[pct-l] re: Single Wall Tents

[doodad.pct at hotmail.com (Doodad PCT)]

We had similar experience with a 4-season single-wall tent which Mountain 
Safety Research had famously tested by building a platform for it above a 
station wagon and driving it at highway speeds!  We used the MSR tent 
happily for many years, but only in winter.  It was heavy and bulky.  We 
finally retired it when its stench became overpowering.  Margaret's and my 
roomy single-wall winter tent is now the expedition-grade MK3, "Olivia," 
made by Integral Designs of Calgary, Alberta.  We added the optional 
vestibule so we can keep our backpacks inside.
<http://www.integraldesigns.com/product_detail.cfm?id=737&CFID=7378347&CFTOKEN=43005992&mainproducttypeid=5>
The MK3's two parabolic poles give it lots of headroom and excellent 
snow-shedding characteristics.  There's even room inside for an "attic" for 
storing gear that needs drying.  We have thoroughly enjoyed Olivia.  One 
characteristic of the MK3 is that it has and endoskeleton, so you can toss 
it on the ground in fierce weather, throw your gear inside, and then dive in 
yourself and set it up from inside!

When it came time to choose a shelter for my coming solo PCT trek, I picked 
another Integral Design expedition tent, the Mega Sola, "Grotto," made with 
the same fabric as the MK3, MK1 Lite and MK1 XL:
<http://www.integraldesigns.com/product_detail.cfm?id=691&CFID=7378347&CFTOKEN=43005992&mainproducttypeid=5>
The Mega Sola is bivy style rather than parabolic.   Grotto is very lengthy, 
so I can fit inside with all of my gear without crowding.  That isn't 
possible in the heavier and more expensive MK1 XL.  I'd have to add a 
vestibule to the MK1 XL -- more weight and expense.  Two can fit inside 
Grotto in a pinch.  I can't sit up straight-backed inside it.  The jury is 
still out, however.  I haven't yet slept in Grotto during a raging storm.

I found an old Early Winters sleeping bag cover with bug net in a 
members-only sale bin at REI.  For some nights in the trail, I may just use 
that and not bother to set up Grotto.  The extra layer of the sleeping bag 
cover also will add comfort to my 20º F down bag when it gets really chilly 
inside Grotto.

Doodad
PCT Northbound 2006

Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2006 10:38:34 -0800 (PST)
From: David Frederck <mt2mt@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: [pct-l] Single Wall Tents
To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net

I had an Early Winters Gortex tent which lasted for
over twenty-five years. It was in many downpours and
never leaked or became saturated. I never had
condensation problems, either. The only reason I had
to "retire" the tent was that the seams began to leak,
and the old, cracked, brittle seam sealer blocks the
possiblity of resealing.  BTW, I occasionally see
(last summer near Palisades) one of these tents still
in use!
  Shortly after these tents were made, California
"banned" them; tents sold in  California had to be
"flameproof". Without the huge California Market
Winters stopped selling these tents.
I would like a new, very light tent. Single wall is
appealing for simplicity & ease of set up. I keep
hearing that EPIC is great in a light rain, but after
several hours gets soaked. I've been in storms in the
Sierra that lasted for three to five days. This would
be the main time one needs a tent, so I don't see that
a tent that soaks through is very useful.
I'd like to hear from more people who have used single
wall tents. Thanks.

_________________________________________________________________
Don?t just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search! 
http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/