Bushwalk Australia

Hi guys,

I just thought I would start a thread with my new setup with the intention to add more comments to it in a few weeks when I take it to the snowies.

It's present configuration (which will be for 2) is the fly (in lovely yellow), the older nest (which is around 900g so a touch heavier but I like the beefy floor and I got it new for $80 and I've had a footprint made in tyvek by Terra Rosa gear (big thankyou to hitchhiking it's perfect). This weighs 252gs. I'm using my black diamond ergo trail poles with a 12mm steel tube connector.



Everything in it's separate bags



Pole with connector in



Footprint (sorry for the photo. It's very stormy here so the white footprint made for a dark photo. I've lightened it right up- sorry iPhone quality)



Nest



My yellow beacon



Packed away so it can be split between 2. Nest in grey bag, tent fly and footprint in the yellow bag. Pegs and steel tube in the blue bag

Cheers

Mic

Hey, looks good

I'd assume its been up a while, seems you need to re-tension the centre pole in that pic.

I saw a short double loop of cord that could be used to double peg on one of the forums. As these rely on the pegs, a couple on the upwind side probably would be a good idea.
Interesting the weight of the tyvek, never bothered with a groundsheet (the nests for these are always coming up cheap in sales) but i have a (light floored) half nest being made and had planned on a tyvek ground sheet, thats interesting.

Hope it all goes well for you.

I'm getting interested in these sort of tents, but have a couple of questions (which you may or may not be able to answer)...

1. It's many years (A-frame tents) since I've used a tent pole that placed it's weight, and the force of the tension in the pole, directly onto the floor of the tent. This seems like a bit of a risk to me, for either stretching the floor, or pushing it into soft ground, or for wearing a hole when on rocky ground. Obviously a footprint (like what you've got) would overcome this to some degree, but I'm still not sure I'm comfortable with it (plus I don't like carrying footprints - to me it means that the tent floor should have just been made stronger ).

2. I think you can get half sized nests for that tent so that you then have a vestibule, but is it possible to pitch that full sized nest in such a way that half of it is pulled back against the pole, thereby halving its size and creating a vestibule? I'm just wondering if it's possible to use the full sized nest like a half sized nest with a vestibule (ie, use it like a one man tent WITH a vestibule, or a 2 man tent without a vestibule, all with the same nest).

In any case, I'll be very interested to hear any more about this tent, especially after you've used it a bit. They do look very good to me, and I'm not entirely sure that my concerns are well founded.

Thanks nuts. It actually had only been up seconds and then promptly came back down. The skies looked like Armageddon here and it started raining heavily minutes after it came back down so I had no chance to fiddle with pole or pegs. It just went up for the sake of a quick look at how the floor n nest went together.

Let me know how your nest goes when finished. Is it going to be an ookworks one? (sorry I think I've got spelling wrong there

Cheers

Mic

Well to help with point 1 the floor is reinforced where the pole sits. It's a very sturdy floor. There's no need for a footprint I just like to have one as an in case. I also want it for nice weather stuff where I can just use it and the shelter sans nest. If concerned about the floor you could always carry the plastic lid of a tennis ball can or cut some ply to fit it (or a motor cycle kick stand protector like in the you tube vid review). That would help but really the floor is very strong at that point.

As for your second point mother nature has been a spoil sport so I will check it for you next time it's up

Cheers

Mic

Nuts wrote:I saw a short double loop of cord that could be used to double peg on one of the forums. As these rely on the pegs, a couple on the upwind side probably would be a good.

Hmm sounds good. I was going to add some shock cord to the side loops (ie the non corner loops in between). I could also carry some extra and run an additional loop off the windward side so it's double pegged. Good thinking ninety nine Were they stitched in as an additional loop or just tied off from the existing loop?

Cheers

Mic

Oookworks (I just ordered the 90gsm floor as I thought they would really need the tyvek groundsheet anyway (to reduce condensation in the rest of the fly))

The loops are just short lengths of guyline with a bowline ( ) at either end. They are run through the main base points and a peg through each loop. A bit stronger than just putting two pegs through the main base point loop. I wouldnt make them too long so you can still pull/pitch it down to the ground

Nik, From what you see they are pretty versatile. You can actually reach out under the fly to tension it. You can also remove the nest loops to pull it back (or remove it), probably easier if you put them on above the fly loops.

Mic's right, the patch is enough though in soggy ground you may want something (anything) to spread the load. You may want to find something in case you want to angle the pole away to sleep two as well (where you cant sling it from above (only probably best done in more sheltered areas or good weather))

Nuts wrote:The loops are just short lengths of guyline with a bowline ( ) at either end. They are run through the main base points and a peg through each loop. A bit stronger than just putting two pegs through the main base point loop. I wouldnt make them too long so you can still pull/pitch it down to the ground

Thats an interesting observation. I also do the same after reading this review about the rocket tent under the heading "field test - wind and rain":

http://www.alpineambitions.com/Alpine_Ambitions/Rocket_Tent.html

quote:
"Every loop that was directly around a metal anchor broke. Every loop that was attached to a guy line was fine. What does not bend breaks. My only thought is that there was not enough elasticity in the system for the loops. So on current production models, I would highly recommend using guy lines".

