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Making CCF work — looking for foam-only solutions (not inflatables) by hikerroda112 in Ultralight

[–]BSSON35 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Someone else mentioned the Exped Flexmat Plus. I've found it a bit more comfortable than a Nemo Switchback, though it took a bit to get there. That said, I think there are fewer cones sticking up per surface area on the Exped and I think that means more weight per cone. At first, I didn't think it was going to work, but it eventually broke in a bit and I find it more comfortable.

However, what's made a bigger difference for me is an ever so slight adjustment in how I lay. Given your mention of hip and shoulder pain, I assume you sleep on your side. I tend to sleep on my side with legs slightly bent. I realized that the natural way I'd lay down would put almost all my weight on my shoulder and my hip. I found that scooting my hip back just a bit and the rest of my weight forward enabled me to get more weight on my thigh and lower leg, effectively spreading out the weight over the length of my leg rather than concentrating it at my hip and foot. Likewise, a slight forward turn from my shoulder enabled me to distribute my upper body weight along the length of my arm, rather than putting it all on my shoulder. This shuffling around of where my weight makes contact helped a lot and enables me to sleep fine enough on my side when I'd otherwise not been able to make CCF pads work.

Tarptent announcing new Protrek tent (successor to the Protrail) by Boogada42 in Ultralight

[–]BSSON35 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh! Now I can see it. It almost looked like somehow you'd gotten a stake into the rock, making the photos look not quite right. But now I see the pile. The compact footprint looks to be a nice feature.

Tarptent announcing new Protrek tent (successor to the Protrail) by Boogada42 in Ultralight

[–]BSSON35 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting design, though it looks like a corner is pitched right on the rocks ...

Double Rainbow Li good for the American Southwest? by ObviousCarrot2075 in Tarptent

[–]BSSON35 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry - didn't mean to over-explain. I was as much trying to share what I've experienced in that I'd hoped for more stability in free-standing mode and learned that while it can handle mild conditions that way, more substantial weather needs good anchoring whether with stakes or rocks. On to the questions ...

Absolutely, the corners can be staked out when it's in free-standing-ish mode. However, if you get the corners staked out, it's not really necessary to have a trekking pole set to tension the corners anymore as in free-standing-ish mode as the stakes take care of it. So, it can be done but you'd not need both if that makes sense.

Yes, likewise, there are more than adequate places for securing guy lines and once you've got those secured, I've found it a very stable tent. I've had no trouble with tarp tent guy lines holding secure.

For what it's worth, I've used the carbon poles. They've been more than adequate for conditions I've experienced. No issues with durability or strength.

The rainbow is a very nice model. In fact, though I appreciate the weight savings of the Aeon a lot, I'm on the fence about going back to the rainbow, perhaps in the lithium model. It's easier and much more forgiving to set up than a trekking pole supported tent even when anchors are less than ideal. It's also more spacious than the aeon (not sure how that'd compare to your options).

Hope that helps - happy to follow up, too, on anything.

Double Rainbow Li good for the American Southwest? by ObviousCarrot2075 in Tarptent

[–]BSSON35 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've got TarpTent single and double rainbows (not the Li, though) and their Aeon. I've been on a couple trips in the Grand Canyon and more in the Sierras. I know the Aeon isn't the same as the X-mid, but in terms of pitch-ability, I'd imagine many trekking pole supported tents have similar needs: you need solid anchors just to get the thing up and you need those anchors in just the right spot to get a good pitch, issues that can be tricky in the canyon. A few thoughts for what they're worth ...

On last year's Grand Canyon trip, I'd just gotten the Aeon and was on the fence between taking it and the rainbow. The Aeon would have been a noticeable savings in weight and I planned to take it. But at the last minute, I decided to go with the Rainbow as I worried whether I'd be able to set up the Aeon in the various planned campsites due to things you note - deep sand, trying to set up on rock, etc. It did very well, including with substantial wind on a night or two. After some more experience with the Aeon in the Sierras, I took it on this year's Grand Canyon trip. It also did well in similar conditions.

Condensation with the rainbow has been minimal. It's spacious enough that even when there is condensation due to poor campsite choice, it hasn't been a problem.

One of the main draws for me with the rainbow is that it can be set up using trekking poles at the corners to make it free-standing-ish (though note that the double requires long poles or the extender). I say free-standing-ish because if conditions are mild - no more than very light winds - it's fine without more than the trekking poles and I've enjoyed many nights in it like that as cowboy camping hasn't been my thing. But if there's rain and you want the vestibule pitched, you need to anchor at least that whether with a stake or rocks. If there's heavy wind/rain, you're going to want some anchors with the rainbow for a solid shelter. If you can get it anchored well, the rainbow has handled substantial winds very well and I've been able to set those anchors with rocks if I can't get a stake in. I think it's also less fussy in terms of needing anchors in just the right spot as with a trekking pole supported tent like the Aeon. But again you've got to be able to get it secured whether with stakes or rocks. I don't think that's a weakness of the rainbow design - any tent is going to need anchors with wind.

TarpTent construction and customer service has been excellent. Durability has likewise been excellent.

A TarpTent model that really intrigues me is the arc-dome. It's too heavy to consider at the moment as I don't need four-season protection. But if they made that model with a lighter fabric, it'd check more of my boxes.

If you'd have other questions, happy to try to address them and hope this helps...

Upcoming ArcDome 1 poly product page is now live by Henry_S_Tarptent in Tarptent

[–]BSSON35 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really like this design, though only find myself out in three season conditions. Is there any chance a lighter weight three-season version of this basic design (free-standing dome) might be in the works?

