1 person 4-season tent
j walker
Can anyone recommend a small 1-2 person (primarily wanted for 1
person) 4-season tent at around 2kg? I'm looking at the Microlight but
not sure how good it is in snow condition. Does anybody has any
experience with it in the snow?
I've also been looking at Bibler I Tent too and am willing to pay for
it. Good size for the weight (under 2kg) but if I can only use it in
high altitude then it's not good enough value for money. I don't
suppose it's acceptable to tent in an I-Tent mid summer in Sydney?
I mainly want it for my forthcoming ski touring trips (try to keep my
pack well under 15kg) but if it's 4 season I can use it for extended
canyoning trip too in the summer.
Incidentally I'm interested to find out what people do / what people
carry on ski touring trip when you intend to occupy a tent alone.
Surely nobody is going to share the load of your tent so how heavy is
your pack?
Any comments very much appreciated. Thanks.
JW
Why me
On 24 Jul 2002 17:08:15 -0700, johnywa...@hotmail.com (j walker)
wrote:
PeteM
> Can anyone recommend a small 1-2 person (primarily wanted for 1
> person) 4-season tent at around 2kg? I'm looking at the Microlight but
> not sure how good it is in snow condition. Does anybody has any
> experience with it in the snow?
Yes, I have hudled in a microlight in a blizzard.
The plus is that the small size means that it has a very small footprint to
the wind. My tent sat solid while others flapped about.
The downside is that snow tends to build up on the sloping walls and push
down on it so you have to get out and clear it from time to time. The design
of a tunnel tent which has walls that are vertical at the point where they
meet the ground is probably better for a snow tent. I suspect that this is
the reason that the Microlight is rated 3 season. In all other respects it
is great.
David Noble
j walker wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Can anyone recommend a small 1-2 person (primarily wanted for 1
> person) 4-season tent at around 2kg? I'm looking at the Microlight but
> not sure how good it is in snow condition. Does anybody has any
> experience with it in the snow?
>
> I've also been looking at Bibler I Tent too and am willing to pay for
> it. Good size for the weight (under 2kg) but if I can only use it in
> high altitude then it's not good enough value for money. I don't
> suppose it's acceptable to tent in an I-Tent mid summer in Sydney?
I use a Macpac Minaret if I am camping by myself in the snow in NSW (or
high in the mountains of Tassie or NZ). This tent weighs about 2.5kg -
but has a lot of inside room - nice if you are stormbound. It stands up
very well to snow and wind (and rain). It also folds up into a reasonably
small bundle. You can fit two in it if needed. In my opinion - it offers
a lot more usable room inside given the slight increase in weight and
bulk over a Microlight.
In snow I cook on a gas stove inside the annex or inside the tent in very
bad weather.
>
>
> I mainly want it for my forthcoming ski touring trips (try to keep my
> pack well under 15kg) but if it's 4 season I can use it for extended
> canyoning trip too in the summer.
I would not take a snow tent canyoning! This is a crazy idea (except for
fixed camps perhaps). If abseiling with a pack - you need it as light as
possible. Its better to just take a fly.
Dave
NotMyRealName
> it. Good size for the weight (under 2kg) but if I can only use it in
> high altitude then it's not good enough value for money. I don't
> suppose it's acceptable to tent in an I-Tent mid summer in Sydney?
I asked a similar question about the Bibler Pinon/Juniper tents
earlier this month. I wasn't able to find anyone who had actually used
these tents in Australian conditions. I decided to purchase the tent
and try it. If I don't like it I can always sell it. If you are
prepared to risk losing around $500.00 (what you would likely lose if
you sold the tent in good condition) then why not buy one and try it
out?
An alternative is to purchase two cheaper tents, one for snow camping
and one for normal use. If you can afford the I-Tent then you can
probably afford this.
Do you live near a Paddy Pallin store? If you are a member of the
Paddy Pallin club you can purchase the I-Tent at 20% off the normal
price for a limited time (can't remember the exact dates but around
the 31st of August).
j walker
and can recommend it? I tend to think bivy is largely unsuitable as a
snow shelter. Does anyone have any experience on this?
