Gear Review
Black Diamond Mesa 2-Person 3-Season Tent
Typhoon? Bah!
By James K Backman
Ranked #852 - 3-Season Tents
August 17, 2009
Just spent 5 nights in this tent in all types of weather. Great overall tent.
Location: Daisetsuzan National Park, Hokkaido, Japan
A Tropical Storm brushed Hokkaido while I was backpacking. I staked her down, but could only use 2 guylines, and then hoped for the best. What ensued was hours upon hours of mid-strength wind gusts, and torrential rain.Inside was essentially 100% dry. In one spot, the floor changed color, but was not wet to the touch. I assume some water had pooled between the tarp and my tent, but was not passing through the floor material. As for wind, I felt a few times during that night she would come apart under the wind pressure, but remained rock solid, with the main hub only moving a couple inches. Lost one fly staking due to sodden ground, but that was my fault for not tying her down beforehand.
After the storm, the day temps were 85+ F, and nights 65+ F. It revealed decent, but not fantastic, ventilation. Leaving the top part of the vestibule zips open helps a lot.She survived a brushing with a Tropical Storm, and can handle a respectable temp well. This was my first use, but I think it was a solid test to understand what this thing is capable of...Only complaint is that while the mesa is not a heavy tent, I still wish it was lighter. But hey, you cannot have everything.
View Details: Black Diamond Mesa 2-Person 3-Season Tent
Helpful Votes: 1 Yes
Change me.
2 Comments Last Reply: March 4, 2010 By: James K Backman
I was at 10K when that happened. I will be the first one to tell you that the pole and support system is rather strong. It withstood the gusts I experienced that night. Though I have no idea how strong they actually were, I would assume that they were 50+ mph or so. Sustained was likely around 30 mph. Will it hold at 60 mph? I would like to think so for a gust, but not a sustained. Would it hold at 70 mph? My gut says no. If you are going to be experiencing that wind strength, I would go for a 4-season mountaineering tent that is designed for truly extreme conditions.
Helpful Votes: 2 Yes
hi, iv jst bought this mesa tent im thinking off taking her up about 800ft or so, but wind is v strong do you think it could cope with 60mph-70mph or forget it?
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes