Arctic circle to the Pamirs, Tarp or Tent??
 

Hi all
I am leaving the UK to travel up to the Arctic circle & on to the Pamirs.
My route is Norway, Finland, Russia (Karelia, North of Moscow, Urals, Tomsk), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, back into Kazakhstan & round the top of the Caspian sea, Volga Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Turkey, Bulgaria & back to the UK.
I am leaving at the end of May & should be back about early October.
Do I take a tarp (ex army camo) & bivvy bag or tent (Vango Halo 200)????
The tent is free standing with a reasonably small footprint & is plenty big enough for myself & all my kit if necessary. The tarp can be tied to the bike or I can use a tarp pole in the absence of anything else to attach it to.
The tarp including a tarp pole/para cord/mozzie net/bivvy bag/pegs weighs 2.7kg & packs down to 2/3 of the size of the tent which weighs 3.6kg including pegs. I would save weight & space with the tarp but is it going to be enough protection in the areas through which I will be travelling?????
Thoughts please,

tent or tarp
 

I think the mosquitoes will drive you crazy under a tarp with a small net, no room to sit up even.

Also all your gear will be outside, problems keeping it dry and safe (out of sight), because you will probably have visitors in your camp, even though you thought no-one saw you.

Because I drive a R80 GS Basic I usually pack tent, hammock and tarp, which gives me a lot of options. Personally I think the comfort/utility factor is worth the weight penalty. You are travelling through many different terrains, and it may not be clear skies every night.

A cover for your bike is a great help to hide you and keep people off your bike.

Whatever you decide, have a good trip.

Safe travels,

Peter, in Oslo

"I think the mosquitoes will drive you crazy under a tarp with a small net, no room to sit up even."
I think you have a point.....mosquitoes love me!!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, using the tarp as a bike cover was another good reason for taking one. I may well take both.....