Why me <i_t...@tpg.com.au> wrote in message news:<7eiuju0t4b6jgem9m...@4ax.com>...
> buy yourself a bivy
>
j walker
> high in the mountains of Tassie or NZ). This tent weighs about 2.5kg -
> but has a lot of inside room - nice if you are stormbound. It stands up
> very well to snow and wind (and rain). It also folds up into a reasonably
> small bundle. You can fit two in it if needed. In my opinion - it offers
> a lot more usable room inside given the slight increase in weight and
> bulk over a Microlight.
>
Even tho I haven't used one (I have a Macpac Hemisphere), I am a big
fan of Minaret. If I'm a stronger and better skier, and can cut the
weight somewhere else, I'd probably settle with Minaret. At close to
3kg I think it'd be too heavy for me. I share the load of Hemisphere
with my girlfriend (I only take the inner) and at 2kg it's the
"maximum ideal weight" I'd like to carry on ski trip. Tho having said
that, I think owning both Hemisphere and Minaret at the same time
should earn me the title of Macpac Afficianado... still, not as bad as
being a Microsoft Afficianado at work...
> In snow I cook on a gas stove inside the annex or inside the tent in very
> bad weather.
>
>
> I would not take a snow tent canyoning! This is a crazy idea (except for
> fixed camps perhaps). If abseiling with a pack - you need it as light as
> possible. Its better to just take a fly.
>
> Dave
If the tent is 2kg or less would it still be too much? I've never done
canyoning trip where I need to abseil with overnight pack, tho this is
certainly forthcoming this summer. What is the manageable pack weight
for abseiling in canyon context?
I'm quite keen on the BlackDiamond Megamid/Betamid suggestion. How's
that for canyoning too? (see my other reply in this tread). I'm happy
with a fly overnight in mid summer tho at this stage I'm thinking
perhaps a light weight tent would be a good idea for canyoning in
colder months.
J Walker
you
> can make a snow bivy, which is just a hollow hole from a pile of snow, a
> snow cave, a hole shovelled out on the side of the hill, or there is an
> another alternative.
>
> Most people if they are camping on the snow or a glacier, and don't have
> the time to build an extensive shelter, use a tent, or one of the best
> things for snow travel, a Black Diamond Megamid, which is incredible easy
to
> set up, a great protector against the wind, and very light, (just a one
> piece) I rather use a megamid than a Four Season Tent and a footprint for
> the bottom of thermarest, and I am pretty content.
Now I'm really interested in this idea. Megamid/Betamid comes with floor
option and together they are less than 2kg. If it works I think I'll settle
with this. Considering the pyramid shape of mega/betamid, I'm quite
surprised that they are primarily built as a snow shelter. How do you find
it in a snow storm/strong wind condition? When snowing does the snow not
built up at the skirt requiring constant maintenance? And does it get much
colder in one of these than in a traditional double skin tent like Minerat?
Did you need a very warm sleeping bag?
I suppose ultimately when used with a floor Megamid is sort of a single skin
gable tent. Does make me wonder the performance difference between this and
Bibler I-Tent - same concept at almost four times the price.
I appreciate all comments from users of Megamid/Betamid as overnight tent in
snow condition. Well, and in canyoning context too. Seems to me that
mega/betamid is interchangable with a fly sheet for canyoning shelter,
except it's slightly heavier and require the use of a pole (or a tree
branch).
Glendon
well. Do a Google search on megamid betamid in this newsgroup to get earlier
threads, and my earlier comments. I use it as a lightweight backup for quick
trips,in case huts are full, or get caught out. It stands up to rough
weather very well (can be guyed down), but heavy wet snow does weigh it
down, needs to be pushed off. Condensation is a problem. Getting away in the
morning means unfreezing/digging out the bottom edge...with care. For an
extended snow camping trip, I take a purpose built snow tent.
My son is pretty keen on the megamid, keeps borrowing mine...maybe I will
take the hint!
Also, a great summer tent.
Lee Martin
"J Walker" <johnywa...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:ahp39m$36c$1...@lust.ihug.co.nz...
