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I'm looking at setting up a spike camp for second season Colorado elk. I've done this before using a horse and Kelty tent. It was pretty comfortable. I'm considering setting up a spike camp again but without a horse.

Obviously if 2 feet of snow falls, I'm not going to do it but do expect temps in the high teens to 20's at night. I'd plan for light precip but don't expect it.

What tent, or other shelter options, are you guys using for a couple nights out when a horse isn't available? Also, what sleeping pad you guys recommend? I have a self inflating thermarest but was always worried of punctures.

Thanks.

Three of us will be using a SeekOutside LBO base+tarp+base with a stove this fall in CO for 1st season. No horses, and everything packed in and packed out.

When its only mid teens wife and I use a paratipi. We use a Z rest I think is the name, foam pad plus an inflatable one on top. Bulk but not much weight. Good sleeping bags.

All on foot. If I were going and was worried about much snow or colder, it would be our tipi and the Ti stove just in case...

Have hit around 10 in the paratipi and been just fine.

Bill:

It's generally OK to use a 3-season tent during Colorado's 1st season.

You know that I am a fan of double-wall dome tents. My first choice 3-season tent is a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL-1 because it's so light.




But last year, I had it packed away for a Coues deer hunt in Southern AZ.



So I used an old Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight during Colorado's second rifle season. It's an older generation tent so it's built with real strong material and might qualify as a 4-season tent today.


I use an REI Quarter Dome T-2 when I take the grand-son or the dog.


I use a Thermarest NeoAir air mattress and I take 1/2 of a closed cell foam pad. The foam pad can be used for a variety of things including under the NeoAir mostly to minimize my fear of getting a leak in the air mattress. I've never slept so good and will not go back to my old Thermarest Camprest.

KC

KC That is exactly what I was looking for. I have a closed cell pad but I found it close to worthless. Maybe I just need a thicker one.

The other thing I could do is make a 2 tripper to my spike camp. Its only 3.5 miles to the area Im looking at - just dont want to do that walk twice for 3-4 days in a row. I could pack it in Friday,sleep in my base camp Friday night, head to my spot Saturday AM and stay for a couple days after that. That way I could make a big trip on Friday, then hang out for a few days.

CCS sewing Lean 2 plus pictures
Look this up in google for lots of pictures.

The Lean2+ is not suggested often, but I have found it to be quite spacious and easy to pitch with field available sticks.
You get lots of sq. footage and a small tarp attached.
Here in AK. I have used it for spikes and good weather camping.
I have had it out in 25 MPH winds with no problem.
I would not use it for my only tent but it sure is lots of covered area for a little weight.
It is just a simplified Baker tent in silnylon.

Bill:

Generally I carry in my backpack, everything that I will need to setup a camp. I also carry all my hunting gear (the rifle is the heaviest item) and at least four days of food. So I only make one trip to get to camp, which is usually only about 3 or 4 miles from the trailhead. The total weight of my entire rig, including rifle and ammo, weighs about 40#.

I stay there until I kill something or I decide that I'm not going to see anything to kill. Then I move camp if I still have some food left, or I go back to the trailhead, spend a night there, and go back in to another area.

I count on being able to rent a horse to haul out an elk. I think you and I rent from the same people.

KC

Budman - good info. I'm at the gym waiting for the wife to get done but will do more research when I get home. It looks promising. I've slept under a tarp several times but it doesnt keep the dew and critters off.


Thanks.

I checked this out as well. How did it work in the snow/sleet/rain/wind on Sunday this year?

It did very well in high wings, low temps, and general schit over New Year's week.

I always thought the tipi idea seemed like a good idea with a stove

here we go....

Where we going?

whambasted:

It's going to take more than that to lure me into another debate.

KC

Guess that is a touchy subject

Can anyone recommend an American made tent

Big Agnes is located in Steamboat Springs, CO. The Copper Spur UL-1 and UL-2 are excellent backpacking tents. They make a lot of their gear there. I visited their shop once. But I think some of their gear is manufactured overseas.

MSR is located in Seattle. They make several good tents. The Hubba Hubba is an excellent good 2-man backpacking tent. All their gear is made in USA.

KC

All Big Agnes's gear is sewn off-shore, as are all MSR tents.

Tarpte t is made here. I like their tents if the weather isn't going to be completely garbage.

Whambasted makes some darn nice tents/tipis. As do others. Two feet of snow? Damn Straight I'd want a stove...