[pct-l] Preferred tent

[mkwart at gci.net]

Hey, Brian:

Since you expressed an interest in getting an enclosed tent like the Big 
Agnes Seedhouse, I'll tell you my experience. I use an REI Quarterdome 
T1. I have used it successfully for 2000 miles of backpacking--most of 
that on the PCT. I like it because it has a very small footprint and can 
be deployed in very tight areas--like when I had to make camp on the 
Arizona Trail last March before a rapidly approaching nasty storm on a 
narrow ridge between cactus. It can also be set up with out the rainfly 
in the desert. The full rain fly provides good coverage for storing your 
pack in the rain. I replaced the stakes with titanium ones--the tent 
(with poles, rainfly and tetn body) weighs 2 pounds 9 oz. I carry a 
gossamer gear groundcloth which weighs 1.95 oz.

It also is very sturdy when the rainfly is put on and staked down 
securely. I weathered a tremendous windstorm in Arrastre Camp outside of 
Big Bear on the PCT last year. My tent did fine--I reinforced the 
stakedown with large rocks. A guy who was camped near me with a Big 
Agnes Seedpod didn't fare as well--when I saw the next morning after the 
windstorm that he was literally wrapped in his tent--it had totally self 
destructed in the huge winds.

This tent is inexpensive, too. It has held up very well. I spent 5 days 
in rain in Washington--the bathtub floor held up well. Especially in 
wind and rain I have been glad I have it.

--Fireweed