NotMyRealName
> Paddy Pallin club you can purchase the I-Tent at 20% off the normal
> price for a limited time (can't remember the exact dates but around
> the 31st of August).
>
> http://www.paddypallin.com.au
Correction:
Paddy Pallin have 20% off all non-sale items on the 1st and 2nd of
August for Paddy Pallin Club members only. Discounts apply only to
stock on hand (no orders).
Bibler I-Tent, Normally $1290.00, Less 20% $1,032.00, Save $258.00
Black Diamond Megamid, Normally $399.00, Less 20% $319.20, Save $79.80
Macpac Microlight, Normally $549.00, Less 20% $439.20, Save $109.80
Macpac Minaret, Normally $769.00, Less 20% $615.20, Save $153.80
Roy
option.
I have a cheapy Eureka one man tent which does me for three seasons, and a
WE Second Arrow if I'm expecting anything more than that.
The Eureka weighs just over 1.5 kgs and the WE just under 3 kgs.
"NotMyRealName" <purples...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:c5282c0a.02072...@posting.google.com...
David Noble
j walker wrote:
> > I use a Macpac Minaret if I am camping by myself in the snow in NSW (or
> > high in the mountains of Tassie or NZ). This tent weighs about 2.5kg -
> > but has a lot of inside room - nice if you are stormbound. It stands up
> > very well to snow and wind (and rain). It also folds up into a reasonably
> > small bundle. You can fit two in it if needed. In my opinion - it offers
> > a lot more usable room inside given the slight increase in weight and
> > bulk over a Microlight.
> >
>
> Even tho I haven't used one (I have a Macpac Hemisphere), I am a big
> fan of Minaret. If I'm a stronger and better skier, and can cut the
> weight somewhere else, I'd probably settle with Minaret. At close to
> 3kg I think it'd be too heavy for me.
Even though the Minaret is a bit heavier - it is pretty snug. So you may be
able to cut weight somewhere else. Eg - take a lighter sleeping bag.
>
> If the tent is 2kg or less would it still be too much? I've never done
> canyoning trip where I need to abseil with overnight pack, tho this is
> certainly forthcoming this summer. What is the manageable pack weight
> for abseiling in canyon context?
As light as possible, Eg - do not carry a wetsuit, instead use thermals which
you can wear in the evenings as well. Carry shorter, thinner ropes (eg 40m
9mm), and carry a fly - not a tent. No stove of course - cook on a fire. The
only advantage of a tent - is that it may be mosquito proof (otherwise you can
take repellent or a net to put inside your fly). There are also plenty of camp
caves (overhangs) in the Northern Blue Mts - the best place for extended
canyoning trips. The Megamid option seems to involve lots of $$$$ instead of
perhaps $30 for a fly. I generally use a fly for most overnight
bushwalking/canyoning trips in the Blue Mts and take an old tent for base camp
trips.
I have used a fly in Tasmania (fine for river trips) - eg for a Western Arthur
Range traverse - and it was fine - but I did know some very sheltered places
to pitch it. I would not like to use a fly (or Megamid) for most ski touring -
except for a super liightweight trip or emergency accomodation.
Dave
J Walker
weighting up which one to buy.
"NotMyRealName" <purples...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:c5282c0a.02072...@posting.google.com...
Aushiker
I suggest you check out the test reports on the Golite Hex 2 4-season
shelter which is similar to the Megamid before passing judgement.
See the test reports at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest/files/Shelters/Tarps%20and%20%20Bivys/.
If you have a look at Dawn Harkins Field Report, you can see some
photos of the shelter being used in snow conditions and read her
amusing experience with it.
Well worth checking out.
Regards
Andrew
On Fri, 26 Jul 2002 19:25:54 +1000, David Noble
<dno...@ozemail.com.au> wrote:
> I would not like to use a fly (or Megamid) for most ski touring -
>except for a super liightweight trip or emergency accomodation.
Aushiker
You can read an owners review of the Black Diamond Betamid at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest/files/Shelters/Tarps%20and%20%20Bivys/.
This is similar to the Megamid.
