For those who thru hiked the AT..

**Crawldaddy** · 03-13-2012, 05:37

I know weather patterns are different each year, but generally speaking, would you recommend carrying a weather shield for your down underquilt while thru hiking the AT?

Im trying to cut as much weight as possible in my pack. (8oz) thanx, Bill

**Cannibal** · 03-13-2012, 09:12

Nah.

A larger tarp to provide more coverage will cost you less total weight than 8oz for a shield. I can only think of a handful of nights that a shield would have been handy and I used a MacCat Standard for the bulk of the hike. Good site selection doesn't weigh anything while still being priceless.

**Miguel** · 03-13-2012, 09:17

I'm with Cannibal...and it's why I am taking a Big Daddy which is even bigger than a Maccat Deluxe. Bring on the rain! (no...not really) BTW....I've been in some very long rains with my original Claytor diamond tarp and stayed perfectly dry.

Miguel

**SGT Rock** · 03-13-2012, 09:24

My experience is in the worst of it, if you have a tarp that is about 8x10 and your under quilt has a DWR coating, you should be fine without an under shield. I used one at the start and dropped it down the line.

**RichardD** · 03-13-2012, 20:06

I did not use one, I used a Hennesy hex tarp and my underquilt only occasionaly had moisture underneath, the DWR was quite sufficient to keep the down dry on these rare occasions.

**Dutch** · 03-13-2012, 20:15

I never used one and it has never been a problem. I thu'd with an HH ULBA with stock tarp. It rained every day for the entire state of Virginia and my set up never got wet when I was sober.

**Miguel** · 03-17-2012, 09:34

Originally Posted by Dutch

I never used one and it has never been a problem. I thu'd with an HH ULBA with stock tarp. It rained every day for the entire state of Virginia and my set up never got wet when I was sober.

So does that mean I should plan on having some pretty wet gear?

Miguel