it's basically a silnylon tarp with bug netting sewn onto it. weighs less than 1.5 pounds. my only problem with it is that it won't stuff into anything shorter than 14x4

[Cuffs]

JED,

What time of year are you planning this hike?
You may be hitting thru-hiker season, which means there will be little to no room at shelters...

About shelters...  I avoid them at almost all costs.  Shelters = rodents.  Rodents = trouble.  Mice are a HUGE problem at shelters (as are skunks and raccoons.)  Unless you are in the Smokys, I would advise against staying at shelters if at all possible.

On a side note... please contact me about the conference.  Sending you a PM with contact info...

[SmokeDiver]

Shagri-La 3 shelter by GoLite

I recently picked up the GoLite Utopia shelter off Steepandcheep.co m and I'm sold on this brand now. The shelter I linked to above seems to be a great light weight solution. Retails 275 buckaroos but Altrec has it for 100 bucks less.

[calicojack]

how small does the shangri-la pack down to?

[Rob]

Cuffs is absolutley right about the critters at the shelters. They can and will damage your gear trying to get to your food even if you take the food out and there is a residual smell lingering in your gear. I have and still do use the shelters in some areas of the Smokys during the winter months (only legal option for camping in some areas of the park) . The rodents don't seem to be as much of a problem then. Wonder if it's the cold weather or just better shelter maintenance?

[jedbear]

I'll be probably hiking in June. The section is from Davenport Gap to Hot Springs. I stayed in shelter all through the GSMNP and
had some intimate relations with a shelter mouse. Come morning, we realized it would never last so we parted as friends.

Cuffs, thanks! Working on it!

Back to "Backup shelter"; I was hoping to go lightly and stay in the shelters. But I may reconsider.

           jed

[SmokeDiver]

how small does the shangri-la pack down to?

If you take the pole out it is no bigger than a poncho. You can use a trekking pole instead of the included one. The Utopia I have is about the size of a bread loaf and weighs very little. That one includes two poles.

[Nalgene Ninja]

I carry a 5x8 tarp whenever I section hike on the AT. I have a Tarptent Rainshadow 2 that I like most other time, and have been eyeing the TT Contrail.

[jedbear]

Here is where it stands right now!
Shelters allow me to carry the least gear. I will include the tarp from my hammock as a backup shelter
which weighs so very little and will hopefully remain in a small stuff sack.
If I decide to avoid the shelters, I will either include my Missing Link or Clark NA hammock.
The comfort factor favors a hammock.

        jed

               

[Rigormortis]

JED,

What time of year are you planning this hike?
You may be hitting thru-hiker season, which means there will be little to no room at shelters...

About shelters...  I avoid them at almost all costs.  Shelters = rodents.  Rodents = trouble.  Mice are a HUGE problem at shelters (as are skunks and raccoons.)  Unless you are in the Smokys, I would advise against staying at shelters if at all possible.

On a side note... please contact me about the conference.  Sending you a PM with contact info...

Cuffs, one thing you did not mention, snakes love mice, I have found snakes in the shelters and under them waiting for a chance to grab a nice fat mouse.  If I stayed in shelter the first thing that I done when I got to the shelter was to look under the shelter and around inside.
/quote]

[Bearpaw]

If weight is a concern, look at a dual-purpose shelter like the Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape.

Raingear.

Backup shelter

And as a shelter.

Backup shelter

Backup shelter

But personally, I think you should just take your hammock and a decent underpad system.  You'll sleep better and probably enjoy the option for privacy much more than the minimal shelter of the Gatewood Cape.