[pct-l] Tents....I know, I know, beating a dead horse

[Brian Lewis]

Elevator asked:  "Does tarptent actually have a product that has the one
feature that he strongly desires?? Brad mentions that he really desires a
tent solution that is primarily netting that can be used without the fly.? I
have two tarptents and have not seen this feature in any of Henry's
products.? Which tent meets this need?"

If I understand the one feature desired, I don't think any
tarptent.comproduct covers it.  My suggestion as a closest fit is as I
mentioned earlier
today, one of the "bug bivy" products:
http://tinyurl.com/catp8o
http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=55&bc=no

Put one of those under a tarp (or better IMO for dual use, a poncho-tarp)
and you have a lightweight and flexible package.    There are other types of
bug shelter out there too of course; the above two are the ones that are
most appealing to me personally (I own the former), but I know that Integral
Designs has one or two options, and perhaps there are others.

On a related note, Diane said:
"I heard that some people had trouble with their tents in the rain in Oregon
and Washington. I heard the problem was that when they put the tents away
the inside bottom would get wet and then there would be no dry space inside
for refuge. I plan to solve that problem by carrying an 8x10 tarp, bivy and
the A16 bug bivy instead of the tent in the Pacific NW."

I think the inside of almost any sort of shelter can get wet in such
situations; for me the solution is a combination of quick-dry towel and a
little bit of "live with it", but each to their own in terms of being happy
in the rain!

Instead of carrying both a bivy *and* a bug bivy, if you haven't already
bought your A16 bug bivy consider the Mountain Laurel Designs model at about
2 oz heavier (and yes, more expensive). It offers full body coverage and
includes a "bathtub floor" with about 4 inches worth of silnylon along the
sides to keep water out.  If the weather looks bad, pitch your tarp down
low, and the combination should handle most conditions.  I.e., net savings
in weight, complexity, and maybe even cost by not carrying a separate bivy.
One additional advantage of the MLD model is that it will provide bug refuge
even in warm weather; the A16 is built with the assumption that your lower
body is covered by your sleeping bag.

I assume no responsibility if the above combo gets you wet and or otherwise
unhappy !  :-)


Brian Lewis / Gadget '08
http://postholer.com/brianle