Tent- high winds capable

[Beendare]

I found a 3 man Sierra Design Stretch Dome Expedition model locally and it was rock solid in five days of sustained 50mph wind and much higher gusts. It never budged even when the wind changed and hit it fully on the side. Did not need the internal guy system. The same storm was pushing the poles inward and threatening to collapse a fully guyed 6 man Cabelas Alaskan Guide forcing us to park a rig upwind of it.

I will check it out thx.
I've had a 6 man Cabelas with the fiberglass poles destroyed on Kodiak- the one they replaced it with has the Alu poles and with all crossings duct taped and all guys used its good to maybe 50mph- maybe not, its pretty high profile. Tipi with stove won't work guys.

So why is everyone is taking their own tent? Seems like a waste to me. Are you guys planning to all split up and hunt in your own spike camps? What exactly is the weight restriction?

Tough to bowhunt 4 guys out of a base camp here without screwing each other up. Yeah, need the option to split but won't be more that 3-4 miles apart most likely. I want to keep the tent under 10#...and under $600- those Hilly 2-3 man 4 seasons are much more than that. Does Hilly have a regular sale?

The Marmot Thor 3P may fit all your criteria.
http://www.rei.com/product/718559/marmot-thor-3p-tent#tab-description

Or Eureka High Camp

http://www.campmor.com/Product___29072

Yep asked about those in my OP- have you had yours in high wind?

Ive had bad condensation problems with all single wall tents, including the ev2, in conditions any warmer than winter weather.

Great structure, but bad moisture problems.

Yeah, me too, single walls and Tipis are horrible on that- thanks.

I've heard good things of those TerraNovas, anyone?

 

[1hoda]

Save some more $ for the Hilleberg. Have used the Kaitum 2 year round for 3 years. One of the best pieces of gear I've bought since my first backpack in 1973.

 

[luke moffat]

Just setup an Ak blacktail hunt with a few buddies and they wall want to do their own tents- now none of the 5 tents I already have will work for this.
Criteria; 2 or 3 man for some room- weight not as much of a factor as its a fly in/drop off though if it was no issue at all I would use my 6 man cabelas at 35# and be done.
No tipis- been there done that...sold my SL-5

The big deal is wind and rain- it has to be capable of taking high winds- like 50 mph? I would like it to be 90"+ inside length as I'm tall.

So its got to be 4 season strong but probably no snow but wet,wet so I would like it to vent well. I know its not going to be cheap but I was shocked at how much those Hillebergs have risen in price- those are one option but I'm not spending $900...trying to keep it under $600 so should be good timing with sales soon.

Looked at the Terra Nova Polar light which is about $450 now- anybody? NF has the mtn25 and VE 25 but NF isn't a hunting friendly company so probably not.
Marmot Thor? Eureka K2XT? [not a big Eureka fan for quality]

Any suggestions/comments?

Sounds like going to Kodiak....if thats the case I take my 6 man guide model to Kodiak annually with no problems. It also sounds like you have a fiberglass poles. The best way to shave weight for the money for ya would be to upgrade to aluminum poles and swap out the heavy stakes for yellow plastics or aluminum there. Swapping to aluminum poles and stakes should save you roughly 12 or more pounds...atleast it did for me. *I see you upgraded your poles....yeah I have had my guide model in 50+ mph gusts (measured on a kestrel) and with all the guyouts its plenty good.

Also Kifaru tipis will stand up to Kodiak wind. Heck my 12 man Kifaru went through a serious storm this year that exploded my GoLite tipi, and it has a MUCH higher profile than the GoLite (like 10' high). I have only been to Kodiak about a dozen times, so certianly far from an expert, but I would feel comfortable with both a Kifaru tipi or guide model to weather out storms in....of course where you pitch your tent plays into that as well.....

Of course if you want some spike out tents then get some light 3 season versions as you'll have the bomber guide model to bail back into in the event things get nasty. I would also use the guide model at a base/hangout tent and still setup the 3 season backpacking tents as sleeper tents to keep the hangout tent less cluttered. Just how I would roll.

What time of year you looking at going ?

 

[mtnclimber]

Hilleberg Akto is $520. Wait for Barneys 10% off sale and save $52.

Its either or that or find them used somewhere. Only place to find them discounted that I've found.

 

[Beendare]

Luke,
ALU poles- have those. I know there are a lot of tipifans here so I didn't want to get into all of that and get guys miffed. I'm looking for guys that have experience with 4 season tents in harsh windy conditions and their recommendations is all

 

[luke moffat]

Luke,
ALU poles- have those. I know there are a lot of tipifans here so I didn't want to get into all of that and get guys miffed. I'm looking for guys that have experience with 4 season tents in harsh windy conditions and their recommendations is all

Well if you want to spend the extra money don't let me stop ya man.

