If you were packing inhigh desert or Az,I would say go for it. On the AT no thanks. I recently was there April 4 to 10. I was camped out in the storm that washed the levee out side Gatlinburg out. I was using my homemade silnylon Cat tarp 8ft 6in x 10ft 6 in. I also had smaller stock hennessey Hyperlight tarp pitched under it. I think siltarp would have been enough, but it would have been a Longgggg Night with just my small tarp. It poured and high winds and was snowing by mornin! I dont know what part of the AT you are hitting,But in the smokies it rains often! Carry 4 or 5 more ounces and be comfy and Non Hypothermic! Happy Trails