Emma and Alan, thank you both so very much for your time and trouble. I found both sets of replies extremely helpful and it has given me a lot to think about. I use Fizan compact poles which are clearly problematic - worked fine on the shangrila 1 but that is very small. Will investigate the pole doubling and the one that Bob is about to sell before coming to a decision. Jean - thanks for your suggestion too, but I'm not sure it would meet my weight/space criteria. Hoping the route-planning is coming on well.
Vanessa

Vanessa, I have some Fizan Compact (3-section) poles and they should be fine with a Trailstar. If you want to use them for the Hex or Duomid, you can either use Colin's method to link them or you can buy a pole extender (i.e. Connector) from Bob at Backpackinglight.co.uk . I have used my Fizan poles connected with a BPL extender in my Duomid with no problems. Hope that helps.

Very interesting, Robin. Is that the 14mm or 16mm ones?

Alan, the sil hex peak is up on bpl today.
Vanessa

For my Fizan poles, it's the 14mm one.

What Al said ...

I have a Warmlite 2R, and also a Trailstar with Oooknest.

The TS does have a big footprint which on odd accassions can be awkward, but it is pretty bomb proof in bad weather.
And with the inner, is is really a shelter not a Tarp.

You can lower the door for some privacy, and also get a door from Oookworks that keeps most of the wind out.
To be honest, you would NOT be pitching it with the door into the wind.

With the nest it comes in at just over the 1kg mark, and pack easily no bigger really that a tent.

I keep the Outer in an outside pocket and the inner in the rucksack.

Having said all that the silHexPeak by Luxe From Bob does look like a cracking package at £159
This is inclusive of inner and pegs.

Apparently, they are going like HOT CAKES



The HH of the outer is only 2000, but I think that is no different from the TS.
Might be worth having the Tyvex Groundsheet if you are going to pitch on very wet ground, since the floor is 4000.

Goes with a standard pole and can be pitched at 130 or 135, which is a bit higher than the TS at normally 110 or 120.

Bob should give me discount for that pitch, or maybe a free groundsheet.

I am actually pondering one of these for the TGOC myself.

Many thanks for everyone's advice. My dearly beloved (especially dearly beloved this evening) has just waved his card in the direction of Bob and Rose, so decision made, and, Robin, I have left question of extension poles to Bob.

Still don't know whether I'll be on the Challenge (-4 at last count) or crossing your paths on CWT but I'm now back to training in Granada - there are a lot of hills here!

Vanessa

Good choice, Vanessa

This Message Board is a wonderful place.

We'll all keep our fingers crossed for you on the Standby List. It looks pretty good for you, doesn't it?

Hi Vanessa!
Had nothing to add to that discussion, but I'm sure that's good news about your place on the stand by list.

Everything crossed for you!

Louise x

Thanks, Louise, and wishing you a fair wind in all respects this time.

I am very philosophical about the outcome. If I don't get on it I can a) get a guaranteed place next year, b) get to do the part of the CWT up to Kinlochewe that I haven't done yet, c) do my route for that as and when d) take the Geology exam I'm supposed to be doing in Ullapool on 21st May.

So que sera ....

Vanessa

Yep good luck Vanessa, and with the HexPeak.

For the money, it looks like a cracker.

Now... What tent do I take????

How many have you got, Andrew??!!

I was too polite to ask! Mind you, David did look a little surprised when I said I wanted a tent for my birthday. As if we didn't have a few already .......

I owe you an apology Andrew - I'm every bit as guilty. And here I was, eyeing up the Nordisk one that won prizes and was reported in TGO mag....

You can find a good review of the new SilHexpeak shelter in pretty dire weather by clicking
HERE

It looks amazingly good value for money. Bob & Rose should do very well with this little marvel!

Thanks for the link, Alan. With any new tent there needs to be a fair amount of faffing about till you get the hang of what works best, so I'll look forward to practising once I get mine. I'll also be interested to hear Bob's comments on the bent pole because,for me, a pole problem on a multi-day trip would be a serious problem, the aforementioned knees not being able to go downhill without support.

Hi Vanessa

I wouldn't be too concerned about the pole buckling in heavy weather. If you walk with two poles you can double-pole your pitch, using both poles side by side to support the flysheet. This is discussed in the comments section of the post I referred to.

It should be fine & dandy!

Thanks. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it once I get my hands on it. And I havve had the email from John this morning so am very very very happy!

That's excellent news!

Brilliant news Vanessa!! Look forward to catching up with you somewhere