09 MLD spectralite Grace Solo

nice tarp! is that the view from your backyard? nice.

looks great!

Great looking tarp. Two questions: Why the custom fabric and how much does it weigh?

Yes that is my backyard. Just to the right of the first picture is Hogback mountain which has a stricking resemblance to the new TT shelter of the same name. From my back door to the fire lookout on top is just over a 2,000' (elevation gain)climb which makes for a good early morning workout with the dog.

Matt,
I prefer setting up camp above treeline and wanted to try the 1.5 spectralite for the additional strength.

I was not concerned about the slight weight increase over the MLD standard .60 spectralite and have not even weighed the new tarp. Please contact Ron regarding pricing and weight.

I have worked with Ron on numerous unique items and he has been very helpful and patient. Thank you Ron.

Thom,
That fabric will be bomber. My z-packs Blast is made of 1.5 cuben and it is seriously thick and tough. Make sure to let us know how it works out…I'm sure there will be no complaints!

On a sad note, your backyard is amazing and I don't even have a backyard (but I have a patio on my roof!), and the highest mountain in Ontario is 2000' and takes me a 6 hour drive and 2 days hiking to get to it. :(

I'm calculating it out to be around 13 oz.

Re: Backyard. I life in an apartment and people always look at me really funny when I go set up tarps, tents or the like in the common areas.

And the highest point in Minnesota is ~1,800 feet (Eagle Mtn) and is a mile or so off of Highway 61, which runs along the North Shore. The highest point on the Superior Hiking Trail is a few miles south of the northern terminus of the trail. I feel your pain.

Steven,
The material is noticeably different then my .60 spectralite tarp. I have no doubts that I will be very pleased. The tarp set up with ease and handled a strong wind that picked up later in the afternoon without a ripple in the pitch.

The elevation of my backyard is 4,250' +/- and the fire lookout at the top of Hogback Mountain is 6,300' +/-.

I plan to start a thread "my back yard" to show BPL members the beauty of Oregon. My backyard view looks directly at Hogback Mountain and the view from the front is of Mt. Shasta in the distance.

Chris,
I would guess your weight calculation to be very close. I will weigh tonight and provide this information if there seems to be an interest.

I'm interested, mostly because of my "Seam blowout" thread in this forum. Thanks.

Sweet setup Thom!!! Did you use the guyline tensioners with it?

-Jay

Jay,
The custom 09 Grace Solo 1.5 spectralite tarp is pitched using the linelocs included by MLD.

The guyline tensioners I received from you (thanks) went on a oware cattarp 1.1 I set up for a friend in an effort to help rebuild his kit.

Matt,
I think this tarp will handle anything nature can send its way. The tarp is very well made and the material appears to be very strong and durable.

Thom, Your new tarp sure turned out nice. Nothing like a custom piece of gear to motivate a trip. Now that yours is done maybe Ron will have time to work on my grace solo:)

Leave it to you to come up with a bomb proof tarp. What will you think of next!

Jamie

Jamie,
I have a couple of custom projects that I'm working on with Ron. The first has been ordered and the 2nd will follow soon. I will post pictures and reports when the projects are complete, with Ron's blessing of course.

The new 1.5 spectralite Grace Solo tarp is a work of art and I look forward to getting it out on a trip.

@ Matt – you gotta represent better Bro – Eagle mountain is 2,301 feet (701 m) high. Can't you feel the altitude when you get way up there ;)

@Dan: never been on it, just walked past it on the SHT. I may have to change that when I'm up in Lutsen in a month.

Matt,

I wonder if you are thinking of Carlton Peak? (about 3 miles east and uphill from the Temperance River). The view from there is very very good!

Eagle Mtn is about 20 miles inland from the Lake. Approx 5 miles southeast of Brule lake. It is inside the BWCAW, I also have not been there. But I'll likely have a date with a cheeseburger there later this year;-)

"I will weigh tonight and provide this information if there seems to be an interest."

Thom,
Did you ever get a chance to weigh the new tarp? I'm curious.

Sam

Thom, did you ever get a chance to weigh this tarp?

JT,
I will post weight tomorrow or send a PM.

My spectralite Grace Solo came in and I got a chance to use it this weekend in the Nanatahala Forest in NC. A 66 mile loop that nearly killed me, but that is another story.

The Grace Solo performed incredible well. Here is the run down…It is light at 5.65 oz including the line locs. I thought I would cut these off, but not after using them they are fantastic. It is quick to setup and perfectly shaped. I am sold on this design over a straight 5×8 tarp. It rained all the way through both nights and the Grace stayed tight and kept me dry. There was also plenty of room up front to cook. The winds were mild, I say 20 mph max so I can't speak to how it holds up in heavy winds. Here is a morning pic after a night of rain.

Inside the tarp is an MLD superlight bivy and a MLD Prophet too.

Jamie

Tom's custom Grace Solo made from the bomber 1.5 oz Spectralite/ Cuben is 10.4oz w. the 8 linelocks and ridgeline pole tip grommets.

We may offer this as a product. It would be still fairly light for a solo tarp (about the same as Silnylon) but incredibly strong and with close to Zero stretch.