In calm conditions, i still attach stakes directly to the base of the tents, but in harsh weather, i attach the pegs to the guy lines, which then attach to the base of the tents. I also noted in the Mountain Laurel designs Duomid, all the bottom corners are designed to be staked down via guys, and not directly.
The side pull outs are staked down via guys AND shockcord.

Found the pics on the page below that show the double pegging To me they are a bit long, would be better with less distance from the fly rather than more so you can get the fly right to the ground (easier). Oookworks nest also shown. In some of the pics you can get an idea of how the nests are attached. Once you unzip the (full size) nest you can then go around and pull the nest hoops from the pegs to pull it back or remove it from the pole and pack it away.

( http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/foru ... /8/v/1/sp/ )

Very glad to hear that the footprint/groundsheet fits well!

Im sure youll have a great trip through the snowies. The set up looks great and between two is magic!

Thankyou Hitchhiking! It's perfect.

Thanks for the link nuts. I must admit I'd pictured that differently in my head somehow. Looks like a great idea for bad weather/soft ground. I'll be sure to carry a few pieces of guy rope. I've also cut the shock cord for the mid loops. Now to put it back up again.

Just out of curiosity has anyone used the sea to summit double insect net. That could be a good light weight solo alternative to put in the tent with just a floor.

Mic
looking at the fully set up shot (yes I know it was done in a hurry...) I see that the fabric at the 6 main tie out points first bends in then up.
That is (usually) because the base was pulled out too tight before inserting the pole.
When you set it up next , try laying down the shelter (zipped up) so that you have the hexagonal shape. Have the tie out cords fully ( Y shape, the leg is the cord the arm is the fabric ) extended but relaxed .
Now peg in without pulling the fabric in tension. Now insert the pole.
Franco
Something like this...

Thanks Franco

Yes I need to have a good play before I head away. I was actually only throwing it up to see how the nest and floor married up. I just threw the fly over the nest and used the nests pegs. I also pulled the cord too tight in the corners. I was in a real flap to get it back down in time (as I really couldn't be bothered having to dry it) so I just quickly snapped a photo. It started bucketing down moments after I took the last shot. I think I had pulled the nest too tight in the first place so it all went wrong from there

Nuts you will have to keep me posted on how the oookworks inner goes. I've been looking into it and also the bearpawd one and I must say I'm still leaning towards the custom bearpawd one (plus it comes in a lot cheaper It's a modified pyranet that's been converted to the hex/SL3 shape and height requirement. It's the 70D silnylon floor with 30D silnylon sides and mesh on the door panels. The only mod I think I would ask to be done is to have the silnylon come up higher on the door panel. I still want some mesh as I want to be able to use for both winter stuff and summer around Sydney which is muggy as.

For a second, I thought you mispelt the company, but just realised John changed his name from bearpaws.com to bearpawd.com

I once had a zpacks hexamid tarp and got bearpaw to make me an pyranet 1 innernet for the zpacks hexamid tarp.
Then i got rid of that cuben tarp but kept the pyranet and now realise it fits perfectly with the golite 3.

at the back of the golite, looking directly opposite from the door, it juts out. So if you use a standard rectangular net tent, you waste alot of space as it gets unused, but with the bearpaw hexamid modded pyranet 1, you make use of this space fairly well.

I'm not sure if John even knows about this, but they are compatible and work quite well. 380 grams all up for mine including a foot of silnyloln up 3 walls and all cordage and pegs. standard pyranet 1 is $85 + 30 for the hexamid mod.

Ha! Well technically I did as I think it's actually bearpawwd (bearpaw wilderness designs). I'd have to google. Yes Johns shown me a few options that will work. I'm thinking I'll stick with mesh doors with a zippered silnylon overlay. Best of both worlds.

Well mother natures decided she's hell bent on making my practice pitches interesting as we currently have a 30-40km nor-westerly blowing here gusting to 50km (which seemed to be when pulling the fly over the tent funnily enough (nearly had a big yellow kite). I'm thinking I might peg the nest and tent on separate pegs. Looking at it the pitch was ok buy I'm marrying an 09/10 nest with a 10/11 fly and I'm not certain they are an exact match. It's fine if the weathers like today or calmer but if I wanted a nice taught pitch I think the fly will need to be pegged out separately.

Just out of curiosity does anyone have a preferred/or have found a certain type of peg to work better with the tipi style tents better. I guess I only ask as the stress/force on the peg tends to come from a more vertical direction.

