Just received my ZPacks Hexamid Solo Tent

My ankle wasn't getting better after going super easy on it for a month. I knew I wasn't going to finish when it hurt when I first stood up in the morning. I think it's something I can rehabilitate. I also need to lose some bodyweight plus get in better shape so I can hike fast and maximize my lounge time during the day. I've had a looong 150 miles to consider my options and decided I'd rather abort this thru and have a chance of attempting another thru in the future instead of pushing harder this year and wrecking my ankle along with my chances of doing a thru this year or in the future. I'm in the final stages of getting things together at home to try to provide a little support for the remaining hikers from my motorcycle, so at least I'll still have plenty of opportunities to appreciate the trail this year.

Roger, I totally agree. There were a few times I intentionally pitched my tarp in an attempt to test how well it'd hold up. It held up. Now I pick sheltered campsites if only because it allows me to sleep better.

Awesome Eugene! Trail angel via motorcycle, very cool of you, that should be very enjoyable and a great way to give back to the hikers. Your efforts will surely be greatly appreciated. Hopefully you can figure out what aggravated your foot and hit it again next April. I saw in some of your pictures that you hiked with fellow BPL member Evan for a section or 2, he's blazing fast from what I've heard from my good friend Ryan Bozzell, aka Pace. I just talked to my buddy Ryan today, you may have met him, he had to detour that 15 mile burn section south of Agua Dulce, he's at mile 454 as of today. He aborted his PCT thru attempt last year due to foot problems, some new shoes and a level head on his shoulder seem to be doing wonders this year.

Any news on fellow BPL member Don Biloxi Carter? Last I read he was in Idylwild?.

@Roger
your cuben Hexamid looks splendid.
I made a big mistake and bought the Silnylon version
If somebody interested I wrote some words about the Hexamid

http://hrxxlight.com/?p=288

@ Benjamin,

I read your review via Hendriks blog. I vicariously felt your pain in making the wrong gear choice, that's unfortunate. Judging from the pictures and your account I wasn't very impressed with the silnylon version you reviewed on your blog, the pitch looked sloppy in the rear. The cuben Hexamid appears to pitch very well.

Do you prefer your LAUFBURSCHE tanzPALAST over the Hexamid? I wanna see some more info about that design. Is the LAUFBURSCHE website up yet?

@Eugene

He yes it was a very bad decision to buy it but I do not have a tanzPALAST. The tanzPALAST is really big for one person. I'm looking for something a smaller tarp.
His page is not up. It will take some time.

I'm getting very close to purchasing either the Hexamid (sans bug net) or the SMD Gatewood Cape. The Hexmid is looking very appealing right now (super light). However, I don't hike with a bivy and am not very inclined to getting one either.
My question is if anyone has tried pitching the Hexamid with the front (i guess you could call it a beak) set lower to the ground? It looks to me that once a person was in the shelter they could lower the trecking pole and move the front guy line out further from the tent (or bringing in the slack) creating a lower profile and more protection from rain. Can this be done successfully? Will this greatly increase condensation?
Hopefully I've described this idea well enough that it gets the idea across.
Thanks in advance for the feedback!

If you're concerned about added weather protection, I'd advise you to get the optional door that Joe makes for the Hexamid. It's cuben, exceptionally light, and does a great job of closing off the front for bad weather.

Plus, you can get double duty out of the door by making it into a rain skirt!

>Plus, you can get double duty out of the door by making it into a rain skirt!

I used mine as a ground cloth (on the inside of the Hex) this weekend when I discovered that I had forgotten mine. It rained pretty hard, but I discovered that very little rain come in if you pitch the tent with the front facing away from the wind. I put my Heetsheets emergency bivy over my bag and I was warm and dry the entire night.

"Plus, you can get double duty out of the door by making it into a rain skirt!"

Since it's in a V shape, wouldn't it be more of a rain diaper? ;-)

…does anyone have some good photos of it installed?

"…does anyone have some good photos of it installed?"

As a door or as a "rain diaper"?

:-)

>…does anyone have some good photos of it installed?

Unfortunately I have not been able to use my Hexamid in the field yet but here is a photo of the door.

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>>>Plus, you can get double duty out of the door by making it into a rain skirt!<<<

Man that would be really cool if Joe designed the door for duel use as a rainskirt.

Thanks, Tony!

Questions:

-what does the top of the door attach to?
-what does the bottom of the door attach to?
-can you get it taut enough so that it wouldn't flap around in the wind much?

The front door attaches with mini-biners to sewn-in loops at the sides and top – very quick, secure and easy.

Chris – I have just purchased the Hexamid and being in NZ wanted some more rain spray protection at the front. I do have a bivy bag. I agonized for weeks over mesh or no mesh (as I also have a waterproof bag – heavier though).
Joe was great – I am going with the tarp, but he is customizing the design for me and instead of a door, adding and extension to the beak that can be rolled up.
Talk to Joe – he will look after you!

Roger – Have you tested this set-up in driving rain yet??

I just ordered the tarp version and being in NZ got Joe to customize a "roll-up" extension to the beak to stop rain spray.

Joe is very accommodating and I value his field experience with this product. Can't wait to get it!

@Robin: Can you post a picture of what this looks like?
I've been out for a few nights with my Hexamid and really like it so far. No rain test yet, however.

Chris – It hasn't arrived yet – Expect it in a couple of weeks. I will post pictures on my blog. Why not subscribe and when I get the pics up you will get automatic notification.

Go to http://lightweighttramping.blogspot.com/

PS Just built this, so it's a work in progress!!