Go Lite Poncho --technical and materials

**Groovy** · 06-18-2012, 11:59

Originally Posted by old4hats

Uh, Dangerbird?

Bah- just a little too much fun yesterday!

**dejoha** · 06-18-2012, 13:18

I have been using the GoLite poncho tarp for years. I purchased the new 2012 version a few months ago and used it on the Appalachian Trail during Trail Days in May. It works great!

**jnelson871** · 06-18-2012, 13:27

Originally Posted by dejoha

I have been using the GoLite poncho tarp for years. I purchased the new 2012 version a few months ago and used it on the Appalachian Trail during Trail Days in May. It works great!

I admit your recommendation on another thread clinched my purchase of one. Now where us that delivery guy? :banghead:

**dejoha** · 06-19-2012, 18:14

Here's some photos. The top is in Virginia. It rained all night. I stayed dry. My scouts in their tents were soaked. Love it.

**dman** · 06-19-2012, 19:23

Hey Dejoha, I would like to see some close ups of that set up with the GTUL. This is the set up I have been contemplating for my SUL list but have worried about coverage. How did you attach it to the RL?

**DemostiX** · 06-19-2012, 20:54

Originally Posted by SkunkApe

I found the go lite to small in straight or asym on my weenie micro. Glad it didn't rain.

A tarp this size will cover a 9' hammock very nicely if done right. One of the right ways is to pitch it tied lower and sloping down toward the foot end, so it is close to that end of the hammock.

You didn't say how long your hammock was. Among the costs of great length is the expense of covering ends that might stow gear, but which in rain will funnel the water nicely to you in middle.

I'll suggest that cheaper, lighter and less expensive than a big tarp would be much smaller triangles of sil -nylon sew or snapped or hooked to both canoe ends of the long hammock.

It IS just 42sq ft, and certainly will NOT provide the coverage of 100sq ft. Also, those who are tall will be more likely to want a larger tarp. Tall really costs if you want to maintain some standing room.

**dejoha** · 06-20-2012, 01:53

I took the 2012 version of the GoLite Poncho Tarp with me to Trail Days in Damascus, Virginia this year. The hammock pictured is the 11-foot-long BIAS hammock. You'll see there is plenty of coverage (well, "plenty" is my term for "just right").

Also featured in this photo is the HUG bug net. It was wet and buggy and this set up worked great for me. This is along the Appalachian Trail.

**dejoha** · 06-20-2012, 01:56

In the first images with the blue GoLite tarp, the top image is the Grand Trunk Ultralight, which is 9.5 feet long. The lower image is the Grand Trunk Nano 7, which is 9 feet long.

**dejoha** · 06-20-2012, 02:09

Originally Posted by dman

Hey Dejoha, I would like to see some close ups of that set up with the GTUL. This is the set up I have been contemplating for my SUL list but have worried about coverage. How did you attach it to the RL?

I'll have to get some photos for you. I'm planning a backpacking trip this weekend, but I'll be hauling the BIAS hammock. It's 11 feet long, but the GTUL works just the same. The GTUL is my usual favorite when I'm not testing gear. Seems like recently I've been testing so much that my GTUL is getting dusty...

**dman** · 06-20-2012, 07:24

That was very helpful. I love my GTUL for short fast trips and want a tarp that will work just for those trips. I have also been looking at the equinox 1.1 in extra long, it gives you 104" of length with very little weight penalty over the standard but that is only 2 oz away from a WL Tadpole. Oh the choices are plenty difficult for a gear junkie!