Ok, for all you backpacker out there, of which I know there are several on this board I have a question about using Tyvek for a groundcloth (footprint) for a tent. I've never used the stuff before, but have heard good things about it. I've got a plenty big piece of it which I will be cutting to size to fit my tent just as I would a plastic groundcloth.

I have two main questions. 1- which side do you put up, and which side toward the ground? I know that on houses we put the wording towards the outside (i.e. toward the weather) but I'm uncertain about which side to put toward the ground. Having the wording down would make the most logic to me, however I could be wrong. 2- for those of you who have used Tyvek for a groundcloth what have you found to be drawbacks? Are there any solutions for those shortcomings?

Any help would be appriciated. If all else fails I can take the visquine (plastic sheeting) groundcloth that I have now, but Tyvek sure is lightweight. I don't have the option of getting a fitted footprint from the manufacturer (Marmot) since this is a discontinued tent. I even spent a good 1/2 hour speaking with a very nice lass in the repair department who was trying to locate one for me.

Thanks for you help,
Mitch