New Tent,

[walt walkabout]

Here is a pic of the Black Diamond Lighthouse in action. I finally bought the vestibule for the tent and went packing the following weekend. Temps were low 20's during the day and -2 on Sunday morning. Notice the Northern Lites Tundra snow shoes which are new this year. Total weight of the tent and vestibule is 4 lbs 5 oz.
The tent worked great and has exceeded my expections. The trip was great and a good time was had by all.
Walt

[ND Sol]

Looks great, Walt. I am enjoying mine as well, though I haven't bought the vestibule. Looks like the right conditions for using the vestibule. Glad to hear that it is holding up in winter conditions.

[walt walkabout]

The vestibule is a good addition for the tent. Very easy to set up as there are 6 U-shaped hooks that connect with the loops on underside of the door flap and a velcro loop around the center pole of the tent. The pole for the vestibule has 5 velcro loops and a nylon strap with 2 grommet holes that bridges between the ends of the pole. Slid the pole thru the loops and put the ends in the strap and stake out with 2 stakes (provided) and your done. Nice thing about the nylon strap is that it lays against the front edge of the tent out of the way so you can't catch it with your boot.
The down side is the door which IMHO could be bigger and the J design of the door has a stress point as you zip around the short leg of the J that is going to cause zipper failure at some point. Also the vent at the top of the door uses a plastic rod stiffner which can't be bent or stuffed carelessly into a stuff sack without breaking. My solution is to pack it into a gallon size zip lock baggie which is big enough for the rod to fit flat.
I can't wait to try it out in the rain as it is big enough to climb in,shut the door, and take off the wet rain gear without having to be inside the tent itself. Unlike most tent vestibules.
Enjoy your tent and post some pics of it in action when you can.
Happy Trails
Walt

[Trinityalps]

My experience with the Lighthouse parallels yours. I have been using mine now for about nine months and it has become one of my favorite pieces of gear. The tent has to only accommodate me and the dog so the vestibule only goes along in the winter or in the summer if nasty weather is in the forecast. This is a great tent.

[ND Sol]

Walt,

Here is a picture from last September in Glacier National Park.

[walt walkabout]

Great pic, and you must have really enjoyed the view of the mountains.
Walt

[ND Sol]

Great pic, and you must have really enjoyed the view of the mountains.
Walt
Glacier is a great place. That was at Boulder Pass. The one below is from Hole in the Wall (note the waterfall in the back)

[walt walkabout]

I made a mistake. I looked closer at the U shaped hooks that attach to the tent and they are metal not plastic and black oxided for rust protection. This means they won't break in the cold like plastic.
Neat huh.
Walt

[walt walkabout]

One other note on the tent. As it uses a breathable fabric for the walls it allows greater influx of the cold than my IDMK1XL. Your gonna sleep in colder air so have a good bag that is rated for the weather conditions as the tent doesn't trap and hold body heat as well as a thicker walled tent.
Walt