Also BackpackGearTest is currently testing the GoLite Hex 2 4 season
shelter which is a similar concept to the Black Diamond.
See the test reports at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest/files/Shelters/Tarps%20and%20%20Bivys/.
If you have a look at Dawn Harkins Field Report, you can see some
photos of the shelter being used in snow conditions and read her
assuming experience with it.
Well worth checking out.
Regards
Andrew
On Fri, 26 Jul 2002 00:51:33 +1000, "J Walker"
<johnywa...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>Now I'm really interested in this idea. Megamid/Betamid comes with floor
>option and together they are less than 2kg.
Marshall Wilkinson
Aushiker <aushikerATyahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:kvl4ku0lf6s03bgd0...@4ax.com...
> Hi
>
> You can read an owners review of the Black Diamond Betamid at
>
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest/files/Shelters/Tarps%20and%20
%20Bivys/.
> This is similar to the Megamid.
>
Condensation sounds like a big issue with this tent, from what the reviewer
said about this first night. Many on this NG before have said ventilation is
important, especially in snow. I tend to agree.
Marsh.
David Noble
Ted Waldron wrote:
> On 26/7/02 02:25, in article 3D4115A2...@ozemail.com.au, "David Noble"
> <dno...@ozemail.com.au> wrote:
>
> > I would not like to use a fly (or Megamid) for most ski touring -
> > except for a super liightweight trip or emergency accomodation.
> >
> > Dave
>
> I guess you haven't done many ski tours. Megamid is a great shelter on a
> ski mountaineering trip. Try it in the Canadian Rockies sometime, you will
> be surprise.
Not too many I guess (living in Australia - the snow is not too good a lot of
the time) - but perhaps have done about 20 week long ski tours over the years
(plus lots of shorter trips) - and these have been in Australian conditions -
ski touring and not ski mountaineering where you have different considerations
- eg carrying rope and ice tools means you may have to cut down weight
somewhere else.
I have used bivvy bags, snow caves and other types of shelter (eg a fly placed
on skis and stocks over a dug out trench) - and in my opinion would much rather
use a tent where possible and practicable when ski touring.
>
>
> Ted
>
> Bring a stove, campfires take too long and they leave a mark on the land.
Here the consideration was for canyoning - and a stove is not sensible. Fires
can leave marks, but in most canyon situations the scar can be buried (eg fire
lit on sand or leaf mold)
Dave
J Walker
Good stuff Dave. After much pondering I've decided on a minaret. At the end
of the day I want an easy/good nght sleep and not have to spend time to
build/maintain the shelter. Hopefully my skiing skill will improve with time
and the weight will feel less and less hindering over time.
At the mean time I'm thinking of reducing my load weight by
(a) replacing my standard thermarest with an ultralight 3/4
(b) replacing my aluminium pot with a titanium one
(c) leave ground sheet and snow pegs behind
(d) cut out unnecessary mesh pockets in the minaret ? (don't think this
achive much tho)
(e) slimline first aid kid and put contents in zip lock bag instead of
the supplied zip-pouch
(f) leave all toiletries behind except toothbrush/paste (hmmmmm.......
that's what Couloir Mag recommends)
This should cut it down by about 1 kg+. I think further reconfiguration will
come after this trip but for now I'll settle with this. Anyone has any idea
about sheding more weight?
Incidentally anyone ever use a polycarbonate shovel and can recommend it?
They seem light and strong but I've never seen one in the field.
Finally thank you all for your input. I hope soon we have more options
available in Oz like they do in North America to make this easeir. (such as
Stephenson's WarmLite tent). Maybe one day.
"David Noble" <dno...@ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
news:3D44F2EA...@ozemail.com.au...
Paul Davis
For longer trips I have concentrated on cutting down on the weight of food
by
- using a food dryer and optimising the amount I take
- by maximising the efficiency of my cooker to reduce fuel (which might
actually mean carrying a bit of extra hardware to get a net weight saving)
- by looking critically at my clothes (I take a lot less spare these days)
The ultralight thermarest might be a bit cool in the snow. 3/4 length is OK
though - put feet on pack
Cheers Paul