RE: [Philmont]: tents

I'm surprised to hear the problems some have had with the Zeus Exo. I know
of a dozen folk who have them, 4 of them have used them a Philmont,
including myself, and I have never had, nor heard of, leaking. One whole
Troop at Philmont that we camped near had nothing but EXOs and they were
very happy with them. I just today got back from a rainy trip to Savage
Gulf. Ironically one of the things I was SO thankful for was that I knew I
was going to be dry (other than some condensation) while I was in my tent.

There was a comment about seams leaking. I've never had any seam that I've
seam sealed leak. I don't understand how that happens unless the seams are
stressed and pull the seal apart? The weak point in any tent with seams
(assuming good tent material) is the seams. Seam sealer, properly applied
and maintained, can't leak unless of some structural issues, right?

Ordinarily I would not have bought a single-wall tent. Here in the
southeast humidity is nearly always an issue. I bought the Zeus Exo in '02
in anticipation of Philmont in '03. When doing training trips I found out
that the condensation was not as bad as I imagined. Other than a little
dampness at the outside of the toe of my sleeping bag in the morning, I
realized that the condensation was not as big an issue as I thought it would
be. I haven't learned to love the condensation mind you, but I don't
consider it a problem anymore.

At Philmont, to use a dated expression from my son, "It was the bomb".
There was only one night that I had any condensation (clear creek, nighttime
low of ~ 32F), all the other nights, no condensation.

Since I bought the Zeus Exo I've used the it exclusively when backpacking
and have felt like that was one piece of equipment that I never had to worry
about.

I would also add that I am the only one who uses that tent. I treat it as
if were going to keep me dry on a rainy night :-} Such a tent may not be a
good tent for inexperienced young campers who don't understand how to care
for such equipment. This weekend I was with young Scouts for whom this was
their first backpacking trip. I would not have liked to see my Exo in the
hands and lack of care as some of those Scouts.

The vestibule is very nice, but not as nice functionally when you have two
people in a tent. For the Scouts a tent with a door and vestibule on each
side is ideal. Before the Zeus Exo I used a North Face Talus. I love that
tent too, but it's 2 pounds heavier and takes a longer to set up and take
down.

I hope this helps those exploring their options.

Larry Daniell

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com]On
Behalf Of Sue Bani
Sent: Friday, October 07, 2005 9:23 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
Subject: Re: [Philmont]: tents

I have to agree with Dan. IF it is nice weather, light breeze, no humidity -
the Zeus Exo is great - lightweight, and we felt roomy enough. BUT while
using it on our most recent trek to Philmont (727 K - 2005) we were very
disappointed. On the more humid nights, or even just the "regular" nights -
we woke up to all 4 interior walls covered with condensation. The night we
had showers - it leaked along the TOP seam - we had to hang a bandana to
gather the "drip" and wring it out every so often. THEN, the night we had
flash floods in the canyon, it leaked at the same seam, and another top
seam - dripping all night long!

We will not use this tent again, as a matter of fact - I am planning on
repacking it (maybe even tomorrow) and returning it to the place I
purchased it from - with the story that I got it as a gift, used it on two
trips (true and I did buy it for my husband for Christmas) and we just don't
like it.

I would not recommend them for any reason other that they are light to
carry. That was the only plus!

        Sue Bani
        Troop 230 Limerick PA
        Philmont 05
----- Original Message -----
From: "Daniel Preston" <prestonar@bellsouth.net>
To: "Multiple recipients of list philmont" <philmont@troop47.com>
Sent: Friday, October 07, 2005 10:10 AM
Subject: Re: [Philmont]: tents

>I am not a fan of the Zeus Exo. They are fine unless it is hot or raining.
>It is a single-wall tent (no fly), so breathability is an issue. The vents
>are very small and the rain flaps over the vents tend to lay on top of the
>vents preventing the tent from ventilating properly and causing moisture to
>condense inside the tent. In a hard rain, they are just not waterproof.
>On a backpacking trip in North Carolina, we had ten hours of rain and the
>Zeus Exo tents leaked badly. The next day I sealed all of the seams. That
>night, it rained for another 8 hours and the tents leaked again - two
>miserable wet nights and we have not used the tents again.
>
> Dan Preston
> Philmont '70, '72, '02
> On Oct 6, 2005, at 1:46 PM, Larry Daniell wrote:
>
>> Eureka Zeus 2Exo
>>
>> Light, inexpensive, and VERY EASY to set up and take down.
>>
>> Larry Daniell
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: owner-philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com] On
>> Behalf Of david richardson
>> Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2005 3:10 PM
>> To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
>> Subject: [Philmont]: tents
>>
>> I am looking for a little advice on tints. do you like the tents that
>> they
>> issue at philmont? or would you recommend taking our own tents.
>> thanks david richardson
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>> cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
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>
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> As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
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> cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
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-------------------------------------------------------
As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------

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Subscribe/Unsubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/
Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
-------------------------------------------------------
Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com
List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com
-------------------------------------------------------
As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Sun Oct 9 16:56:47 2005