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Eureka!
The Gaspesié
A small tent that can withstand big storms
©
Outdoor Adventure Canada
Camping
in the rain or blistering heat can make living in a tent down
right miserable. Leaking seams, wet floors and condensation caused
by poor ventilation are just a few of the annoyances that can
stretch our patience to the breaking point.
Eureka confronted
these problems and created the Gaspesié tent. The Gaspesié
is considered a three season tent but can withstand moderate winter
conditions. We decided to put the Gaspesié through its
paces on an eight day canoe trip. Those who have traveled with
me know how the skies tend to open up with torrential rains. The
forecast was for 55 kilometer winds and severe thunderstorms.
With just
moments of daylight left we proceeded to set up the tent. The
Gaspesié took form in a matter of minutes. First time setup
was completed in about five minutes and it only took three minutes
the second time. The poles glide through the mesh sleeves with
ease. Speaking of the sleeves, their mesh construction also aids
in ventilation of the tent thus reducing condensation.
An early morning
deluge pounded the two man tent for four hours. We were constantly
checking the corners of the floor for leaks. We didn't realize
until morning that we had placed the tent in a low spot. One push
on floor made me think of the waterbed I had in the eighties,
yet the inside of the tent was completely dry. The taped seams
and waterproof coating held up fabulously.
The rest of
our trip consisted of hot humid evenings with heavy rains at night,
a typical trip for me. The Gaspesié handled these conditions
flawlessly, allowing us to fall asleep without feeling sticky.
The performance gave us the confidence to go through the night
with out checking the corners.
Weighing in
at 7 pounds 12 ounces with poles and pegs makes this tent ideal
for couples who enjoy extra features like an oversized vestibule,
handy gear loft, zippered roof vent and reflective points on the
tent to avoid night time mishaps. The Gaspesié has earned
its classification as a performance backpacking tent.
Update: This
tent has been discontinued. For information on other Eureka models,
please go to: www.eurekatentscanada.com.
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