I never expected it, but today at around noon, I was sitting at the computer working on a story when the doorbell rang. I bounced over to the front door and came face to face with a bespectacled boy of about 15 or so with a big grin on his face, holding out a small white package. "Post!" he chimed. I took the package, scratching my head… since when are postmen 15 year old boys (at least here in Japan)? The package was addressed to me and at first I didn't see the return address, but when I got back to the living room there was the name: Ron Bell, Mountain Laurel Designs. THAT WAS FAST! I had only ordered the item about three weeks ago and was ready to wait until the end of January for the Duomid to arrive. And here it was just before the last day of the year! Cool!
I had hemmed and hawed for more than a year thinking about the spectralite Duomid, wondering if I should get it. But I figured it was just about all the things I had been looking for in a lightweight shelter. I had even sat down and wrote all the pros and cons about what I was looking for in a shelter that wouldn't wear out its appeal after a few uses, and every time it came down to the Duomid. So I finally decided to spend the big money and order one, promising myself that this would be the last purchase of a shelter and that I wouldn't get anything new until this one wears out. I wanted to try to stick to my recent decision to reduce all my belongings and stick to only those things that are essential.
I had never seen cuben before, but now that I've held it and felt it I am both surprised and satisfied. The cuben used in the Duomid is much more substantial and weighty than I had imagined. It actually feels more substantial than silnylon. I immediately felt that this material could easily weather the storms that I had been worried about. Now all I had to do was properly learn to set it up and use it so much that I knew its quirks, advantages, and disadvantages and then learn how to incorporate that into my walking style.
I am very critical about sewing and construction quality and have been disappointed a number of times with several products by not-to-be-named cottage manufacturers, but upon examining the work by Ron Bell I have to say that he really knows what he is doing and he does it well. All seams were straight. No ragged and unclean edges. Each part, even the little patches that hold the tie-outs, are cleanly round or square and securely attached without bubbles in the adhesion. That really reassured and impressed me. Obviously Ron is a perfectionist. Good to know when the wind is howling.
Two questions:
1) What are those two 1 foot long cords with the cord locks inside the shelter? Are they for the inner net tent?
2) Does everyone use the thick and rather heavy yellow guyline that comes with the shelter? I'm thinking of using the EZC 2 line that I purchased from Gossamer Gear a while back, but am not sure if the line adjusters will take the thinner cord.
Well, now I just have to get out and set it up, then give it a go up in the mountains. It's been a while since I've looked forward to using some UL gear with so much anticipation!
