Etowah Outfitters Ultralight Tarp

“Gabi - I think this is what you bought at the Happy Hiker?

I bought this puppy and took it with me over the weekend to South Cumberland State Park - Savage and Big Creek Gulfs. I am so impressed - this is the shelter I will depend on when I hike the AT Southbound this June. I can't wait to test it out more. So far it holds up great in windy and rain conditions and I set it up real tight thinking I was going to break it. It dries fast too.”

“I set it up as a palace one night when it wasn't windy. Then set it up as a low A-frame for wind and rain. Gotta research other setup designs like a wing or sumpin... Still kind of a dummy when it comes to tarps, but I been using Target (oh no not Target!?) special cheapie tarp for a few years. Now its got holes in it. I don't do tents anymore unless it's gonna be buggy like in the swamp.”

“I always use a cord for a ridge line with tarps.”

“yupp, that's it! much better then your old tarp huh?”

“It makes for a strong tight set up.”

“Hey stranger, how ya doin? BTW is that tarp silnylon? If it is I know how to patch it iffin a deer ever steps on ya in the middle of the night!










Silnet does the trick.”

“karo got run over by a reindeer. ;-)”

“Gabi - this tarp is like a Mozerotti (sp?) and the old tarp we used on the Chattooga is like a dang Yugo!

Karo - will keep that in mind! Are deer hooves sharp? LOL!

Next gear purchase might be that Etowah Alcohol stove (yes, I am giving in to the alchohol). I gotta try this lightweight stuff or I will be regretting it. I might have to swap out the alchohol stove for my white gas Simmerlite when I get to winter weather. I don't buy gear that often so each purchase is a milestone for me since I am such a mizer. ahhaha!”

“sounds great...i like that size, it's the same as mine but mine weighs about twice that, is it sil?...what'd ya pay for it”

“from their website:

8' x 10' (13oz.)12 tabs* msrp $98.00ea

holy gravy!!!...i'll carry the extra 10 oz. of my poly tarp and put the $70 in my pocket”

“For 2200 miles, I will pay extra to carry a shelter that is under a pound. I got mine for 88 bucks at an outfitters here in Knoxville. You get what you pay for...”

“ahh, i see...i didn't realize you were doing the WHOLE AT...even i wouldn't skimp on that trip”

“smokygirl, I wish I was going with ya. I had planned to start at Springer in April after we shutdown our plant for 18 months. Then I found out I was going to be a grandfather and decided to hold off. If everything is settled down by June, maybe I could head southbound. I have one of Binks 8X10 silnylon tarps by Equinox. I use it almost exclusively. I did break down and buy a one man tent that weighs about 3#. I got it on sale at REI Outlet online and had it shipped to the store since it is about 20 miles away.
BTW, I can make you an alcohol stove like the one I use if you want to try it. It is one of the most effecient ones I have tried.
last edited: 12/28/06 1:28:17 PM”

“Karo - congratulations on being a Papaw! Woohoo!

I will start around July 4th, but heading up North in June to do some paddle trips before I hit the trail. Lemme know if you do decide to thru-hike.

That would be cool. You should sell 'em!

Thrifty - I skimped on everything else, but you're right, I won't be skimpin' on this trip! Weee! Still a ways off, but trying to cover bases early.”