Is the Notch Li fully waterproof?
Yes, it is fully seam-taped and fully waterproof. Dyneema® has a hydrostatic pressure rating of over 8,000 mm.
Which Dyneema fabric weights do you use?
The fly weight is 0.51 oz / yd 2
The floor weight is 1 oz / yd 2
Do I need trekking poles for general use?
Trekking poles are preferred but an 8 oz / 227 g pole set is available.
Do I need to put the fly up and then the interior?
No, the two parts clip together and setup or takedown as a single unit. It is easy to unclip the interior from inside if desired.
Can I use this for winter?
The structure will withstand light to moderate snow loading. The optional partial solid interior is recommended for cold winds or blowing snow.
Can I stuff the Notch Li to make it smaller?
You can easily remove the 4 carbon fiber struts but we highly recommend rolling or folding, not stuffing, to extend the fabric lifespan.
Does the Notch Li accommodate tall people (over 6 ft 3 in / 190.5 cm)?
Yes, we recommend the Notch for taller folks. The design of the shelter makes it impossible to run into end walls and there is ample sit-up room.
What does my purchase include?
The Notch Li fly and interior, a stuff sack, aluminum stakes + stake bag and the necessary guyline cording. The Notch Li is designed for trekking poles to provide structure to the shelter. There are optional poles for non-trekking pole users that are available for purchase in the webstore.
Do I need a footprint?
Use of a groundsheet depends on the conditions you expect to encounter and your style of camping. The sewn-in flooring is remarkably tough and does not usually require a separate groundsheet. We sell optional Tyvek groundsheets which are very tough and great for sleeping out or taking a break, but generally heavier than you need for floor protection on longer hikes, in most conditions. For use on very rocky ground and desert conditions where puncture wounds are possible, a groundsheet is recommended.
Steve Bittinger –
I recently returned from a six-week bushwalking trip to the Central Plateau of Tasmania, Australia. Based on experience from this and prior trips, I have the following practical advice about using the Notch Li tent.
As you can see in some of the photos, I added additional pull-outs along the bottom edge of each side of the tent. I used duct-tape to attach a loop of cord to the Dyneema fabric. These pull-outs worked well to ensure that the fly covered the maximum ground space, giving me a little more room in the vestibules, and more stability and shelter during high winds, rain and snow.
I was careful to set up the tent as well as possible, with the poles vertical, and the fly stretched taut. This ensures that the inner netting doesn’t touch the fly, and seems to make the tent better able to resist high winds. Due to frequent high winds, I always used an extra set of tie-downs on the four main sides of the tent. With these precautions, the tent had no difficulty withstanding the wind. During one storm we had set up a tarp to shelter under while cooking. The storm gusts broke several of the 3mm cords holding the tarp, but did no damage to our tents.
As you can also see in some of the photos, I would usually set up the tent with a short stick (or collapsed walking pole) holding up one corner of the “doorway” of the rain fly. This configuration was very stable, making it easy to get in and out of the tent, while also providing reasonable shelter from anything except heavy rain. I could usually judge the direction of the wind and rain, so as to prop open the doorway on the other side of the tent. Having the door open helped minimise condensation, while also letting me see out of the tent while I was inside lying in my sleeping bag.
I found it useful to carry a small kitchen sponge, to sponge off excess dew and condensation before packing up the tent.
Overall, I am very pleased with the Notch Li tent. We experienced extreme weather — high winds, heavy rain, and one night had 25cm (10 inches) of snow. The tent did well under these extreme conditions. As far as I can tell, the Notch Li has not sustained any damage or visible wear after six weeks of bushwalking in these conditions.