Perimeter netting on mids/teepees?

Craig

(First- Thanks for the dry bags. They arrived today)

I have two 'mids. (BD Megalite & an Oware 3-sided) Still trying to decide whether to put a mesh skirt on one. Reports are that melting/freezing snow may lock into the mesh and be impossible to release. Above freezing is much better with just issues picking up a few twigs.

Search through the archives a bit more and you'll find more discussion. I asked the same question here:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=19168

Thanks Jim, I'll look.

Yes, water freezing through the fabric is exactly what I'm worried about. While adding a net may help in some ways, I also don't want it to ruin the winter capabilities.

(As for drybags, I think you have me confused with another member…No drybags here.)

Sorry, wrong Craig.

I'm not much help, but I decided to forgo the perimeter netting because of the possible freezing issue. I plan on using mine in winter and don't want to risk it getting frozen. I also read a lot of reports suggesting that when bugs do get into the mids, they generally fly to the top leaving you alone.

No experience here, Craig. I do remember reading a TR, I believe by Ryan Lynn doing the PCT, where he stated having issues with mice getting in under the netting but then not being able to get out. Kept him up a bit aiding their escape.

I've also read threads about netting freezing to the ground in winter.

Hope this helps.

Craig,

I have a Wild Oasis with perimeter netting. Had it several trips with some snow and one messy trip with rain, sleet, and snow. Didn't have any problems at all. But never had it on a trip with significant snow fall.

I'm a big fan of mids and currently have and use two (Duomid and SL5). I had a Wild Oasis with the netting and I used it a lot, but less than 10 nights in deep snow. I loved the net, though, for here in the Southeast where we don't see much white stuff. Neither of my current mids have perimeter nets, but I'd consider adding them if I used them in the bug season (I hammock when it's warm, so these are mostly winter shelters for me).

Whether or not the net sticks in the snow depends on the type of snow. If it's wet stuff that eventually freezes hard, you will have a heck of a time pulling the mesh out. One time in horrendous winds, though, the holding power of the net in the snow was actually a bonus. In the morning I was usually able to kick the snow holding the net and it would pull out pretty easily, but I recall at least one time where it was a real pain and wouldn't release and I ended up packing chunks of snow that were attached. Around that time I spoke with John at Bearpaw about making me a mid with perimeter net that was attached a couple inches from the bottom of the silnylon and had clips all around to raise the net up so it wouldn't touch the snow, but could be lowered for normal use. I never pulled the trigger on that, though. I still think it might be a good idea.

Regarding the rain wicking, yeah maybe, but if you use a ground cloth it's not really an issue. Especially in a big shelter like a SL3 where you most likely won't touch the netting anyway. I would make sure the corners angle inward slightly. It'll keep the mesh out of the rain and mud.

Would it be feasible to have a removable net held in by a thin strip of Velcro or something?

I wave an Oware 9 with perimeter netting, I have buried the netting in snow walls a couple of times and it did not ice up, but i am sure given the right conditions it does happen. The oware has little clips so you can clip the perimeter netting up against the inside of the mid.

I have also experienced some wicking like you are describing, had to wake up and pull the netting in a little, was not too big of a deal.

That is a darn good idea.

I prefer a bug bivy for inside a mid. I usually use an SMD Meteor, but also liked the BearPaw minimalist 1.

A bug bivy also acts as a ground cloth, can give full coverage and is more flexible.

Perimeter nets don't protect against anything that is on the ground where you pitch your mid or some crawling critters. Mosquitoes in damp grass, ants, scorpions, … come to mind.

1. Depending on conditions, yes. If you’re gonna use it in the snow after adding the skirt, make it removable or foldable/rollable out of the way.

2. Yes but not a big deal. Sew it on the underside of the perimeter seam.

Check this older thread with some pics and good ideas about making the skirt removable.

I had an idea of adding a mesh "door" to the front of a mid once. I tried to attach it to the already existing tie off points to hold the door back. I tried it this way so I would not have to sew velcro all the way around the door. I figured that I would just pitch it tight to the ground and then have the door open for ventilation. I think this would work good, as long as it was not raining.

My Cuben Supermid has perimeter netting and a net door. Have only used it once so far, and not in conditions that really warrant the bug netting, but it seems to work fine and I am happy with my decision to get the netting. With the mid in the lowered position, the net acts as an extended groudsheet at the sides of the actual groundsheet. With the mid in the raised position, it will allow cool air to flow under the shelter, but still keep bugs out.

I have a SL3 and only use it for snow camping. I was thinking to make a skirt, but with silnylon. That way I pack snow on top of the skirt to prevent snow drift. I normally use a hammock the other seasons, but if netting would work, the SL3 can be used more often (by friends…I love my hammock)