AZT 300 Sleeping setup

[AZTtripper]

It's not like the ground is crawling with critters, yeah their out there but it's so rare to have issues.

2.5 pounds sounds heavy to me even with all of my strings I don't think the tarp bivy combo weighs that much.

I linked this at another thread http://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/Tarp-Kit/index.htm Ray has been around the block so to speak, he's big on open air sleep systems for breathability. I will say I prefer to sleep under a tarp instead of a tent. Under the stars, is the best of course, if it's clear.

No matter your intended finish time, trust me you don't want extra stuff. It's not easier to be slower, unless your a super fast guy just cruising. Most of the slower riders seem to be working just as hard or harder then the faster guys. Carry less have more fun, just enough for a good safety margin.

As to pads, again there's a huge range from nothing, to improvised car shades, to z rest foam. I went with the Pro Light back in 06 and still use it. There are newer lighter air pads now. Just make sure to lay out a ground sheet of some kind and be sure to check for thorns.

[schillingsworth]

I've been debating the use of my air mattress for the 750 next year, not for comfort per se, but for insulation against the cold. I did the 300 in '13 with only a sleeping bag & piece of lumber wrapping for ground cover. I was more than pleased with the results. I figured, ride until you're tired and you'll sleep on anything!! It worked, and I slept great.

Now this year I'm going for the 750 and know the nights will get very cold, longtime AZ desert dweller here. I leaning more towards taking a bivy/pad this year for warmth. Any thoughts on this? I have a 32º synthetic bag & some sweet 0º goose down booties!!

[ScottM]

I love the light big agnes pads for both comfort and cold.  They roll up super small, too.  (Either the clearview ones or the newer bright green answer to the Neolite style, which we used on the CDT).

But it *is* the desert and those pads do very little for you when punctured.  For touring the green ones worked great, but we knew we could stop and spend the time to find/fix a hole if needed.  Plus we were maybe a bit more choose-y in bivy spots.  Somehow we didn't get punctures even in the goathead infested closed campground off Roosevelt!!

[bobjenkins79]

Quick update: we did a trip last weekend using clear window insulation for a ground cover and rain fly. Works VERY well and is super light and packable



....not sure why, but I can't get the pic to load.

[bobjenkins79]

Better photo

[ArisaemaDracontium]

Its really hard for me, as a midwesterner to fathom camping without a tent. If you did so around here during the growing season, you would probably be drained of blood by morning. Hammock, tarp, whatever, but you NEED a mosquito net!

I realize this is not a major issue in southern AZ. But what about wind? I would think I would like at least a low-slung tarp to keep the breeze off me at night, for warmth and comfort.

As for critters, I realize its not much of a risk, but a few years ago car-camping in Sedona in March, we had a small, white scorpion saddle up to our camp fire. I hated the idea of harming another living creature, but I also didn't like the idea of risking having him around drunk/half asleep campers. So I flicked him into the fire. I still feel bad about it, I have no idea of knowing if he would have hurt someone, but he could have.