LabExpé
Last year the Tike Saab
mountain guides travelled across the Americas, from Alaska to
Patagonia. During this beautiful adventure they spent some nights in
Ferrino's Expé, the top of the range tent of their High Lab product
line, used above all in expeditions at high altitude. Let's discover
how the tent resisted to the Patagonian assault.
"We had the
opportunity of testing the Ferrino "Expé" during our travels from
Alaska to the Terra del Fuoco, and in particular in the adverse
conditions encountered in Patagonia. The diverse weather patterns
enabled us to check out all the characteristics of this
top-of-the-range Ferrino tent. The floor, inner and fly-sheet are
constructed in polyester fabric with taped seams, guaranteeing optimum
waterproofness, even in during violent storms.
The three
equal-length shock corded duraluminium poles slide into robust
reinforced mesh sleeves which run along the entire tent. Apart from
being practical and easy to pitch, the sleeves result in an even
tension distribution, rendering the tent decidedly robust. Furthermore,
the fly-sheet has a particular blocking system comprised of a cylinder
which clips into a plastic reinforcement onto the pole. In strong winds
this device reduces to a minimum the "flapping" between the inner and
the outer tent. The Expé is anchored to the ground with a series of
lightweight aluminium pegs and storm guy lines with reflective slots.
Additional fixing can be achieved by mooring skis or deadmen to the
extra guidelines included.
The tent is comprised of two
vestibules and the front entrance is somewhat larger than the rear
entrance. Ventilation outlets have been inserted on both the inner and
the doors guaranteeing excellent aeration, while a front window has
been placed on the fly-door. The zips proved to be robust and
functional, just like all other minor details. The Expé is definitely
not a lightweight tent, but it has to be said that if push comes to
shove it can sleep four. During our treks in the Torri del Paine we
divided the weight between us, separating the fly from the poles and in
doing so reaching a good compromise between weight and comfort. The
only problem was the amount of condensation created by four people.
Our overall judgement is more than positive, also when bearing in mind the price of the Expé Ferrino."
Carlo Gabasio, Guide Alpine Tike Saab
