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saltysack
12-22-2014, 22:42
I recently picked up a solong6...only used a few times so far..I realize it's not a 4 season shelter but curious if anyone had any experiences with a light snow load in this shelter...I've used my old tent an Easton kilo several times in a light snow with no problems.


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kayak karl
12-22-2014, 22:50
What makes a tent a "4 season tent" ?
i hammock and use an 11-8.5 cuben tarp. i was told it was NOT a "4 season tarp". i have used it on long winter trips. below zero and 12" plus snow without problems.
So what is the difference between 3 and 4 season gear?

Connie
12-22-2014, 23:35
I "think" 4-season tent implies a high mountain expedition tent, or, "base camp" high mountain expedition tent.

I think this because every well designed and well-pitched tent or tarp will stand up to "ordinary" wind and weather, including snow. I include the well-designed tent not collapsing under snow load.

Connie
12-23-2014, 21:09
How well does the LightHearGear SoLong6 stand up to snow?

It has all the helpful tie-outs. Does the tent wall angle shed snow? Is there footroom and headroom from the trnt canopy, under snow load? Is snow easily enough "slapped" off the tent walls? Is that a "bad idea" with silnylon?

The design looks sturdy, very sturdy. Who has experience, in snow?

Tipi Walter
12-23-2014, 21:46
What makes a tent a "4 season tent" ?
i hammock and use an 11-8.5 cuben tarp. i was told it was NOT a "4 season tarp". i have used it on long winter trips. below zero and 12" plus snow without problems.
So what is the difference between 3 and 4 season gear?

I know you know all this Kayak Karl but I'll share it for the newbs---(although in reality most winter backpackers I see are using 3 season tents, hence the quandary, "Who needs a 4 season tent???")

** 4 season tents have no unsealable mesh on the sides or on the top of the inner tent canopy to let in windblown spindrift (or liberal gusts). Otherwise, mesh tents have taken over the market---TarpTent, Big Agnes, Seedhouses etc.

** 4 season tents generally have higher denier floors and flys with higher hydrostatic heads---More waterproof when riding out a storm in a ground water pool. Big Agnes tents have 20 denier (or 30) floors and thin flys with a short lifespan (instead of 70 or 100 denier), and 1,200mm heads versus 7,000mm or 10,000mm on the 4 season.

** 4 season tents have ample guyouts for hell storms and open mountain bald blizzards and ripping horizontal rain squalls. My MSR Fury has 21 guyouts, my Hilleberg Keron has 18. These are vital when Miss Nature winks in your direction and brings a 60mph windstorm into your camp.

** 4 season tents are like cordura while 3 season are silnylon---and it's all about longevity for me, along with a long-term ability to take a pounding and keep on ticking. And it's about security when conditions turn hellish.

shakey_snake
12-23-2014, 22:13
Four season tents are designed to shed snowfall so they don't collapse under weight of accumulation.

That's really the only appreciable difference, IMO. Things like Tipi is speaking about apply to expedition and mountaineering tents, which I'd consider a separate class. I'm sure Tipi would disagree, but IMO something like a 'mid style shaped tarp or trailstar offer plenty of protection for most winter conditions and those don't even have an inner or floor.

To answer OPs question, I don't think I'd trust a solong to snow accumulation because of the way the u-shaped PVC holds the trekking poles together forms a relatively flat spot. Similarly, I wouldn't use my tarptent Stratospire in snow, either.

The Cleaner
12-24-2014, 10:59
FWIW most 3 season tents need ventilation to prevent condensation due to their small inside square footage. I had an MSR Hubba and it was way too drafty. I bought late this spring, a TarpTent Moment Double Wall and it blocks most if not all wind and no condensation with all of it's venting options. I'd say with the optional crossing pole it would handle snow loading well. I call it the poor man's 4 season tent.29271:)

Tipi Walter
12-24-2014, 11:32
Here's a neat pic of the Moment in some snow---

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e389/Francophoto/Moment/snow-Moment-1.jpg
I'm imagining the collapsed walls, loss of living space, and condensation. This pic from---

http://tasmania.bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=3205

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e389/Francophoto/QuoddysSubundersnow.jpg
Here's another TarpTent in some snow. Same comment as above. From---

http://tasmania.bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1484


(http://tasmania.bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1484)

Tipi Walter
12-24-2014, 11:36
I grant you most 4 season tents handle snowload better as in this pic, especially dome tents with several poles overhead and crossing---

http://facultyfiles.deanza.edu/images/donahuemary/MaryAnnOsburnsnowcampmornin.jpg
This pic from---http://faculty.deanza.edu/donahuemary/DeAnzaOutdoorClubYosemitesnowcamp2008

But snowloading is not the only purpose of a 4 season tent, not by a long shot. Guyout opportunities and wind stability is probably the most important.

http://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpacking2008/With-Little-Mitten-to-Whiggs/i-rLNwsNx/0/M/Trip%2088%20049-M.jpg
Here's a neat example of both of my tents on Whiggs Meadow at 5,000 feet in a windstorm. The 3 season Mt Hardwear Light Wedge is collapsing in the wind even with its two puny guylines on the side, while the Hilleberg Staika isn't even moving.

Connie
12-24-2014, 14:25
I remember tying together where the tent poles cross for greater strength.

Today, I suppose that could be a velcro wrap.

Tipi Walter
12-24-2014, 14:30
I remember tying together where the tent poles cross for greater strength.

Today, I suppose that could be a velcro wrap.

Another missing feature of most 3 season tents---having velcro or clips on the inside of the fly to connect to the poles---to link the fly and the inner into one unit.

Hilleberg has pole sleeves which allow double poling although they are not too clear on when to a person may need a second set of poles. They don't sell their tents with two sets, that's for sure.

Connie
12-24-2014, 14:50
The North Face "Cirrus" I purchased for the rain fly and "footprint" for more lightweight backpacking, yeah, has strong elastic loops with pull toggles, used for running the pole thru, or, for adding adjustable cordage to the tent stakes to cinch it down. That was another strategy for strengthening shelter.

It made a fine "tarp" and "ground cloth" shelter for me.

Now, if I can just find the tent poles... If not, I can make the right fit DIY/MYOG.

I am thinking I just might take it outside for a little Montana snow. You know, that tarp higher up the thread looks pretty good. How did the occupant fare?