Scarp 1 User updates...?

[ollster]

One of my "favourite " forum characters is Max. Under many different pseudonyms he surfaces on every forum at intervals to tell everyone that green is the only colour tents should come with.
Of course exactly what type of green is debatable particularly if one happens NOT to be colour blind.

He must mean this green.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Minaret also has option for 6 or 8 tie points. I have just never bothered with more than one or 2.
It is still the best tent I have ever seen/used, just way too heavy for one person in this day and age!! I suspect it would do more than give the Hille a run for it's $$$

It would be a good test actually....

[Franco]

Yes , particularly now in silnylon. Probably about the same weight as the Nallo.
I know someone that has had both and she prefers the Macpac. (and that was the old version)

Here is an interview from the local paper (in Nevada City) with Henry Shires. Might give you a better idea of what Tarptent is all about :

http://www.theunion.com/article/2010101119932
Franco

[ILUVSWTAS]

I already know the history. And snow dumps isnt an issue for most of us here in Tassie. It's wind. VERY very strong wind.......

Im serious, send me a product for 1 month, and I will send it back after some use, and post a full review on this forum. That way we will get a review from someone who isnt obvioulsy associated with the product already....

[Franco]

Someone down there has my 2009 Scarp, but honestly at the moment getting stock for existing orders is the problem, not so much finding customers.
But I will keep that in mind.
Franco

[Singe]

Someone down there has my 2009 Scarp, but honestly at the moment getting stock for existing orders is the problem, not so much finding customers.
But I will keep that in mind.
Franco

So I just discovered - a week or so ago when I couldn't decide whether to order a Scarp or Moment it was in stock - now that I've decided on the Scarp it's out of stock! Curse you, Murphy!

[stu]

Pity about the visual pollution caused by that red thing in the back.
(actually I like that Hilly design a lot)

Franco - I totally disagree with the Green colour preference for remote area / off track walking (which is mostly what I do).
I can tell you now, if I were on a side trip & the thing that got me back to camp safely (mist, storm, night etc.) was the high visibility of my tent then I'd be a very happy camper (which it has done for me & fellow walkers on a couple of occasions now). Who else is out here to see it? My mates certainly don't mind the colour & actually appreciate it's high visibility; it is a mountaineering tent & I use it in 4 seasons.

Even this sort of 'colour regulation' concept on tracked walks is a joke anyway, I don't think the colour of my tent on somewhere like the OT should or would cause "visual pollution", the hordes of gumbies, inappropriately designed huts & flouro euro-jackets would take care of that!

Anyway, yes it is a great design (as are all Hillebergs that I have seen), i'm more than happy with the extra weight for it's Himalayan style weather defence systems

p.s.: the Scarp also looked like a good design & SBS seemed very happy with it - a proprietary footprint whichg covers the vestibules would be good, rather than a piece of Tyvek tho, which is fine obviously, but it's well, er, a piece of Tyvek isn't it!

[Franco]

I amuse myself by reading comments about tent colours.
The Tarptent 'grey" is rated simultaneously not visible enough by some but far too bright for camouflage by others.
The reality is that no matter what colour (or shade) a fabric tent is made out of, someone will not like it.


"a proprietary footprint which covers the vestibules would be good, rather than a piece of Tyvek tho, which is fine obviously, but it's well, er, a piece of Tyvek isn't it!"
Tarptents are designed by an enthusiast DIY kind of guy (Henry) for fellow hikers that are used to/ like to fiddle with gear and customising it.
That is in fact how most outdoor gear brands started.
If you read the US forums in particular you will find that a lot of those guys ( and gals) change whatever bits can be changed (pegs/guylines/tie outs) in tents as well as their packs , stoves and whatever else they can.
That is in a similar way cyclists here will buy a bike and than start changing bit by bit till only the frame is left from the original.
So a dedicated footprint is not a priority 'cause whatever design/fabric/laminate we come up with it will be wrong anyway.
BTW, in the US ,Tyvek is too heavy for many...(about 90% of TT are sold over there)
Franco
and right on cue
"You can save weight by doing a tyvek or polycro footprint instead of the factory footprint"
this morning here...
http://www.backpacker.com/cgi-bin/forum ... 9991144249

[ILUVSWTAS]

So a dedicated footprint is not a priority 'cause whatever design/fabric/laminate we come up with it will be wrong anyway.

Franco

Well thats a huge problem for use in Tassie as a footprint is a MUST have.

[Son of a Beach]

So a dedicated footprint is not a priority 'cause whatever design/fabric/laminate we come up with it will be wrong anyway.

Franco

Well thats a huge problem for use in Tassie as a footprint is a MUST have.

I've never used a tent footprint (rock, mud, grass, anywhere) in Tasmania, and the only time I've had a problem is when pitched the tent over a broken bottle and I reckon that glass would have pierced any footprint anyhow (that's with 3 tents over about 25 years). So although it may be a valuable accessory for many people, I wouldn't say it's a must have for everyone.

PS. If I expected to camp on rock frequently, then I would consider getting one, but I camp on rock only very rarely.

[ILUVSWTAS]

You do use an Olympus though dont you Nick?? You could pitch one of those in a creek and be ok.

Some tents are an obvious exception to the rule.

[Son of a Beach]

For sure, some tents have stronger floor than others.

I use a Macpac Olympus and an Exped Vela I Extreme (now sold) and previously some el-cheapo lesser-known brand before those (Practical Camper, maybe?). The no-name brand used the same fabric on the floor as on the fly - I never had a problem with that one (apart from the glass incident), but I might consider getting a footprint for such a tent as that - so I guess that's probably what you were saying.

