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I'm re-thinking my tent choice..........

I've owned a Kelty Gunnison for 15 years or so and it has been a great tent for general camping not involving backpacking. As a result, I bought a Kelty Outfitter Pro 2 tent this summer for backpacking thinking I wanted durability and snow considerations. I thought an extra couple pounds wasn't a big deal - until I packed it in/on my backpack (Osprey Aether 70). The issue is both weight and packed size of the tent. I need to keep the tent out of the backpack because it takes up too much space in the backpack. I can comfortably get all my elk hunting stuff in the backpack but need to lash the tent to the outside of the pack. On the outside, it makes the whole backpack feel awkward. In summer, it hasn't been a big deal because I don't take as much stuff compared to late season packs. I can put the tent inside the pack and all the rest of my junk.

Doing some research and talking to folks on the 'Fire, several use the Big Agnes Copper Spur. I've also seen a few using Sierra Designs tents. My purpose is 2-3 day spike camp setups looking in remote areas for elk/deer. I don't plan on spike camp hunting in a bunch of snow - anything more than 6-8" and I'll do day hikes. I think a decent 3 season tent will suffice. I'm not keen on spending $4-500 for a tent and am looking at acceptable lighter weight options than my current tent. If I need to spend that much so be it but I've gotten along well with tier 2 gear for most of my life and never felt handicapped. Plus I'm cheap

What are some decent lightweight tent options for October elk hunting in the Rockies?

Hillberg Nallo 2 person is what I'm planning on purchasing sometime soon. Moose jaw has them for sale, but probably more than you want to spend.http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/product_Hilleberg-Nallo-2-Person-Tent_10101453_10208_10000001_-1_

I'd go with a floorless tipi-style tent. Most bang for the buck (and weight). If you can find an SL-5 on ebay they're good, or one of the Seek Outside tents.

Stupid question - what is an SL-5?

See GoLite 2? topic in this forum

Go-lite SL-5, they're no longer in business, so they're tougher to find. Floorless tipi style tent.

What time of year and what temps are you expecting? It's a big,(very big) investment but a floorless shelter with a stove is really by far the best option for backback hunting past mid Oct. It can be done somewhat cheaper by building your own stove. I'm sure KC will be along shortly to tell you how horrible an idea that is...

First and/or second season elk in Colorado - mid to late October. I've run into 70 degrees down to below zero. Most years its 20 in the AM, 45 in the PM. Snow has been an issue some years. I shot a bull in second season about 5-6 years ago standing in snow over my knees. Likely won't be doing the backpack thing when its like that. I'm planning on: 20-50 degrees, sunny with some rain and a small snowfalls (2-3"), pack in 3-5 miles for 2-3 day stints. Warmer/drier isn't an issue other than sweating. Colder/snowier is.

That's the crux of it. And were the benefit of a heat source really shines.

Just doing a bit of quick searching here's a good option

http://www.rei.com/product/846614/big-agnes-fishhook-ul2-tent

The REI quarter dome also has a good rep.

If you don't need something right away I'd watch the rokslide and kifaru forum classifieds for a deal on something used, especially come next spring when guys decide they need to try something new.

That's the choice I made for similar use, and after two seasons like it better. I've used my 6 man SeekOutside tipi down to -25 in Canadian Rockies in November. 4 lbs. for the tipi alone, which gives space 13 ft across and 8 ft high. This tipi is the most versatile and modifiable shelter I've used other than an infinitely variable flat tarp. I'm still tinkering with homemade stoves and unless it was deeply cold would not backpack a stove in dry, cold climate but would cope with the condensation. Have done that.

For BP I don't pack a center pole nor pegs but improvise with materials where ever we camp. We tie out to logs or rocks etc. and can't peg it in frozen ground anyway. Also, I don't BP it solo but go with minimal tarp if alone.

Last week we used the tipi as a cook and hang out shelter on a camp-by-the-road tent foray near the Yukon border of BC. We slept in a quality dry tent with an added blue tarp rain roof. I pitched the tipi 12 inches higher than usual and loved it.

We sat on folding chairs with a table and stove, dry and wind protected in lots of rain. For such use near a vehicle, next time I plan to pitch it 18 inches off the ground suspended from outside with no center pole, and make a 2 ft. high tarp skirt buttoned to the loops around the edges. Voila - lots of inside space and removeable side walls.

Take a look at some of the Tarptent shelters.

I like duel entry, duel vestibules. Easy to set up is a big + too, as the last thing I want to be doing in the dark while exhausted, wet, and cold is fighting with a tent.

http://www.tarptent.com/double-moment.html#

moment (1man) shown here with Crossing pole to help with snow.

http://www.tarptent.com/momentdw.html

The Double Moment is 3.25pds

I've got a 1 Man Moment and like. If weights an issue you don't want a GL SL 5 I have a GL SL 4 and its 4.5 pounds but there is plenty of room for two men and gear.

