Winter tent

[Karrmer]

Looked around for a good thread on this and didn't find much..

Any advice on a good solo winter (4 season) tent? I plan on using a light Tarptent for the majority of the time but if I hit up Alaska/mountain ranges in Utah/Colorado/general snowy and winter conditions I'd like something far more sturdy...

I was mainly looking into the Hilleburg Soulo, any opinions on that or any other better options? I just want something that can handle a pretty heavy snowstorm / rainstorm that isn't enormously heavy. Easy to set up is nice too. And durable. And awesome.

[winger]

You mentioned Tarptent, and I have a Contrail, but have you checked out Henry's new Scarp 1? I purchased a couple of months ago and it is my favorite go to tent now, when I need that extra weather protection.

[MintakaCat]

The best I could find for winter is the ParaTipi from Kifaru. Here's a photo of mine:

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/9/3/7/7/march8b.jpg

These tents are designed to on handle all kinds of rough winter weather. No matter how cold it gets you wount have to worry about staying warm in one of these.

Here's their web address:

http://www.kifaru.net/

[bigcranky]

If I needed a serious winter tent I'd want a 2-person version just to have the extra room inside for those long storms. The Nallo 2 and Nallo 2 GT are nice, and fairly light for 2-person winter tents:

http://estore.websitepros.com/1764795/Detail.bok?category=Tents&no=62&searchpath=21952018

[Tom Murphy]

A few points:

- you can use a single wall tent since condensation is not as big a problem

- if you will be setting up camp inan area exposed to wind and/or heavy snow loads, get a tent rated for 4 seasons, they will have more poles and guyots points

- if you are below tent line and the expected snow load is light, then you can use a three season tent

- you will definately want room for your gear inside, so go winter solo with a 2-person tent

[Snowleopard]

Lightweight floorless pyramid tents have often been used in winter often dug into the snow. For more extreme conditions they may not be suitable.
http://oware.com/
http://mountainlaureldesign.com/

[snowhoe]

I camp in winter in Colorado with my seedhouse. I have not been in a huge snow storm with it though. I have been in VERY heavy rain with it and it held up just fine.

[MintakaCat]

Here's another photo of a ParaTipi, this one in a heavy snow:

http://www.kifaru.net/images/parasnow.jpg

If you get one be sure to get the stakes used for snow and the snow platform for the wood stove.

[take-a-knee]

Lightweight floorless pyramid tents have often been used in winter often dug into the snow. For more extreme conditions they may not be suitable.
http://oware.com/
http://mountainlaureldesign.com/

Yes, something like a Kifaru or Ti Goat tipi would be great in the winter, but not a good choice for winter plus altitude. So, it would depend on what you were doing and where.

[Snowleopard]

If you don't already own a tarptent, some of them would work for winter. The thing to look for is a more peaked roof (tipis or pyramids are good). A flatter roof tends to get squashed by a heavy snow load.

Tunnel tents work well in extreme conditions. Hilleberg makes some that are bombproof. Stephenson's Warmlite makes light tunnel tents that are very windproof (but not breathable, vapor barrier clothing is recommended by them).

[Snowleopard]

Sorry, URL error: oware pyramids are at http://owareusa.com/

[MintakaCat]

Yes, something like a Kifaru or Ti Goat tipi would be great in the winter, but not a good choice for winter plus altitude.

Yeah, I know what you mean.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3349/3547023320_ec0de2c4c7.jpg?v=0
Oops, now how did that happen? :rolleyes:

[take-a-knee]

Yeah, I know what you mean.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3349/3547023320_ec0de2c4c7.jpg?v=0
Oops, now how did that happen? :rolleyes:

Well, I still see trees there. Go set it up on Mt Washington this New Years and leave it for a month or two. I'm not saying Kifaru doesn't make awesome tipis, if I ever get a chance to hunt out west I will own one. Patrick Smith would be the first to say, I believe, that they are not mountaineering shelters. Even the best mountaineering tents can be destroyed by some storms if they aren't dug in and sheilded.

[winger]

https://www.tarptent.com/scarp1.html

[Tipi Walter]

Looked around for a good thread on this and didn't find much..

Any advice on a good solo winter (4 season) tent? I plan on using a light Tarptent for the majority of the time but if I hit up Alaska/mountain ranges in Utah/Colorado/general snowy and winter conditions I'd like something far more sturdy...

I was mainly looking into the Hilleburg Soulo, any opinions on that or any other better options? I just want something that can handle a pretty heavy snowstorm / rainstorm that isn't enormously heavy. Easy to set up is nice too. And durable. And awesome.

The reason you didn't find much here is because strict 4 season tents are heavier than the usual 3 season tents, therefore hardly anyone carries them. I know a guy who carries a North Face Mountain tent in the winter when he's planning on snow and high winds, and the tent has been tested in some rough conditions, along with the VE25(too heavy for solo use). Many people swear by the Hilleberg tunnels, especially the Nammatj and the Keron. And then there's a whole crew of people who love the Mountain Hardwear Trangos, and what's not to love? It's a beefy, strong many-poled dome tent made for high winds and snow.

