Another vote for a bug bivy and tarp. In my case it’s a shaped tarp (currently a Cirriform from Yama but I’ve also used mids from MLD and SMD). I like the simplicity of just dropping the bivy under a tree or nestled in between some rocks most nights but I can enjoy 360° protection when needed.
I don’t hang out in camp much. If I liked to linger I might be motivated to set up (and carry) a more complex tent.
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I grew up backpacking in the Sierra with family members who only ever brought one large tarp for the group (usually 3-4 of us). It wasn’t a high-end DCF tarp (only sails were made with that at the time!), just a stock standard blue hardware store tarp. If it was clear, we slept like sardines on the tarp, under the stars (which was most nights). If it looked like rain we would string up the tarp and all sleep like sardines under it (with a stash of dry firewood). Site selection (often up on high ground) usually meant no issues with bugs. If there were bugs, you just cinched up the drawstring on your sleeping bag and toughed it out!
These days I use a DCF tent. I’ve looked at tarp and bivvy combo’s, but the weight difference with my tent is negligible so I just stick with my tent (lightweight hiking pole tents feel like a bag of dandelion fluff - they are so light).?
Personally I’ve not had a lot of rainy nights in the Sierra - afternoons, yes, but typically clear by night (but not always!). You can definitely do just fine with a tarp, and if you are really bug averse a bivvy net. If you are willing to load up on water and hike a short distance up a ridge to camp (with a great view!), typically bugs will drop away exponentially and you usually get a slight breeze that sweeps the stragglers away. I live in Australia now, so the bug/spider/snake situation is on another level - hence the tent!!
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On 11 Jun 2024, at 6:53?PM, Christine B. <busschristine7@...> wrote:
? Hi guys, I will be doing the JMT in August and thinking of saving weight. Whats your experience - will a tarp be enough or should I go with a tent?
I'm from Europe so will probably choose Nemo Horner OSMO 1P or Big Agnes - Fly Creek HV UL1 or Big Agnes Tiger Wall. Thank you, Christine
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How much do you hate bugs crawling on you at night?? That will be your answer, as it is mine :)
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JMT 6 times late July - early August. Rained and hailed on all trips ?and mosquitos and black flies by Mammoth. I like the privacy of the tent for women. Love my Nemo second generation of Hornet 1p. Never felt lack of space.
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On Jun 11, 2024, at 08:56, WildVagabond via groups.io <wildvagabond@...> wrote:
?The best balance is a TarpTent.?
The company is TarpTent.?
I love my DiPole, which is roomy, well-designed, and very light in weight.?
And, rig with rock loops for that slickrock camping.?
Why carry redundant tent poles? Use your trekking poles.?
https://www.tarptent.com/product/dipole-2-li/
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Wherever you go, there you are,? Cheers, WV
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The best balance is a TarpTent.?
The company is TarpTent.?
I love my DiPole, which is roomy, well-designed, and very light in weight.?
And, rig with rock loops for that slickrock camping.?
Why carry redundant tent poles? Use your trekking poles.?
https://www.tarptent.com/product/dipole-2-li/
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Wherever you go, there you are,? Cheers, WV
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Tarp and bug bivy. ?Later in the season tarp only. ?I like the weight savings. I second the comment re site selection
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On Jun 11, 2024, at 7:05?AM, Christine B. <busschristine7@...> wrote:
? thank you for the input! yes the mosquitos were my concern too. What are the odds of having (a lot of) rain in august?
Am Di., 11. Juni 2024 um 16:01?Uhr schrieb Doyle Weemes via <doyle.weemes= [email protected]>: I have made the trip 3 times.? First and last with a bug bivy and a tarp and the middle trip with a tent.? I prefer the tarp and bug bivy. Last trip I used a Borah bug bivy with a dyneema floor. That setup is extremely light.? I don't think I would do it with tarp and no bug bivy though.
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thank you for the input! yes the mosquitos were my concern too. What are the odds of having (a lot of) rain in august?
Am Di., 11. Juni 2024 um 16:01?Uhr schrieb Doyle Weemes via <doyle.weemes= [email protected]>:
I have made the trip 3 times.? First and last with a bug bivy and a tarp and the middle trip with a tent.? I prefer the tarp and bug bivy. Last trip I used a Borah bug bivy with a dyneema floor. That setup is extremely light.? I don't think I would do it with tarp and no bug bivy though.
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I've done the JMT 4 times in July/August/September. ?Last two times with a tarp and don't plan to go back to tent anytime soon. ?At least half the nights I don't even bother with the tarp. ?It's amazing to wake up in the middle of night and be able to view the night sky at 10,000 ft. ?It's almost like you are on another planet it looks so different. ?Easy to avoid bugs if you pick your site well. ?I have carried a bug net in the past, but may leave it behind this year as I've never really needed it.?