You can have bomber 4 seasons, inexpesive, and lightweight....pick any two. Seriously, a Hilleberg is gonna be a good bet for that if that is what you are going for. Not saying you need a tipi, but people go to Kodiak all the time with 3 season tents and if you set up shop in a good alder patch of some sort you could be just fine.

Heck I've been in wind that was flattening a Hilleberg Tunnel tent as well. There is really nothing that will stand up to a superstorm though with 100+ gusts and 75 mph sustained freak of nature storm. But then an earthquake could happen too.

Are you sure your 6 man guide model weighs in at 35 pounds with hte aluminum poles? Mine is closer to 27-28 pounds and swapping out the stakes will get you below 25 pounds.

Not saying don't some solid 4 season shelters, just saying roll with what you got to save some money for a base camp which will let you buy a smaller, lighter, and less expensive one-two man 4 season tent to sleep in or bail to since you'll be spending most of your down time aside from sleeping in the guide model.

I do have a Hilleberg Jannu that I have been using the past year now and its been to Kodiak twice. In the fall it was in the same storm the 12 man tipi was in. While the tipi was getting battered by the bigger gusts pretty hard, the low profile Jannu barely twitched, quite impressive indeed. While listed as a 2 person tent its only about 1 sq ft smaller that the 3 man Nallo GT....so its a large by 2 man mountaineering standards and comes in at around 6 pounds.

 

[AXEL]

Yup, a Hille. is about as good as it gets for REALLY foul weather and the Jannu is a superb tent for one and has that bit of extra space if you have to squeeze in a second person in an emergency.

I love my older Saivo for solo trips close to my truck and no tent I have ever used, many, is as bomber in high winds. If, I were younger and not so gimped by injuries from my youth, I would buy a Saitaris for flyin, boat trips and use within 1/4 mile of my 4x4.

But, the Jannu is what I would have chosen, had it been out when I bought my Saivo.

 

[5MilesBack]

Someone was selling a new Nallo 3 GT on here last week for $650........did he sell it already? If so, you missed out man.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Saw it in tge classifieds last night for $600

 

[Beendare]

Luke,
Yep, My 6 Man cabelas is 27# with short plastic stakes and guys.... thx for the info on the Jannu....and appreciate your expertice. Would you pack that 6 man 3 miles? I'm hoping we don't have to go further but its a possibility. As you know, 4 guys can burn out a spot quickly sometimes. Packing that 27# bulky tent out isn't the end of the world for 2 guys but coming back loaded with meat just doesn't make sense to me.

Can we please stick to the original Q; I would prefer a 2-3 man bullet proof tent thats more packable 8-10#...thinking its not a one time expense....but prefer not to spend right at $1000 as are some of the stronger 2-3 man Hillibergs. I will look for the used one, thx...but a bit tentative about buying a used tent.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Hilleberg nammatj 2 had good ventilation, weighed around 6lbs, stood up to strong winds well, and was around $650......ish last time I checked.
The hilleberg nallo 2 was closer to $700 I believe, little more difficult to set up but not horrible by any stretch. Did just fine in everything I had it in, but I have heard reports of them flattening in super high winds.

 

[mtnclimber]

Hilleberg nammatj 2 had good ventilation, weighed around 6lbs, stood up to strong winds well, and was around $650......ish last time I checked.
The hilleberg nallo 2 was closer to $700 I believe, little more difficult to set up but not horrible by any stretch. Did just fine in everything I had it in, but I have heard reports of them flattening in super high winds.

Nammatj 2 is 6lbs 9oz and $735.
Most of the time i hear of guys nallo's getting flattened in high winds its from improper setup. and multiple retailers have stated the same to me.

Ive weathered many storms and had my nallo 3 on mountain tops all over alaska from july-october and have never had anything go wrong. must just be my luck

 

[Backpack Hunter]

It very well might be now. I know I didn't spend more than $670 for mine. I had mine right around 6lbs but I did cut a little.....like most everything I own.
As for the nallo like I said I have heard of issues in super high winds, but didn't experience any while out with it. Highest wind estimates I was in were probably around 40mph, but that's just a guess. I know I payed more for it than the nammatj.

 

[luke moffat]

Luke,
Yep, My 6 Man cabelas is 27# with short plastic stakes and guys.... thx for the info on the Jannu....and appreciate your expertice. Would you pack that 6 man 3 miles? I'm hoping we don't have to go further but its a possibility. As you know, 4 guys can burn out a spot quickly sometimes. Packing that 27# bulky tent out isn't the end of the world for 2 guys but coming back loaded with meat just doesn't make sense to me.

