New SMD tarp

Here is the announcement from SMD's site:

"In the 1st Quarter 2014, we'll be releasing the New Deschutes Tarp. For a while we've been getting request for a tarp that was larger than the Wild Oasis and would work well with the Serenity NetTent. The Deschutes has the same canopy size as our Lunar Solo. It provides 42 square feet of coverage, which is 7 more than available with the Wild Oasis or Gatewood Cape.

The Deschutes will be available in both Sil-Nylon at 13 ounces and Cuben Fiber at 7 ounces. For people looking for a light shelter option with plenty of space and minimal weight, the Deschutes is a perfect fit!"

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/smdnews/153-dechutestarp.html

Sounds like it is basically a Lunar Solo without the floor, netting, or peak vent.

Looking forward to seeing the details! From what I can see of it, this may be just what I've been wanting. It appears to require only a single trekking pole for setup, and that would be a big advantage, since I prefer to hike with one pole instead of a pair.

The only shelter I know of that doesn't require two poles is the Hexamid, but this new tarp seems like it may have better weather protection.

The gatewood has always required only one pole. This is basically a cuben version of the gatewood without the wearability.

Jon, you had me crunching numbers again on this and the Serenity net tent vs the ZPacks Hexamid tent or Hex tarp and Serenity tent combo. I'm holding off on a decision, but need to move on something in the next few weeks to get a shelter in time for early Spring bping and move away from my winter tent. I wonder what the staked foot print of the two systems is, if they would be similar. I had a Hexamid Tent, but thought I could get something with a smaller foot print, so sold my Hex last Fall. A mistake maybe. Be interesting in the combined price of these two. I like the no messing with a bathtub floor/ground water protection piece of the SMD set. I'd have to use a large, polycryo sheet, rigged in the Hex for any time it rains to protect gear from running water. Comes down to weight, price and fiddle factor.
Duane

Love my Gatewood w/Serenity & Wild Oasis. The side entry is much easier for me, and the lower sides (vs Hexamid) are great for wind and rain.

I am looking forward to seeing this tarp.

Duane, I feel your "pain" (can you say first world problem? Haha)

I'm in the market for a new pack and have been waiting for a cuben version of my beloved Gatewood for years. I'm checking SMD's website daily waiting for more details on all fronts!

Leaning heavily towards getting another HMG….Bur very enticed with the next pack offering from SMD that hasn't been formally announced yet.

Good point on the low to the ground set up. With me hitting 60 now, I like a little more protection for comfort. Where is that dang Sherpa!?

I have the SMD Starlight, got a ZPacks Arc Blast last Spring, want to add a fourth pack, a ZPacks Zero with a few extras to come to about half a pound for weekend trips and rub friends noses in the light weight. :)
Duane

Looks interesting. There seems to be some promising movement in the overall cuben shelter market. This new tarp and the cuben Haven, together with the Skyscape X, provide viable options to the Zpacks Solplex and Duplex shelters. The price of Zpacks new offerings have trended higher also, making these SMD cuben tarps more competitive. The Skyscape X, which I used to consider way over priced, is now only $30 more then the Solplex. Overall, I like the direction SMD has taken with their shelters as much as I dislike the direction they went with their packs. I wish they had come out with some hybrid cuben packs closer to 13-14oz. While I am a pretty loyal Zpacks customer, a cuben Gatewood would likely be more then I could resist!

I wonder if this new tarp is them testing the market and getting feedback on the potential for a cuben gatewood.

I'd buy a cuben gatewood in a heartbeat and likely then be content forever. The price is not so much a factor once you count in that you won't need a bivy any more.

I agree.
A cuben Gatewood would have me set forever.
I love the silnylon one anyway, and a lighter one would be icing on the cake.

I saw the new Deschutes tarp prototype set up at the ALDHA-West Cascades Winter Ruck 2 weekends ago.

Since I own and use both the Gatewood Cape and the Lunar Solo E, it was interesting to compare/contrast them. I really like the extra covered area and peak height of the Deschutes Tarp. At 5 foot 9 inches tall, the current Gatewood/Wild Oasis fit me fine, but for anyone taller than 5'10, this will be the shelter to have.

I would classify the Deschutes Tarp as a slightly larger Cuben Wild Oasis, minus the bug netting. It provides 42 square feet of coverage, which is 7 more than is available with either the Wild Oasis or Gatewood Cape.

There is no peak vent because the 49 inch peak height raises the canopy edge well off the ground, providing plenty of ventilation. I believe that a new net tent with much higher bathtub floor sidewalls is also in the works to alleviate any need for a bivy to protect your sleep system from wind and water spray.

You also have the option of securing one or both halves of the vestibule back inside the canopy using snaps rather than toggle loops. This gives added ventilation. On the prototype, the two vestibule halves did not have a zipper closure.

I too am hoping for a Gatewood in Cuben, especially if they offer it in a Deschutes size for us taller folks. I just got my Gatewood the other day and I am looking forward to taking it out. I'm 6'3" and 200 lbs, so it needs to be pitched high to fit without my feet hitting, which is fine. It seems to be comfortable for me as I set it up in my backyard. I'm also a side sleeper who has no problem sleeping with my knees bent in a quilt,(its the way I normally sleep) should I need to pitch it all the way to the ground, and its only a slight bend for me anyway. If I find that its just not working for me, I'll pass it on to my 15 yr old, who is already eyeing it for himself. But I would likely buy a Deschutes size Gatewood anyway, even if it doesn't come in Cuben.

I wish they would make a lunar solo in Cuben, then I'd be in heaven

@Marc:

I would submit that they have already done so with the Skyscape X.

With the Skyscape X, you get a lot more covered area, two doors, two vestibules, and you save 5.5 ounces, but it costs a lot more.

In case Ron is looking at this….I'd also buy a cuben Gatewood in a nanosecond.

I had the skyscape x but I didn't like the taper towards the head end. I have very wide shoulders so for me it started to feel constricted. I prefer the more traditional rectangle with the extra storage space off to the side instead.