From: Chip (rcenci@twcny.rr.com)
Date: Thu Dec 05 2002 - 16:16:05 CST
Seeing as I was the one who got the tent thread started asking about the
Tarp hybrid, I'll put my two cents in. I have been to Philmont and in 1966
where I slept in a 10X10 plastic tarp that we set up whatever way the
landscape allowed. In 1991 I slept in a green Philtent and 1999 and 2002 I
slept in a Eureka Timberlite 2XT. On all occasions I stayed dry and as I
look back on the plastic tarp days I can not remember why, no floor, no
sleeping pad, just a ground cloth.
In 91 I remember a terrible downpour in which the little tiny stream that
runs through Dean Cow became a raging river that moved boulders the size of
Volkswagens, that night the Philtent worked well though a might bit cozy.
The Timberlite 2XT was not only a might bit cozy but actually a
claustrophobics nightmare, the tent is comfortable but tent mates are very
close. Also being over fifty getting out for a middle of the night pit stop
can be very sporty. The Timberlite has a great vestibule for keeping boots
dry at night and that is a feature worth keeping.
That being the case I am looking to replace my tent for something a
little
different and the tarp/hybrid sounds tempting. Well folks with all the
postings mostly not reassuring and one side email Stating "It's a great
tarp. Not a tent. Snow rain are kept out so you and the bugs
stay dry." I went ahead and ordered the Hybrid described anyway, I'll keep
you posted in the future.
Incidentally for all you Eureka fans, almost every troop in our area uses
Eureka tents because you see the Eureka factory store is in Binghamton New
York and it is just down the road from here.
I feel everyone has their own opinion on what type of equipment to use.
What works for one person may be hated by another. Your own testing and
using of different items is the only way to see what is right for you.
My absolutely must have item is a Themarest pad, all of the ground at
Philmont is rough, rocky or uneven. A good full length pad is a must for
me, it keeps me off the ground and warm too. I hat the confines of a
sleeping bag so I tend to sleep directly on the pad and drape the bag over
me and it. This works well for all but the coldest nights at high altitude
then I slip into the bag. This year I traded my Original Standard Long for
a Guidelite Long and was very happy with the results.
Let us see where a thread of what each person feels is their personal
Absolutely must have item is. Is it a Chair, Walking poles, water filter,
sunglasses, or special spice.
Chip Philmont Hiker 1966 (Ancient times, when fires were mandatory for hot
meals not banned), 1991 (Almost Modern Era, human sumping was allowed), 1999
(Still in the last century, my first coed crew), and 2002 (It doesn't get
any closer)
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