Cheers

Mic

The Oookworks nest is very similar Mic.. Mine has a heavier floor but one side zippered so i guess similar overall weights. I thought of having two doors inbuilt but its easy to drop the nest if space is needed. I got the nylon brought further up the front as you mentioned. It was around $200 delivered.

Nice pitch Mic.
You should send that to me so that I can put a jack in it for my wood burning stove...
Don't know what pegs Golite ship with it but I would go for the 8" Y type. (Golite sell those...)
The only problem I have had with Y stakes has been with the flat top kind, I prefer the rounded top so that I don't cut myself as easily.. (having a pull cord , like the MSR, helps )
Franco

Thanks guys.

Franco the wood stove would be gorgeous in the little tipi.

Yes it comes with the y stakes (only 6). I used them on the corners and I have 6 msr needle stakes which I used on the mid panel tie down. I might hunt down some msr y stakes as I like the red. It's easier to see.

Nuts you'll have to post some pics of the oooknest when it's out n about. I'd love to see it in the shelter.

Cheers

Mic

Well I'm happy to say I'm a tipi convert. It had it's first outing up on the main range last weekend and it was great. Very spacious shelter for two.

I have to admit I was a little nervous at first relying upon my BD hiking poles and steel connector but it was a very comfy, stable setup. I used it with my tyvek footprint hitchiking made for me and the nest. We had a small storm over night early on (really only the edge of) and a small southerly change around 3am. Looking at BOM data it was only really gusting around 40-45km/hr so nothing nasty (but certainly cold at my toilet break at 3.30am...made me wish I'd tried a shewee I must say though it really was very quiet and I didn't notice it flapping at all. I found the pitch was much tighter this time (third time lucky) even when using the nests peg points. I did however peg the tents corners out separate to the nest and was very happy with the setup.

Here she is with kosi as a back drop

Nice one Mic! Glad it worked out so well.... looking forward to getting up there (one day- have started a new job) with the Shangri-La 5. Pitch looks great too
Lizzy

Wonderful to hear that you had a great trip. I bet the scenery was amazing! Glad to hear that the kit worked and held up!

Well after looking at the various options for a solo nest for my SL3 I got to talking with hitchiking from Terra Rosa gear to see what he could do (I do love to support local business and he does fantastic stuff).

So here is my beautiful blue winter solo nest. It weighs 398g (in it's stuff sac) so combined with my SL3 (700g) it is a massive light weight shelter for one. I will use my tyvek footprint if going anywhere rugged (also made my terra rosa) and that is 250g. It's been made with 3/4 oz spinnaker fabric which both breathes well and is very weatherproof (not to mention comes in pretty much any colour). I wanted good ventilation up top as I want it to cope with summer and solid sides for snowline stuff too.

My beautiful blue nest-

Brilliant! If I ever get the money together, and get a Shangri la, I'll definitely be talking to Hitchiker.

Looks like a good job, nice colour! What is the floor material?
Do you have a price in mind Hitch? (My ookworks one has been seven weeks since sent and i'm loosing hope ) Never thought to have one locally made...)

Just used one (SL3) with sewn in door (and perimeter) mesh netting for 9 days on the OLT. (btw They dont weight much over 800g set up this way and still squeeze down into the original bag)
Didnt get much weather but it was really nice laying back with the fly door wide open. There werent many around but it was a new and satisfying experience having the mesh barrier between me and the critters...

The whole thing is 3/4 ounce spinnaker fabric (aside from the mesh bits As it comes in various colours he used black for floor and funky blue for the sides (I was chuffed I could choose this originally I was after silnylon but hitchiking thought about it and came back with the spinnaker (he'd used it for one of his fav tarp shelters). It's weight is comparable to sil plus he could source it locally (another big plus in my eyes). It's also breathable and holds out the weather well.
The photos were taken by hitchiking today so I'm yet to get my little mitts on it (this week woohoo- first time I've ever wanted public hols to end I'll hopefully get out with it in the next week or two and I'll post a pic or two with it set up with the SL3.

Oh and nuts I'm sorry to read your custom nest has gone astray. I'm assuming there was no tracking given by the guy heartbreaking stuff. Hopefully it's still coming albeit slowly.

The modified SL3 you had on the OLT sounds like it would have been great. Nice simple shelter. It's a lovely thing to take an arvo nap in and leave the door open.

Just a few shots to update and show everything in situ. I apologise for the phone photos. I've got camera shots but they are on my pc (and I'm on my phone).






I just weighed the whole solo set up- tent, nest, tyvek floor, doobrie, 20pegs and three setup guylines in the bag if needed and it comes in at 1.2kg. Not bad for a palace for one that I can stand in.

Also I wanted to say thankyou Franco. I lay the tent out, pegged as you suggested and pulled it straight up no fuss. It was a nice taut pitch that didn't even require a peg to be re-adjusted. In bad weather I could do this in no time (I reckon a minute if pushed) I can then lay my floor out and set up the nest from the inside. Happy days!

Looks like a great 'kit' bgm..
no Oookworks this week