Opinion on shelters in the PNW

[welpro222]

Hey guys I'm counting down to next week, leaving for 5 days in the high country. So far the weather is looking ok 60's during day and 30's at night. I am having a tuff time deciding which shelter to take with me? I have a nice Sierra Design Lightning 2 UL Sierra Designs Lightning 2 UL Tent - Backpacking Tents - Tents & Shelters - Camp & Hike :: CampSaver.com and of course my Kifaru Megatarp (newest style).

The SD lightning (complete) weighs in at 3lbs 14oz and the megatarp, stakes, and bivy weigh in at about 3lbs + or -. So leaving the weight and ability to use a stove out of the picture.

I have never tried the floorless option yet except in my backyard for 2x nights. So I guess my question would be for you guys in the Pacific NW or similar areas, which shelter would you take and why?

 

[Justin Crossley]

I would take the Megatarp. I prefer floorless because I like to walk right into my tent without having to take my boots off.

 

[welpro222]

That is a benefit of the floorless system, but with the megatarp you have to crawl in?

 

[ianpadron]

I like floorless as well and am also from WA where it gets kinda wet haha. The tough thing about them is if it's already soaked outside, you gotta have a bivvy along or be pretty damn smart with how you lay your ground cloth or you're going to get soaked. I was planning on trying out my new Jimmy Tarps Alpine Basin this past weekend, but it was so dang wet and cold up high that my attempts would have been futile. If I had been carrying a bivvy or larger ground cloth...I probably would have toughed it out. No such thing as the perfect shelter, but if you're in a dry area it's tough to beat a floorless setup like your megatarp IMO.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

 

[Justin Crossley]

That is a benefit of the floorless system, but with the megatarp you have to crawl in?

Yeah, you aren't able to actually walk but you can crawl in with your boots on and take them off while sitting on your pad. The same for in the morning I like being able to sit up on my pad and put my boots on.

Floorless is also nice if you like to eat your dinner or breakfast inside your shelter. You don't have to worry about burning anything or spilling on the floor of your tent.

I always use a Tigoat bivy with my quilt and Xtherm pad so the floor in a tent is redundant anyway. This is my favorite setup for WA high country.

 

[welpro222]

I like your setup, I was thinking of bringing my supertarp just so I could pitch it up off the ground. Last year the weather was not bad and we used hammocks (which I do not like), the only thing I worry about is rain on the way in and the ground being soaked before I get a chance to setup my shelter.

 

[colersu22]

Ill be taking my mountainsmith LT this week for elk for backpacking in but will have a big angus big house 6 at base camp but we can drive right up to base camp so the heavy tent is no concern.

Ill be in Unit 328 so cold in the AM but I don't think we will be getting rain.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Take them both and decide at the trailhead.
Weather wise.. I'd take the Lightening UL2.
Weight wise... it looks a wash.
I guess trek poles for the mega would figure in.

I have a Mountainsmith LT as well and I only use it as insurance on fair weather trips, otherwise I just bivy on the ground.
Hunt'nFish

 

[lkwoolsey]

I grew up in the PNW, spent a long time guiding climbing trips in all sorts of weather, lots of time hunting out here, and I always use a floorless tipi. Your boots are going to be muddy here, so the floorless is nice. And as long as you pay attention to where you pitch it and bring a ground cloth (two things I always do, floorless or not) They work great. I've never had an issue with it. I just feel like a standard tent doesn't offer all the options a floorless does. Just my two cents.

 

[JayPee]

I've been running my jimmy granite mountain for scouting the last couple weeks and plan on using it during the high hunt. Weather looks good so far but obviously can change in an instant. The only thing I worry about is blowing snow.

 

[Tim in Wa.]

I used a Super Tarp in3 days of rain last weekend at about 5500' in Wa.I stayed dry.

 

[welpro222]

Im gonna give the floorless shelter a go, thanks everyone for the feedback.

 

[Icky26]

I know its an old thread, but it fits my exact question so i thought i'd try and generate some respnses. I'm am new to the backpack hunting scene. Venturing away from all the lands that have turned to 'pay to play' permits. Looking for a 2 person shelter for 2-3 night stays, maybe longer. Looking for peoples experiences running a floorless vs regular style tent, hunting western washington Sept. thru October.

 

[Viper*6]

I use a regular style tent with flooring. I hate to get wet in floorless tents when it rains and the water drains inside. I also hate bugs especially mosquitos.

 

[Icky26]

I'm leaning in that direction for the same reasons. But I'm 6'3", and my concern is my head/feet pressing against the walls. I haven't been able to get hands on some of the brands I'm considering like Kuiu or Big Sky because of lack of retailers in the NW. Recommendations?

 

[gsully]

I’m in the same boat. In the PNW, want to get on board with a floorless into mid season/rain/condensation and having a hard time pulling the trigger. Currently still going with double wall, hornet 2p. I think it’s a little light for heavy rain and light snow personally. I’ve been looking at some of the slightly stronger 2p tents; copper spur, hubba, sling fin portal, sg skyscraper.

But, still can’t give up that itch for a floorless tent style for weight and stove option later on.