I'm planning on exclusively sleeping in shelters on my Long Trail through hike in July. On one hand, I want to bring a tent just in case the shelter is full. On the other hand, I really need to find ways to decrease my pack weight without spending money and some people have told me they hiked the long trail without bringing a tent. My tent is 42 oz. I would just like some opinions as to if you feel it would be okay to leave the tent behind.

Also wondering if anyone has any cheap/lightweight recommendations for an alternative "emergency" shelter that I can bring instead of a tent. I vaguely understand how to make a shelter out of 2 tarps and some rope but I don't think that would save much weight unless I purchase expensive ultralight tarps...