Sorry I didn't realize you were planning on spiking out. My experience and the experience of my buddies hunting deer on Kodiak is there is no need to spike out for deer but rather just hunt a 3-4 mile radius from base camp that way you don't have to haul a whole camp or a deer and camp back to base camp. Haven't had a problem and spiking out means you may be hauling 10+ deer that 3-4 miles back to camp. But if thats they way you feel you need to hunt them then by all means.

In an effort to keep the thread on track, when I was looking at buying my Hilleberg Jannu I was also looking heavily at the ExPed Orion III. Yes its heavier but also larger, 2 door and 2 vestibule with 23 sq ft of vestibule (roughly 12 sq ft on each side), and nearly 38 sq ft which is 2.5 sq ft more than the Jannu. Be tight for 3 certainly but would be a palace and pretty bomber as its rated 4 season. Packed weight is 8.2 pounds. So certainly MUCH better than hauling a Cabelas guide tent 3-4 miles regardless of if it was 27 or 35 pounds

Personally I wouldn't bother and just bring a much lighter and less expensive 3 season if you want to spike out for a couple days and then if SHTF bail back to the guide model at basecamp, but if not wanting to spend a pile of money get a semi lightweight 4 season backpacking tent that would be spacious for 2 guys the Exped Orion III is where I would go. Normally $730, but can be had here for $570 shipped and I nearly went that route myself, but in the end I knew I wanted the Jannu as I had been wanting it for a while. Plus I hunt mainly with my wife and sharing a tighter space isn't as big of a deal on a long trip. Plus hunting with my wife that means I get to carry more of the lion's share of the weight so lighter tent is better for me as well. If you are hunting with your buddy's sharing the weight 50/50 makes the Orion III pretty darn attractive.

http://www.moontrail.com/exped-orion-III.php

The Orion II and Venus II from Exped seem great as well are lighter but also obviously smaller.

Of course you could always go with the old standby by getting a MH Trango 2....40 sq ft of space but its 9-10 pounds but also only $424.

http://www.moontrail.com/mountain-hardwear-trango-2.php


Hope that helps some!!! You doing early season or late season for deer?

 

[AXEL]

Just one more point, which may help, I hope. There is a dealer in Utah, from whom I have bought three, new Hilles and one of my original Integral Designs single wall tents. He seems to often have preowned, as new Hilles. for sale at quite substantial discounts from new retail prices, worth a look, anyway, IMO.

I can PM you his contact info. should you want to go this route. HTH.

 

[Beendare]

What time of year you looking at going ?

Still trying to decide- thinking mid October....but my one buddy wants to hunt blacktails in Velvet early in August. I've hunted Kodiak the first week of August and they still had floppy tips...If we do early my 6 man will work as we would do that on Kodiak and can pitch in alders. The other spot is an outlier best in Oct from the intel, but totally exposed....and less conducive for my recurve too.

 

[Hornetoad326]

My vote is a hilleberg. I spend over 120 days guiding and hunting in Alaska and Montana.One of the best tents I have been in, never have to worry about the weather. But a bear goes through them just as easy as any other

 

[luke moffat]

Still trying to decide- thinking mid October....but my one buddy wants to hunt blacktails in Velvet early in August. I've hunted Kodiak the first week of August and they still had floppy tips...If we do early my 6 man will work as we would do that on Kodiak and can pitch in alders. The other spot is an outlier best in Oct from the intel, but totally exposed....and less conducive for my recurve too.

Gotcha....yeah looking at doing first week of August this time. But really could careless about the antlers anyways as they won't be getting mounted. Sitka blacktail is the best meat in Alaska and looking to do a meat haul and there isn't else open August 1st to hunt anyways.

Did you take a look at those Exped tents as an option to what you are looking for?

Never been early season with my guide model, when I have gone its always been mid october or early November, but I think if you guyed out your guide model well and worked to pitch behind some topography would give you the best chance. But if you are still wanting to spike out then the Exped is likely the best option giving you aren't wanting to spend Hilleberg $$$.

 

[Beendare]

Luke,
Kodiak is getting more and more popular thats why we are looking at other options. I've done the early hunt twice so if I can be of assistance on that let me know. They have typically stopped growing by the second week of august- but still in velvet until early Sept. The problem with that early hunt is the float plane cost...so if you can mitigate that- you are golden. A flight that was $850 RT 15 years ago is now $1300+ one way. Those deer stick out like a turd in a punchbowl early and its easy to find spots on the mtn in the alders to setup camp out of the wind.

 

[luke moffat]

The problem with that early hunt is the float plane cost...so if you can mitigate that- you are golden.

Is float plane costs more in the early season than later in the year? I am hoping that with fuel prices falling half of what they were that air taxi pricing will follow that somewhat. Guess we will see though.