Scarp 1 User updates...?

[s_gledhill]

Hi all,
Been lurking here a while, since I got interested in Aarn packs and followed Google to this site - which is fantastic by the way! Used to walk a bit as a teenager but made (some of) the usual corny bad decisions, and have only recently re-discovered the pleasure and peace of this pastime.

I'm now interested in Tarptent's Scarp 1 and am pretty close to a decision, but I wanted to ask if anyone who currently owns one has any follow up comments/notes/observations over the past couple months? Has it held up and performed as expected, wish you'd got the mesh interior (or the fabric one ), had to use the crossing poles in anger? I am impressed by the information both here and in other forums so far, I guess my biggest niggle is how well the tent is standing up to our typical scrub here in Tasmania (I'd forgotten how soft Scoparia looks from a distance...).

Appreciate the feedback,

Simon

[corvus]

I have only used my Scarp1 a couple of times and have been happy with its performance so far,as good as some and better than others I own.
Well worth the money IMHO
c

[Ciaran]

...ditto. I have had mine for 3 months now but only used it in the Lower Flinders (Black Range Mambray Creek) and a few overnighters in Deep Creek Con/Park (Sth Aust).

Stood up well to some strong winds, but only seen some light rain so far. Taking it on the Du Cane Range in November for it's first Tassie trip. More than confident that it will perform without a worry.

[photohiker]

Still very happy with mine. It hasn't been to Tassie yet though.

Was excellent in the wind and rain in Scotland. Not been in snow yet.

[s_gledhill]

Thanks guys,
Sounds like no negative surprises - think I'll be talking to Tarptent shortly!

Simon

[roysta]

I agonised over Scarp 1 and Nallo 2 for ages.
Have a look at the Nallo.

[s_gledhill]

Thanks Roysta,
Had a look at that - I'm looking at the Scarp1 to reduce weight as I carry a bit of photography gear and need to cut back in other areas. the Scarp is cheaper, and about half the weight. When I expect (or suspect) I'll need something bombproof I have my 1st Arrow - it's what I'm using at the moment and only around 500g heavier than the Nallo so no gain from my perspective.

Looks to be a good tent though, and would be up for consideration if I were looking to replace the Arrow.

Simon

[s_gledhill]

Sorry guys , it appears my estimate of the Nallo 2 weight difference being based on 6lbs was incorrect, that's the shipping weight listed on the Moontrail site - I've just noted it elsewhere as being 4lb 12oz, or 2.1kg.

The Scarp is still closer to my price range, and so far I'm still leaning that way. My apologies for any confusion.

Simon

[eddie the eagle]

Hi Simon,

I bought the Scarp 2 about 3 months ago, was planning on camping in subantarctic winds on the Bass Strait headlands, but had to pull out of the trip as another participant pulled a hamstring.

Have used the Scarp 2 for two days.

It's easy to put up, good solid tent.

Floor seems a bit thin and slippery with the siliconised floor, but it's a well-made tent. I'd use the footprint on anything but grass, makes the weight a bit heavier. With the extra poles for wind bracing and the Tyvek footprint, it weighed as much as the Mont (about 2kg)

I bought the solid inner as I've got a Mont Moondance with a mesh inner. Works well as the three-seasons tent, but not as a four season tent.

The ventilation is not that great, pitching it on grass caused a layer of condensation on the tent inner within about 20 minutes. Was dripping in condensation after each night's use. If you buy the mesh inner, you'll also need a dripguard to save the condensation from going into the sleeping area.

The Nallo, I believe/presume from looking at photos of it would have similar condensation issues, but others would be better qualified to comment on this.

Good luck with the choice.

Cheers,

eddie

[north-north-west]

The ventilation is not that great, pitching it on grass caused a layer of condensation on the tent inner within about 20 minutes. Was dripping in condensation after each night's use. If you buy the mesh inner, you'll also need a dripguard to save the condensation from going into the sleeping area.

The Nallo, I believe/presume from looking at photos of it would have similar condensation issues, but others would be better qualified to comment on this.

I've pitched the Nallo in some fairly damp conditions and never had more than a light film of condensation inside after a full night. I do tend to keep the solid part of the door rolled up, though, and the rear vent also at maximum. Even in cold conditions.

[Franco]

Yes, the trick in minimising condensation is ventilation.
There are plenty of options in the Scarp with the bottom end vents, lifting the sides (up the pole) and or leaving one or both fly doors open .
(as well as making sure the vents did not seal themselves shut)

Another way to minimise condensation, if from ground evaporation , is simply to cover the vestibule area too.
For that you could add "wings" to the groundsheet and fold them under when not needed.
Franco

[eddie the eagle]

Thanks Franco and NNW,

The vents were fully open, but I did have the tent sides fully down.

Usually I sleep with the outside door/s open at the top so there's a 2 inch gap for crossbreeze. Not this time, however, as it was a wee bit nippy, around zero.

CHeers,

eddie

[s_gledhill]

Back when I was walking as a teenager I had an a-frame tent - inner 1st (and the inner was a light weave fabric that may even be cotton), the fly went to within about 3 inches of the ground and had those yellow rubber rings for peg-out. Weighed about 4 or more kilos with 3 vertical poles and a ridgepole - all steel. Good tent (although it got the name Russell Flap after a very stormy night on the way to Mt Anne), I've still got most of it but it does need a new fly. I do recall the condensation on the inside of the fly but it never was inside the tent unless someone leant against it. Not worth the 4+ kilos though!

