[pct-l] Tarptent Contrail problem

[Stephen Adams]

Ahoy matey, 
Avast ye landlubbers...
Wind is your friend !!! 
No but seriously, I've got a few years sailing and rigging experience on most folks.  So what I do when the breeze is on is rather than have my pole, stick, or whatever under the tarp creating puncture or chafe issues, I put the pole where I want it and make a wrap or two around the pole with the guy line and then to the stake, rock, limb etc.  I have to do this with my tarp (not a tarp tent) or I will immediately get a hole and thus a tear.  
As a side note, try finding a place to rig your kit out of the wind : ) As far as I know the tarp tent is an ultra light set up that isn't designed for four season type environments, but good on you for throwing it to the gods.  
SGA   
On Feb 6, 2010, at 9:29 PM, Tortoise wrote:

> Last Thursday afternoon, I at last took my Tarptent Contrail outside to 
> try it in the gusty wind and showers. I hadn't set it up in over a year 
> and then only a couple of times so I am still a newby with it.
> 
> While the temp only about 55, the wind was gusting to maybe 30mph which 
> added some realism to setting up the tent on the trail when I *needed* 
> it. Had difficulties. I need more practice!
> 
> But again even though I was being careful, when I went to stake out the 
> last corner, in front, the wind gusted, my trekking pole slipped out of 
> the grommet, and before I could adjust, the pole punched thru the tent 
> near the peak. So then I turn the pole so the handle was up and watch 
> the tent billow in the wind.  The wind direction shifted back and forth 
> so my tent caught the wind from the rear and both sides. Sides billowed 
> in a fair amount in the wind.
> 
> The next day I it up with the rubber tip (like a crutch tip) on and the 
> wind was less so I had no problem with the pole slipping out.
> 
> Do others have this problem?  Or what is the trick to pitching the tent 
> without the trekking pole slipping out?
> 
> -- 
> 
> 
> Tortoise
> 
> Because truth matters"
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-l mailing list
> Pct-l at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> 
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/