This is prompted by Levi's comment that he is selling some packs to finance a Kifaru 12 man. I'm putting it in backpacking because it isn't so much about kids hunting as it is about having kids in the backcountry.
I've got 3 daughters, now aged 3, 7, and 9. Each of them started backpacking around 6 months. For a long time we used a single REI dome tent that has been going strong since the mid 90s. As they got bigger and space got tight and that tent finally wore out, I started to long for a 12 man Kifaru tipi.
By happenstance, we evolved into what I think is a better solution. We carry two shelters. One is a nice light 4 person single wall / double wall hybrid by GoLite. It is the sleeping tent. The other is either a GoLite SL4 or Sierra Designs Origami 4 with a stove in it. That is the cook and gathering tent. As such, it doesn't need to be big enough to sleep everybody, just sit everybody. On a side note, the SD got a new zipper and the pole from a megamid to make it trail worthy. The SD is about the size of a Kifaru 6 man.
The advantages of the two shelter system:
- More flexibility as to sleeping arrangements. Sometimes we only take the sleeping shelter, sometimes I sleep in it with them, sometimes I sleep in the cook tent so I can be up early without waking them, sometimes only one or two daughters go with dad and all I take is the cook tent. As they get older or want to bring friends, it is easier to add space by putting more and more folks over into the cook tent, or even adding another small tent. Also easier to divide the load.
- the fully enclosed sleeping tent is much better for crawling infants than floorless because you can zip it up and they can mook around all they want, sort of like a big crib. you also don't have to keep them away from the stove all the time.
- once the stove goes out, the sleeping tent maintains heat a lot better than a tipi, or you can run a candle lantern all night long and actually get a surprising amount of warmth.
- easier packing. my overnight pack just stays packed with the cook and gathering tent. If it is just me, I'm ready to head out. If they're coming along, I just throw in the sleeping tent as well.
So, I still long for a 12 man, but I'm not sure it would get that much use. For car camping, I could see using it a lot. For backpacking, I think the two shelter system is better. You definitely want a gathering tent with wood stove that can *seat* everybody, but I don't think you want to go much bigger than that. The bigger the shelter, the bigger the stove you have to carry to heat it, and the less useful body heat is.
So that's my thoughts on the matter. May just be sour grapes because I don't have a 12 man
Might have some merit though.
What are other folks experiences with sheltering their families in the backcountry?
