Leebo

I sometimes use a small tent as well as a hammock for camping. Thinking about using a tarp and a bugnet to hang under that for this summers bikepacking tour. Looking to ride lighter. I will be in the white mts of NH and over into VT as well. For those of you use just a tarp, bugs, snakes, raccoon or skunk issues snuggling right up to you? Will be hanging my food as I will be in bear country.

gorshkov

I've recently switched to a tarp + bug bivy for backpacking, but I haven't used it for bike touring yet. I've only used it for 6 nights out (4 in Great Smokies NP and 2 in SE Oklahoma) but haven't had any critter trouble yet.

indyfabz

Is that sort of setup tick-proof/resistant? Check out the bug-disease article in today's NYT.

djb

Would you consider something like this?

https://www.tarptent.com/store/tents/protrail

as someone who has done outdoor stuff in the east, I would always want a full screened in tent for the bugs.

reppans

WNCGoater

+1 Four legged critters don't worry me, they'll typically steer clear. Unless it's the middle of winter and happens to be a really cold day, the 6 and 8 legged pests will eat you alive, especially in the Southeast.

Leebo

Tarp might be out for this. The solo tent with a mostly screened top section only weighs 27 oz. Poles are 10 oz more. Will improvise some sort of lightweight waterproof cover for the fly.

djb

wow, your tent is only 1050g, thats just over 2lbs. Thats a pretty darn light sleeping system.
Is the fly not really waterproof, is that why you want a waterproof tarp cover for it?

jefnvk

If you are considering just a tarp and bug sheet, have you looked into something like a bivy tent? Something like this is 18oz total. Not much room for anything inside, but I'm guessing that isn't a concern considering your other shelter choice.

https://www.rei.com/product/867215/o...saApfMEALw_wcB

Tourist in MSN

Several decades ago I did some camping in spring or fall when it was cool (or cold) enough that bugs were not a concern. I had a tarp sort of thing, I think it was called a Gerry Pioneer that was like a small tarp that you could pitch with two poles or between two trees, It had a wall tent sort of shape, did not have doors for the ends but it had mosquito netting that hung down from it to the ground on the ends. I used a separate ground sheet. Worked fine. But I stored no food under it.

fietsbob

I saw Black Diamond , MegaMid/Mega lite offer a mozzy-net sewn floor inner tent,

Golite did similar , their floor more hexagonal , BD is square. both single center pole..

IK_biker

Tarp + bivy + poles + stakes (7+6+3.5+2.5 oz) for a total of 19 oz weight has been plenty enough for me during the last 7-8 years, all over the Appalachia region (incl. the Green and White mountains in the NE USA).

No "snakes, raccoon or skunk" issues whatsoever.
Bugs are 100% deterred by the bivy during sleep, and I use a small Sea-2-summit headnet while lingering in camp, which I don't do much, as I ride, pitch the tarp, (sometimes) cook fast dinner, and sleep.

I realize that the question was about camping, while my preferred setup is focused on _riding_ instead. I find I don't care much about camping comforts. I find camping and bikepacking incompatible - it is either, or...

staehpj1

On my most recent trips I have been using either a 5.3 oz, Ti Goat Ptramigan bug bivy a 7 oz. Borah Side Zip and a 7 oz. Integral Designs Siltarp 1. I have decided that on trips where rain is at all likely a little bigger tarp would be nice so I bought a 12.3 oz, Sea2Summit Escapist M.

I never gave snakes, raccoon or skunks much thought when it comes to shelter options. Raccoon are a big factor in food storage choices in some places.

I don't pitch the tarp most nights unless rain seems likely or I want a little more wind protection. If the weather is warm and it is not buggy I often sleep on top of the bivy.

I have camped in tick country for well over 50 years and have figured out what works for me. Not everyone will agree, but my experience is that ticks are picked up when walking around and brushing against tall grass or shrubs not while settled down in a sleeping bag even if right on the ground. I have toured coast to coast a couple times and done a bunch of other long tours and the only time I ever remember picking up a tick on tour was when I was hiking that day. They tend to get on skin or clothing and crawl around a while before latching on, so if one is found at night or in the morning it was probably picked up the day before.

I also disagree with the notion that long pants are the way to go. I feel, find, and remove ticks much more readily if I am on shorts.

All in all I have very rarely picked up a tick at all when on tour, backpacking, or trail running, is another matter.