Bought Terra Nova Laser Compact after my MLD Trailstar ripped to bits on the Spanish Bike Tour
8 Nov 25
14 Nov 25 mini exped Cathedral Quarry – Side Pike
28 Nov 25 double Laser Compact camp on the moor with Jack
16 Dec with Jack and a 10 year old Laphroaig
Struggled to pitch in the wind last time so after 5 nights out decided to read the instructions.
.. which i do slightly differently:
- Peg out the windward corners fly & inner together (peg the fly-loops doubled so the inner loops reach easily)
- Insert the long pole
- Thread all the other corners onto two pegs and lift that end to waist height to fill the tent with air then plant and peg that end
- Everything else
May BH weekend: https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/Scotland/Scotland/Lothian/Dunbar/pinkerton-hill/
Garden – Midsummer – £22/ night
18th Sept 26 – 3 more nights in the garden
28 Sep 26 – Working for Hartlepool BC – a week at St John’s in the Vale with accomm in the Youth Centre
Gorge journey down Stoneycroft beck, Canoeing on Derwent Water, Night walk Low Wood to raise the spirit of T’Iam, rock climbing and orienteering near the centre and a trip into Keswick – oh i had fun, hope the kids did
Really enjoying this tent
Difficulties:
- pitching, especially in wind
- getting in and out without getting a wet back if the inside of the fly is wet
- closing the bottom with that little fastex buckle
- fastening and unfastening the fly back but i like that when it’s done
- moving from laying to upright is a bit tight
Really like:
- it handles condensation really well because of the separation between inner and fly
- control of through venting is excellent using the velcro drop-down flaps at the ends of inner and outer
- feels secure in wind and rain (up to 45mph so far no bother)
- sitting/relaxing height is good enough (I’m 175cm)
- porch is adequate for cooking and gear
- small footprint
- discrete for comfortable solo stealth camping
- layout/internal shape is good for personal organisation with space next to mat and inner pocket
- 2 way zip on doors good for venting/view options
- short poles on this Compact makes packing easy but considering bigger drybag for speed-packing