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I have made the trip 3 times.? First and last with a bug bivy and a tarp and the middle trip with a tent.? I prefer the tarp and bug bivy. Last trip I used a Borah bug bivy with a dyneema floor. That setup is extremely light.? I don't think I would do it with tarp and no bug bivy though.
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There can still be mosquitoes in August, and sometimes hard rain that can unexpectedly flood your sleeping area, so I would not use a tarp if you would like full coverage.?
On clear, mosquito-free nights you could use just the fly (or no tent at all).
Look into 2-person versions of the tents you are interested in, as some are only a few ounces heavier but give you much more room.?
Cheers
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Hi guys, I will be doing the JMT in August and thinking of saving weight. Whats your experience - will a tarp be enough or should I go with a tent?
I'm from Europe so will probably choose Nemo Horner OSMO 1P or Big Agnes - Fly Creek HV UL1 or Big Agnes Tiger Wall. Thank you, Christine
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Re: A question about pass strategy for late season
I hiked JMT twice with different?strategies. One trip was SOBO in late July and early August?, and the other?one was NOBO in mid June.? For the sobo (first time) trip we took a leisure approach.? We only hiked half-day every day, and usually?set up camps near lakes for fly fishing, swimming?and drinking tea. I enjoyed the trip so much that at the end of the trip I wished I could have kept hiking. Well, two years later, my dream came true, I went back to the trail and thru-hiked PCT. It was mid June when I was on JMT section again, and this time I alway camped at a higher ground near a pass to avoid possible postholing later in the day. Both trips turned out?amazing.?
Maria
On Mon, Jun 10, 2024 at 4:38?PM Tom Kennefick via <tomkennefick= [email protected]> wrote: I second the camp high strategy (weather permitting) and almost never camp at lakes. ? I also avoid high use campsites on the theory that bears and mini bears frequent those places. ? Some of my favorite times have been crossing passes alone in the early AM and late in the day. ? For dinner and breakfast I normally need 3L of water . But if I hike a few miles then have my breakfast later at a water source down the trail, I only need to carry 1.5-2L water. Usually before a pass there are some creeks or small lakes, so the distance of carrying the water up should not be long.
On Sun, Jun 9, 2024 at 09:44 AM, Curt Kinchen wrote:
noted destinations and established campsites heavily favor lakes,
Yes, I've noticed this too. The established campsites and guides sometimes overlook great sites with great views over spots that may have easier access to water. I don't mind hauling a little extra water for a great view for the evening and morning.
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Re: A question about pass strategy for late season
I second the camp high strategy (weather permitting) and almost never camp at lakes. ? I also avoid high use campsites on the theory that bears and mini bears frequent those places. ? Some of my favorite times have been crossing passes alone in the early AM and late in the day.
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On Jun 10, 2024, at 4:00?PM, Jingbo Ni <jnistargazer@...> wrote:
? For dinner and breakfast I normally need 3L of water . But if I hike a few miles then have my breakfast later at a water source down the trail, I only need to carry 1.5-2L water. Usually before a pass there are some creeks or small lakes, so the distance of carrying the water up should not be long.
On Sun, Jun 9, 2024 at 09:44 AM, Curt Kinchen wrote:
noted destinations and established campsites heavily favor lakes,
Yes, I've noticed this too. The established campsites and guides sometimes overlook great sites with great views over spots that may have easier access to water. I don't mind hauling a little extra water for a great view for the evening and morning.
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Re: A question about pass strategy for late season
For dinner and breakfast I normally need 3L of water . But if I hike a few miles then have my breakfast later at a water source down the trail, I only need to carry 1.5-2L water. Usually before a pass there are some creeks or small lakes, so the distance of carrying the water up should not be long.
On Sun, Jun 9, 2024 at 09:44 AM, Curt Kinchen wrote:
noted destinations and established campsites heavily favor lakes,
Yes, I've noticed this too. The established campsites and guides sometimes overlook great sites with great views over spots that may have easier access to water. I don't mind hauling a little extra water for a great view for the evening and morning.
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Re: A question about pass strategy for late season
On Sun, Jun 9, 2024 at 09:44 AM, Curt Kinchen wrote:
noted destinations and established campsites heavily favor lakes,
Yes, I've noticed this too. The established campsites and guides sometimes overlook great sites with great views over spots that may have easier access to water. I don't mind hauling a little extra water for a great view for the evening and morning.
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Re: A question about pass strategy for late season
After having experienced being in treeless terrain on the top of passes with massive thunderclaps and lightning bolts hitting close by, I was motivated to hike early and get over passes as early as possible each day. Nothing in the backcountry frightens me more. You can get lucky and go a while without storms or you can have a week of storms that don’t let up, like I did. I hope you are lucky!