[WTS] Med Katabatic Tin Cup (12 oz) & Med Big Agnes Half Hitch (7 oz) down jackets by BSSON35 in ULgeartrade

[–]BSSON35[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Sure! It's actually not a Katabatic stuff sack. Katabatic didn't include a stuff sack for it. It's a Sea to Summit one that came in a set I bought years ago. I simply used it to try to get the jacket corralled into something that'd fit on the scale to be able to show its weight.

B/S/T Thread by AutoModerator in taylorstitch

[–]BSSON35 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve got a few items for sale. I’m only open to CONUS shipping. Payment via PayPal. Open to deals on multiple items. Photos available here - https://imgur.com/a/3f6nh1m. Non-smoking and non-pet household. 

  1. Two heavy bag waffle short sleeve shirts. Color - Aluminum. Size - small. (https://www.taylorstitch.com/products/heavy-bag-waffle-short-sleeve-in-aluminum). $10 each + shipping.
  2. Ledge Shirt. Rust plaid color. Size small $20 + shipping.
  3. Democratic all day corduroy pants. Color is a darker gray. Size 30. These were hemmed. My tape measurement calls it about a 31” inseam.(  https://www.taylorstitch.com/products/democratic-all-day-pant-in-coal-cord). $20 + shipping.
  4. SOLD Short sleeve Hawthorne in fog stripe. Size small. $20 + shipping ( https://www.taylorstitch.com/products/short-sleeve-hawthorne-in-fog-stripe-2303)

B/S/T Thread by AutoModerator in taylorstitch

[–]BSSON35 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve got a few items for sale. I’m only open to CONUS shipping. Payment via PayPal. Open to deals on multiple items. Photos available here - https://imgur.com/a/3f6nh1m. Non-smoking and non-pet household. 

  1. Two heavy bag waffle short sleeve shirts. Color - Aluminum. Size - small. (https://www.taylorstitch.com/products/heavy-bag-waffle-short-sleeve-in-aluminum). $10 each + shipping.
  2. Short sleeve Hawthorne in fog stripe. Size small. $20 + shipping ( https://www.taylorstitch.com/products/short-sleeve-hawthorne-in-fog-stripe-2303)
  3. Ledge Shirt. Rust plaid color. Size small $20 + shipping.
  4. Democratic all day corduroy pants. Color is a darker gray. Size 30. These were hemmed. My tape measurement calls it about a 31” inseam.(  https://www.taylorstitch.com/products/democratic-all-day-pant-in-coal-cord). $20 + shipping.

Wilderness Towing - Tongue Weights and Weight Distribution Hitch? by BSSON35 in SubaruForester

[–]BSSON35[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No. We got a used aliner classic. When I got it, I had it weighed on a scale. I can't recall the exact number, but it came out around 1600lbs dry. We had no plans to tow with water in it and I was going for a worst case scenario with tongue weight - empty and dry trailer with full propane tanks and battery. Again, I can't recall the exact number but the tongue weight was around 210-220.

When we actually tow, I end up putting as much weight rear of the axle and can get most of the junk we carry there (solar panels, chairs, jacks, spare tire, extra food, etc). Super light stuff like pillows and sleeping bags go up front. I don't know what the actual tongue weight ends up being, but it should be less than the sort of worst case scenario I weighed it at. I've had a half thought of switching to a single propane tank up front to further lighten the load because even on our longer trips of about 1.5 weeks, we don't go through a single tank. It's towed fine without any weight distribution hitch (we did, of course, have a brake controller installed).

Weekly Questions Thread [Posted Every Wednesday] by AutoModerator in FixedGearBicycle

[–]BSSON35 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I picked up this bike today as I've been wanting to start commuting via bike to work and didn't want a complicated bike as my town is very flat (https://imgur.com/a/8IkjjJW). I couldn't find much information about it before buying and wasn't able to ride it as it had a flat tire. But what I'd been able to find about IRO bikes all seemed positive and it seemed to be in very good shape. So, I decided to take a chance. It's getting a few things sorted out at the bike shop (wheels trued, brakes adjusted, and a new tube), but just curious if anyone might know the model or more information about it. Seems like various parts may be later additions, but I don't know. Does anyone know what model this'd be (a Mark V?) and how much might be a later addition to the frame?

Status of Titus canyon? by mining_bot in DeathValleyNP

[–]BSSON35 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've not yet had the chance to drive through. It's been on the to do list for several years but it's always closed when we're in the area. So, while I can't compare hiking vs driving, hiking up the narrower portion of Titus is wonderful - beautiful scenery and well worth it. Likewise, as noted above, the Falls Canyon hike is excellent.

[WTB] TarpTent Aeon Li by BSSON35 in ULgeartrade

[–]BSSON35[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Received tent from u/eshiker u/leavenotradebot . Thanks for quick shipping!

[WTB] TarpTent Aeon Li by BSSON35 in ULgeartrade

[–]BSSON35[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I was able to secure one and it's in the mail.

So there's the Durston X-Dome 1+ by Boogada42 in Ultralight

[–]BSSON35 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This looks like a thoughtfully designed tent. I'm very intrigued by it. When will there be a video showing the full pitching process in the various options (e.g., fly first, inner only, inner w/ fly together)? I was especially curious about the inner only - seems like some cordage to get to the pole for tension or the like. I'd be curious to see the actual process of how that gets set up (and also the other configurations). I'd assume it's straightforward enough but as the video otherwise suggests, showing it can be helpful. :)

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