Twin Peaks MSR

[john seward]

The only question is whether this is better than Black Diamond Betamid Light. After carefully checking manufacturers' specs, I believe the MSR is slightly larger and heavier. The bigger size makes it better. One potential drawback to Twin Peaks VS BD is there is no bug insert available, though I probably have no interest in one. The MSR door configuration appears more difficult to protect through banking of snow than Betamid, but may be preferable in other conditions.

I've used MSR in snowy cold winter conditions and it works fine. Not as warm as double-walled tent, but a quarter the weight. Without snow, it also works in cold but can be trouble in wind and a bivvy sack is highly desirable and you can still be saving on weight.

The larger question about tarp shelters is bugs. I've them for about 20 nights this summer in Catskills and in many other years, only rarely with any regret. There are circumstances, surely, where this would be inadvisable. Among many potential problems that come to mind are fire ants in South …..I've camped in coastal salt marshes in August… unthinkable with a tarp shelter.

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