Personally, I would not consider buying a tent that I thought needed a footprint. For my own use, if a tent needs an extra layer under its floor, then it hasn't been made well enough for my own personal way of using it (is that worded diplomatically enough? ).

Having said that, there are a lot of people on this site that would never pitch any tent without a footprint under it, so each to their own, I guess.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Personally, I would not consider buying a tent that I thought needed a footprint. For my own use, if a tent needs an extra layer under its floor, then it hasn't been made well enough for my own personal way of using it (is that worded diplomatically enough? ).

Perfectly!!

[Singe]

So a dedicated footprint is not a priority 'cause whatever design/fabric/laminate we come up with it will be wrong anyway.

Franco

Well thats a huge problem for use in Tassie as a footprint is a MUST have.

But not a problem for TT's customers, 'cos they will Macguiver their own footprint anyway.

[Franco]

Just a different way of thinking.
Note how some buy a wind/rain jacket with built-in insulation, others prefer the two to be separate.
Personally I like the layering system so with a tent for example I would take a footprint if needed and leave it at home (as I always do anyway...) when not.
Must be a reason why most brands offer a groundsheet and often a footprint as well (that is to have the fly only set-up...)
Franco

[ILUVSWTAS]

Just a different way of thinking.
Note how some buy a wind/rain jacket with built-in insulation, others prefer the two to be separate.
Personally I like the layering system so with a tent for example I would take a footprint if needed and leave it at home (as I always do anyway...) when not.
Must be a reason why most brands offer a groundsheet and often a footprint as well (that is to have the fly only set-up...)
Franco

A very good point.
I should have added earlier that alot of the open ground you find when walking off track in the southwest in Tassie is although very short, it's VERY spikey!! Baby scorparia and the like which can put little pin sized holes in the floor of your tent. I want to get the best out of my gear so by using a groundsheet it will only add to the life of my tents.

[north-north-west]

Franco,

Are you still seam sealing Scarps for us incompetent would-be owners? And if so, when I order it online, how do I get it to you?

[Franco]

NNW
Seam sealing is available from TT USA (at times...) and usually from me here in Melbourne.
If you send me an E Mail at franco@tarptent.com I will send you a link to the seam sealing page.
We do not publish that link because Henry and Co don't always have the time to do it (now for example).
The charge is $25US regardless of the shelter.
Usually if an Aussie customer requires that service , the shelter is sent to me , I do it and then ship it out .
For the ones that already have a shelter I also do it for $25 but you need to add the cost of postage both ways to that.
In the meantime you can look at Henry's and my video on how we do it...
http://www.tarptent.com/ttvideos.html
http://www.youtube.com/user/francodario ... YjOkxR4sgc
Franco

[stepbystep]

Have now used my Scarp in a very exposed and windy site, Mt Rugby gusting at around 60-70kph and constant all night at about 30-40kph. I used the crossover poles but no guy lines.
Stood up really well. no damage and maintained shape pretty well throughout, didn't get a lot of sleep but never felt she was about to pop! With guy lines I'm positive it could handle at least 25% stronger. Was very impressed if a little surprised.

[Mountain Rocket]

Thanks for the update stepbystep! There is pretty limited feedback of how well these tents perform in the wind so your addition is most helpful.

[Aushiker]

Hi

Posting here rather than starting a new thread. Hopefully that is the best approach to asking Scarp 1 questions (got mine from Santa yesterday ). Anyway I did a quick pitch this morning and have one question. I am sure there will be more but. My question relates to the two ribbon loops on the underside of the floor. Can anyone or maybe Franco shed some light on to their purpose/how to best use them?

I have stolen a photo of what i am referring to from "A Blog on the Landscape" who BTW had the same question.



Thanks
Andrew

[Aushiker]

Whoops. Should have done more research first. I think I have found the answer in Franco's video at around the 50 second mark.

Andrew

[corvus]

G'day Andrew,
I had the same question and I believe they are pole anchors when erecting inner only not tried it but I am sure Franco will advise.
corvus

[Aushiker]

G'day Andrew,
I had the same question and I believe they are pole anchors when erecting inner only not tried it but I am sure Franco will advise.
corvus

Ahh that makes sense too. Not having the cross over poles which I assume are required for doing this I hadn't considered that as a use.

BTW any suggestions on pre-treating the Tyvek groundsheet to reduce the noise levels?

Thanks
Andrew

[corvus]

Tyvek just scrunch and wash it in hot water then line dry
corvus

[Aushiker]

Tyvek just scrunch and wash it in hot water then line dry
corvus

Washing machine (front loader) okay?

Andrew

[Franco]

Yes those loops do have two functions : the primary reason is to facilitate the inner only set up , the second (my version..) is to put a peg in it when you pull the floor back to give yourself a larger vestibule.
Franco

[Mountain Rocket]

I am glad to see this discussed! I just got back from a trip with mine and an email to Franco with this very question was on my to-do list.

[corvus]

Tyvek just scrunch and wash it in hot water then line dry
corvus

Washing machine (front loader) okay?

Andrew

You can just do it by hand in the laundry sink .
corvus

[Aushiker]

Yes those loops do have two functions : the primary reason is to facilitate the inner only set up , the second (my version..) is to put a peg in it when you pull the floor back to give yourself a larger vestibule.

Thanks for the clarification.

Andrew