Walking Forum

Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: Litehiker on 22:12:38, 18/04/20

Title: Got a Tarptent Lithium Li
Post by: Litehiker on 22:12:38, 18/04/20
DISCLAIMER: I'm a Tarptent fanboy. The Notch Li will be my 5th Tarptent in 15 years. Sold 2 of them to "upgrade" to new models.


Just ordered a gen.2 TT Lithium Li (Dyneema) solo tent. Hey, gotta spend my "pandemic relief check" somewhere.
The gen. 2 Notch Li has 2-way waterproof door zippers instead of a Velcro flap. Also the ripstop inner tent (2/3 ripstop, 1/3 netting) has a new ripstop "ceiling" to prevent any condensation from dripping off the fly and through the inner tent.


So it will arrive in 2 or 3 days and I'll make a few mods to it before I take it on a "safely socially distant" solo backpack here in Las Vegas' nearby Spring Mountains.


MOD #1-> dyeing the nylon inner tent ripstop "solid" panels a medium green with RIT DyeMore synthetic fabric dye. It's a mineral-based dye.
MOD #2-> applying Dyneema repair tape to 4 fly hem locations to reinforce sewn-on stake loops. Helps a lot in high winds.


OPTIONS-> I also bought trekking pole handle adapters to permanently attach into the inside of the two apex points B/C I absolutely do not want my pole handles and straps down in the dirt. My pole tips are always covered with rubber tip cups so they should not sink into the ground much.


For winter I'll still use my Tarptent Moment DW and X-ing pole I've shortened to run under the fly for snow load support. Its design is much better than the Notch for snow conditions.


After looking at literally all the solo Dyneema tents, both single and double wall versions, I feel the Notch Li is the best for most 3 season conditions. And at only 3 oz. heavier than the single wall TT AEON Li it's better suited to withstand an unseasonal snow storm which we DO get in shoulder seasons here in the western mountains of the US.


Eric B.
BTW, here are my main UL weight items:
->Osprey EXOS 58 pack (61 L. in size Large)
->REI FLASH Insulated 3 season air mattress (15 oz., R 3.7)
->Western Mountaineering Megalite down bag
With these to compliment the UL Notch Li tent this geezer will still be able to crawl up the mountain and camp at the 9,000+ ft. level where most campsites are located in these mountains.
Title: Re: Got a Tarptent Lithium Li
Post by: Owen on 23:06:16, 18/04/20
p. Also the ripstop inner tent (2/3 ripstop, 1/3 netting) has a new ripstop "ceiling" to prevent any condensation from dripping off the fly and through the inner tent.






That is needed, I have the standard silnylon version which can be quite a drip-coffin at times.
Title: Re: Got a Tarptent Lithium Li
Post by: richardh1905 on 06:14:49, 19/04/20
Interesting, Eric.

Also the ripstop inner tent (2/3 ripstop, 1/3 netting) has a new ripstop "ceiling" to prevent any condensation from dripping off the fly and through the inner tent.

Sound design. Nothing worse that drips.

Quote
So it will arrive in 2 or 3 days and I'll make a few mods to it before I take it on a "safely socially distant" solo backpack here in Las Vegas' nearby Spring Mountains.

Are you allowed to do so in the States? Or does it vary state by state? If so, I am envious - we have been having some gorgeous weather recently, but wild camping in the nearby mountains is certainly not allowed under our UK wide lockdown right now. Enjoy.  :)
Title: Re: Got a Tarptent Lithium Li
Post by: Litehiker on 06:48:17, 19/04/20
richardh, Yep, in Nevada all trails are still open but our largest trailhead parking lot, meant to accommodate 50 cars, is now overflowing onto the streets. So I avoid it unless it's raining, when only hardcore hikers (and properly dressed hikers)m like venture out.
Where I backpack is just an hour north of my home, on the northwest side of the huge Las Vegas valley and at 9,000 - 10,500 feet. Few over venture that high with more than a daypack.

Instead I have taken to exploring the new bulldozer-cut roads into the mountains just behind my home where "exclusive" neighborhoods are being developed. Damn shame B/C i'll soon no longer be able to just climb those mountains as there will be gated communities by September. As I mockingly say, "In order to be exclusive, one must exclude." BAH!   >:(


Eric B.


Title: Re: Got a Tarptent Lithium Li
Post by: richardh1905 on 09:46:06, 19/04/20
Hate the idea of gated communities.
Title: Re: Got a Tarptent Lithium Li
Post by: gunwharfman on 16:51:40, 19/04/20
Some people on our estate wanted to turn it into a gated community, but most of us said NO! Luckily it's no longer an issue, it's now returned to people who leave their dustbins out.

My mother in law lives in a 'gated' old people's home, whenever we visit all I can think of is Oscar Pistorius and where he used to live.
Title: Re: Got a Tarptent Lithium Li
Post by: richardh1905 on 08:53:35, 20/04/20
I do fancy the Scarp 1, I have to say. Looks like a tent that would be eminently suitable for year round British conditions. With the solid inner, that is.
Title: Re: Got a Tarptent Lithium Li
Post by: Litehiker on 20:42:14, 20/04/20
Richard,


I have the SCARP 2 and it's great for 2 people with room to spare to "OK" for 3 people sleeping head-to-toe. Love the 2 doors/vestibules. No more crawling over my wife to reach a door to go pee at zero dark thirty.


Since I'm an inveterate modder I have "winterized" it with the two optional crossing poles shortened and run under the fly for much more support in high winds and heavy snow. To accommodate this I removed the grommets from the corner stake lines and sewed their attached webbing to the fabric at the very apex of the "Pitch Loc" CF struts. That makes a triangle for the poles to pushdown on which is a perfect distribution of stress, unlike the original design. Also I sewed double sided Velcro tape loops inside the fly at the outer reinforcement points for the X-ing pole straps. When wrapped around teh X-ing poles they hold them in place in high winds. This can also be done with the Scarp 1.


For solo backpacking I have a Tarptent Moment DW which, with the advent of the Notch Li, I'll reserve for winter camping and sea kayak camping. I've also run the optional X-ing pole inside the fly and it works great for a heavy snow load and MUCH better suited to it than the Hilleberg Akto or Enan.


Eric B.

Title: Re: Got a Tarptent Lithium Li
Post by: richardh1905 on 21:53:31, 20/04/20
Thanks for the info, Eric. Looks like a good tent.  :)