Tarptent StratoSpire Li

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Summary

Tent Setup Guide

Prepare Canopy and Poles

Spread canopy floor-side down, prepare stakes, and set trekking poles to 125cm/49in.

Stake First Vestibule and Insert Pole

Stake one vestibule door side taut, leave cording, insert pole handle-first through vent into grommet.

Insert Second Pole and Stake Opposite Door

Pull canopy ridgeline out, insert second pole through other vent, stake opposite door corners taut.

Adjust Corners and Ridgeline Tension

Restake corners for a rectangle shape, ensure flat sides and taut ridgeline.

Secure Strut Corners and Tighten Fabric

Pull out Pitchloc strut corners firmly, stake through plastic loop, and tighten fabric with line tighteners.

Adjust Interior Tension and Open Sides

Unzip doors, adjust floor straps for even tension, and attach apex guylines for ridgeline tension.

Optimize Ridgeline Tension with Guylines

Stake guylines separately midway between door stakes for optimal ridgeline tension.

Inner Compartment Setup

Detach and Stake Inner Compartment

Unclip interior from fly, spread on ground, stake all 4 corners on the black floor side.

Secure Inner Compartment Apex Guylines

Retie apex guylines to door zipper hooks and insert pole tips into elastic loops.

Tension Inner Canopy with Poles

Stake the two trekking poles to tension the interior canopy structure.

Adjust Floor for Sleeping Pads

Use tension straps to lower effective height and widen floor for two wide sleeping pads.

Snowfall and Wind Considerations

The Tarptent StratoSpire Li is a lightweight, two-person tent designed for various outdoor conditions, from mild weather to snow and wind. It features a unique structure that allows for versatile setup options and enhanced performance.

Function Description

The StratoSpire Li serves as a shelter for two individuals, offering protection from the elements. Its primary function is to provide a waterproof and wind-resistant enclosure for sleeping and storing gear. The tent's design emphasizes ventilation to minimize condensation and structural integrity to withstand challenging weather, including snow loads. It can be set up as a full tent with an inner compartment or as a standalone fly or inner compartment, offering flexibility for different trips and conditions.

Important Technical Specifications

While specific dimensions and weight are not explicitly listed in the provided text, the manual indicates that trekking poles should be set to approximately 125cm/49in for setup, suggesting the tent is designed to be supported by standard trekking poles. The fabric is described as "fully taped and waterproof," indicating high-quality construction for weather resistance. The tent is made of a material that is resistant to stress but not flame or abrasion, implying a lightweight yet durable fabric, likely a silnylon or similar high-performance material, given the "Li" designation often associated with ultralight lithium-ion battery technology or lightweight materials.

Usage Features

Setup:

The setup process is designed to be quick and intuitive, estimated at about 2 minutes after a few practice runs.

Canopy Spread: Begin by spreading the canopy on the ground, floor side down, with stakes ready.
Trekking Pole Adjustment: Set trekking poles to approximately 125cm/49in.
First Vestibule Stake & Pole: Stake one vestibule door side, leaving about 6 inches (15cm) of cording for tautness. Insert a trekking pole (handle end first) through the vent opening, ensuring the pole tip goes into the grommet on the underside of the vent.
Ridgeline & Second Pole: Pull the canopy ridgeline out. Insert the second pole through the other vent into its grommet. Stake the opposite door side to ensure door corners are taut and poles are vertical.
Corner Firming: Pull out each Pitchloc strut-supported corner firmly and stake through the plastic loop.
Perimeter Tightening: Walk around the perimeter and use the line tighteners to secure the fabric.
Door Management: Unzip either door and roll it back, securing it with the magnetic closure strap.
Floor Tension Adjustment: Adjust floor straps at ground level to even floor tension. Adjust straps at the apex of the interior to even interior fabric tension.
Enhanced Ridgeline Tension/Fly Opening: For more ridgeline tension and to fully open fly sides, attach apex guylines and pull them out to either door stake, then tighten.
Optimal Ridgeline Tension: For the best ridgeline tension, stake the guyline separately midway between the door stakes.

Inner Compartment:

The inner compartment is detachable and attaches to the outer fly structure using loops and clips. Both the outer fly and inner compartment can be used standalone.

Detachment & Spread: Unclip the interior from the fly and spread it on the ground, black floor side down. Stake all four corners.
Apex Guyline Adjustment: Untie the apex guylines from the outer fly and retie them to the hooks at the top of each door zipper. Insert trekking pole tips into the elastic loops.
Interior Canopy Tension: Stake the two trekking poles as shown to tension the interior canopy.
Wide Sleeping Pad Use: For use with two wide sleeping pads, tension straps can be used to lower the effective height and widen the floor.

Venting:

Fly End Vents: These can be adjusted with tie-ups. For maximum ventilation in milder conditions, leave them open. For severe conditions, close them using the connectors.
Full Open Venting: Each fly door has a tie-back for full open venting. The apex pullout allows for complete vestibule rollback and full side venting. This comprehensive ventilation system helps to manage condensation.

Snowfall and Wind:

Apex Guylines: Use apex guylines and stake them separately in the plane of the ridgeline to maximize ridgeline tension and resist wind and snow loads.
Snow Management: The shelter is designed to allow snow to slide off. In heavy or wet snowfall, it may be necessary to periodically punch the underside of the fly to force snow off.
Environmental Considerations: A snow shovel is recommended for snow season trips to build snow walls and dig out. Seeking natural windbreaks (trees, rock outcroppings) is advised.

Key Points to Consider:

Apex Pullouts: Stake these for enhanced wind or snow performance and to enable full side opening.
Fabric Care: The fabric is stress-resistant but not flame or abrasion-resistant. Handle with care.
Storage: Roll, rather than stuff, for storage to extend the fabric's lifespan.

Maintenance Features

Seam-sealing and Repair:

The StratoSpire Li is "fully taped and waterproof," meaning it comes pre-sealed and should not require additional seam sealing by the user. Small holes and tears can be easily patched with seam tape. Users are advised to contact Tarptent for assistance if needed.

Condensation Management:

Effective ventilation and fabric warmth are the primary defenses against condensation. Users are encouraged to keep doors open as much as possible and to set up the tent in breezy locations. Looking for warmer and drier microclimates (under trees, out of valleys and lake basins) can also help.

Fabric Tension Adjustment:

If stakes loosen in windy or soft soil conditions, or under wind load, the perimeter line tighteners and/or boosting trekking poles from inside can be used to tighten the fabric.