Planning to spend July and August in southern Colorado for the next few years, so monsoon and wind. Trips will be 3-5 nights, 5-15 daily miles and can be flexible enough to avoid the heavy bugs. Am planning to get one of the above mids, I’m 6′ 185lbs. Currently using a Grace Duo and 1.5 person inner. I dislike the inner. With the duo there is plenty of coverage so splash has not been much of a problem.
The wisdom. I’m leaning towards the Solomid with the perimeter bug net and use my Borah bivy as a ground sheet and hop inside for rain splash and bug protection when needed. One question I have is with the mid set at ground level or a couple inches above how much splash gets inside? Even above treeline there will be some minor protection from the wind at ground level. Will the rain encroach more the an inch or two on the windward side? And as for setup which side of the mid goes into the wind, rear, rear corner, side? I would really like to be able to pitch the mid an inch or better above the ground for ventilation but also know there will be a high probability of rain each day.
As to size, don’t care about cooking inside, always solo, no pets. My poles go to 140cm so can do the inverted V setup without extensions except in the Duo. Does the extra 6″ of width in the XL compensate for any splash? I won’t ever be stuck for days, if the rain doesn’t stop and I get tired of it, I’ll just walk out to my trailer and chill and wait for better days.
Any observations, experiences you can share would be appreciated.
