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[at-l] Wanderlust and Kurt Russell
I haven't had to put my 2-4-2 to that vigorous a test, yet.
However, both my earlier Kurt built tents have stood-up to a number of
storms with great results.
The 242 is my third Nomad. So, that should give you some idea of my
opinion.
I have used the Nomad, since they first became available.
All of my Nomads are three-season tent. However, I have pushed the first
two into mild four-season use -- with good success.
The first Nomad I had was the earliest model with the single front window
and the small vent in the back. The first two times out turned out to be n=
o
more than a pitching practice and were no test of the tent itself. Both
overnighters were sleep-under-the-stars nights -- in January yet. I pitche=
d
the tent, just in case the weather turned, but I did not need it -- sleepin=
g
out instead.
First real test came in February. Overall, it worked quite well under very
adverse conditions, for a three season tent, 18* w/ winds to 30+ mph, plus =
a
light snow overnight.
I had to pitched it in a twenty plus mph wind, in the dark -- a whole lot
trickier than the daytime pitches earlier, much less than the pre-woods
practices in the living room and in my backyard during the day. Luckily,
the snow did not start until later. The best judgment on my performance is
that I got it up.
It stayed up under harsh conditions. As the temperature dropped and the
wind rose, it did a lot of flapping, but stayed put. It is never going to
be as rigid as a dome, or one of the other tightly stretched multi-pole
freestanding tents. Need that; carry more weight. Need a bombproof
single-wall, get a Stephenson. The bottom line was that I had shelter and =
I
stayed dry. [BTW: a lesson learned for me was "adjust the length of the
hiking poles at the wider-diameter (upper as you walk; lower as you pitch
the tent) telescoping adjustment point." I had trouble getting enough grip
on the small pole segment to lock them tight. Earlier, under still
conditions, they had worked OK -- they just needed to hold up a very light
tent. That weekend however, the strength of the wind forced the lee-side
pole to collapse -- ever so slowly. At first, I thought I had not pitched
it right. I may be a little slow; but in my defense, it was doing its thin=
g
in the dark, as I slept. When I realized what was happening, I took the
poles out of the socket one at a time (holding the tent up with my head), I
got a good grip, I really locked the small friction clamp, I reinserted
them, I readjusted them at the big friction clamp, and I went back to sleep
(w/ no further problem).
It is not sold as a four-seasons tent and I had it out in near four-seasons
conditions. I would not recommend it in heavy snow conditions, but unless
the weight of the snowfall becomes a factor, it will do for four-seasons fo=
r
me.
I did not a lot of condensation in these conditions. Just light frost
coating the inside over my head and at the foot where my sleeping bag
touched the tent. I suspect that I could have wiped the inside dry with a
small camp towel, had it been above freezing.
My next over night trip was cool w/ light rain and light wind -- rather
typical of early three-season hiking. Again, the performance was good. I
pitched it in the rain. I got it up w/o much water inside. Pitching when
it was still light helped. A bit more condensation in the AM; or maybe it
just seemed that way, as it was not frozen. Since then, I have had it (and
its successor) out in various levels of humidity and with less wind to
support ventilation. I never had more condensation than I could handle wit=
h
a small camp towel.
Overall, I was quite happy with its performance. I did a lot of hiking wit=
h
it. However, when Kurt came out with a new design for taller folk, I
upgraded.
In January of=9200, I got a chance to field test my new model Nomad MII. A=
ll
I can say is great tent.
Although I loved the original Nomad, I found it a tad short. This one is
long enough and has even better ventilation.
This test was not a demanding as my first night in the original model, as i=
t
was only in the twenties with no real wind or precipitation. However, in
some ways it was a better condensation test - which it passed with flying
colors. Again not a lot of condensation in these conditions. Just light
frost coating the inside over my head and this time sleeping bag did not
touch the tent at the foot. I suspect that I could have wiped the inside
dry with a small camp towel, had it been above freezing. OTOH, I know folk
who could not stand the condensation.
I don't have enough data to support a conclusion, but anecdotal information
suggests that the condensation could be a function of how "warm" or "cold"
you sleep. Everyone I met who complained about too much condensation used
more bag than I, for the conditions. They complained about the cold. I'm
just speculating here, but I think their excess condensation was a factor o=
f
sleeping with so much insulation that they sweated all night. This theory
is also supported by the fact that I occasionally use a vapor barrier insid=
e
my bag, to extend its range. When I do, there is nearly no condensation.
I must have a thing for first trips in a three season tent in the forth
season. It is not sold as a four-seasons tent and I have had the original
model out in near four-seasons conditions. Again, I would not recommend it
in heavy snow conditions, but unless the weight of the snowfall becomes a
factor, it will do for four-seasons for me.
It was surprisingly roomy, even more so than my other Nomad I'm a six foote=
r
and I had plenty of room for all my winter gear inside -- albeit I left my
large external outside. Even with the older model, I took my internal
inside in warmer weather and will have no problem doing so with this one.
With this one, I suspect the external would fit, but will continue to leave
it out to reduce wears, as it had more hard parts to do damage.
Since then, I have had it out in a wide range of conditions.
In March '01, I weathered a blowing rain, sleet, snowstorm that defeated
other tents in the trail crew. I had a good night, whereas even the folk i=
n
the shelter had problems with blowing snow.
The last major challenge was this past summer on Konnarock Crew during the
June flood on Firescald. I stayed dry in a virtual washout. No other tent
came close.
I got my new 242 shortly before my blood clot and only had it out for one
overnight. No condensation. No wind to test the flapping.
It is a pyramid rectangular based tent rather than the earlier diamond
shaped Nomads. So, there might be more flapping.
Chainsaw
----- Original Message -----
From: <KarenS62@aol.com>
To: <russ_a_drake@icpmech.navy.mil>; <At-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 12:55 PM
Subject: Re: [at-l] Wanderlust and Kurt Russell
--
[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
In a message dated 11/18/2002 12:44:08 PM Eastern Standard Time,
russ_a_drake@icpmech.navy.mil writes:
> I have been trying to find out information on his products but his websit=
e
> seems to be down. I was looking at the 4-2-4 tent. Does anyone have
> that tent and how does it fair in storms and durability?
I have a 2-4-2, which I think is what you are referring to. We used two of
them in Scotland in one of the most drenching storms I have ever been in. I=
t
poured and poured and the wind blew a bit and then it poured some more, ove=
r
ran the river banks then poured still. I've never seen that much water come
from the sky. We set it up in an inch of water in a peat bog and we all
stayed dry, with all our gear. Well, except for one tiny drip by my head
where someone, whose name will go unmentioned, forgot to seal a seam :)
As far as durability, all of Kurt's tents are pretty sturdy as long as you
keep in mind that this is lightweight gear and all light weight gear should
be handled with some respect. It isn't made of cordura, it's made of sil
nylon. They were made for long distance hiking so if your concern is that
it
won't last that long, you needn't be worried. Kurt's web site is down for
the time being but there are a lot of us on the list that have this tent
(and
others of his) so if you have any particular questions, ask away.
POG
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful. -- e.e. cummings
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