Originally Posted by
Tuckahoe64
I'd recommend the Lightheart solo tent. The ridge pole is simply held in place with velcro loops and your trekking poles or tent poles the fit into the open ends of that ridge pole. The pole support is on the inside of the tent.
I second this one http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...Tent&highlight=
Another one worth a good look is the Tarptent Moment. http://www.tarptent.com/moment.html
A friend of mine has one and it's probably the best single walled solo tent design I've seen for those who don't use hiking poles. The footprint is a bit smaller than the Lightheart tent and it has a roomy vestibule (but not as much floor space).
You can't beat the setup time of the Moment,
On the other hand, Lightheart Gear is a true cottage industry (if you get a tent sewn by Judy, which will cost you a few more $$). Her standard tents are made in the far east somewhere. I'm not sure if Tarptent shelters are made in the USA, but they've become pretty mainstream, (not that there's anything wrong with that, really).
With the Lightheart tents, you can completely roll up the fly to the ridgeline, making it just like sleeping in the open (without bugs).
With the TT Moment you can slide the fly up the pole for better views, but some of the stars will be hidden.
Neither has a removeable fly.
Here is an excerpt from the original thread above regarding the Lightheart Tent:
Update: Actual usage on the AT (NY).
I used the tent for three nights the third week in Sept. There was only one brief sprinkle on the last night when I camped by the West Mountain Shelter. The pullouts proved to be invaluable in the increase in usable head and foot room. I got a reply from the busy owner of the company and she thought that the extra tabs were a good idea. We'll see if she implements them. If not, they're very easy to sew on and they don't take a ton of stress, anyhow.
All three nights proved to be warmer than expected and I slept half out of my 50 degree (approx) one pound Montbell ultralight semi-rectangular bag. I used my Big Agnes Air core mummy pad and slept almost as well as in my hammock.
Since I can't use my camera software with my computer you'll have to use your imaginations as to the placement of the pullouts.
With the addition of the pullout tabs and ultralight spectra guylines the tent now weighs 1# 11-1/2 oz. (in the stuffsack). Not too shabby.
With the addition of a pair of velcro strips at the ridgeline to secure the plastic ridge pole (it doesn't move unless you move your trekking poles, really), it would be a fantastic deal for a long distance ground dweller.
Judy has implemented both the pullout and velcro spreader bar holders in her tents.