Henry Shires Contrail

imported
#1

If anyone has this tarp tent, can you help me out? I am trying to determine how to set it up using the rear guyline to make a complete A-frame tarp, needed for conditions with snow and rain. Any help? Thanks!

Lotus

#2

Recent post re configuring the Contrail–look for mine entitled “Contrail in Snow.”

http://www.trailforums.com/index2.cfm?action=detail&PostNum=30328&Thread=3&roomID=11&entryID=91101

grannyhiker

#3

Thanks Granny.
I have viewed those pictures before. Perhaps you can offer a little more guidance. I am not sure I understand exactly how the rear struts are placed, nor how the rear guylines are being extended. The picture isnt very clear.
Thanks for sending along the link and for your insight!
Peace,
Lotus

Lotus

#4

As mentioned in my previous posts, I don’t actually have a Contrail (sorely tempted, but not quite big enough for both me and my dog), so I can’t help you further. The pictures and Franco’s descriptions seemed quite clear to me, but I haven’t tried the techniques with the actual tent. I suspect you will need to experiment a bit. Henry Shires is wonderful about responding to questions; why not contact him?

grannyhiker

#5

Thanks for trying to help Granny. :slight_smile: I did try and contact Henry, about a month ago and then just again within the week, but havent heard anything from him. Thats why I tried on here.
I did see that Franco posted they made some great updates on the 08 version of the Contrail. Makes me wish I had that one…oh well. I will manage- hopefully- its going to be my home for 5 months!
Thanks again!

Lotus

#6

Hey I used the contrail for part of my pct thru hike, and it is all about angles and pulling the fabric tight to get a good set up. It cant really be explained by typing so I would suggest going to the ADZPCTKO or something similar where I know someone could visually show you. Henry Shires was at th KO last year and came over to show me how to set it up properly and that helped a ton! Good luck. My tent fell down a lot before I learned to set it up right and still sagged a lot with bad weather. I would get different stakes (as the ones that come with it suck) and use rocks to hold down the stakes REALLY BIG ONES… but that is just my opinion…

junkfoodpct07

#7

it sounds like that tent still has " issues "… maybe he fixed some of that this yr ? The wgt sounds great ! A friend of mine had the same problems you had and he pitches VERY well… had a sag at the feet and when it rained, yuck !

yappy

#8

Yeah, I had it sag too, but apparently you can set it up with the rear guyline in the middle to make a complete A frame so that the rain runs off. Unfortunately, thats what I am struggling trying to figure out how to do. I feel I can pitch it taut, no problems. Well, takes some tugging and adjusting, but I get it. Then when it comes to the A Frame, I am not sure where the struts go or how the rear guylines are used. The pictures on the website arent clear and Ive written Henry, with no response. Bummer. Kind of makes me wish I had bought something a little easier, perhaps the Rainbow would have been easier to set up. Oh well, its gotta get me through the AT…here goes nothing!

Lotus

#9

I used the contrail for my 07 PCT hike and had water pool the first time it rained. After that I put a guideline from my hiking pole tip in the front of the tent to keep the tent taught and never had problem after that. I also used guidelines on the side when I expect rain to keep the tent taught. I had one stretch of 3 nights of rain and never had any water in the tent or pooling doing the above. I did have heavy snow collect on the lower flat section by my feet one night, but everyone else had the same problem with all the tents. I looked at the pictures and am sure that setting it up as an A-frame as shown in the pictures noted would take care of that problem. Plan on using the tent for my CDT hike.

Dad’s Grin

#10

It took me a week or so to get the hang of pitching the Contrail when I got it last year. After that, I never had a single problem. I’ve never tried the A frame pitch you’re describing. My only problem with the Contrail has been in snow, and that pitch should take care of that. I’ll try it if snow is an issue on the AT this Spring.

Henry’s really responsive usually. Maybe there’s a problem with his email. Try calling.

See you out there soon!

Garlic

#11

Can anyone explain or send pictures of how to pitch it to help prevent pooling of rain and or snow in the boxed foot area? Thats my only problem these days. I dont get how to set it up, as shown on the webpage, with the rear guideline to make the complete A frame at the bottom foot section.
Any assistance?
Thanks people!

lotus