Spike Camp Planning Tent Help

[Danimal]

Guys,

Don't know if this is the best place to ask this but have hunted for close to 30 years, (Southeast area for Deer, hog, turkey, waterfowl, etc.) a group of us did our first western archery elk hunt last year on an OTC area. We didn't get one, but had an opportunity on a great bull (6 point) while we were out there but just couldn't close the deal. During this past trip we base camped and were hiking a good ways in and out each day. We are still planning on making a base camp for this year, but instead of hiking in and out each day, which burned up a lot of time and energy, we were thinking about setting up a spike camp so we could stay out for 2-3 days at a time. I have a couple of tents that I'm looking at. I realize that super small bivy styles are the best for mobility and weight but we are thinking a spike camp in a 3 person tent would give us a touch more comfort and a little more sanity for the weather extremes that we experienced last year.

I have two tents that I'm considering. I am a bigger guy, (6'3 230) so a 3p for 2 guys and gear seems to make sense. Budget is an issue always, so I'm looking at 2 mid-level brands that seem to fit the bill of what I'm trying to accomplish. The first is the Marmot Limelight 3p with footprint for $299 at 6lb's and 1 oz. The other is the MSR Mutha Hubba NX-3 at $412 and 4lbs 5oz. That's about $100 for that 1.5 lb weight advantage. Basically looking for some insight on weight difference, durability, and comfort as it pertains to the cost penalty. I also don't have much experience with either brand.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[OFFHNTN]

Both the Marmot and MSR are good brands so I think either would work great. Nemo and Black Angus are two others. How much do you like your buddy? lol I would much rather take my own tent, and my buddy take his so we can sleep separately. A 3P tent will be tight with two (bigger) guys and some gear. Farting, getting up to pee, changing clothes, etc can be a pain if you are not the one doing them. I have a Marmot Tungsten 2p UL tent and it is perfect for one person, extra clothes, food, etc. It has plenty of head room to sit up and put clothes on and it weighs somewhere around 3lbs with a foot print.
As far as the weight and durability, the lighter the tent, the thinner the fabric, you have to decide what is more important to you.

 

[huntercole]

I've really liked my REI halfdome 2 plus. They make a 3 plus that's $280 and 6lbs 6oz. Slightly heavier, but it's a foot wider than the two you listed so you'll have more room. Easy to setup and doors on both sides. You can split the weight up so one guy carries the fly and stakes and the other guy can carry the tent body.
You could also look at floorless. Something like the luxe octopeak would give you more room, is around 4 pounds, and is less than $400 with the stove jack.

 

[Djacker]

Have you thought about a tipi? I have a bearpaw wilderness design Luna 4 and really like it, perfect for 2 guys plus it has a stove jack. A Luna 6 would be best for 3 guys/gear and only weighs 36 ounces $395.

 

[Jpugs]

Take your own tents if you go that route... when I take my big agnus fly creek ul2, I need every bit of space and that is a 2 man tent, no way could or would I sleep with another man in that tent, let alone a 3 man tent - Its just too small IMO. For only spiking out 2/3 days I would look into a floorless shelter like a tarp or even a tipi as another has stated. Jimmy tarps is on here and he makes good quality lightweight tarps in a couple different sizes that will easily fit 2 guys and gear for less then the cost of a tent & footprint. It would be lighter and cheaper than your average backpacking tent.

 

[cnelk]

This is what I did - Didnt cost me anything

 

[Danimal]

Dang guys, awesome feedback. I appreciate the great info. Seems like forums are at their best when talking about gear and techniques, not spots and ethics.

 

[Danimal]

How much do you like your buddy?

Ha! Good question, but since it's my little brother and we lived in the same room together as little kids 30 years ago we can deal with it just fine. A week last year was a piece of cake. We were so dog tired it didn't matter.

 

[Kootenay Hunter]

You can also set up the half dome with the floor and just use the fly with the poles, save some weight, similar to the video above. It's a good tent for the price.