The single poled tipi tents started out as bivouac tents designed by Yvon Chouinard and were meant to be used in snow with a snow-bank covering the outside perimeter. Black Diamond has evolved the old Chouinard Pyramid and sells it as the Mega and the Mega Light, and then again GoLite as the old Hex, etc. And of course the Kifarus and T. Goats.

I spent the winter of '86 in a Chouinard Pyramid and found it to be unsuited to high winds on open balds w/o snow. It never could hug the ground snug enough to keep from billowing in a high wind and I spent many nights holding down the leading edge from blowing up like an umbrella. And any tent that allows wind-blown snow into it I would not consider a four season tent and would place it in the same category as a tarp.

Much discussion here on Whiteblaze about the Tarptents has generally shown that they are not recommended for winter use, although the new self supporting models with the outside crossed poles(the Scarp?)could disprove this. The verdict's still out on it.

The Soulo is a lighter version, a much lighter version, of the Allak, which is itself a slightly smaller and lighter version of the Staika. The Soulo is a tiny tent, and care must be given to the need for a larger tent in the winter for several reasons. One is to cut down a bit on condensation, another is a place to have all your gear inside or in vestibules during an ice storm or blizzard. Another is the reality of having to spent 3 or 4 or 5 days stuck in your tent during a zero degree blizzard.

Tiny tents also increase the possiblity of wetting your sleeping bag with contact from the tent walls, and many tents don't allow for ample room at the foot of the sleeping bag for this. Single walls like the Integral Designs MK3 are often too short and invariably the sleeping bag foot gets wet. The Hilleberg tunnels are also known for being too short, and the company recommends wrapping a rain jacket over the foot of the bag in the winter to keep it dry.

And so, when all these things are added up, it's no wonder mountaineers and people who stay out in snow and cold and high winds, generally end up carrying larger, stronger, non-mesh--though heavier--four season style tents.

[MintakaCat]

Well, I still see trees there.

And you should. Not much use in taking a Kifaru (with a wood stove) above the timber line where there's no wood.

I think this post started with someone asking for input on a winter tent. I'm not sure how the idea that this had to be at a real high elevation, say above the timber line. But I agree, if you don't see trees then don't take the Kifaru. :D

[take-a-knee]

And you should. Not much use in taking a Kifaru (with a wood stove) above the timber line where there's no wood.

I think this post started with someone asking for input on a winter tent. I'm not sure how the idea that this had to be at a real high elevation, say above the timber line. But I agree, if you don't see trees then don't take the Kifaru. :D

Yeah, I ain't dissin' your tipi MinCat. I wish I had one just like it. My mountaineering days are behind me but I hope I have a few elk hunting days ahead.

[rootball]

There is a good post on bpl about the tapered end of the Nallo that can cause wetness problems at the foot end of your bag if you are over 70 inches tall. Some folks stuff sto-sacks at the foot end to reduce the effects of bag touching tent body. I would want a little more tent than a solo for serious winter. The extra room could prove beneficial if you get blasted for a few days.

[MintakaCat]

Yeah, I ain't dissin' your tipi MinCat. I wish I had one just like it. My mountaineering days are behind me but I hope I have a few elk hunting days ahead.

No problem, lol, something tells me that with this tent my mountaineering days are ahead of me. ;)

My problem is to not take on more than I can handle. In other words, to not let the tent give me a false sense of security.

[Toolshed]

Tipi Walter has it right on and knows what he is talking about!!!
I used an Outbound Nova (Megamid Knockoff) for a few years in the early 90's and while it would stand up to snowfalls, it was horrendous in the high winds and wind blown snow or if camping anywhere near anyone with dogs (they would find a way under the sides).

My tent of choice is my Kelty Windfoil 2P or 3P. the 2P is 8 lbs and 3P is 9 lbs. (note: it is not the Windfoil Ultralight). These are Hoop/tunnel tents that were made to take snowloads and built to last. Unfortunately they are very difficult to find, as Kelty stopped making them in the early 2000's and they listed for $575. I have weathered quite a few storms and snowloads in these tents and really like them.

My second choice tent is an inexpensive (~$200) Eureka Alpenlite 2 person tent. This is a 2P 2 vestibule well-made shelter that comes in at a paltry 6 lbs. and is virtually bombproof and easy on your wallet. I have spent night after night in this in the ADKs and love it.
I like some of the TNFs (VE25)and MH's but never had more than a few winter nights in each of them.

You could also pose your question at VFTT and get a number of hearty winter campers chiming in.

[FamilyGuy]

I agree with TipiWalter on this (what the hell?). Hillebergs are quite ideal for windy, snowy conditions and the double walled nature manages condensation well. I found the Soulo a little tight for me (6'1) but not cramped. Having said that, I would look at the Jannu and suck up the additional weight (can't believe I said that).

If wind will not be as much a concern, I have used an a-frame type shelter with good success in the snow - the Golite Shangri-La 1 with additional guylines in the front, back, and sides. The steep angles work well in shedding snow and the front and rear high vents allow airflow. However, the steep sides are not as great in the wind (obviously) and the shelter does require trekking poles or similar or can be attached to trees (external hang loops).