GoLite Cave 1 Owner Review

Name:  Andrew Henrichs
Age:  22
Gender:  Male
Height:  6’2”  (1.88 M)
Weight:  200 lbs  (91 kg)
Email address:  a_henrichs@yahoo.com           
City, State, Country:  Westminster, CO, USA
Date:  January 21, 2004
Backpacking Background:  I first started backpacking about 3 years ago when a friend and I took a road trip out west (I was living in Wisconsin at time).  I was hooked immediately, and have taken many, many trips since then.  Most of my trips are 2-3 days, but I have taken some trips of 5 days.  Now that I live in Colorado, I hope to get out even more, including some trips of 1-2 weeks or more. 

    Recently, I have been leaning more and more towards the lightweight side of the spectrum.  I shave ounces when I can, but I still prefer a solid frame in my backpacks, and usually take a few luxuries on trips.  Most of my backpacking has been in the mountains of Colorado and Wyoming, as well as the desert in the southwestern US.  I’ve gone winter camping several times, but I still prefer backpacking in the warmer months.

Product Information

Manufacturer:   GoLite (www.golite.com)

Year of manufacture:  2002
Listed weight:  1 lbs 3 oz / 539 g (tarp and stakes)
Weight as delivered:  1 lbs 4 oz / 567 g (tarp and stakes)
Product description:  lightweight 1-2 person backpacking tarp

Field Information

Test locations: Canyonlands National Park, northern and central Colorado

Location Description:  High desert and subalpine forests (up to 11,000 feet / 3353 m)

Weather Conditions:  A little bit of everything.  Temps from 80° F (27° C) down to 25° F (-4° C).  I’ve slept in it in sun, wind, rain, sleet, hail, and light snow.

Descriptions of Trips

            I’ll start with a little info about setting up the tarp.  There are 14 guylines on the tarp; 4 along the edge of each side, 2 main lines, 2 off the points of the Variable Geometry Beaks^TM (VGB), and 1 load lifter on each wall of the tarp.  Inside, there is a small loop at each end of the tent.  These can be used to string a clothesline (not included) for drying socks and other small items.  The following is the method I use to set up the tarp.  I attach the 2 main lines first.  Next, I stake out the 4 corners.  If the forecast looks good, I attach the guylines to the stakes.  If there’s any chance or rain or inclement weather, I stake the loops where they attach to the tarp.  Next, I stake out the 4 remaining side lines, then the 2 load lifters (they provide a little more headroom).  Finally, I stake out the VGBs.  They are a nice feature that can easily be adjusted.  For more ventilation, pitch them nearly horizontal.  If rain threatens, pitch them vertically to seal off the ends of the tarp.

            The Cave 1 provides up to 65 square feet (6 square meters) of space and can accommodate 2 individuals.  I have only used it by myself, and I think it would be a snug fit with 2 people, although no more snug than in a 2 person tent.  The maximum size for the tarp is 11’1” by 7’ (3.4 m by 2.1 m), although most pitching configurations provide less room.  The Cave 1 stuffs down to 6” by 4” (15 cm by 10 cm) and comes with a stuff sack.

            My first trip with this tarp was last April, when I led a backpacking trip for my university’s Trekker Club.  My pack was getting pretty heavy with all the group gear, so I picked up this tarp to shave some pounds.  Previous to the trip, I had only set it up in my living room.  I have to say this tarp truly proved itself on this trip.  The weather proved to be less than wonderful, providing plenty of adverse conditions for the tarp to fail (the aforementioned rain, sleet, hail, and snow).  Fortunately for me, it did a great job.

            At each backpacking site, I spent a little extra time selecting a spot to set up.  I made sure to avoid any areas where water would drain off the rocks, and generally chose a slightly elevated spot.  I don’t use trekking poles, so that presented another obstacle for the set-up.  The two main guylines have to be tied to a significant object to support the tent.  Fortunately, each site we stayed at provided plenty of small trees or shrubs for attachment points.  Because it was drizzling nearly the whole time, I staked the corners right where the loops attach to the tarp.  I also closed off the VGB on the foot end of the tarp to keep the rain out.  This setup provides less room inside, but it worked.  Our group consisted of 7 people, in 3 tents and my tarp.  During our trip, 2 of the 3 tents leaked at least once and soaked the sleeping bags.  Despite the weather, my down bag never got wet, not even damp from condensation.  The tarp ventilates extremely well.

            My other experiences with the tarp were in central Colorado.  The weather was much more agreeable, but I had some trouble finding a suitable space to set up the tarp on one trip.  It took a while to find a flat spot with trees the right distance apart.  Again, the tarp performed very well, keeping my dry.  I woke up at one point to a mouse running across the chest of my bag, but if that’s the tradeoff to saving over 3 pounds (1.4 kg) in my pack, I’ll take it. 

Summary

            I’m sold on tarps!  I have to admit I was very nervous the first few nights under the tarp, but once I got comfortable in setting it up and selecting a spot for it, I like it better than a tent.  One concern I have this summer is bugs.  I haven’t used the tarp in particularly “buggy” areas yet.  GoLite sells a mesh net called the Nest 1 which attaches to the inside of the Cave 1 to keep out insects and other uninvited guests.  I haven’t tried it yet, but would consider it if bugs pose a problem. 

Pros:

Lightweight

Variety of pitching options

Good protection from the elements if you pitch the tarp correctly

Cons:

It requires practice to become proficient in setting it up and site selection

No protection from bugs

Can be difficult to get into it depending on where it’s set up