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Post by Coolkat on Aug 12, 2016 10:58:25 GMT -8
Interesting. I watched both videos. For the price and weight it appears to be a decent option to consider. Just seems like a lot of setup. My only other concern is there seems to be very little or no vestibule space (maybe I missed something?).
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Post by UpperPeninsula on Aug 12, 2016 11:37:28 GMT -8
Since I winter camp, I believe the High Route can withstand the deep snows thrown at the U.P. by Lake Superior. I agree vestibules are small, but weight is more important to me. And using trekking poles is a definite weight saver for me.
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franco
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Post by franco on Aug 12, 2016 15:46:48 GMT -8
Anyone here with personal experience with the StratoSpire 1? What about sagging when wet?Keep in mind that I am with Tarptent however I was asked to join after 5 years or so of using the product , I wish I could have had that chance with one of my beloved camera brands... Sagging comes up often enough but , no offence, a lot of it has to do with how the tent is set up in the first place. To put it another way , I have had many rainy and cold nights yet still get out of a taut (or taut enough) shelter in the morning WITHOUT having to re-tension the tent during the night. If you look at the photo I posted of my Notch (previous page) you will see that it has plenty of snow on it (iced snow cause it falls sort of wet and then ices up later on) yet the shelter is taut. How do I do it ? Well for a start I set them up taut with the tie outs fully extended . Before going to sleep the temperature has generally dropped to somewere between late afternoon temps and lowest temp (typically around 4-5 am). Given that silnylon stretches from one extreme to the other (say over 90f to 40 or less) by about 5%,(so less in not so extreme temp differences) having started at mid temps and then re-set with a few degree less it means that the fabric has very little extra stretch left. And no, it does not keep stretching, it is a very limited stretch... Some will disagree , however people that have camped next to me know that it can be done . (I used the SS2 in the bush not the SS1 but they are very similar) This is my SS2 used by two mates (I'm in the Contrail at the front) set up on a coastal trail where we were to stingy to pay for two camp sites. It rained most of the night, the next morning the tent still locked like that. That very pronounced apex curve ,on the SS2, is a sure sign that the two PitchLoc corners (the raised corners) are a bit too far from each other (not my set up...) This is a photo of a really badly set up Contrail that one of the regulars here delighted in posting : I too can set it up like that, however that is not how it's done... This is my Contrail after a night of heavy rain in Nepal. We are on a slight lean, the paddock next to us was flooded. (we had that 7pm to 4-5am rainfall every night for the first week) I can assure you that I did not go out to tighten my tent during the night.. Some of those heavy Nepalese tents had drips but mostly outside the floor area. I was dry apart from a very wet fly..
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franco
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Post by franco on Aug 12, 2016 15:55:11 GMT -8
BYW, my Contrail is pointing to this : Known as FishTail . Nice and clear when we arrived there late in the afternoon. (not my photo...)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2016 4:47:49 GMT -8
nm
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Post by Coolkat on Aug 14, 2016 8:35:09 GMT -8
Thanks franco for the explanation/s as I'm considering the SS1. How much do you charge for personal lessons?
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franco
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Post by franco on Aug 14, 2016 15:15:05 GMT -8
If you are close to me, they are free. Seriously over the years I have had many coming to my backyard to see some of the shelters and have them set up by me.
Occasionally it was from folk that could not put up theirs including well seasoned hikers. After a few minutes they then knew how to do it. A common theme is that many set up their tent way too loose therefore when it sags it's even worse. Another common point was that for some it is intuitive where to set guylines for others it isn't... (you can't get a good taut set up if the structure is not in tension from the right direction)
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Post by Coolkat on Aug 15, 2016 4:05:14 GMT -8
you can't get a good taut set up if the structure is not in tension from the right direction This I believe as I've struggled with my Contrail over the years. Unfortunately, I believe you're halfway around the world but thanks for the offer.
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franco
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Post by franco on Aug 15, 2016 18:28:54 GMT -8
Photobucket is not working for me right now but search for "Tarptent Contrail Dimensions" on Google images and you will find the original drawing with the dimensions. The overhead view clearly shows where the guylines/tie outs should be. Add to that the apex guyline and the optional rear strut/stick/trekking pole and you can set it up real taut every time. (plenty of photos of the rear/front guylines in place again via Google Images) There are also several set up video including a very slow one by me (part 1..) as well as this one doing it in 50 sec (just because...)
If you look carefully where and how I stake it , that is pretty much it...
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Post by Coolkat on Aug 16, 2016 4:18:42 GMT -8
Thanks franco , I might go try it again before my October trip. If I cold be confident in it I'd love to take it. If I remember correctly my struggle was not only getting a taught pitch but keeping any kind of semblance of a bathtub floor. It always ended up almost as flat as the ground. One other question. How often should one reseal the seams on a tarptent?
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franco
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Post by franco on Aug 16, 2016 14:55:18 GMT -8
If done correctly the first time, you should not have to re-seal the seams. The trick is to impregnate the seams not to coat them. (that is why it needs to be fairly runny) If you just coat them and particularly with a thick layer, it will peel off. There is a video clip at Tarptent to show how we do it. (also on You Tube)
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Post by dirthurts on Aug 16, 2016 17:59:53 GMT -8
I use a two-person Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight when solo. I think it is the 2001 model (before they went to all-mesh walls). I don't really care for what they've done with this model in recent years. Incase you're interested, the Clip Flashlight is making a comeback next year. The new model is taller, wider, longer, and weighs the same yet costs less than the old model. There is more storage space too. Should be a hit.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2016 9:21:01 GMT -8
I use a two-person Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight when solo. I think it is the 2001 model (before they went to all-mesh walls). I don't really care for what they've done with this model in recent years. Incase you're interested, the Clip Flashlight is making a comeback next year. The new model is taller, wider, longer, and weighs the same yet costs less than the old model. There is more storage space too. Should be a hit. Thanks for the heads up. My 2001 is still holding up pretty well (sadly, because I don't get to backpack very often). It's good to hear that they're re-introducing the model; I hope they do a good job with the design.
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Post by bikehikefish on Aug 19, 2016 6:45:18 GMT -8
I found it curious that in this discussion there was no mention of a couple popular tents, the REI Quarterdome (1 or 2) and the Big Agnes Copper Spur (1 or 2). Any thoughts on these? I have seen them recommended in other lists of backpacking tents (e.g. Andrew Skurka), but not here.
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Post by dirthurts on Aug 19, 2016 7:09:50 GMT -8
Thanks for the heads up. My 2001 is still holding up pretty well (sadly, because I don't get to backpack very often). It's good to hear that they're re-introducing the model; I hope they do a good job with the design. The new Clip Shows up here, treelinebackpacker.com/2016/08/19/2017-sierra-designs-tents-preview/No view of it with a rain fly on yet though. It has a much larger vestibule though. I found it curious that in this discussion there was no mention of a couple popular tents, the REI Quarterdome (1 or 2) and the Big Agnes Copper Spur (1 or 2). Any thoughts on these? I have seen them recommended in other lists of backpacking tents (e.g. Andrew Skurka), but not here. The Copper Spur is fabulous. I didn't mention it just due to the fact that's it's a bit more expensive than most prefer, but I've used one extensively from Virginia to Colorado and it's held up great. Eventually my rainfly started to wet out but they promptly replaced it without question.
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