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Re: A question about pass strategy for late season
I will keep your w in mind. I’ve backpacked in Sierra mountains many times but never had any trips longer than a week. Absolutely there are many many great new experiences I can’t wait :-)
On Sun, Jun 9, 2024 at 22:28 Lange Jorstad via <langejorstad= [email protected]> wrote: I understand the allure of camping near lakes, but my first pick is always somewhere a bit higher. Lakeside realestate is usually colder, definitely dewier, and with more mozzies. If you are swimming or fishing, lakeside is awesome. If not, I’ll always water up and head up to higher ground. Sleeping under the stars on a flat sandy shelf on a ridge with a great view is as good as it gets for me!
On 10 Jun 2024, at 2:44?AM, Curt Kinchen <ptcurt@...> wrote:
? I know it's a natural tendency and the guide books, noted destinations and established campsites heavily favor lakes, but consider going beyond the lakes to a higher location.?? When it's possible to find a campsite, ridges often are more comfortable than the lake basins.? Usually there are far fewer mosquitoes, it's warmer in the morning and less dewfall on your tent.
It may require taking on water prior to the camp, but often you can find a streamlet nearby.??
Clearly, you want to avoid exposed areas if the weather is threatening.? Also, if there are not established campsites, all usual LNT guidance can make it more of a challenge. Yes, but sometimes I would like to camp in a lake area that may be more than half days away from the next pass. Let's see, I believe what really matters is the situation in the wilderness at the moment.
Thanks.
On Sun, Jun 9, 2024 at 7:05?AM Byron Nevins via <byron.nevins= [email protected]> wrote: I adore camping just below a pass.? Which usually is 10-11,000'.? It's so nice up there.??
But, mainly, hitting that pass first thing in the morning is almost effortless compared to tackling it at the end of the day.
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Byron Nevins
Lead Moderator of JMT at
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Re: A question about pass strategy for late season
I understand the allure of camping near lakes, but my first pick is always somewhere a bit higher. Lakeside realestate is usually colder, definitely dewier, and with more mozzies. If you are swimming or fishing, lakeside is awesome. If not, I’ll always water up and head up to higher ground. Sleeping under the stars on a flat sandy shelf on a ridge with a great view is as good as it gets for me!
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On 10 Jun 2024, at 2:44?AM, Curt Kinchen <ptcurt@...> wrote:
? I know it's a natural tendency and the guide books, noted destinations and established campsites heavily favor lakes, but consider going beyond the lakes to a higher location.?? When it's possible to find a campsite, ridges often are more comfortable than the lake basins.? Usually there are far fewer mosquitoes, it's warmer in the morning and less dewfall on your tent.
It may require taking on water prior to the camp, but often you can find a streamlet nearby.??
Clearly, you want to avoid exposed areas if the weather is threatening.? Also, if there are not established campsites, all usual LNT guidance can make it more of a challenge. Yes, but sometimes I would like to camp in a lake area that may be more than half days away from the next pass. Let's see, I believe what really matters is the situation in the wilderness at the moment.
Thanks.
On Sun, Jun 9, 2024 at 7:05?AM Byron Nevins via <byron.nevins= [email protected]> wrote: I adore camping just below a pass.? Which usually is 10-11,000'.? It's so nice up there.??
But, mainly, hitting that pass first thing in the morning is almost effortless compared to tackling it at the end of the day.
--
Byron Nevins
Lead Moderator of JMT at
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Re: A question about pass strategy for late season
I know it's a natural tendency and the guide books, noted destinations and established campsites heavily favor lakes, but consider going beyond the lakes to a higher location.?? When it's possible to find a campsite, ridges often are more comfortable than the lake basins.? Usually there are far fewer mosquitoes, it's warmer in the morning and less dewfall on your tent.
It may require taking on water prior to the camp, but often you can find a streamlet nearby.??
Clearly, you want to avoid exposed areas if the weather is threatening.? Also, if there are not established campsites, all usual LNT guidance can make it more of a challenge.
Yes, but sometimes I would like to camp in a lake area that may be more than half days away from the next pass. Let's see, I believe what really matters is the situation in the wilderness at the moment.
Thanks.
On Sun, Jun 9, 2024 at 7:05?AM Byron Nevins via <byron.nevins= [email protected]> wrote: I adore camping just below a pass.? Which usually is 10-11,000'.? It's so nice up there.??
But, mainly, hitting that pass first thing in the morning is almost effortless compared to tackling it at the end of the day.
--
Byron Nevins
Lead Moderator of JMT at
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Re: A question about pass strategy for late season
Yes, but sometimes I would like to camp in a lake area that may be more than half days away from the next pass. Let's see, I believe what really matters is the situation in the wilderness at the moment.
Thanks.
On Sun, Jun 9, 2024 at 7:05?AM Byron Nevins via <byron.nevins= [email protected]> wrote: I adore camping just below a pass.? Which usually is 10-11,000'.? It's so nice up there.??
But, mainly, hitting that pass first thing in the morning is almost effortless compared to tackling it at the end of the day.
--
Byron Nevins
Lead Moderator of JMT at
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matthew
Lange Jorstad
Karina Bezkrovnaia
WildVagabond
WanderingJim
Granola