I'm organizing my camping gear for the summer (yeah, a bit late, I know) and I was wondering how many of you, when camping in Colorado (say above 9,000' but usually below tree line) bring a full tent and how many go with either a tarp or fly/footprint combo?
On my solo tent with only the fly/poles/footprint I would be carrying about 2 lb. and about 3 lb. when carrying the three person tent -- in both cases saving about 2 lb. My trying to get as fast and light as possible by using what I have more effectively since I don't have money to spend on new gear at the moment.
My 3 season tent has the fly/footprint setup capability but I never use it. I always opt for the full tent as the extra weather protection is worth the additional pound in my pack, especially in the fickle CO mountain weather.
I always use the full tent, but besides Bret's reasoning, which I agree with, I have more of a sense of security, however false it is, when I can crawl into my completely enclosed cocoon.
Tent for me also... Mountain rains are often heavy and accompanied by strong swirling winds, sleet, hail, etc. When it rains, it pours. Rarely do we get just a drizzle. Tarp and footprint might not keep you very dry.
Posted by Brent Murphy on June 18, 2006 at 11:11 AM
I usually use my full tent, but I've gone with the fly/footprint combo a few times, and it's worked really well, even in full downpour. I like the fact that it gives you a whole lot more covered space than the tent.
I also have a "tarp" that I made out of a sheet of Tyvek house wrap. It's worked really well, too. I put some grommets around the edge so I could support it with my trekking poles. I like the tarp because it's really big, insanely light, and was basically free (a guy at my office bought a 100-foot roll, and sold off some sections to whoever wanted it for like $10. Just had to buy some grommets.)
I love the fly/footprint method. Much lighter, and much more space inside when set up. Several times when it's been really windy I've built a small rock wall with propped-up flat rocks to make the tent more aerodynamic and that has worked well. The only exception is if I'm camping somewhere where I know there's lots of mosquitos (like Eastern Gore Range) or if it's still cold like early spring/late fall. I haven't been in a major storm with this setup, which could be bad but i think overall it's worth shedding the weight for most trips.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on June 19, 2006 at 10:49 AM
My problem with not using the tent is with mosquitos. If I was going to be in an area where they weren't rampant (I don't konw of such a place in the mountains) then I'd just take the weather into consideration. If it rained heavily, I'd want the full coverage to the ground.
If I had the money, I'd look at some of the one layer solutions like Bibler.
Discussion
7 repliesI'm organizing my camping gear for the summer (yeah, a bit late, I know) and I was wondering how many of you, when camping in Colorado (say above 9,000' but usually below tree line) bring a full tent and how many go with either a tarp or fly/footprint combo?
On my solo tent with only the fly/poles/footprint I would be carrying about 2 lb. and about 3 lb. when carrying the three person tent -- in both cases saving about 2 lb. My trying to get as fast and light as possible by using what I have more effectively since I don't have money to spend on new gear at the moment.
Thanks!
Bill
I also have a "tarp" that I made out of a sheet of Tyvek house wrap. It's worked really well, too. I put some grommets around the edge so I could support it with my trekking poles. I like the tarp because it's really big, insanely light, and was basically free (a guy at my office bought a 100-foot roll, and sold off some sections to whoever wanted it for like $10. Just had to buy some grommets.)
If I had the money, I'd look at some of the one layer solutions like Bibler.