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Topic Date User

Tents? 17-Feb-2004 At 11:25:43 AM trent

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Take a look at the Fairydown Altimate. 2-person alpine tent. 4 poles. Front and back vestibules(although the back one is small it is big enough for two packs) and it weighs 3.2kg. I have one and so does my friend and we both agree that they are awesome bombproof tents. wind, rain and snow from any direction doesnt phase this bad boy. It has heaps of internal pockets and attachment points for a clothes line. Im used mine in hot weather too and because it has two doors it ventilates really well.

I have a Minaret which is awesome for 3 season stuff especially when wet as you can pitch the fly first, then put the inner up from the inside. The new material from Macpac is great. UV30. Its a silicon treated nylon that is UV stabilised. The best part is that it seals the needle holes itself, so there is no need for seam sealing. Also because the silcon encapluates the indiviual threads rather than coating it the nylon is much more flexible with gives it a higher tear strength for a lighter material. I the snow i found it to be a good tent provided i pointed it bum to the wind and made some snow walls. On a rocky surface the tunnel design is a pain where as the free standing Altimate is great.

My experience with Biblers and for that matter any single skin tents is that unless you are in below freezing conditions you end up living inside a rainforest. Not really recommended unless this is going to be an alpine only tent. However, MSR and Fairydown are looking into single/double skin hybrid tents. Essentially it will have a waterproof, breathable roof with mesh/material sides. In foal weather the sigle skin is lowered to the ground to seal out rain and snow. I fine weather the single skin is raied to expose the mesh (breathable) sides. A great idea that will be functional in most conditions but still lightweight and compact like a Bibler.

Trent