AT

[chiefjason]

Ya the only thing that sucks is going lighter is always expensive but i like the idea of going frame less for her that would cut a pound or so what kind of gear do you have her loaded up with?

Got the tent and pack from Zpack. Between just those 2 things, her old stuff was about 7-8 lbs for pack, hammock, and tarp. New tent and ground cloth is 16 oz and the pack is 8.3 oz. So that's over 5 lbs cut. Need to dig out the Z rest and weight it, I'll cut it to length for her. Thought about getting a Neolight but they are pricey. Going to try and get her to just take her hammock quilt for a bag. If she would listen to me I could get her way down, but some things are hard to get her to dump. Her rain jacket is one, and sleeping bag might be another.

I can see using one for a hammock, but have also heard people doing a tarp for ground camping and was wondering how they stay dry in my head im seeing water coming down the sides and pooling up under me?

A ground cloth keeps you dry from the ground. The tent I ordered for her has a mesh body so it's not much more than a glorified tarp. So I got a bathtub style ground cloth to protect her from the ground and it comes up on the sides to keep running water out.

Well only places i know where to cut weight would be in her sleeping bag and pad or cloths. If you can get her to be comfortable wearing the same outfit during the day everyday for the 4 days you can cut weight there and have one set for bed. And you can cut weight with tent stakes and stuff sacks, alot of people like to put stuff in different color stuff sacks so they can find stuff easier it may not seem like much but it adds up cutting grams and ounces adds up to pounds in the end and if you both have doubles of stuff you can cut that out of her bag as well like you both do need a first aid kit 1 good kit is all you need now i am not a expert these are just things i have cut from my own personal trips. Cutting down weight on food as well most people always bring way to much food, this is always a very hard one for people but really sit down and measure it out and break it down in to portions and ziplock bag them i think you got this in the bag though let me know what you came up with to cut the weight down i am always up for learning new ways to cut weight.

Appreciate the thoughts. I've been doing this for 20 years. But it is crazy how much the tech has changed. Which is why I'm upgrading this year. I've got her clothes down pretty minimal. She carries the dinners since they are light. I pretty much carry the rest of the food and extra water. I carry most of the group gear too. And I always meal plan. If you want to dig up some of my threads I've got pics of some of my meal prep. All meals are measured out and bagged individually. Got some dyneema food bags and stuff sacks coming too.


Here's the pre trip shake down from last year. I "think" I might have cut some of the weight down before we left but can't remember. I thought we were both about 5 lbs less. But as the trip progressed and I lost food weight I started taking more of her gear weight.

Pre trip shakedown

Headed to the Smokies in the morning. Shook down the gear today. Only thing not in the pics is a change of clothes. With cold rain I want something dry to sleep in. And a little food still in the fridge. I’m pack muleing this trip again. Most of the gear and food and pack is still only 40lbs...

carolinafirearmsforum.com

 

[Goofyfoot2001]

Well i can only speak for the smokies from fontana damn to newfound gap i stayed in 4 shelters this week and none were boarded up and non of the privies were boarded up or locked up 2 shelters i stayed at did not have a privy you had to dig a hole but the ones that did have a privy were fully operational and the ridge runners were working i actually met one her name was Amelia very nice girl asked me how i was doing and where i started and stayed at and pointed out some good views along the way. Take it for what its worth but your buddy might be mistaken on whats really going on, on the trail.

Omg, have done that stretch a couple times in the past....they have bathrooms now? WTH they should put in escalators next.

 

[Redbag5]

Omg, have done that stretch a couple times in the past....they have bathrooms now? WTH they should put in escalators next.

Lets hope that never happens or we will never be able to get away from anyone ever again lol

 

[nettereo16]

I have put some thoughts in to possibly doing that. What do you do for rain and staying dry during bad weather?

I stay completely dry even during crappy weather.
The tarp I'm currently using is the Nemo Apollo. It's a pyramid style that goes up with a pole or trekking pole.
I use a piece of tyvek as my ground cloth. It's so much lighter than a full size tent. Only downside is during buggy weather otherwise the tarp is excellent.

 

[Redbag5]

Thats a pretty cool idea i think im going to try that out. Only reason i am trying to cut weight is bc i crushed my distal tibia/ ankle back in 05 had 9 screws and a metal plate just had the plate and 6 of the screws removed 3 years ago so the weight just murders me after 4 miles i still go on even though it hurts but still want to finish my dream of finishing the AT. Yes im doing it in sections but its what i can handle doing

 

[chiefjason]

Omg, have done that stretch a couple times in the past....they have bathrooms now? WTH they should put in escalators next.

Bathrooms is a bit much to call them. But the park is pretty big on them at the AT shelters because of how much use those areas get. I'm honestly surprised they are pushing tent use at shelters. They usually don't want that.

Thats a pretty cool idea i think im going to try that out. Only reason i am trying to cut weight is bc i crushed my distal tibia/ ankle back in 05 had 9 screws and a metal plate just had the plate and 6 of the screws removed 3 years ago so the weight just murders me after 4 miles i still go on even though it hurts but still want to finish my dream of finishing the AT. Yes im doing it in sections but its what i can handle doing

When I started you pretty much just used a tarp. Choose the size rectangle you want. Now, all kinds of stuff out there. What @nettereo16 is talking about, rectangle, different edge cuts, triangle open on one end. Everything out there from a normal tarp to floorless tents. These is likely the top end of tarps right now. Silnylon is a good weight to cost ratio IMO. But if I were going to use it a lot I'd go dyneema. And still have not made up my mind completely.

Hexamid Pocket Tarp w/ Doors

The super simply designed Hexamid Pocket Tarp w/ Doors provides shelter at a weight that will keep your pack under that elusive sub-7 lb base weight.

zpacks.com

Ultralight Tents & Shelters

Made from Dyneema® Composite Fabric (DCF), our award-winning ultralight shelters are among the lightest and most durable tents and tarps available.

zpacks.com

 

[Redbag5]

Those shelters are nasty without COVID or anything else to worry about. In fact, the grunge will likely disinfect any possible COVID infestation. So they should probably just leave them open.

Ya they are not a Hilton suite lol but they do the job. I always sweep my area before i even put anything down all you can really do is wash your hands and build a fire to keep the mice away now during the summer i do not think i can handle staying bc of all the bugs and people

 

[chiefjason]

@Redbag5 might be worth taking a look at this one. I'd jump on it but it won't work with a hammock.

Z Packs Hexamid Pocket Tarp | eBay

Ultralight tarp. includes Dyneema stuff sack.

www.ebay.com

 

[Goofyfoot2001]

Speaking of bugs, I went off on a blue blaze to camp by a river in Virginia one time. Very scenic in a valley. As soon as the sun started going down there were litterally clouds of mosquitoes. I am grateful I had choosen a light pup tent with sceen and from that moment on I ALWAYS carried a tent. I have never seen anything like it.