[Dane]

Just returned from my first trip with this shelter. Overall I'm very happy with it - here are a few thoughts for anyone considering it: -it takes a while to receive after ordering -it comes with barely enough seam sealant, so don't get carried away -guyline cord is really nice -so are the guyline tensioners -taut, wrinkle free pitching...if you get it staked out and tensioned properly -setup is easier than other pyramid tarps I've used -properly anchored and tensioned it will handle wind pretty well, though the walls did bow in significantly during ~30mph gusts. I only had the 5 corners staked out though. -the entrance is pretty low. On snow you can dig down to solve the problem, but otherwise you're crawling in or pitching it high enough that you're not getting much wind protection. -it has hooks mid way up each of the main seams. Condensation drips down these hooks, so the time when you'll most need a drying line (cold, moist conditions) is not a good time to use these hooks. -I'm 6'4 and could easily avoid contacting the walls with my sleeping bag -plenty of room for two big people or 3 small people to sleep -Enough room and ventilation to cook under -usable space/volume really decreases with all 5 sides pitched to the ground...but still big for a 16oz 2 person shelter that will handle real weather -if you need steeper walls for snow shedding you can pitch it as a 4 sided pyramid, with one of the panels folded up...but again that's a big sacrifice in space.

Beaver Pass camp

camp above Wiley Lake

challenger and trailstar

not a bad view

looking out

looking in

last camp

The Trailstar is replacing my GoLite Hex (now sold as the Shangri-La 3). It's much lighter for nearly the same coverage, is easier to pitch, has lots of pitching options, and the lower angle walls shed wind much better. But the door, extra volume/headroom, and vents on the Hex will be missed. Except when I want the simplicity and small footprint of a bivy you'll probably find me under this tarp for the next few years.

[Backpacker Joe]

Dane, one of the foremost Tarpologists here at NWhikers shows yet another fine example of Tarpology in action.