There are plenty of run-down and old miner cabins out here which look like AT-style shelters but not nearly as palatial. Fewer mice, though. 😉

I can’t list a tent I’ve never used (Consistently)… I know, odd! 😀

Depends on the time of the year. But I took a tarp when I did the CT in early fall.

Probably be OK esp towards night. Lower lying areas nears water may be an issue.

Thanks again for the tips. I ended up buying a “Bearpaw Lair” tarp (similar to the ZPacks Hexamid) because I found one used and cheap. My recovery from injury is going quite well and I happen to have a free long weekend at the very end of July… the mountains are calling! Do you think that bugs will be an issue this year in the high country at the end of July? (for something like the 4-pass loop or the Pawnee-Buchanan loop, etc). In light of my recent Achilles injury, I’d feel a lot safer backpacking out there if I can ditch the tent and go with the tarp.

Not sure how tall you are, but I’m 5’6″ and find it a palace. Obviously I am not tall. 😉 Probably enough room for someone up to 6’2″ easily. After that? I am not sure to be honest. See above about me not being tall. 🙂 If you are not sure, grab an inexpensive 8×10 tarp from the hardware store and set it up. Enough room for your height? You are out less than $10 for this test and can use the tarp for something else. And you know to buy a larger tarp.

Thanks! I think for now I’ll just buy the tarp, and start off late-season (late August or Sep.) so that I don’t have to deal with bugs. Then, if I become a tarp convert and want to use it when bugs are out, I’ll try the bug net. Would you say that an 8×10 tarp is big enough to keep a tall person (who is a novice) dry in his down sleeping bag?