Tarptent Moment

Just wanted to bring to mind my Tarptent Moment report of Feb. 3, 2010. My friend with the MSR Hubba Hubba sold it and bought a Moment which he received several weeks ago. He bought it due to our little escapade in Point Reyes where we had to set up in driving rain and I had my Moment up three minutes before his Hubba. I've used the Moment several times since then and am very happy with it.

Yeah, I love my Moment. Next week I take it to the Grand Canyon, Hermit Trail.

I've coated the top 1/2 of the tent W/ a 5:1 ratio silicon seam sealer to prevent the dreaded "mist-through" in a driving rain.

Eric

“…to prevent the dreaded "mist-through" in a driving rain.”

I’ve never felt that problem and I’ve been in several 8 hour doosies. Of course, I don’t know if I can sense the mist when it’s 100% humidity outside. But, in the end, none of my stuff gets wet inside my tent. I’ve tested the:
Tarptent Virga, Rainshadow, Double Rainbow, Raincloud, and GG Original Squall in hard driving rain.

My next test will be this 8oz zpack hexamid--- which I just received!

-Barry

My son has the Rainbow and he has been in some really wonderful thunderstorms with it and has not had a problem with "missting".
Just our experience. Just returned from the Grand and it sure is nice this time of year down there. Enjoy the hike, we did!

Shot a quick how to " seam seal the Moment " video.
http://au.video.yahoo.com/watch/7309058/19079793
Note that it differs a little from the official Tarptent way.

From the "comments" at Yahoo! :

This is pretty much the way I have done my tents for years, well before I purchased my first Tarptent.
Only the top seams (over the sleeping area) need to be done, I do them all out of habit.
Using a foam brush probably one coat only is needed, I do two.
The GE Silicone II is the recommended sealer; other 100% silicone sealer brands also works.
To dilute use paint thinner. Usually called mineral spirit. Some use Shellite , I use Mineral Turpentine.
Odourless mineral spirit can be used too.
I "dot" the floor to reduce mat slippage, most "stripe it".
Dotting makes it easier for me to clean.
Make sure that the shelter remains set up for at least 24 hours before storing.
In some conditions, it may take longer to dry.


Also , since some have reported problems doing it, I shot a video on how to fold the doors.
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/7300300/19052904

and how to mix silicone and mineral spirits :
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/7248563/18899600
Franco

Franco, as simple as it may seem, I fold the door another way. When you fold the door using your method, the roll acts as a trough and get the door wet in rain adn stays wet. When I fold my doors, I roll the material UNDER and not over as you have in your video. No trough, no wetness. Try it, you might like it.

Good idea, not that I have the doors open when it rains usually.
The only reason I did that was because some reported having some trouble keeping the doors folded.
Franco

I can't see how the silnylon can mist, if it had the same material my BD Hilight has, yes it would. My old Squall will get condensation then if it is hailing or raining hard, the condensation will get knocked off.

"I can't see how the silnylon can mist"

It can.
I only have had that on a few occasions and I have been under pretty heavy rain many times.
If the raindrops are large enough (generally larger means faster) some will penetrate.
However that is one drop every so often, not enough to keep me awake.
(somewhat similar to the spray you get under an umbrella in similar conditions)
I think that some of the reports depend on how we interpret certain occurrences.
For example to one a few sprays is nothing, to others it is a deluge.
Epic (hilight) is much less waterproof.
Franco

I haven't been in heavy rain with either. Oct. 2008, I was in Yosemite, first evening out, it rained moderately, I was getting spritzed there in my BD Hilight while it rained. 2007, same time of year in Yosemite, third night out at Sunrise Lakes, using my TT Squall, had snow pellets in the afternoon late, turned the ground white, heavy condensation overnight, before dawn it snowed again knocking the condensation onto my spread out clothes. That's why I went with the Hilight, hoping it would be better. It gives me more shoulder/head room in Fall and Winter conditions. I don't like the Hilight, takes a long time to set up and is a pain to insert the poles from the inside. If I had weighted it befored I seam sealed it, I would have returned it to REI. It weights 3.5 lbs. Maybe a Moment down the road.

In ideal conditions you can set up the Moment in under 1 minute.
So far Henry can do it in 55 sec, I am at 57 but had slight wind...
I am not going to give up till I better the HS time.
Franco

Ah, the red flag waving in front of the bull. Don't get me started.:) Instead of buying vintage/antique camping/bp stoves I maybe should have bought a new tent this winter.:) Up to about nine new to me stoves the last few months. So far.

great videos Franco.

Hikerduane
Just in case it isn't obvious why it is called the Moment, here is the reason why :
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/7320114/19119560

Franco

I love the conclusion!

Thank you Mary.
There is a fanny story about that. Pip is 15 years old and a bit strange. Her mother is "my cat" she is about 18.
Pip loves tents particularly spending time inside the vestibule. A few days ago I had to move her out of the way to get into the tent. So she got upset and disappeared for almost two days and she is still not coming inside. However she spent the other night with me inside the tent.
Franco

Couldn't view at work, watched it just now, that is fast. Thank you.