MH Lightpath 2
Ever since I got my tent (by Mountain Hardwear) I’ve wanted to pitch it, so when I got the opportunity to do so at our office picnic at Sattal Christian Ashram I jumped at it. Unfortunately time was short and I had to pitch and strike my tent (and trek to and fro) within an hour. Cyclone Phyan did not help matters much and there was a steady drizzle which broke only on the last two days of our stay at Sattal. One of the dry days was used up to visit Nainital.
When I chose this 3 season – 2 person backpacking tent. I could not find any reviews online (unless they were those 5 liner store reviews) so I was very apprehensive about what I would get. Buying from Moosejaw was one of the better shopping experiences, what with their tongue in cheek humor all over the box & literature and also their excellent quality packing and timely delivery. I have added Moosejaw to my list of trusted stores.
The tent is basically supported by two different sized collapsible semi-circular poles which hold up the tent but need stakes in place to hold up the tent.
Spreading the footprint
The footprint which is an optional extra buy is slightly smaller than the floor of the tent to prevent water run off from the rain fly accumulating under the tent floor. But before that, the usual precautions when choosing a site for pitching a tent. Away from strong winds, places where water will collect or flash floods wash away the tent. (with me inside) Also avoid sites known for avalanches, land slides and falling rocks and do not pitch under trees. A footprint is a good investment as synthetic fabrics are quite thin and delicate and having a hole in the tent floor would not be very comfortable when it rains.
Once the footprint has been smoothed out, gently feel over the surface of the footprint for any bumps or protrusions like sharp stones, sticks, shards of glass or roots as these might not only damage the footprint but also the floor of the tent.
Place the tent floor on the footprint, carefully aligning the corners and sides.
Next assemble the tent poles. The instructions caution you against allowing the poles to snap into shape during assembly as the pole ends might get damaged . The poles are shock-corded and they advise that the poles be carefully assembled rather than allowing the pieces to snap together under the force of the elastic bands.
Pole Assembly
The poles go into either ends of the floor into the round hole in the (black) plastic clip and then into the grommet/eyelet on the strap connected to the footprint. The other D shaped hole on the plastic connector is where the plastic clips from the rain fly are anchored. (Scroll down for a close-up further down the post)
Assembling the poles
The clips on the top of the net click onto the pole, however this is not a free standing tent and must be staked.
The tent however is not free standing and therefore must be staked
Rear three-quarter view
... with the rain fly on - Front view
The rain fly clips onto the poles from above and also needs to be staked down like the rest of the tent
Front three-quarter view with the rain fly unzipped to form a vestibule
The rain fly zips/unzips from the left side too!
Enough place to sit upright and do some other work (like reading or preparing for lunch/dinner) when "bad" weather prevails...
Could not finish pitching till the sun came up in strength and was totally exhausted and sweating. It was soft and springy inside though -thanks to the grass and soil -concrete sucks!
Overall shape of the tent -nice and comfy
This is what happens when the stakes come off!
This is also exactly what will happen if the wind pulls out your tent pegs. The supplied tent pegs are good enough only for pitching on a still day. In spite of it being a still day, I was having trouble staking the rain fly tight enough as the pegs kept slipping in the wet ground. I’m going to get some nice titanium pegs (longer) made by Snowpeak. They come in a nice carrying case with a hammer which doubles up as a tool to pull up the pegs as well.
Close up of how the ground sheet (black strap), tent floor (bluish thinner strap) & rain fly (Black plastic clip held by my thumb) come together
Packs small and is pretty light to carry
Overall a very light & good tent for backpacking, I leave the poles assembled at home as per the manufacturers instructions and hang them on opposite wall ssupported by two nails each. The tent is very light to carry and the packed tent can be used as a pillow when traveling by bus or train. Being light probably also translates as being delicate and it does not have a very great or probably no UV protection. The accompanying (good) literature, comments that in high altitudes the tent would not last more than a month before it gives up the ghost and so advises users to strike tent in the mornings to avoid exposing the tent unnecessarily to the suns rays. Although this is disappointing, I hope to use it carefully (especially that all it needs is a spark from a fire to make a hole in it) and make it last long.
Although this is not a full fledged review, I will keep adding details about its performance under real usage in the days to come. I was unable to carry my sleeping bag & pad this time due to space constraints as I had planned to spend the night in the tent. Going by the design, the condensation should form on the inside of the rain fly and follow it to the ground outside the floor area, -unless it forms on the flat area of the mosquito net -floor assembly in spite of the ventilation,. Personally I am happy with the quality of the product and would gladly recommend it to others. However do remember that although it is rated for two people, practically it is suitable only for one person and their belongings. Two sleeping bags can be accommodated in the tent (with all gear placed outside the tent), but it would be uncomfortable or difficult for two people to sit knee to knee facing each other under the highest point of the tent. Without a rain fly it also makes for a great summer tent with all its mosquito/bug proof netting. Wish it was free standing though… I’ll have to look out for another free standing mosquito net for my non camping travels!
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Wow! you’ve lived out your Dream….. So happy for you brother
Thanks Seema!