I'd take the poncho/tarp plus bivy just to see what it can handle. I am novice with regard to tarp camping, and I am a glutton for real-world practice. I would probably take the gear list that is in my profile, but (maybe) add swap out my torso pad for a 3/4 Ridgerest and my Marmot Hydrogen.

Recently, I was going to take a trip up to some of the state parks up there, and was having a shelter quibble. The options were between my MK1, CatTarp 2 /w double bivy and my DoubleRainbow. Before I got a good look at trail conditions, I was considering taking all of them in the car and making a trailhead decision as to what to pack in. (The trip was canceled, btw, because of a severe ice storm.)

Dan makes a great point about weather. Although there are some exposed cliffs on the SHT, there are many, many sections where one is just woods walking with little exposure to sunlight. Although the trees will not bud leaves for another month, you are still looking at limited sunlight potential. It can be messy up there with lake breezes, windy conditions and mist. Hypothermia is a real possibility.

All that said, I'd still be inclined to push the system. Maybe boost pad warmth?

Edited by citystuckhiker on 04/19/2009 09:13:05 MDT.

Dan, Matt, thanks for the great info. The Coastal Trail is about 8-9 hours north of me, so I am not "at home" at home up there...it's not my playground.

Sounds like I need to tap into your knowledge. I'll start a new thread in Gear Lists and would appreciate both of you guys to go through it. I'm not really looking to get hypothermia on my vacation...:)

The reason I mentioned hypothermia is that I've seen it first hand in similar conditions. North woods, mid-spring, sustained rain, and mid 40's for temps. My cousin got it, and he didn't really realize it was happening at the time. My father realized it, stopped us immediately, set up camp, and threw him in a sleeping bag in the tent. I huddled up to him to warm him while my dad hitchhiked to the car.

Hi lips were still blue when my dad returned over an hour later. The trip was called off. We were fortunate that we were at an area that we could stop and go home, and where we could put him in a car and turn the heat up.

How much experience have you had with the poncho tarp in cold, wet weather. Have you tried it out close to home in cold, wet conditions?

If the answer is no, I'd strongly recommend the 2 pounds more. Save the poncho tarp system to practice in bad weather in a location where you can easily bail out if things go awry. With this trip being on your "bucket" list, you want to be able to enjoy it!

If you have successfully kept dry and warm using the poncho tarp in really bad weather, then go for the lighter load. As others have stated, you're probably not going to notice the 2 pounds difference, certainly not after you've eaten the first day's food! In either case, your load is a lot lighter than mine!

Have a good time and stay dry!

Edited by hikinggranny on 04/19/2009 10:32:08 MDT.

I'll put in another vote against the poncho tarp. I have more experience with tarps than I do with tents and if I expected it to rain especially for prolonged periods I would bring a larger tarp or in your case a tent. I would also bring separate rain gear of some kind.
Poncho tarps are great for milder weather as a "just in case" shelter or for passing storms. In prolonged rain everything gets wetter and wetter slowly and surely and trying to get away with a small tarp and having to deal with set-up and take-down in the rain day after day becomes a losing battle. Sure, its possible to do but the effort and experience needed to make it work isn't worth it in my opinion.

Steve,

Hike your hike, and take equipment suited for the conditions. As a poncho/tarp user and advocate; I don't use it on every trip.

Pick your gear suitable for the trip, and what is weighs, is what it weighs.

Hi Mary,
I've been using a poncho/tarp for the past few years but up here we don't have a very long "cold and wet" season so I'm not voer experienced in that weather. I'm sure I could make it work, but have decided to use my Duomid and enjoy myself.
Your comment about the food is too true. After a day, I'll have eaten the extra weight...:)

Brian,
Yep, I'm convinced.

Nick,
My pre-hike preparation is a lot of fun for me. At the end of the day, I bring what I want to bring but I enjoy getting the feedback from others. Keeping my weight as low as possible is an enjoyable challenge for me.

My list is posted under gear lists/my profile.

Steven,

Your gear list looks well-thought out. I'm pleased to see you've listed the mid over a poncho tarp. Having hiked many hundreds of miles of Lake Superior's shore lines I personally saved use of a poncho tarp for the months of June through September.

Late April and May will be rainy and snowy and considering your choice sleeping gear (short quilt, insulated pants and down sweater) you're going to want a waterproof respite for a night's sleep.

I too set out on sufferfest trips with vigor but they are done in familiar terrain with the option for escape.