Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape Review

Weight: Tarp - 11 oz Stakes - 1.6 oz

Pros: Extremely lightweight, great ventilation, very good weather protection when pitched properly, can be pitched with a hiking pole

Cons: Site selection and proper pitching are essential to weather protection, can be difficult to pitch on platforms

Bottom line: Multi-function tarp-tent and poncho

The first trip I ever carried this tarp on was a section hike of the CT/MA Appalachian Trail. Shortly after crossing into Massachusetts, I found myself hearing thunder approaching as I climbed Race Mountain. I manage to get down to Race Brook Campsite and pitch my tarp on one of the platforms just before the storm hit. This was going to be a big test of its performance. I was immediately impressed with the tarp as I stayed dry all night on dowpours pitched on a wooden tent platform. That was July 2014, and I am still using the same tarp in 2022.

I’ve carried the Gatewood Cape on every major backpacking trip I’ve done since 2014. I used it during the New Hampshire Direttissima in late summer 2014, the Maine Direttissima in early summer 2016, on sections of the Pacific Northwest Trail and Continental Divide Trail in summer 2018, the Northeast 115 Traverse in 2020, sections of the Grand Enchantment Trail in 2021, and for the 10th Mountain Hut to Hut Traverse in 2022. It’s beat up and could use a replacement at this point, but it’s still mostly functional after nine summers of use.

Proper pitching in an area where water can drain away from the tarp is crucial, or you will be camping in a puddle during storms. It can be difficult to get taught on a tent platform, but I have had success with pitching the tarp on the edge so you can sit up with your feet hanging off the platform. I’m 5’5”, so it’s plenty spacious for me as a tarp, but is too long as a poncho. Tall users may have the opposite experience.

Gatewood Cape in the Pemigewassett Wilderness