4 season tent
I'm planning a August start from Maine with a Lab; so getting 2 person tent; do I need a for season tent? Expect November early December finish.
I would say that for most of your expected weather, a three season would be fine, and is quite a bit lighter. It would also be more comfortable in the warm weather - you will still have quite a bit of that.
That said, a four season will be substantially warmer and more storm-proof in the occasional/semi frequent severe storms you may encounter.
How's that for a definitive answer?
Cannot say about the tent but once you get to Mass. you will have shelter space. Weekenders you will see but I never saw the shelters full. By the time you get to Virgina you will be alone with a couple other southbounders. In 2012 I climbed Katahdin on Aug. 3 . I got to Standing Bear Hostel on 12-15 my flip flop was done. I had about 6 zeros
On the AT, it's easy to pay attention to the five-day weather forecast. If several feet of snow are predicted for the high country somewhere, you'll know about it in advance and can plan accordingly. So unless you are looking for that kind of adventure (or are clueless about weather forecasts), and really want to carry a load, there's no need for a four-season tent. And as noted above, there'll be plenty of shelter space.
"Throw a loaf of bread and a pound of tea in an old sack and jump over the back fence." John Muir on expedition planning
Not too many reasons to carry a 2 person tent either. There are several 1+ or 1 1/2 person tents around. The TarpTent StratoSpire 1 comes to mind. Look at the photos on the TarpTent web pages. Several of their 1 person tents will accommodate two sleeping pads. Several have 2 side doors and 2 vestibules also.
Wayne
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I carried a Tarptent for a January finish. As has already been said, you will have the shelters pretty much to yourself after Labor Day.
If not NOW, then WHEN?
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He's hiking with a Lab, as in Retriever, as in I'll take up damn near as much room as another human. Having owned a couple of small 2 person tents, and a Chocolate Lab, I might be tempted to go with what's marketed as a 3 person tent if I was going to have the dog in it with me every night. Typically they are only about 1lb more than a 2 person tent. Then again, he's likely to have many of the trail shelters to himself much of the time after Labor Day, so if he uses them, it's a tough decision.Originally Posted by Venchka
"That's the thing about possum innards - they's just as good the second day." - Jed Clampett
In my experience, many if the UL "2 person" tents are actually glorified 1+ person tents. My TT Double rainbow works great for 1 person plus a dog, my friends' Big Agnes two person tents are even smaller.
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Unless you are camping in very exposed areas, a 3 season tent is fine. Assuming, that is, it's not too flat roofed.
"It's fun to have fun, but you have to know how." ---Dr. Seuss
If your not sure, a couple models of Tarptent come with exchangeable liners. One is predominately mesh for warm weather use and one mostly fabric for the cold. You can bounce a box with one of the liners and swap out as needed.
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