Tent suggestions for Feb/March Arthurs trip???

[melinda]

Hi all,
Well we have final got our act together and are looking at Feb/March for a Eastern and Western Arthurs trip next year.
So my first question is on tents.
We tend to be light weighters.
So what tents are people using in these areas at that time of year.
(I'm guessing that you would have to be prepared for anything and everything)
Melinda

[north-north-west]

(I'm guessing that you would have to be prepared for anything and everything)

Yep, that pretty well covers it.

I'm planning on being in Toz around that time too - finances permitting. If you get growled at by a grumpy old witch for taking all the good campsites by getting in early, it's probably me.
Although I'm still not sure about the WA. Southern Ranges definitely, and a few other walks, but I tend to have bad luck with the weather in the SW.

[tasadam]

We tend to be light weighters.
So what tents are people using in these areas at that time of year.

Can't answer personally, but I'd be more than confident with my tent, Hilleberg Nallo2, 4 season 2.1KG's. Roomy 2 person. Well roomy for a 62kg stick and his smaller wife.

[melinda]

Heh north-north-west,
It would be great to meet up with you.
Maybe we can work on this when we both know what we are doing.
Growl away to you hearts content, it'll be fine!
And it will be fine, I tend to take good weather conditions with me!
(Lots of homage to weather gods! )

[north-north-west]

It's possible we'll pass somewhere out and about, mel. But don't expect too much.
I'm really not very good company in person - deaf people often aren't. Especially grumpy, anti-social deaf people.

[norts]

I have used a Microlight 3 times.
Whatever you take make sure it has a vestibule, there is a good chance you are going to be tent bound and it makes life alot easier if you can cook in your tent.
Also if you use the platforms be aware if it rains very heavily( and it does up there) the rain hits the wooden and bounces up and under your fly, wetting the inner. Happened to me at High Moor and Haven Lake. Your fly needs to come down very low or your inner floor needs to have high sides.
Also be aware the small mice chew through tents. I had a large hole chewed in microlight at Cygnus. Then they chewed through my bum bag to get at my scroggin.



Roger

[NickD]

You should be okay with most 3 season tents, but more comfortable in a four. Most of the Western Arthur's campsites are well protected from winds, but still during a storm it can be very wet and sodden. You may even bunker down for a day if the weather is too ferocious, so something roomy with the space to play cards might be handy.

Eastern Arthur's sites, Stuart Saddle could get pretty nasty, Goon Moor is well protected. Hanging Lake is protected from the more than likely Westerly winds, but very exposed to South/South Easterlys. Personally I'd rather be safe than sorry, and thats coming from someone with a very good Arthur's good weather to bad weather ratio.

[melinda]

Hi tasadam,
I've been looking at Hillebergs a lot since we were in Tassie last January.
They seem to be pretty popular there.
We tend not to need tents in New South. (We just use flys)
The Nallo looks good. Definitely one of the tents I will consider.
Bit heavy, but then I don't know if I have options on weight when it comes to tents down there.
Not sure if any of the ultra light tents will suit the conditions.
I've heard tents like the Hubbas can get torn to shreds in the wind in the SE.
Is that correct???

Hi norts,
Ok microlight is on the possible list too!

[NickD]

A couple told me of the story of a Hubba where the fly was not waterproof enough at all in the SW...another problem was the floor worked excellent. POOL PARTY!!
Generally I don't believe in lightweight tents, although Hilleberg is starting to sound more convincing.

[melinda]

north-north-west,

I'm really not very good company in person - deaf people often aren't. Especially grumpy, anti-social deaf people.

Don't worry, we won't let that stand in the way of us having a good time!

[melinda]

NIckD,

POOL PARTY!!

Sounds like a barrel of laughs!
But still think I'll give that party a miss!

[north-north-west]

I'm hoping to have either a Hilleberg Akto or a TT Scarp by the time I get down there. Otherwise I'll be using the Nallo. It should cope.

[tasadam]

When I had the Nallo at Moonlight Ridge and Pigsty Ponds last Feb, gusts of wind were getting into 3 figures, the material on the side of the tent would get hit so hard by a gust of wind it would literally crack like a whip. Hard to sleep in those conditions.
But the tent was solid and no sign of detriment. I know they're not "ultra" light but they are a fair bit better than some. Though, I'm not an ultralight walker.

[samh]

hi melinda,
what kind of tent do you have at the moment?

[north-north-west]

When I had the Nallo at Moonlight Ridge and Pigsty Ponds last Feb, gusts of wind were getting into 3 figures, the material on the side of the tent would get hit so hard by a gust of wind it would literally crack like a whip. Hard to sleep in those conditions..

Yeah, I had something like that when I set it up just below the summit of King Billy I. Ended up moving just to get some peace.

[melinda]

Hi samh,
We rarely use tents. Only in places like the Snowies, Victorian high country and Tassie.
But when we do, we have been using an old tent (not sure of the brand) that my partner has had for about 10 years.
A bit like the Macpac Microlight, but for 2. Very light.
Problem is it got slashed last year by possums on the O.T.
So we are thinking it might be time to retire it.

[melinda]

north-north-west,
Do you think the tarptents like the Scarp will stand up to the conditions down there?

