I finally got around to setting up the Tarptent Double Rainbow that I bought a few weeks ago. I needed to seam seal it, but in order to seam seal it there needs to be good weather since it has to sit outside for several hours. And with the relentless storms we have been getting lately, this has been an impossible task.
Today I found myself working from home since I was getting kitchen appliances installed, so I took a few minutes to set up this new palace and give it the attention it deserves. It is now ready to hit the trail!
This baby replaces my old Cloudburst, which has been a reliable and comfortable shelter for several years. After buying the regularRainbow last year for my solo backpacking, I knew that the Double would be a perfect shelter for the two of us. It’s spacious, comfortable, storm-worthy, and pretty darn light weight.
Hi!
I also struggle with how to keep warm at night in the backcountry. Is it possible to keep warm in the Rainbow or Double Rainbow when the wind is blowing, especially compared to a single-or double-walled tent with little mesh? Does the tent flap much in the breeze? Also, do you have any trouble staking it at high elevation sites in the Sierra? Thanks.
Laurie
The mesh definitely makes things a bit breezier than in a full single or double walled tent. It’s one of the compromises you make to cut down the weight. It pitches very taut though – I haven’t had any more flapping problems than I would in any other tent.
The Rainbow is partially free-standing with the help of trekking poles, so pitching it up high where you can’t stake into the ground isn’t too bad. I usually bring a bit of triptease and tie off to rocks too.