in stormy or buggy conditions. If the wind is from one direction, it sometimes
works best to pitch the back of the shelter at ground level to windward, and the
door at the 30 cm (12 in) height to the lee.
SNOW CAMPING
Black Diamond ‘Mids excel at camping in the snow, especially in spring
conditions. Compact or dig out the area under the shelter for living space,
leaving the area under the canopy edge undisturbed. This will give you plenty of
headroom, and uses the natural snow as a short wall to block wind at ground
level.
NOT A TENT
Megamids and Betamids are not tents. They do not offer the security and
protection from storms that dedicated tents offer. They are not suitable for all
conditions, especially high winds. While the shelters themselves can be rigged
to withstand intense winds, the unsealed nature of their lower edge can allow
wind and storms to wreak havoc upon the occupants. In many conditions, a
ground cloth, bivouac sack or sleeping bag cover will greatly enhance one’s
experience.
Condensation will occur on the inside surface of the shelters. This can be
minimized by maintaining good ventilation. When sleeping three or four
persons in a Megamid, the people on the outside may need a bivy sac or
sleeping bag cover to protect their sleeping bags from touching the walls.
SEAM SEALING
Seams on the canopies of the Mega Light and Beta Light must be sealed
with liquid seam sealer (we recommend McNett SilNet) to attain maximum
waterproofness. Seal the seams from the inside (on the coated side of the
fabric) by using the edge of the tube to form a thin, continuous bead sealing
the three leak paths of the seam—two lines of stitching plus the joint between
two colors of fabric. Apply sealant to both sides where loops are sewn into the
seam.
Allow 24–48 hours for the sealant to COMPLETELY DRY before re-packing.
Complete and thorough application of seam sealant can take up to six days—
plan ahead. Check your sealing job by setting up the ‘Mid, spraying with a hose
and looking carefully for leaks.
MAINTAINING YOUR BLACK DIAMOND ‘MIDS
‘Mids should NOT be packed away wet. ANY moisture will lead to mildew that
can ruin both the urethane coating and the nylon fabric. Thoroughly dry before
