Thank you, Linda. I have been looking at this for a couple of years now and you just made it new and interesting again.
So, anyone got a "lightly used" one for sale? Maybe with the net??? (Jonathan???)

"BTW some of the thinner guylines don't grip well with the Tautline Hitch. The same for the type supplied by Tarptent .
The MLD type does."

I haven't experienced that problem with the very thin guys of my Hennessy Hyperlight, but if they're not gripping well for you, try a tarbell hitch.

Edited by herman666 on 11/03/2009 21:14:17 MST.

Frankly, I hadn't even thought much about the taut line hitch (or more than a couple of other knots) for a long, long time.
But, since you've mentioned it, I've been tying all kinds of things up with knots.
{Please don't tell the ASPCA}

Thanks to all of you, especially and lately Tim, Frank, Eric, Linda,and Doug -- but everybody, for your helpful ideas. I was really at a loss in my backyard, but I now feel confident in taking the Cape out into the forest.

Linda, great story!

Many thanks,

Stargazer

I considered this tent from time to time mainly because of the weight savings conferred by the dual use aspect. Each time I rejected it because it didn't seem to offer true dual use. Let's say you're in your tent, it's pouring buckets outside and you need to answer natures call. Not the easy one, but the one that requires you to dig a cat hole and squat for a couple of minutes. How do you keep dry?

"Let's say you're in your tent, it's pouring buckets outside and you need to answer natures call. Not the easy one, but the one that requires you to dig a cat hole and squat for a couple of minutes. How do you keep dry?"

You dig a REALLY deep one where you are .... ;-)

Keith: "Let's say you're in your tent, it's pouring buckets outside and you need to answer natures call. Not the easy one, but the one that requires you to dig a cat hole and squat for a couple of minutes. How do you keep dry?"
Truely a "corner case", for me at least. No pun intended.
I think you are over-thinking it, unless this situation occurs frequently for you.
It is possible to pack your gear inside the shelter, pull up the lines and stakes, and sorta slip the cape on without getting out from under it and without getting too wet.

Keith,
Consider purchasing a disposable poncho, they run about $2.00. Easy to throw on when nature calls. They weigh about 1oz and will compress down small after use.

Coglan's rain poncho

Cheers
LV

Here you can get tensioner and guyline.

"Consider purchasing a disposable poncho, they run about $2.00. Easy to throw on when nature calls. They weigh about 1oz and will compress down small after use."

This is probably the best idea I've seen so for rain protection when one's Gatewood is otherwise occupied. In fact, if weight was my only consideration, I think this would sway me. The skies opened up on my camps several times this year. I was glad to have my poncho so I could occupy myself with various tasks such as gathering stove wood, hiking to the stream for water, visiting with other hikers and yes, answering Nature's call.

As things are though, I'm pretty comfy in my Hyperlight and it offers a fair amount of dual use in it's own right. I guess if they decide to offer the asym tarp with a poncho hood, I'll get it and a cheap plastic poncho.

Edited by herman666 on 11/08/2009 13:50:49 MST.

In fact, I have of of these, well used but still hanging in there. In summer, it's often the only rain protection I take along for a weekender, especially when the forecast is for dry weather. Even so, you learn not to trust the meteorologists in Ohio, bless them.

It'd stuffed into small ziplock, but again, I probably don't need the ziplock.

Stargazer

Hennessy must watch this forum. They've put tarps that double as rain capes on their site. I'm gong to start saving my pennies.

I'm going to go this route instead of using the loop approach suggested by MLD. I'll also do a couple of taut-line hitches just to see which approach works best in the field. So the question is . . .

How long do I cut the guylines? MLD suggests 16 inches (I think), but a fair chunk of the length is made up of the loop. I hate to sound like a gram weenie, but, well, shoot, I guess I am.

Guyliners, how long are yours?

Stargazer

I always look for roots and saplings to tie off to before I get out the stakes so I vote for longer for the flexibility. Of course I don't own a Cape so I don't know if there's any advantage there.

Nice touch with the elastic tensioners...

What type of elastic did you use?

just shock cord?

Gatewood poncho seems awesome too

Edited by THUNDERHORSE on 11/12/2009 21:36:15 MST.