[pct-l] tent decision: Squall Classic or Lunar Solo

[Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com]

On Mar 30, 2010, at 9:08 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>
> Hi all. Please help me decide! I'm interested in the Squall Classic by
> Gossamergear and the Lunar Solo by Sixmoondesigns. Owners of one of  
> these
> tents: What's your NEGATIVE experience with it? Positive opinions are
> already written on the producers homepage. I want to know their  
> weak points.
> For example: Can the Lunar Solo hold the rain also without  
> seamsealing? And
> is silnylon still waterproof when you thouch the tent wall from the  
> inside?
> How about space for eg. changing clothes in the tent? Is the wind  
> blowing
> straight through the Squall because it's opened on both sides?  
> Disturbing or
> helping against condensation? How about caming in a wet place, how
> waterproof is the floor?
> Thank you for critical views!
> AnnA


I had a GossamerGear Squall Classic in Spinnaker fabric from mid  
Oregon to Canada.
- It was waterproof when I touched it from the inside. Unless there  
was condensation on the inside.
- It had limited room for changing clothes inside the tent. There was  
only one spot inside where I could sit fully upright and I would  
brush the roof pretty easily when I packed up or changed clothes. The  
One has more room for sitting upright without brushing the roof.
- The wind does blow straight through if you set it up with the big  
end facing into the wind. You're supposed to set it up with the small  
end facing into the wind. Then there is only very small amount of  
wind. Nothing to really feel disturbed by at all.
- I used the Squall in a lot of rain. I used a small polycro sheet  
that was not as wide as the tent. Where the polycro was it was dry,  
otherwise it would get damp if the ground was already wet when I set  
up. If the ground was dry, the floor would stay dry. If water rolled  
in from the sides (which it did, I'll get to that next) it would roll  
in like beaded water. If I pitched the tent in a puddle (which I did  
once) it would get a puddle inside. Basically it was water resistant  
until there was enough time for the water to soak through. This was  
fortunate because I spilled urine in the tent and was able to clean  
it up without harm.
- I couldn't figure out the magic formula for keeping the mesh along  
the edges inside the tent. It would peek out of the roof part. I did  
have rain puddle in the mesh and eventually come rolling in. I  
couldn't figure out the secret for setting it up without the mesh  
peeking out, but it wasn't a frequent occurrence to have water roll  
in. It only happened once.



Books I've written:
~ Piper's Flight
~ Adventure and Magic
~ Santa Barbara Hikes