[pct-l] Pct-L Digest, Vol 47, Issue 6

[Russell Mease]

 Thanks for all the feedback on the Contrail tent.  Everybody on this list
is very generous with their feedback!  I do find it very interesting that
all the feedback from male hikers was extremely positive while all female
hikers rated the tent negatively.  I don't know what this means...  I guess
there is no perfect tent for everybody so I have decided to go with this
tent and deal with any issues that come up which I have mentally noted.
Thanks again!

> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:59:26 -0700
> From: <chiefcowboy at verizon.net>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Pct-L Digest, Vol 47, Issue 5
> To: "Russell Mease" <measerp at gmail.com>,        <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Message-ID: <330DC6D872114F2697E04A165E314FAD at RonPC>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=iso-8859-1;
>        reply-type=original
>
> I used my Contrail during my 2009 thru hike and loved it.  During a
> (severe)
> windstorm near Apache Springs after an hour of really strong winds I
> dropped
> the center pole as a precautionary measure.  The tent suffered no damage
> although we took a real beating.  If you can't find a place to drive stakes
> you could insert a stake through the grommet and place a rock (carefully -
> not on fabric) on the stake to hold it in place.  The pole being located in
> the middle of the entrance did not prove to be a problem.  The vestibule is
> large enough to store gear on one side while I used the other to enter/exit
> while in camp.  In severe wet weather I sometimes brought it in and stored
> it at my feet just to be sure it wouldn't get wet from wind driven rain.
>
> The only time I had a problem with rain was when I was lazy did forgot to
> put down my ground cloth and it rained heavily.  Later, I accidentally
> damaged my tent beyond repair and again researched what was available and
> again bought the Contrail.
>
> Henry Shires builds a strong product and stands behind it.
>
> "Burning Daylight"
> pct 2009
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Russell Mease
> Sent: Saturday, November 05, 2011 12:01 PM
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Pct-L Digest, Vol 47, Issue 5
>
> Hello,
>
> Does anybody have feedback on Tarptent's Contrail?  At 24.5 Oz it is the
> right weight but I have some concerns:
> - How does it stand up in the desert?  Specifically if you have a sandy
> bottom and therefore no place to drive stakes?  I suppose I would just
> sleep under the stars in that case.
> - The pole coming down in the middle of the entrance looks like it would be
> annoying.  Has this been a problem for anybody?
> - Is there enough room with the wind-flap down to store all your gear
> comfortably?
> - How did this tent hold up in wet weather?
>
> Thanks for any feedback you can provide.  I am doing the PCT in 2012 NOBO
> and am interested is this held up for anybody throughout their thru-hike.
> If you have other tent's you recommend I would be interested as well.
>
> Thanks All!
> Russ Mease
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