Many people wonder where we’re going to stay when we “do this hike”. Elaine and I are experienced tent campers. We will be taking our temporary home with us right on our backs.
We have had some fun trying to find lightweight gear. A tent is a significant item of weight so we invested in a new shelter.
We will be in our new Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2 for about 139 nights. As you can see, it doesn’t take up too much space. I can hold it easily. It weighs in total packed weight of 3 ½ pounds. We practiced for a second time setting it up in our living room. It has much more vertical sides than our previous tent. It has more internal room, doors on both sides, a quick set-up pole system, integrated guy-outs, and footprint that protects the bottom. The rain fly can be set up separately for really lightweight camping. We do have a concern with bugs bugging us so we will be inside. (The cockroaches in Hawaii were a little freaky – we remember!) There are also inside pockets for headlamps, glasses, phones, and other small items. We’re excited to try it out around here when the weather is a bit nicer.
We will take some days off the trail for a clean-up and in-town food. We figure to be off-trail for 10 to 20 nights. That puts us out 150 – 160 days, or finishing near the end of September.
Dogleggers on the Trail 