The tipi is designed to actually be pitched WITHOUT the trekking poles (just like any other tipi). The trekkers can just be installed for added support and a place to hang and dry gear. The tipi does just fine without the trekkers installed.
We ship a cut guide with the tipi so that you can cut the stove jack to match your stove pipe size. There is a small hole pre-punched into the fire proof material at the center of where your stove pipe should go.
The tipi comes seam taped from the factory but we always recommend seam sealing as well. We don't offer an option to seam seal before shipping but doing it yourself isn't too hard.
That's all about making sure the stove pipe extends far enough above the tipi that the hot embers don't land on the tent. We recommend an 8 foot stove pipe to ensure you have plenty of clearance.
Correct, when you enter the tipi from either side the footprint is flat with the ground but then increases gradually until you have a full tub wall that runs along the sides.
We've had it in 50+ mph sustained winds with gusts up to about 70 mph but nothing really beyond that. Would love to see someone put it to the test in those extreme AK conditions.
We used a diverse field testing team of industry experts during the product development and testing phase, some of which are associated with rokslide in various ways. We obviously did not release the design before it was officially released for feedback from the general public.
We don't have plans for a skirt at this time because the floor does create a tub wall along the long sides of the tipi. This helps to eliminate the drafts and eliminates any loose fabric from flapping around in the wind.
We've had it in some pretty nasty wind storms with 50+ mph sustained winds with gusts up to 70 mph. Would love to see someone test it beyond that and see how it does.