 

[Danimal]

Have you thought about a tipi? I have a bearpaw wilderness design Luna 4 and really like it, perfect for 2 guys plus it has a stove jack. A Luna 6 would be best for 3 guys/gear and only weighs 36 ounces $395.

Never thought about a tipi style. Here in the south bugs dominate the conversation so it is imperative to have well ventilated but functional mesh closures and a well defined floor. Lots of skeeters and creepy crawlies. Thanks for mentioning tipis, definitely opens up some more options.

 

[jmez]

Take a look at the Henry Shires Tarptent Cloudburst 3. Huge 3 man tent at under 4lbs and $385. It is a great shelter. Plenty of room for 2 big guys and plenty of vestibule space for both of your stuff. It is a palace for one man and light enough you can take it solo.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

I don't suppose you've considered a hammock? Hard to get much lighter and packable than that, and if you're already planning a base camp you won't have too much stuff with you.

 

[SaHunter]

Keep in mind if you get a tent system where you can divide the pieces between two people then the most expensive option to shave that pound is not as big a factor...

 

[Firehole Hunter]

How about a Summit Refuge 3p from KUIU.

 

[Jqualls]

I think most modern backpacking tents can be used with just the fly similar to the video above. I know all my tents can be used that way without any modification. If sharing a tent I would go with a 4 man tent. I never carry my 2 person backpacking tents anymore unless it is a true backpacking trip moving camp each day for multiple days. Most trips now I pack in set up camp and do day climbs/hikes. it is well worth the extra weight for the comfort. Use just the fly of a 4 man and weight is not even an issue. My Nemo 4 man could truly fit 4 and is very comfortable with 2 adults a kid and dog for backpacking.

 

[Hike-n-Hunt]

Tipi style are great, you can add a nest for the south's critters and take it out and go floorless when you want. Go check out the Seek Outside website. Several tipi style to choose from. The Cimmaron cost less than $400 and would be a perfect spike camp for 2 people and gear. Weighs 36oz. They have all their tents listed on one page so you can compare sizes and weights.

 

[Idaho_Potato]

I don't suppose you've considered a hammock? Hard to get much lighter and packable than that, and if you're already planning a base camp you won't have too much stuff with you.

Fair warning, hammocks can be be a whole different animal when hunting. You have to keep your backside warm somehow (under quilt). Finding the right trees can also be another worry if you are not in a heavily wooded area. Some people also find it hard to sleep well when you can't get totally flat and your shoulders are restricted. The older you get the more issues with backs and shoulders when sleeping....

 

[lmeyer]

I have a similar plan as you this year. I picked up a golite shangrila 4 person off of a FB backpacking buy sell trade group for less than 300 with the fly, nest, and floor. I'm in south louisiana so a tent without the nest isn't useable here. From pitching it in the yard and input from a thread on here it's going to be comfortable with 2 people and gear and can run a stove if it's late season

 

[mwebs]

I have spiked out of the Limelight 3p and it is tight with two guys. No room for gear, so it all goes in the vestibule, if it were raining you wouldn't have room to cook or do anything in the tent so a tarp would also be necessary to carry. We only took that because it was good weather, buddies had our tipi and we were spiking so its not a big deal. Nowadays you wont catch me in the elk woods without my tipi and stove, one guy takes the stove, one guy takes tent and center pole, altogether still weighs less than the Limelight and most other backpacking tents. Nothing like coming back, pealing off layers, starting a fire and drying everything out in a nice warm tent (don't take the stove unless weather dictates). So to me it no longer makes sense to bivy, hammock or use a backpacking tent unless I am trying to show everyone how hardcore I am, but yes those are less expensive options.

Just be mindful of weather and how long you plan to be out two years ago it snowed/ rained for 2 weeks straight during bow season, without that tipi hunting would have been miserable and honestly unsafe. We had two guys, whom were lost find our tipi, we were in base layers with a fire cranking, they were soaked and planed to share a backpacking tent for the night (with no plans on drying gear with a fire). I showed them where they were and how to get to their destination and wished them good luck knowing they would be back to the truck in the morning!

 

[ScreamingPotato]

mwebs, mind sharing a little more info on your tipi setup?