I'm a Six Moons Design slut I l love the Lunar solo and just biatch slap the snow off it.

Had a Lunar Duo and should have never sold it. And will own another soon.

There's actually a bunch of good stuff out there right around 3.5 pounds that will fill your needs

If you like more room and two vestibules for 2-3 days I'd seriously look at the Lunar duo at 2.5 pounds. TT double Moment would be a winner too.

If ya get a wild hair and want to spend over $400 on a shelter more bomb proof than the 6moons or the TT I've spent time in a KUIU Mountain Star and its a damn nice shelter and comes in at 3.5 pounds.. Great tent actually.. $$$

Really like the looks and features of the Double Moment. I'll investigate.

I also liked the looks/features of the Six Moons Luna Duo. Haven't figured out why the price difference between the Explorer and Outfitter models but will call on Monday to figure it out.

Thanks for posting!

Stopped at REI today. Looked at the Big Agnes Copper Spur, Fly Creek, and REI Quarter dome. I like the CS alot. The Quarter dome isn't a bad tent but the CS is a bit bigger.

Six Moon Lunar Duo is hard to beat for weight. Dual vestibule, dual entry. Like a tarp with a bug net and floor. Two versions of materials to hit two price points. Just works.

Looks like $150 buys you 1 less pound.

Keep an eye out the Duo often goes on sale making it almost impossible to not own..

Big Agnes Foidel Canyon 2.

Hang on to your wallet.......

I had the chance to look one over this summer, it's got the features I like.



Casey

I am surprised no one has recommended a bivy. I bought a used Big Agnes 3 wire bivy this last summer and have used it a lot this year. I absolutely love it! It is light, it is comfortable and it is weather proof. I took it fishing in the rain last month and woke up floating in a large puddle/small lake on my air mattress. I was completely dry until I got out.

With a small backpacking tarp this is a complete shelter. Be aware, a tent will add 5 degrees to your bag, this will add 15. Here are some factory seconds from Big Agnes:

https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Tent/ThreeWireBivySack

I found mine on Craigslist, but I have seen them on backpacking light as well.

Floorless.

Gl sl4 is great

Gl utopia is great

8x10 silnylon tarp is great in timber out of the wind

Next purchase: probably bearpaw wilderness designs la Garrita 2

Don't camp in low places.

Big Agnes Slater UL+
Big Agnes Slater UL+
Don't have any experience with these, but they are light and long. 96" length and 3lbs for the two man at list price of $360.
Seems like a winner.

This one is under 5lbs for a three man with a real vestibule.
Plus, I beleive you could put a stove in the vestibule and have a super shelter.
Big Agnes Slater UL3+

CCS makes a Lean 2 Plus shelter that is very close to a lightweight campfire tent. I like mine a lot because you get a great view while you relax around camp. It is 5 foot tall at the entry. Weights 3 pounds.

http://www.shop.cookecustomsewing.com/product.sc?productId=194
http://www.cookecustomsewing.com/images/leansetup.pdf

Such sagely wisdom, much helpfulness, many thanks.

There may have been a large amount of alcohol consumed prior to choosing a spot for my bivy. Also since it was the cascades, it was the only place not covered in blackberry bushes.

Anyway, the bivy weighs less than 2lbs, sleeps like a tent and packs nicely. I can leave my air pad, sleeping bag, and pillow inside of it, roll it up and put it in the bottom on my MR 6500 as one unit. Doing this it takes me less than 5 minutes to set up and tear down.

Sage wisdom indeed! Problem is that even the high spots in the NW seem to have puddles when the ground is saturated!

That copper spur is a nice tent. I have had good luck with the MSR hubba style tents (either the mesh, or solid versions, whichever you like). The MSR would be my reco.

I haven't used the tipi style so i cant comment on those. have always rolled with the backpacker style.

All the sierra designs tents Ive delt with have been a little wonky. Just doesnt seem like the design or the quality is on par with some of the other brands.

I bought a bivy over the summer ... have not managed to sleep in it. I get claustrophobic in it just lying on the livingroom floor. Full bore whip-out-the-pocket-knife-and-slash-an-escape-route panic. I didn't know I had that particular twitch.

I also have a Tarptent Notch ... somewhat the same issue. I've used it once in the woods. A bit too confining. Also wasn't much protection from an overnight downslope wind.

Tarptent makes pretty innovative stuff. I'm tempted to toss both of those on a large fire this winter and try the new ProTrail in their place. It appears a bit more roomy for similar weight.

Tom

I've used a Back Country Shelter (BCS), combined with an EdT Ti stove the last four years. If that's not the perfect combo, I don't know what is. Truly lightweight, packs small, and you can be warm and comfortable in the nastiest conditions. I hunt CO 1st rifle and have seen conditions that range from beautiful to very wet and temps in the teens. It's not in the price you mentioned, but it is one purchase I don't regret at all. It has been fantastic.

For reference here is the weight: I didn't look, but that probably includes a couple trioxane bars in the stove bag.