[north-north-west]

Rain and snow the Scarp can definitely cope with, particularly with the cross-poles. I would have thought it would manage the wind, though I'm no expert on them. I've just been going on what I've read elsewhere.
Ask Franco.

[ILUVSWTAS]

I'm hoping to have either a Hilleberg Akto or a TT Scarp by the time I get down there. Otherwise I'll be using the Nallo. It should cope.

I recently got an AKTO. the 3 tents I was considering were the Scarp, Hubba and AKTO. AKTO won out convincingly for me. Scarp looked ok, but I didnt totally trust it would be suited to Tassie conditions, MSR I believe gets a bit damp, and a couple of walking buddies arent totally convinced with it's strength, Akto wasnt free standing, but otherwise it is strong, light and roomy!

[photohiker]

Scarp looked ok, but I didnt totally trust it would be suited to Tassie conditions

This is fair enough, they haven't been around for long enough that their earned reputation matches their apparent strengths.

I have had mine up in strong winds in the Flinders, as well as using it in Scotland and I can say that it is very stable in wind, especially if you add the optional side guylines. When pitched taut, the tent has zero flapping and shrugs off the wind. The Atkos I saw were stable too, but seemed to be more effected by the wind - I think its the crease that runs from each corner to the centre pole that gives this impression - there is some extra material involved there that has been designed out in the Scarp.

[Nuts]

It's Akto ( ) Ive used this and seen the scarp. The weight reduction also includes the scarp missing the heavily reinforced foot section that the Akto has... Personally I think the Nallo would be the choice for exposed trips. I dont like a night in 'coffin' tents no mind all day. Also iv'e seen Nallo Flat to the ground and still recover.

A flaw (i think) if a tent is made More rigid to gain strength rather than having the inherent strength to allow this flex/recovery.

Just to add that this is 'what ive seen and think' perhaps making a tent More rigid reaches a point where they are also as strong as flexible designs in wind? Just that your likely to find this out and come to any conclusion at the worst possible time. Dark, no useable tent, blowing a gale...

[photohiker]

Just to be clear, the Scarp is probably no more 'rigid' than the Atko/Akto - the difference is that the outer skin of the Scarp is uniform, smooth and taut, whereas the Akto has creases all over it.

I guess adding crossing poles would make it more rigid though?

[Nuts]

Just to be clear, the Scarp is probably no more 'rigid' than the Atko/Akto - the difference is that the outer skin of the Scarp is uniform, smooth and taut, whereas the Akto has creases all over it.

I guess adding crossing poles would make it more rigid though?

It has the creases you mentioned earlier... Do you have an opinion whether rigid is better than flexible for high winds?

[photohiker]

I guess in high wind conditions, I'd be worried about some specific failures:

Pegs pulling out.
Guys breaking or breaking free.
Rupture of tent fly material.
Impact from flying debris.

Any of these could lead to catastrophe. Best to pitch in the safest sheltered position you can.

You'd need to do a wind tunnel test, but my gut feeling is that it would be better for the tent to have an amount of flex.

In any case, I'd go for a fully rigid house or hut if it was available.

[melinda]

Heh guys,
I forgot to say I need a 2 man tent.
Anybody tried a Macpac Macrolight in these areas when the weather is full on? (Half price at the moment)
Or the Scarp 2?? (Franco, what do you think??? The floor tub looks pretty low.)
Or the 2 man Nallo?? (Nallo is sounding good? I'v got the Hilleberg handbook and the floor tub looks like it comes up quite high? Anyone ever had rain come in underneath it?)
Melinda

[stu]

I have a Hilleberg Soulo & couldn't recommend them highly enough.
Their craftsmanship, attention to detail & after sales service is second to none.
I'll get another down the track, probably the Nallo 2 as my 2 person tent.

I also have a Macpac Minaret (the older variety - it has been outstanding as well & has been a bench mark design for decades, particularly in brutal conditions);
they have reduced the weight (& therefore thickness & IMHO durability) of the floor in the latest model tho

The Macpac Macrolight is currently half price because it is being redesigned due to bad feedback & a few design floors, probably give that one a miss I'd say.

Hillebergs get the vote from my experience

[melinda]

Thanks stubowling,
I knew the old Macpac tents were solid. Haven't seen any new ones in the bush. Think I'll take your advice on that.

[Nuts]

That yellow inner material on the standard Hillebergs is water resistant (proof?), the floor quite high and the outer low. Hope this helps

[samh]

We used a "Exped Sirius Extreme" which was good but a bit on the heavy side. I'd guess the Acto as well as the Scarp would be able to cope with the conditions. But then again you never know what to expect and any tent 'could' fail. Personally I would relly like to do the trip with a tarp next time
samh

[corvus]

The inner on the Scarp2 is water resistant /proof (see Francos pics)and the bathtub floor is 124mm high.


Joseiri http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e389/ ... test-2.jpg I could be wrong but I think that what you observed is not "seepage" but condensation forming on the outside. Have a look at the shot that I took a few minutes ...
by Franco
Sat 24 Jul, 2010 10:18 am


Topic: How waterproof is silnylon tent fabric