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#106705 - 11/19/08 11:36 AM Tarptent?
GrumpyGord Online   content
member

Registered: 01/05/02
Posts: 945
Loc: Michigan
I just received a new Tarptent Contrail. I have been using a Virga which I liked. The question is: How do you stuff the Contrail? With the Virga I just jammed it into the stuff sack. The Contrail has two rear struts which stay in place. I tried rolling it around the struts and this works if I lay it out on a smooth surface but in most cases I am trying to stuff the tent in wind and rain while it is draped over my shoulder so that it is not dragging in the dirt. If I try to roll it while I am standing upright I end up with a long cigar shape which is too long and too fat in the middle. How do others stuff this tent?

I thought about removing the rear struts before stuffing but they are kind of a pain to insert. Also I am concerned about the Velcro on the struts. I have visions of this getting full of dirt, leaves, etc.

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#106706 - 11/19/08 12:06 PM Re: Tarptent? [Re: GrumpyGord]
acronym Offline
member

Registered: 08/28/07
Posts: 30
Loc: Boston - MA
no - don't remove the struts. I drop the tent, bring one entire side up to about a third, and then the other side completely over that (the long sides). Situate the struts lying flat and roll the entire thing up from the back. takes about 20 seconds and the only part that touches the dirt is what was already laying in it.


Edited by acronym (11/19/08 12:08 PM)

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#106707 - 11/19/08 03:05 PM Re: Tarptent? [Re: acronym]
Franco Offline
member

Registered: 04/05/04
Posts: 1010
Loc: Australia
Yes, same as Acronym
If I were to try rolling it up in the wind, I would also call myself Grumpy...but thank you for that mental picture, I like a laugh when I have my coffee.
I use an extra strut (a pole section) for the mid rear guyout, so that forces me to roll it anyway as I don't like the idea of storing pegs and poles separate from the shelter.
Franco
BTW, if you can send some rain here I'll send you some sunshine

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#106708 - 11/20/08 08:59 AM Re: Tarptent? [Re: Franco]
GrumpyGord Online   content
member

Registered: 01/05/02
Posts: 945
Loc: Michigan
When I pack up in the morning I frequently have to give the tent a good shake before I can pack it away. On the last trip of four days I had rain on two of the nights and on one other night the tent was frozen solid so shaking the tent is necessary. Even when I do not have rain the bottom of the tent is usually covered with dirt and/or leaves etc. Once I have shaken off the tent I do not really want to lay it down again in the wet and dirt. I do not want to carry dirt and water until the next night. That is why I put the tent over my shoulder while packing it.

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