[pct-l] re: integral design tent AND dogs

[Michael Henderson <mhat92@tidepool.com>]

helen wrote:

>>>   I am considering the Noall Solitary Base or =
Integral Design's MK1xl for weight purposes but I know nothing about the =
materials or quality.    <<<

i have the integral designs mk1, with a second door added on the other end,
and the lightweight floor cos i use a ground cloth.  simple, 2 person, 4
season, tons of headroom, 4lbs 12 oz, including ground cloth.  it is an
excellent tent, with good workmanship and materials, and you can choose
your own colors and options.  i have used it in rain, snow and somewhat
humid conditions.  worst condensation was in a wet snow that stuck to the
sides (until you hit the walls and it slid off) and prevented the fabric
from breathing, but even then it was only at the top of the tent.  i love
this tent.

we'll use it for the southern 1/3 of our southbound thru, when it will be
just the two of us without the dog.

on to the second topic.  we are taking ellen's german shepard with us.  we
are using a stretch dome to fit all three of us.  i've used this combo
before with two smaller dogs, and it works well if the dog(s) can be
trained to lie on its (their) side of the tent.  we'll hike thru crater
lake and lassen without stopping or staying, hoping not to get caught.  at
sonora pass, ellen's parents will pick up the dog.  that way we don't have
to worry about the national parks or the desert.  we had originally thought
of a norhtbound hike in 2000, in which case we would have started without
the dog, and picked her up at sonora pass.  this would be a little
inconvenient as we would have to slow down and carry more weight at first
to carefully break the dog in to our pace.  going south, she can start with
us and become acclimated to the trail as we do.  of course, the dog will be
doing as much pre-hike training as we will, with loaded pack.

i hiked the northern 800 miles of the AT in a group with a dog.  as has
been noted, if the dog is well behaved, most people enjoy having one
around.  great companions and sources of amusement.  being responsible for
a dog is definitely an added burden, and not one to be taken lightly, but
usually worth it.


mike
ke kaahawe, AT92  TYT94  PCT99
mhAT92@tidepool.com
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