i was planning on making a tarptent for one from shires. but i've been considering changing to a design like the MLD patrol shelter and adding mesh around the edges. of course i would have to make a "door" to get in and out, but thinking i could save a little weight this way. i'm pretty good at the trig and am confident in my ability to put something together. does anyone have any thoughts on this?

The son of the squaw of the hippopotamus is equal the sons of the squaws of the other two hides.


Sorry. I never thought I'd get a chance to use that here. And I shouldn't have.

I think that should be:
'The squaw of the hippopotamus is equal the sons of the squaws of the other two hides.'

Cheers

does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Ben, I love the patrol shelter. I don't have one, but ever since it came out I've thought it was great design. A bug proof version would be very cool - show us some pics when you are done.

But the squaw of the hippo had one son.

well, i haven't decided yet. but i only have until tommorrow when i meet the person doing the sewing. i'm trying to figure out if it really will be lighter. i know it will be more storm worthy since the ends would be pretty well covered and i could pitch it really low if need be. i'm thinking about making it a little smaller in the back, more like the size of the tarptent, but then having the front be close to the size of the patrol shelter. i think i would make it able to use poles or guylines. with a "door" on the front, it might function similar to a shangri-la 1, exept that the beak wouldn't go down to the ground. i think this design would let me pitch it higher or lower, and in the low position it would only be off the ground in the front.

You don't need a door. Just size the net so you can lift it up and slip under it.

well no pics yet, but i got the two sides cut out and the back. the person doing the sewing will put those together and all the grosgrain tieouts. then i will pitch it so i can measure for the beak and mesh. but so far so good. i will try to remember to take some pics that i can post.