View Full Version : Wet Tent Mess? Help
So I don't mind hiking in the rain or sleeping in the rain. But the tent mess the next morning is very discouraging.
I was out last night and got caught in a huge storm. I stayed mostly dry bu there was alot of "backsplash" coming up under the fly which inclued mudsplash as well.
Not sure if it's my tent (REI Quarterdome), or me.
I think the rainfly should come be able to come down all the way to the ground to help eliminate this but my tent's fly won't do that.
Is this a normal thing having to pack up a muddy tent and if so, are there any tips in to cleaning this up on the trail
Thanks so much
Melissa
mweinstone
09-19-2006, 17:25
bad design. your tent has a high bathtub floor and reletivly vertical walls. the makers know the problem. its cause the tent is trying to give too much headroom. its a compramise for tall folks, who really need the headspace. you need a tent with less vertical walls. and exspect some splash in any tent. in driving rain its a givin. try tenting away from trail where ground still has plants to defray the splashing.your on hard stomped ground in driving rain i bet.check out the black diamond bibler tents. they are the worlds best . period.the mega lite with out the optional floor weighs 2 lb and sleeps 4. i use it alone and entertain alot of guests.
ShakeyLeggs
09-19-2006, 18:19
Quick and easy solution to the backsplash problem
Hammock:D
How did I know that someone would say a hammock. After last night I am seriously considering it.
mw - thanks for the comments. Yes, I was on well padded place that plently of other have used. The whole shelter area was like a river to each tent spot. A floor is a necessity for me at this point. No creepy crawlies to get in.
Well I am off to see how good REI is about their 100% guarantee.
Skidsteer
09-19-2006, 18:37
How did I know that someone would say a hammock. After last night I am seriously considering it.
mw - thanks for the comments. Yes, I was on well padded place that plently of other have used. The whole shelter area was like a river to each tent spot. A floor is a necessity for me at this point. No creepy crawlies to get in.
Well I am off to see how good REI is about their 100% guarantee.
I'll hazard a guess.
Gooch Mtn. shelter tentsites?
Close, Hawk Mountain. Gooch would have been much worse I am sure.
Skidsteer
09-19-2006, 21:06
Close, Hawk Mountain. Gooch would have been much worse I am sure.
Yeah. That's the problem with carving tentsites in the side of an mountain. It's not the fault of the trailworkers because water runs downhill most of the time.:D
The other problem with designated tentsites is that, well...people use them.
They don't get a chance to build up any natural duff to soak up water, splash, and splatter.
Still better than sleeping in the shelter though...
So what's the key in getting the tent clean and dry...well the dry part I can figure out but what about the mudsplash...
Skidsteer
09-19-2006, 21:54
So what's the key in getting the tent clean and dry...well the dry part I can figure out but what about the mudsplash...
I think the best option is prevention, i.e, not setting up on bare, hard-packed dirt. But as Boston said, giving the tent a good, long shake gets a bunch of the nasty stuff off the tent(and on you, by the way). Wear your rainjacket while you do this.
Other than that I will put the tent in a garbage bag before packing and take a convenient opportunity to pull it out and dry/shake later in the day.
Quick and easy solution to the backsplash problem
Hammock:D
you beat me to it...