[pct-l] TarpTent: Any advice?

[m.karon at comcast.net (Marshall Karon)]

This probably goes for all single wall, silnylon tents.

Size: Can't say anything about the length. You might want to go for the 2 
person and be safer.

Wet Weather: It won't leak and will keep the rain/wet out. Try not to pitch 
it so that the wind blows directly into the opening. However, like any 
single wall tent, you can/will get condensation on the inside at times, 
especially if you close the vestibule. If you get a breeze, no problem. 
Don't camp by a stream or low - try to stay high. The design will let 
condensation run down the inside and go into the netting and then the ground 
rather than into your sleeping area.  Silnylon dries very fast. For most of 
the PCT, it will work great. If you get day after day of Washington rains, 
you might wish for something else. But, that will add a lot more weight.

Floor: I agree that bugs are bad. I would get it with the floor. But, you 
don't need to keep the netting closed all of the time.

Durable: Silnylon is thinner than other nylon. But, it holds up very well 
and is quite strong. Just be careful - and don't drag or abuse the fabric. 
Also, be careful with the poles. They are thinner than other poles and can't 
take extreme flexing. The design is such that it should work OK.

Other items:
    Silnylon seems to stretch a bit more than other nylons. You may need to 
tighten a couple of times.
    In a big wind, you could bet lots of fluttering.
    It packs very small.
    If you use a trekking pole as the front pole, beware of rodents nibbling 
at the handle (sweat). Try covering it with aluminum foil, plastic bag at 
night.

If I could get a double wall tent that is the same weight as the single, 
wall silnylon, I would get that. But, until they come out with lighter 
fabrics with the same strength (supposedly, that is coming), I would go with 
the silnylon.

Marshall Karon
Portland, OR

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim McCrain" <jim@mccrain.net>
To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 9:20 PM
Subject: [pct-l] TarpTent: Any advice?


I have been reading about the TarpTent Virga2 recently, but have never seen 
one.  For those of you thaqt have experience with them, would you answer a 
few questions?

How much "use-able" room would a 6'1" guy like me have?  How well do they 
stand up to wet weather?  Floor or no-floor?  (I hate bugs!)  How durable 
are they?  Por's and Con's?

Thanks for any advice you can give!

Jim "Dallas" McCrain
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