View Full Version : Wild Oasis Shelter
Low Impact
01-13-2009, 20:40
Hey All -
I'm attempting to find a new shelter for my upcoming CT & JMT Thru-Hikes this Summer.
On the AT, I used a Black Diamond Lightsabre Bivy. I really enjoyed this shelter - but obviously, it has very little room to move around in. With the CT & the JMT not having any traditional shelters, I am looking for something bigger so that I can comfortably read, eat, and hang out should rain keep me in the tent.
Right now, I am heavily leaning toward Six Moon Design's Wild Oasis.
Anyone out there actually own this shelter? If so... thoughts? Likes? Dislikes?
Thanks!
FamilyGuy
01-13-2009, 21:29
A good friend of mine has one and likes it.
Pros - SUL, small packed size, easy to set up.
Cons - limited ventilation, fragile bug netting, some condensation.
I mention the condensation but it isn't really a bother as the drops will roll down the sides and into the ground.
He is 5' 8" and has told me that it is too small for me lengthwise at 6'1" if the shelter is dropped down due to storming weather.
If you are closer to my height don't forget the Mountain Laurel Designs Duo Mid pyramid shelter Similar but larger and about 17 oz with bug netting.
Low Impact, the CT and JMT this summer??? I like the way U think! Go for it!
I have the Wildoasis and used the Gatewood Cape on the CDT (essentially the Essence minus the poncho part).
Never found the bug netting that fragile compared to other, similar, lightweight shelters. Probably a matter of perspective I guess.
Continental Divide Trail 2006 - Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape (http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=45)
I've seen poncho tarps in the past and I was not impressed. Not much space for sleeping, turns into a big sail in the wind, too exposed overall for Western hiking. Then I saw Ron Moak's design at the 2006 ADZPCTKOP (http://siechert.org/adz/) . I was impressed! Very easy to setup, enough room for a person who is not overly tall and though it does have potential to get too "billowly" in the wind, no where as bad as a traditional poncho. (My bear bagging rope should take care of any billowing). For an item of gear named after one of the pioneers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grandma_Gatewood) of KISS backpacking it works well: simple, functional, multi-purpose.
It worked great as a shelter; I did not like it so much as raingear. Then again, I never did get into ponchos..probably most drag on the ground for a short guy like me. :) Most ponchos are sized for someone a bit taller than my 5'6" frame. For those who love ponchos AND love an easy to setup and light shelter, this would fit the bill great!
Current shelter of choice - Six Moon Designs Wild Oasis (http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=48)
As you can see, the Wild Oasis is essentially the Gatewood Cape minus the poncho portion. I LOVE this shelter. Light, easy to setup, built in bug netting. It really does fit my love of the KISS principle!
As FG mentioned, if you are on the taller side (I have no hard data to back this up, but I'd say 5'10" or so taller) than both shelters may be too small. Since I am on the shorter side, the shelter space fits my needs well.
I used both shelters in varied conditions...including wet, heavy Fall snow:
http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=14331&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=f78a3e9fade375390b8197797125e37a
I have the Wild Oasis and really like it. It is a little limited in that you can only sit up in it by being toward the front of the shelter. But, for sleeping it is more then adequate. I am 5'10" and set up normally, I have plenty of room. I would buy it again if something were to happen to it. A good quality product from Six Moon Designs. I have ridden out several rain storms in it and as long as you are carefull about site placement there is no problem.
SMD makes some great gear. The Wild Oasis is definitely a tent to consider for those hikes for all the reasons FG has mentioned, but I ditto the ventilation and tall hiker concerns. I'm 6'4" and it's just a no go with this tent for me!
I just got the Gatewood Cape and Serenity Net Tent. Havn't taken it in the woods yet, but I was very impressed with it in the yard. I set it up on a windy night and it was solid.
Low Impact
01-13-2009, 23:21
Low Impact, the CT and JMT this summer??? I like the way U think! Go for it!
Haha.
You know man, after my AT-Thru in 2008... it seems like if I get anything less than 600 miles in this year... I'll be slacking. :D
ChinMusic
01-13-2009, 23:24
Footslogger LOVES his. That tells me a lot.