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REI Alcove Shelter
- Thread starter mcjimjam
- Start date
ROBandTERRI said:KathyBob said:When we met up with Tom at Castle Rock in September, he showed us these wonderful clips he found at WalMart(they are black, about 2.5 inches long and have a hole at the end). He put two on each side of the Alcove and with cord and stake, pulled the edge of the alcove down and kept the rain from pooling. The first time we found a WalMart, I found the clips (four to a pkg) on the wall in the camping supply area. The arrangement worked beautifully and we just pack the clips with cords in the bag with the Alcove. On the several occasions the ground was hardpacked and we couldn't pound in a stake, we used the weight from our wheel locks to hold the cords taut. I love the Alcove, mostly because one of us can start putting it up or taking it down while the other is doing some other chores. Also, because the windwall covers two sides, I used an 8x6 tarp, put some additional grommets along one side, and used binder rings to link it along the crosspiece for a third wall.
[/URL]
Wow I did it!
Kathy
I have the REI Alcove also and have an alternative to the grip clips you're talking about, especially if it is a difficult area to drive stakes or if like me you just really don't like having to stake out guy lines. I bought a 12 pack of 36" bungee cords and stretch them from the ridge pole to the side poles, 6 to a side. They act like rafters for a roof and keep some support under the top of the Alcove. Easy to put on and off and no additional lines or stakes.
KUDOS! The rafter idea works great as I can attest to after this morning's rain. Even more importantly, the 36" bungees coordinate with the color scheme of the Alcove!
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rwkrause@gmail.com
Novice
Glad you found the idea helpful. Easy solution to what seems like a design flaw in a shelter that otherwise works great with a CI.
Below is a picture of the 'rafters' for the Alcove:
It was so windy along the river that in addition to staking down the Alcove, I used another bungee to secure it to the picnic table. One other benefit I found of the 'rafters' (unfortunately, I did not take a picture)is I used a clip to hang my towels from on of the bungees.
I am going to get some of the clips that Kathy showed me. They looked like a good thing to have for general purposes.
It was so windy along the river that in addition to staking down the Alcove, I used another bungee to secure it to the picnic table. One other benefit I found of the 'rafters' (unfortunately, I did not take a picture)is I used a clip to hang my towels from on of the bungees.
I am going to get some of the clips that Kathy showed me. They looked like a good thing to have for general purposes.
Aj & michelle,
I cannot take credit for the rafter idea. A couple of posts back, Rob and Terri shared this idea in order to solve the water pooling problem. They probably have more experience with how well it works than I do. The times that it has rained, the rafters have worked well. Not sure what would happen in a torrential downpour.
I already had two of the bungees from a multipack. I bought the remaining 10 in packs of two that I got at Fred Meyers. I think the two packs were $4.
I think the other idea in this thread with using a clip to tie down the middle of the roof would work as well. Only issue would be the part of the roof over the hatch. Water would continue to pool there I think.
I have not tried positioning the Alcove lengthwise over the hatch. I like having the shelter over my side table with the fridge on it. I have a sidewall that I can put up to protect the fridge from direct sun as well as rain.
Somewhere else, some mentioned the bar rubbing against the hatch. I will have to look out for that.
I cannot take credit for the rafter idea. A couple of posts back, Rob and Terri shared this idea in order to solve the water pooling problem. They probably have more experience with how well it works than I do. The times that it has rained, the rafters have worked well. Not sure what would happen in a torrential downpour.
I already had two of the bungees from a multipack. I bought the remaining 10 in packs of two that I got at Fred Meyers. I think the two packs were $4.
I think the other idea in this thread with using a clip to tie down the middle of the roof would work as well. Only issue would be the part of the roof over the hatch. Water would continue to pool there I think.
I have not tried positioning the Alcove lengthwise over the hatch. I like having the shelter over my side table with the fridge on it. I have a sidewall that I can put up to protect the fridge from direct sun as well as rain.
Somewhere else, some mentioned the bar rubbing against the hatch. I will have to look out for that.
ROBandTERRI said:KathyBob said:When we met up with Tom at Castle Rock in September, he showed us these wonderful clips he found at WalMart(they are black, about 2.5 inches long and have a hole at the end). He put two on each side of the Alcove and with cord and stake, pulled the edge of the alcove down and kept the rain from pooling. The first time we found a WalMart, I found the clips (four to a pkg) on the wall in the camping supply area. The arrangement worked beautifully and we just pack the clips with cords in the bag with the Alcove. On the several occasions the ground was hardpacked and we couldn't pound in a stake, we used the weight from our wheel locks to hold the cords taut. I love the Alcove, mostly because one of us can start putting it up or taking it down while the other is doing some other chores. Also, because the windwall covers two sides, I used an 8x6 tarp, put some additional grommets along one side, and used binder rings to link it along the crosspiece for a third wall.
