Just lost our house and all our (loads of) gear to the Charlotte Fire in ID.

Lots of gear to replace (we were going to spend this week in the Winds, but that is not happening). My wife wants backpacking to be one our first things to get up and running again.

I have a pretty good idea of most of what I want to get to replace what we had...except for a tent, so I need some input.

We had a TT double rainbow, which was a bit small and us and our dog, and was a bit challenged by storms in the N. Rockies high country. We got a BD Skylight which was doing better on both of these fronts, but I wouldn't mind skipping all the seam sealing that one required (does the current model still require sealing?), since we are staying with friends without a lot of room. Of course, I also wouldn't mind saving weight on a storm worthy tent with ample room for 2+ (NOT using trekking poles).

Updates and recs?

Edited by IPARider on 07/01/2012 08:57:01 MDT.

Very sorry to hear you lost your house and possesions. I cant be much help on tent suggestions as all I think about is solo nowdays. Good luck and glad to see your wife has her prioritys straight.

Matt,

So SORRY to hear about your loss! When my parents were still living I helped them evacuate from the monster Lake Chelan Fire (about two decades ago). We loaded up as many valuables (and their dog) as we could fit into two vehicles. The smoke was stifling! As we drove away from their home, the flames were very close-by and the bulldozers were making a last stand on the ridge above their house. My dad had tears in his eyes, and he said, "I wonder if I'll ever see my home again."

The wind shifted, and my parents' home was spared. Many of his friends and neighbors were not as fortunate.

I know that nothing can replace the memories attached to the things you've lost, especially the photos and the special mementos. But some of us at BPL might want to help in some small way as you begin to replace your gear. Heading out soon for some backpacking trips would be a great way to begin the recovery process.

Do you have a PayPal account?

I thought about this today listening to the news of the Colorado fires. Getting outside again is restorative for me, and I hope it does the same for you.

Would something in the Duomid/Supermid range be useful as a tent? You'd have to seam seal it, but otherwise it is well-known as a rock-solid shelter. (I'm hoping to try one out this upcoming year once Ron gets the olive brown silnylon back in stock.)

Hi Matt,
I've just given away a bunch of stuff but when you come up to our house, I've got a few things left that you can have if it will fit your needs and that can get you through as you recover. Sierra Designs Sirius3 tent (plenty for 2 and dog), older style Golite Pinnacle (25oz version), a couple of smaller packs, OR bug bivies, Big Agnes Lost Ranger and Yampa, Ridgerest, fleece/jackets, some smaller items (sporks, bowls, etc.)... I'm sure the good folks here will jump in maybe even with items identical to what you lost.
All the best,
Shawn

Edited by ShawnB on 07/01/2012 12:05:29 MDT.

Hey Matt, want to send you a note. What's your email address, since you don't have PMs set up.

Doug

PM's set up, thanks

Thanks for all the good wishes and offers, I do think getting out will be good for us.

We may end up doing a bit of borrowing (thanks Shawn) in the short term for a trip or two this summer.

Aside from that, we will hit REI, IME, and BD, (in SLC next weekend) which should get us in pretty good shape.

And on that note, let's not go all soft, I had hoped I could roust a debate about the best gear option (if not here, where?).

Edited by IPARider on 07/01/2012 15:27:57 MDT.

Sorry to hear about your loss! I think you have the right idea, though! Unfortunately I can't offer any help re the tent.

Matt, I'd reccomend a Tarptent Scarp 2. It's got the room and vestibules and can have either a net inner or a ripstop inner for colder weather. Get both for a 4 season tent or just use the fly alone and a groundcloth.


Modification Suggestion>
Since I own a TT Moment solo tent I've modified to have the "crossing pole" run inside the tent for much better canopy support. I think you can do the same with any Scarp tent, especially the Scarp 2. I'd sew triangular pole-end pockets at the inside apex of the carbon fiber corner support rods. Then carefully cut-and-try your poles until you get the correct corner-to-corner length.

Additonal inside lateral stability for the crossing poles can be done by sewing slotted Velcro video/computer cable loops to the points where the outer pole straps are attatched. Then seam seal both sides. This holds the poles in place better.

This mod is good for winter snow load strength since you get a lot more canopy support and it's better for high winds as well, in my experience. My pole had to run back outside at each end through the apex of the CF poles. The Scarp tents are best with a totally interior setup as I described.

P.S. Your home loss reminds me of a Japanese koan:
"Since his house burned down
he had a better view of the moon."

Edited by Danepacker on 07/01/2012 15:59:02 MDT.

Eric - I think that could be a good option, thanks for the info.

And you are spot on with the quote...practicing non-attachment, letting go, and gratitude (but still far from extinguishing all grasping)

Edited by IPARider on 07/01/2012 16:26:35 MDT.

Hi, Matt.

You said, "And on that note, let's not go all soft, I had hoped I could roust a debate about the best gear option (if not here, where?)."

Point taken. I resisted commenting on that part of your message because 75% of my hiking trips are done solo--and I thought that those who hike regularly with a partner could offer more along that line. But about 25% of my hiking trips are as part of a small group (I will be doing the JMT late in the season with a group of friends), so I'll give it a try.

I do have several two-person shelters, but most are too small for your intended use. I sometimes use, and share, a pyramid shelter when I'm on a trip with friends, and I think that type of shelter could work well for you. Pyramids are relative easy to pitch, and they function as a tent if/when you pair them with an inner (the MLD Duomid would be my current first choice for a pyramid shelter).

I recently purchased a cuben TrailStar (and a couple of bug shelters to try with it--I'll probably end up selling at least one of the bug shelters on gear swap when I figure out which one works best for me). Since it's so new (and I' haven't made it out for a major trip yet this season) I don't have any significant experience with my TrailStar, but it's a really sweet shelter, so you might want to consider it either in silynylon or cuben as you're contemplating a new shelter. I intend to use mine primarily as a solo shelter (it's light enough to make that a practical option, and it's VERY roomy), but I could easily share it with another like-minded backpacker. There's plenty of room for two hikers (and their gear) and a dog, too.

We had a requirement of internal structure (i.e., free-standing) with our recent purchase so we are in a Copper Spur UL2 now - a bit on the heavy side and no chance of keeping a large dog in tent comfortably (our dog is no longer able to go on trips). If that wasn't a requirement we would have gone with the SMD Haven pair (inner and tarp); if you don't like hiking poles, Ron has an option for light carbon poles. Still probably too small to include dog inside. In that case, we would have gone with the Lunar Duo.

A house fire is a PTSD type of situation whereby your nervous system takes a real jolt. I was in a house fire in 1979 and because of it I learned to live outdoors and started accumulating decent gear. You could say I was homeless but on a volunteer basis.

Matt, sent you a couple of PMs. Check your junk mail folder, they might be in there.

You all rock...thanks for the kind notes and generous offers. With all the kind support, the three of us should be back on the trail soon...

Finally got back to the place yesterday...it turned out to be a hot one - crazy what that much heat will do:

Edited by IPARider on 07/03/2012 09:04:34 MDT.

We sometimes use the Big Agnes Copper Spur 3. Plenty of space and zero seam sealing required. Pitch is relatively easy. With the additional foot print you can pitch it without the netting if you desire. Two doors. Nice tent. Not too heavy for two/three people.

On the more BPL spirit : the Lightheart Cuben version is already seamsealed.

Edited by handshake on 07/03/2012 13:04:08 MDT.