Trick of the conTrAIL

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The tree holding it up is at least 20 years old, so I suggest thinking of this trick well in advance.
I should have mentioned before that to get the strong tension I put on the Contrail for my "storm" set up or to lean against the pole to read, you need to use a strong/heavy duty trekking pole. Those thin CF poles or the TT version will not stand up to that sort of pressure. Leaning against the pole does not work if you use the double pole version,(inverted V) as I did last night.
For the ones that have missed my "trick of the tail" here it is, on the 08 version, the one that Henry doesn't want you to know about…
(note the extra protection and the simplified guyline set up)
Last night I was testing my new TiGoat bivy and No Sniveler quilt. The temperature went down to 36 F, it was a very still night, so lots of condensation outside, but no drips on me. I was dry and warm inside my cocoon, only had a thin top and a hat on. My cat joined me at around 5 AM. She also liked the set up. (had some minor condensation between the quilt and the bivy at the foot end. It felt dry on the outside of the bivy)
Franco

Good info to know Franco. I could possibly use the Contrail for fall hunting in Nevada. In that situation I would be carrying my rifle and not carrying even one hiking pole so I'd need this rig.

Eric

Hi Eric
Please note that the bottom picture, a much nicer pitch, has the two poles at the front. I did not spend any time at all setting the top one up, but I don't think that you can get as taut pitch by hanging it on a tree, but it will stand up.
I use a sliding knot for that, but I pull the branch a little closer to the tent, tighten the knot and let the branch apply some tension…
Franco

Hi Franco,

Does the middle pole at the foot end of the bottom photo come with the tent or is it your add-on? I have a 2006 version and there is cord in the center but no pole.

The pole is only something that I came up with because I was trying to get the Squall look. Once I did that I realized that I could put a lot more tension on the ridge, working with both front and rear mid guyout points.
Every tent I get I like to add something to it, that is why they have to be light in the first place…
That segment comes from a replacement set of a discontinued tent, I paid $5 for the three poles.
I leave the end connector attached to the guyline and insert the pole at set up. The pole was not used for the World Record 58 sec set up (yawn….)
Franco

What exactly is the difference (improvement) between old and new Contrail? (features-location of such, etc.,, weight). Thanks.

There was a list from Henry, but I can't find it now. I'll do my best to explain the bits I noticed.
First I would state that if you have an earlier version there is no need to change to the latest, but you could always pass yours to someone else and get the new one…
Here we go.
The most noticeable is the rear end. Now the top panel extends a few inches past the edge so that it offers better rain protection.
As you can see on the close up shot, the tie out has been re-enforced.
( On my 06 version, having forgotten that the sun moves in the sky, I came back from a walk in 40+C to find that rear peg a few meters away from the hole. The tension was enough to make it fly. But the guyline was still stitched in)
Also at the back, the guylines from the strut have been greatly simplified.
Sliding the rear up and down is also quicker and easier. (low for extra wind/rain protection)
The fly on the bottom area has been tweaked to make it rounder and tauter.
At the front, the beak now attaches under the side, much easier to open and close from the inside. The hook and loop is also wider (easier to match up when wet/cold/tired)
The floor can be re-tensioned whilst laying inside the tent. (pulling the guyline from the door end rather than the front)
Because of the tweaked geometry, it is very easy now to have the sides of the floor up (bathtub) .
All bits that I wished I had thought of, but I was too busy adding things and setting world records.
I forgot about the weight till after I applied my generous amount of seam sealer (I use 3x coats (!) over the tie out points and the apex), but It is about the same as before, so the specs on the TT page still apply.
Franco