My budget for boots as a 17 yr old stretched to the doyen of local gear, the Blundstone "Mountain Master" - tough as old boots once you'd worn them in, the soles were that slippery on the wet rocks of Anne I reckon I got 10 feet vertically above the boulder field before my nerve went...

[s_gledhill]

Out of curiosity, is there any reason for the full-mesh inner not to have a solid roof section? Would it protect from the condensation forming on the fly above, or would it become the point where the condensation forms?

[Franco]

"is there any reason for the full-mesh inner not to have a solid roof section ?"
As far as I know there have been no reports so far of the Scarp 1/2 dripping inside the mesh but as you probably know that has been an issue with some shelter and that is why there are a few with a fabric top as you suggest.
I will discuss this with Henry...
Franco
(Simon, your kit is on its way...)

[s_gledhill]

Thanks Franco.

Not long after posting that I recalled the discussions of the liner for the Moment (& others I believe?). The "roof" panels of the inner for at least the Scarp1 may be too narrow to be 100% effective by itself, however the fine weave of the mesh may be enough to deflect drops hitting the sides... If that's the case the slope of the "roof" panels may have a similar effect anyway.

[Franco]

Simon
Yes that sounds right.
Henry just confirmed that he has not had reports about dripping either but "could happen" .
This "solid" inner top only, came up again (it was discussed when the Scarp inner was designed) when MSR announced the Carbon Reflex , not a distant relative of the Rainbow
(in fact originally they posted pics of the "freestanding" set up (now a TT patent) and took it down when some Aussie fan (me) complained about it)
The Rainbow itself is a not a too distant relative of 3 pre existing shelters, however the closest to it is a British version that neither Henry nor myself knew of at the time.
There is one shelter on the back burner that will likely have that top, maybe out in 2011.
As a reference, the Scarp had been discussed for over 3 years before it was officially announced.
Franco

[stepbystep]

1 trip down, no holes/damage, really well designed and very roomy for a single person shelter. Twin vestibules is the winner.
Camped on scrub 2 nights, withstood some gusty conditions well.
My only concern is the longevity of materials and weakness points, will update at the end of the season.....

[Franco]

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

I would suggest that you install pole guylines, it will improve side stability a lot more than the poles (Henry disagrees with this, but what does he know ?)
Personally I would not bother with the external poles unless there is a good chance of snow.

A couple of days ago I had a Contrail that has been used for over 400 nights (!!!!) set up in my backyard.
Kind of looks a bit tired but it still works well.
I think that the owner , Christine (GT as in German Tourist) has changed the zip slider 4 or 5 times but that is about it.
Interesting to find out how much gear she has managed to wear out in the meantime. ( about a pair of shoes every 2 months, 5 Thermarest ProLite, several Platypus bladders...)
Christine ,BTW, has an Akto (too heavy) and has used other TT shelters before. The Contrail happens to be the best compromise at the moment.
(all TT use exactly the same silnylon)
Franco

[stepbystep]

HeHe - that red tent is visible from space!

On this night I wouldn't have even needed pegs Franco, but I carried the poles, so thought I would give them a lash, the second evening up high we had strong gusts where I used the poles plus 2 guy lines from the centre arch - the tent was VERY stable.

[ollster]

Pity about the visual pollution caused by that red thing in the back.

Hater's gonna hate...

But seriously, why make a tent in grey? Surely blue/red/orange or some other high vis colour makes more sense?

[ILUVSWTAS]

Christine ,BTW, has an Akto (too heavy) and has used other TT shelters before.
Franco

Is there any chance of seeing a TT in action somewhere exposed to a good Tassie breeze?? I must say im quite surprised anyone would buy something that looks like it would launch into space if the wind picked up over something solid and widely reknown for being "bombproof" ESPECIALLY when camping high and exposed in Tasmania!!

Send me a TT down Franco and I'll put it through some "tests" then we will have first hand knowledge of how a TT shelter stands up to some testing conditions!! That way your words wont seem like all they are doing is promoting your own product, and more so people like me wont be so dubious about them and may actually help to promote sales.........

[stepbystep]

But seriously, why make a tent in grey? Surely blue/red/orange or some other high vis colour makes more sense?

It's silver Oll very visible, it positively shines in the sun!

[ollster]

[Send me a TT down Franco and I'll put it through some "tests"

We'll just take a TT, Hille, Macpac and my MSR down to the southern range, pitch them, leave them there for 2 weeks and then go back and collect the pieces...

[ollster]

But seriously, why make a tent in grey? Surely blue/red/orange or some other high vis colour makes more sense?

It's silver Oll very visible, it positively shines in the sun!

What does it look like in the mist/snow though?! Eh, EH?! Fair enough, if you say it's visible then it is.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Exactly!!! I bet I know what rank i'd put them in.....

[ollster]

Exactly!!! I bet I know what rank i'd put them in.....

It'd be Hille 1, everything else 0. That damn thing is a bomb shelter.

[Franco]

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.

KEEPER: What is your quest?
GALAHAD: I seek the Holy Grail.
KEEPER: What is your favorite color?
GALAHAD: Blue. No yel-- Auuuuuuuugh!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMxWLuOFyZM
Franco

[ILUVSWTAS]

Exactly!!! I bet I know what rank i'd put them in.....

It'd be Hille 1, everything else 0. That damn thing is a bomb shelter.

I suspect the Minaret would be equal to the Hille.

[ollster]

I suspect the Minaret would be equal to the Hille.

I'd be surprised. Stu's Hille has got so many tie down points it's nuts. I also believe that the dome design is an all-round a stronger design than the tunnel due to cross bracing*. (*not scientifically verified, just my opinion)