A simple shelter can be a tarp and a ground cloth. In most journeys, Tommy Michel uses a full-length poncho (5½ feet x 10 feet) that is designed to cover both the hiker and a large pack in the rain but can also double as a tarp or emergency shelter.

However, if the journey is upon the mountain in the warmer months, there may be trouble with insects: black flies, gnats, horse flies, mosquitoes and no-see-ums. In this annoying environment, it may be better to use a small tent or bivouac sack with insect netting to protect against these biting pests.

During his walks in Maryland, it is often much too warm to get into the sleeping bag. However, because the mosquitoes were so plentiful, once Tommy Michel found it was necessary to zip the sleeping bag shut and try to sleep in the unbearable heat.

That was some choice to make, unbearable heat or biting pests! Needless to say, there was little if any sleep that night. The lesson learned from this experience is if you don′t have insect netting or the insect repellant fails to stop the hoards of biting pests, seek out high windy places for camping and never set up camp near low wetlands, such as Maryland in summer months.

Whatever your choice of shelter is, a small lightweight tent with insect netting is a good investment. This will only add about four pounds of lightweight gear and will keep all those pesky bugs away for the two weeks of hot days on the mountain.

Prior to retirement, Tommy Michael chose to purchase a tent for his upcoming backpacking adventures. Then in September 2009, he met with several of his close friends at Lee Vining, California and from there, we embark upon an eight day backpack trip in Yosemite National Park hiking on the combined PCT and John Muir trails.

A tent that is designed for a single person is shown in the next photo. This light weight tent is constructed of nylon and has included: a fly, two poles, stakes, cord, a ground cloth and several stuff stacks.

The top of the tent is constructed of mosquito netting and without the fly attached, serves as a window into the night sky. In this photo, the insulated ground pad is stretched out on top in order to air it out.

The fly is on the ground to the left in the photo to be attached at a later time.

This tent weights in at: 3 lbs and 6 oz.