PCT, Cloudburst Summit to Cooper Canyon, 2/18-19/2012

[W I S N E R !]

Another night out with my boy.
Trip report is here:

http://sweepingthegarden.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/pct-cloudburst-summit-to-cooper-canyon-218-192012/

Cheers.

[Steven Paris]

Really nice, Craig. Some good thoughts about making it easy to get out the door with your kids.

I also agree that taking short trips with one kid can lead to rewarding one-on-one time for the parent who stays home with the other kid.

[Luke Schmidt]

Great trip report Craig. I miss taking my little brother on trips… sigh. Enjoy it while you can.
I have a question about your SL-3. Is that what failed on your previous trip or was that a MLD mid?

[W I S N E R !]

Yeah, it was the same shelter as on the last trip Luke.
The failure was in no way the fault of the shelter, it was my fault for not staking it sufficiently in the beginning (I didn't know the winds would get as high as they did); the winds got so high that some stakes pulled on two occasions (which will subsequently cause the shelter to fail). Once I got the stakes to hold, the stitching on one stake loop started to tear out (the winds were that strong), but it held and it was an easy fix at home- rip the stitching and re-sew it. If anything, the sewing on the stake loops on this shelter are probably more robust than many others I've seen. I'm not 100% sure that the wind alone caused it- the stitching might have had abbrasion from previous trips- I've been using it for about 3 years, possibly more.

It remains my favorite 2 person+ shelter (that I've ever owned/used). I've thought about replacing it on many occassions…going lighter, going newer, but I haven't because I think it's still really good at what it does for the weight. From solo backpacking with the fly only (great for heavy rain) to carrying the fly+inner on trips with kids or car camping- not to mention being able to use it in just about any weather, including light 4 season…

If I ever replace it, it'll likely be with an MLD Speedmid with perimeter netting…but until I wear it out, it's a keeper.

[Author]

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