[/URL]
Wow I did it!
Kathy
I have the REI Alcove also and have an alternative to the grip clips you're talking about, especially if it is a difficult area to drive stakes or if like me you just really don't like having to stake out guy lines. I bought a 12 pack of 36" bungee cords and stretch them from the ridge pole to the side poles, 6 to a side. They act like rafters for a roof and keep some support under the top of the Alcove. Easy to put on and off and no additional lines or stakes.
Can someone help me out - sorry if I am being obtuse.
What is the problem that this solution is trying to solve?
Is it the pooling of rain? Something else?
As an aside, or maybe not, seems that pooling of rain would be better than NO pooling of rain. Relieving the pooling when you desire is preferable to getting constantly dripped on if the rain simply runs off (though I can certainly sympathize with the folks who are the recipient of the random "draining" - usualy down the back of your neck - that occurs when rain pools on a tarp).
Thanks. Sorry if I am not understanding.
-Al
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AlCat said:ROBandTERRI said:KathyBob said:When we met up with Tom at Castle Rock in September, he showed us these wonderful clips he found at WalMart(they are black, about 2.5 inches long and have a hole at the end). He put two on each side of the Alcove and with cord and stake, pulled the edge of the alcove down and kept the rain from pooling. The first time we found a WalMart, I found the clips (four to a pkg) on the wall in the camping supply area. The arrangement worked beautifully and we just pack the clips with cords in the bag with the Alcove. On the several occasions the ground was hardpacked and we couldn't pound in a stake, we used the weight from our wheel locks to hold the cords taut. I love the Alcove, mostly because one of us can start putting it up or taking it down while the other is doing some other chores. Also, because the windwall covers two sides, I used an 8x6 tarp, put some additional grommets along one side, and used binder rings to link it along the crosspiece for a third wall.
[/URL]
Wow I did it!
Kathy
I have the REI Alcove also and have an alternative to the grip clips you're talking about, especially if it is a difficult area to drive stakes or if like me you just really don't like having to stake out guy lines. I bought a 12 pack of 36" bungee cords and stretch them from the ridge pole to the side poles, 6 to a side. They act like rafters for a roof and keep some support under the top of the Alcove. Easy to put on and off and no additional lines or stakes.
Can someone help me out - sorry if I am being obtuse.
What is the problem that this solution is trying to solve?
Is it the pooling of rain? Something else?
As an aside, or maybe not, seems that pooling of rain would be better than NO pooling of rain. Relieving the pooling when you desire is preferable to getting constantly dripped on if the rain simply runs off (though I can certainly sympathize with the folks who are the recipient of the random "draining" - usualy down the back of your neck - that occurs when rain pools on a tarp).
Thanks. Sorry if I am not understanding.
-Al
Al,
This is the issue we are trying to avoid:
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Mick'nSarah
Junior Ranger
aj & michelle said:
aj & michelle said:
I can't tell you just how much rain fell, but I would call it a 3-day deluge last week. Ran down to the store (Walmart) and picked up the bungees since I was busy constantly emptying the roof. Put several up (didn't buy enough of them) and it took care of the problem on one side (didn't have enough bungees for the other side). Through the night it sounded like someone was power washing the roof. When we got up in the morning, the side with rafters had no water pooling. The side without the rafters was heavy with water. Not sure what kind if other test would be necessary, but based on what we lived through, I would say it withstood the weather well. We went back and bought more bungees for the other side and haven't had rain since. That was a fantastic start to our 2-week trip, but more on that later.
Mick'nSarah
Junior Ranger
This has been a trip for the ages, and is leaving me thinking I shouldn't go on vacation anymore. 3-days of rain, car broke down, dad had to have emergency surgery (he is doing fine now), and I just learned my boss passed away yesterday (he was the climber who fell and died on Hood, and while I hadn't worked for him in 4-years, he was the last and best boss I have had...a true tragedy. This is the second friend I have lost to that mountain). I have been in shock and on the brink of tears all day. I was planning to call him next week to see how things were.
But you are right. Preparing for the worst, usually means you end up doing just fine. I am enjoying the sun more than ever and we have finally dried out. Life is good, and I am making the most of it. I will say that as a person traveling with a small child in my own, I think I have earned extra nights towards my 100 night badge. At least some good could come with all of these new grey hairs!
But you are right. Preparing for the worst, usually means you end up doing just fine. I am enjoying the sun more than ever and we have finally dried out. Life is good, and I am making the most of it. I will say that as a person traveling with a small child in my own, I think I have earned extra nights towards my 100 night badge. At least some good could come with all of these new grey hairs!
gregangsten
Junior Ranger
One other thing about the Alcove that should be mentioned is the shade quality. After spending a hot weekend in the sun, I found that it was still hotter under the Alcove than it was under a more opaque pop-up. A lot of sun still penetrates through the Alcove fabric.
