Tarp Camping

I mentioned before that I've decided to tarp camp on the PCT. Anyone who knows me, hiked with me, or followed my AT blog knows I did this out on the Appalachian Trail as well, for part of the way. They also know that it was a rather miserable experience for me. So at this point, you might be thinking, "geez, this guy really is a masochist."

Well, I'm not. Really I'm not. But I like simplicity, and philosophically speaking, I go out to nature to experience it, to not be cut off from it. I don't even like zipping up my tent at night, so I can feel closer to the night and the world. There's nothing wrong with a few mosquito bites, the body does in fact become acclimated to it and they stop itching and swelling. The first couple weeks may suck, though...

But I've learned about tarp tenting since then. I now have an Etowah tarp, camo print, much lighter than the standard blue tarp I bought at the Walmart in Franklin, NC. It is more handy for various set up shapes as well, isn't visually obtrusive, and isn't as noisy in wind. Here's a great video on a pretty slick configuration using an Etowah tarp. Just one of several new pitches I've learned.

With this and other set up shapes (Flying Diamond, A-Frame and modified A-frames), I shouldn't have any problems with getting wet in rain. And I now know not to set up over a slight depression on ground that doesn't absorb water... Site selection is everything.

I won't be using any DEET this time around, either. On the AT, it eventually got to the point that I'd lather myself up with the stuff, so I could sleep, since I couldn't hide in my 20 degree sleeping bag in the summer heat. No more of that poison is going on my skin, unless I'm seriously going batshit. I may end up getting a piece of mosquito netting to drape over the open end of the tarp, or I'll just have to let myself get used to the histamine or whatever it is in mosquito spit. I did this in New Jersey last year, and it worked; and it almost seems that most of the benefit came after I changed my mind about it, and accepted them. A mind over matter thing.

I hear the nights out there are cold enough that it isn't a big deal anyways. The only issue is when one is hanging around camp, and I don't mind swatting at bugs for that. I also have a headnet, my one concession to the skeeters I hear live in the High Sierra.