High Sierra Topix

My offer still stands from 2014, here is the thread if you have not seen it before: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=11017
Just checked with my contacts and they do have access to some Hilleburgs models, so PM which model you interested in, and let's talk prices WD.

A bit of a side track, but I just checked on buying from MEC, the Canadian equivalent of REI. You have to be a member, $5 per year. All shipping to US is flat rate $20. So the down side is that returning the purchase could be expensive. No sales tax is applied. The only uncertain is duty. In general no duty but that is up to US customs. I could find NOTHING regarding tents. The long list of sports equipment did not have tents. MEC has their own line of gear, just like REI, that can only be purchased from a MEC store.

Thanks Mav. I will consider this. I am looking at the Enan (2016 model) and Ajan 2.

I just spent hours reading about waterproof fabric. holy-moly! Not sure those numbers mean much. I was impressed with a review on the MEC website, that one fellow with a MSR Hubba NX spent 12 days in hard rain and wind on the West Coast Trail as well as 100 nights out all over Canada, and the tent never leaked. Big back-and-forth and controversy regarding if Tarptent's silNylon mist or not. In my experience, it mists. I can tell mist from condensation drops. The issue is if misting is a problem for you or not. In the Sierra I am not that worried about misting. You nearly always have a few hours of sun to dry things out each day. More concerned about Wyoming and the coastal hiking I do. I would like to do that West Coast Trail in Canada.

I looked back at the recent thread concerning tents. Sorry, I should have tagged on to the end of that one instead of starting a new one. I looked at the Big Sky the Markskor mentioned he liked but said it was for a troll. Well, I am troll sized! I think the endless list of added costs for every little item sort of turned me off. I will have to take a look again when I am less dazed by all the tent information overload.

Thanks everyone for suggestions.

I love MEC gear, although I confess I've never owned one of their tents. Don't know about duty - depends what MEC claims the value to be when shipped. I found this: http://www.canadacustomer.fedex.com/ca_ ... tytax.html

Oh, and membership is a one time $5 fee, not annual. You can use my account if you ever want to go that route.

WD

I think mark meant not for a larger person. The Evolution 1 worked perfectly for me (5'8") including 2 twenty hour sessions of rain. Set up was a little more time consuming than I like, otherwise had features I really appreciated--double side doors great ventillation. I got it outfitted as light as I could (except did not go for Cuben fly) which added to the price. Total weight including stakes and extra guy lines was 37 oz or one more oz. than my flycreek ul 1. But I apreciated the extra headroom and the two side vestibules which made the interior seem much larger than the actual size of the tub floor. I've had two tarp tents and while they did the job didn't like breaking camp when I had condensation. With a separate tent and fly I can roll up the fly separately, then fold the floor of the inner tent so that it stays dry then roll up the rest-- then if I don't get a chance to dry out the tent before setting up camp at least the floor is dry and I can shake most of the moisture off the fly then wipe off the rest. Anyhow though the evolution 1 is a bit long for a short person it is relatively narrow and quite compact.

Mike

Thanks Mav. I will consider this. I am looking at the Enan (2016 model) and Ajan 2.

PM sent.

I agree Old Ranger. As much as I love most of the features of my Tarptent, most of the time I am carrying a wet tent. It is a real puzzle to turn the tent inside out to dry out the inside and then get it back right sided. That is one reason I want to go back to a double wall tent.

Too bad about customs. Customs is a nightmare. I rarely get checked when I go through. I guess you could declare an item going in (say you already have it) and then you could bring it out duty-free. Last time I was in Canada I could not talk my husband into shopping at a MEC store - he hates shopping.

Well, I am taking a break from this unpleasant chore of deciding on gear - am going on a 4-day backpack tomorrow! Yeh! I will be using my old Moment - As I deal with the wet tent every morning I will be more motivated to buy a new tent.

This seems to be the new Sierra Designs tent, as far a I can tell:
http://www.sierradesigns.com/product/flashlight-1-fl

It looks like the mesh/inner wall and fly are permanently attached, so if you like to sleep under the stars (I do) on clear nights, no bueno.

I'm still looking at the MSR Hubba NX-1 or that Marmot EOS 1p. The MSR is a bit more expensive, but has great reviews, and I know three others personally that have them. Both have detachable flys as well!

I looked a the Big Sky website too, and just kind of glazed over!!! Too many decisions to make, so overpowering on your brain!

Marmot has kind of disappointed me, my bag has twice had to be sent back for zipper issues. MSR gets good marks in servce too, not to denigrate Marmot, just a design/quality issue for me. They fixed the bag, second time it cost me, however. We'll see how this season fares.

John

For the past 3 years I have used the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1. I replaced the original poles with carbon fiber poles and made
modifications to the guy-lines for a packed weight of 31.40 ounces. I do not use a footprint. I have had the tent in rain, lots of rain, and wind lots of wind. I have never had a problem and there is plenty of room inside the tent for myself and all my gear.

This year I'm trying the Six-Moon Designs Trekker X because I wanted to see what it was like to use my trekking poles to set up a tent and wanted to see if I could get my tent a bit lighter. Also I like a side entry door, and this one has 2! The total weight is 20.82 ounces.
I am taking this tent out on a maiden voyage this weekend.

Another tent I'm interested in is the Nemo Hornet 1p. It is double walled, and has a side entry door. It weighs 29 ounces.

I'll be curious to see what you settle on!
brenner

WD, I know that performance is more of an issue for you over price but keep an eye on http://www.steepandcheap.com/home. There has been a lot of good mark downs the last few months. Here is a current link to the Sierra Designs Flashlight tent mentioned above at almost half the price. http://www.steepandcheap.com/gear-cache ... 01A-ALUASH


http://www.steepandcheap.com/gear-cache ... collection

These sales are only good for another 4 days but there will be something else put up in their place no dobt.

I am back. The trip confirmed the fact that I definitely want a double wall tent, and preferably one with material, not mesh, on the top so drips do not directly go on my head! I wrote a trip report (beyond Sierra) that details my misery with my Tarptent.

So those of you who use trekking pole to hold up the tent, what do you do when you want to take the trekking poles on a day hike?

I was wondering more about condensation. It seems that there always will be moisture in the tent, and the real issue is dew point. Assuming good air flow in both cases, does the ratio of the size of the person (ie, heat given off) to the inside volume of the tent make any difference? If the tent were oversized, is it possible that it would be colder relative to a smaller tent, thus dew point reached when it may not be reached with more heat? Other than comfort and easier entry and exit or not rubbing against the tent walls, is there an advantage of a bigger tent volume? It seems to me that you would be warmer in a smaller volume tent. I am beginning to feel like Goldilocks! Is there a "just right"?

It would also seem to me that having your head (an breathing) at the highest point of the tent would be better to avoid condensation. For example the Fly Creek design has your head at the higher point, whereas my Moment has my head at the lower point, as well as feet.

I am not totally against another Tarptent, but not the Moment style design. I tend to want a smaller tent, for the weight savings as well as small footprint. Most tents are 85-90 inches long. I am only 64 inches long. I rarely camp at established campsites and usually am trying to squeeze into a small space. And I think small is better for wind. But then, I do not want a coffin either. I already have one of those- my bivy!