Tents for Colorado high country

[unchained]

I'm looking for a tent for two for the Colorado high country mule deer hunt. Right now I am looking at the Tarptent Stratospire and the Scarp 2. My biggest concern with the Stratospire is that it is not freestanding. Any guidance is appreciated.

 

[DWinVA]

I have the Stratospire 2 and like it so far here is n VA. I got it to use in CO elk hunting. It does use trekking poles which is one of the reasons I like it. I'll have trekking poles with me, mainly for packing out heavy loads Somali figure why not get multiuse from them with my shelter.

God Bless.

 

[worx53]

I have a stratospire 2 and it works perfect for me and my gear. It will be tight for 2 decent size guys. I use it solo when hunting so I can put gear inside with me. I would consider a 3 man tent with dual vestibules for 2 guys. The dual vestibules are nice with 2 people as each can go out their own side and store their gear under on there own side in a storm etc. Get the pole kit as your trek poles are no good to you holding the tent up when you are 2 miles from camp with a critter down. I use a Hilleberg nallo3 gt when there is 2 of us. It has more room, a front zip door so its easy out for each guy, and a larger vestibule for 2 packs, food, gear etc in the rain. You can split the weight packing in and you can also get lighter carbon poles and guide rope to save weight. A big Agnes fly creek ul3 would be similar to the Nallo3 at less cost but a lot smaller vestibule.

 

[unchained]

Has there ever been a time where you couldn't find adequate to pitch the SS2 or wish you had a freestanding tent?

 

[worx53]

never had that problem yet

 

[worx53]

its no different than pitching a tarp---you can use rocks if necessary to guy out the lines

 

[aion2come]

ss2 is awesome!

 

[Mk7mmSTW]

Big Agnes all the way. Fly creek or seed house. Weight is 2lbs, which is what most trekking pole tents weigh, but with big Agnes you have a duel wall so no condensation and you don't have to use trekking poles.

 

[7stw]

Big Agnes all the way. Fly creek or seed house. Weight is 2lbs, which is what most trekking pole tents weigh, but with big Agnes you have a duel wall so no condensation and you don't have to use trekking poles.

I prefer the copper spur 3 for two guys. The dual vestibules are nice. Plenty of room for two. We even slept three in mine this fall. Crowded but it worked.

 

[michaelc10]

I've run alot of diffrent tents in colorado. I've ran ultralight and tipi style , tarps and I have to say for me it depends on the hunt. If going way in or not and what type of weather I might be facing , I still have alot of diffrent tents for diffrent situations. One thing I've learned over the years is that a super ultralight tent was not for me, I've had poles break in situations other tents would have had no problem in. Right now for archery my Hunting partners and I all run cimmarrons. They work really well and at little over 3 pounds have plenty of space for 1 or 2 guys, and you have the stove option if needed.I would rather carry a little extra weight and know my tent will still be standing when your at altitude and your life may depend on what your using.

 

[michaelc10]

Kifaru also makes the mega tarp , great tarp setup for 2 guys , plenty of room and also have a stove option. These are great tarps and will withstand most anything colorado throws at you, and light enough to pack in far away from everyone else

 

[michaelc10]

The hillebergs are another great option if your at high altitude, storms can come in quick and fierce. I would rather be in a tent that weighs a little more, but when I'm facing some severe weather, I'm pretty sure my shelter will do what it was meant to do , and get me through the storm safe.

 

[sodaksooner]

Just to keep you thinking, Bearpaw Wilderness Designs makes some cost effective tarps/tipis. I am happy with my Luna 6.

 

[unchained]

Thanks for all the help guys. To add a little bit more info, I personally wouldnt mind trying a tarp/floorless, but this tent will also be used with my wife. I dont think she is ready for that. The reason i was looking at the Scarp 2 and Stratospire 2 is two fold. First i like the fact that they could possibly segway us into going floorless, and secondly they seem to be doublewalled. These tents fit into my price range. Anything over $400 would be asking a bit much but if its worth it I'd think about it. Right now the Hillebergs are out of my range for what we will use it for. You guys are great. Keep the ideas coming.

 

[Mk7mmSTW]

I have a big Agnes seedhouse sl2 with foot print that I will sell you. Works and used it for 2 guys, I'm going back solo so I went to the fly creek. The set up weighs right at 3lbs total and is bombproof. PM if your interested. As I said before, with weights being within a waterbottle of each other, the added comfort of a waterproof floor in the rain and duel wall free standing protection is priceless in my book

 

[MontanaMarine]

If you are interested in a floorless, but not for the wife, you might look into some of the tipis/'mids that have optional inner nests. You can have both worlds in one shelter. Products from Seek Outside, and Bearpaw come immediately to mind, and I'm sure there are others as well.

 

[sodaksooner]

Montana mike beat me too it. You can get nests that are only 1/2 the tent as well. I don't have the nest. Pick up the tipi now, get the nest later.

 

[ColoradoBackpackHunter]

Don't let the free standing design sway you one way or another it if you are worried. I thought I wanted a free standing tent after my first year with a tarp tent because I was convinced I wouldn't be able to pitch it in places I wanted to and I have yet to be in a place in which I couldn't pitch the tarp tent. I use a Fly Creek 2 most of the time just because I hate bugs in my gear.

 

[unchained]

Mk7mm thanks for the offer on the Big Agnes but I think it will be a little small for my needs. I am a pretty wide guy, and my dog will be joining us at times. I got a lot of good options to look at from you guys. Thanks alot. For under $400 bucks im still looking at the Stratospire 2 and the Scarp 2. People seem to love the SS2 but not much input on the Scarp. As far as the Tipis like the Seek Outside, how long do they take to set up. I frequently move camp every day while hunting.

 

[sodaksooner]

I stake the 4 corners and stick the pole in it. Then stake the front flap. Maybe 5 minutes, although I have never actually timed it. Stove takes a while though if you use one. if you use the guy lines, takes a few extra minutes to get those staked out and tensioned. No need to use them unless you anticipate high wind or snow loads or just need the extra space.

Just have to practice with it a bit.