What's the largest shelter you've backpacked

[LionHead]

Been doing some thinking about the way I like to live when im backpacking in the mountains.

I like saving weight but I'm also pretty greedy with my space when I'm out there, especially stand up space.

I've Solo'd my SO BCS2 Grande (redcliff predecessor) when it was my only shelter. I know guys would be comfortable with the cimarron, Redcliff and sawtooth if they had to solo it.

Been eyeballing a larger tent 8 or 12man.

When family camping it's me the girlfriend, 12 yo daughter, 2 dogs and stove. Its been done in the BCS2 but Im real glad the weather was nice and only 200 yards from the truck. I've also carried this setup 25 miles on a 5 day trip for the same group but it was cramped.

12man makes sense for being next to the truck but it feels so much less portable if I drug it on my back for the larger party and seems like a waist if it's only ever going to be a truck Tent.

The 8 man seems like a good packing option and if I had it in the armory I'd probably be wanting to take it backpacking when it was just me and my hunting buddy.

If my party of 5 was just dudes I'd bring multiple shelters but that not an options with the family, everyone is going to be in one shelter.

What say you guys who've packed the 8 and 12man ?

Thanks

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[Farmerlentz]

I've packed my 6 man which is the same weight as the 8 man if you get the carbon pole. Not a big deal and the space is awesome

 

[skierhs]

The 8 man is very doable and if you have a buddy then it’s super manageable with the stove.

 

[TradLife406]

I left Kifaru last month with an 8 man tipi for my buddy and I. We used the Sawtooth last year but with the rain and the duration of the trip we'd have loved a larger space. Running solo for a few days I love a tarp and bivy. But even solo for a longer trip I'll take the Sawtooth.

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[Clovis]

I have packed a Kifaru 6 man tipi and stove for myself. Definitely lighter options but it didn't kill me either and was memorably luxurious to be sitting by a roaring stove, toasty warm with room to spare during some horrible weather. I have also backpacked an REI Kingdom 6 (it was for my whole family, but I was the only one carrying it).

 

[ZDR]

Kifaru 12 man w stove a few years ago. spread the load across 4 of us and packed in just north of Uncompahgre pk. Its was great as it snowed and was bitter cold but we were warm with room to spare with the 12 m.

 

[Moserkr]

Biggest tipi I use is a tigoat vertex 7.5, which is closer to a 6 man I believe. 8’ tall and 13.5’ diameter. We have slept 3 in it but prefer it as a palace for 2. Solo i run the bt2, but ive packed the larger tipi solo before for fun once. At 7 pounds with stove it wasnt that bad.

 

[ShakeDown]

Use the Redcliff quiet a bit with stove. Not bad at all when split with another person, and with three it’s easy pleasy. Three with stove fit with plenty of room for wood and packs.

 

[LionHead]

Thanks guys.

I should mention I have smaller shelters for other uses, megatarp solo, cimarron for 2 or solo + stove, and BCS2 for everything else.

I absolutely plan on getting the carbon fiber pole, it only makes sense if I can basically make it weigh as much as standard 6man.

With my lady and daughter being tiny women I'm still gonna be packing it like I'm solo. We split up some gear, she has the accomplice quilt I have the 2person pad, everyone carries their own food and clothes. And I generally carry the stove and shelter water filter and canister stove.

So basically I've got to pack the same weight as if I was by myself and if I did that with the family I might Just consider doing it alone too.

I appreciate the input.

No support for the 12 man in this predicament?

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[slim9300]

My UltaMid 4 with full floor and bug mesh would be perfect for you and only about 3.5# with stakes and 3 pole straps. It’s 111” wide by 111” long by 75” tall, so very large. It has tons of room for two large men and would still be very roomy for three of that size. It has replaced my Sawtooth as my go to shelter when I don’t need a stove.

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[Desk Jockey]

GP Medium. A touch over 400# as I recall. In fairness we broke it up among 12 guys and used poles to carry the tent body. Be all that you can be. Go Army.

 

[DudeBro]

Supertarp with DIY annex and Lite Outdoors Ti 12" stove w/ baffle.

 

[Aries_Ranger]

GP Medium. A touch over 400# as I recall. In fairness we broke it up among 12 guys and used poles to carry the tent body. Be all that you can be. Go Army.

Dragging a GP tent in an Akio wasn't much better.

 

[Beendare]

Packed my DIY tipi stove and bear fence in about 3 miles elk hunting southern MT.

i made it from the slightly heavier fabric to be a little tougher (1.6oz) so its about 6-8ozheavier than the commercially made versions.....its 12.5’-13’ in diameter and 7.5’ tall weighs 4.5# no pole. We just cut a pole.

the fence adds 3 1/2# and the stove another 2.5# but for 2 guys in bad weather its nice.

 

[AK Troutbum]

My UltaMid 4 with full floor and bug mesh would be perfect for you and only about 3.5# with stakes and 3 pole straps. It’s 111” wide by 111” long by 75” tall, so very large. It has tons of room for two large men and would still be very roomy for three of that size. It has replaced my Sawtooth as my go to shelter when I don’t need a stove.

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^^^^this! Tarp with everything (15 stakes, designated CF pole, guy lines, and stuff sacks), comes in at a hair over 46oz. It’s over 9’x9’ and about 6 1/2’ tall at the peak, when pitched a few inches off the ground.

 

[Tsal]

Also use the redcliff for 2 or 3 people with stove. Four with stove would be too tight, in tough weather, I think. Definitely recommend the liners for cold weather use. We have half a liner and one guy always gets the soggy spot.

@LionHead: 12-man tent, as mentioned, seems like too much IMO.

 

[slim9300]

^^^^this! Tarp with everything (15 stakes, designated CF pole, guy lines, and stuff sacks), comes in at a hair over 46oz. It’s over 9’x9’ and about 6 1/2’ tall at the peak, when pitched a few inches off the ground.

So many great trips and nights spent in this shelter over the last three years. Nothing does better in wind either. I could lean on the walls they get so tight/stiff.


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[rbljack]

Largest one I packed in was the sawtooth with full liner and poles, and a medium box stove from kifaru. It wasn't a solo hunt, but I was the only one using the shelter, and I packed the set it. It was overkill for one person but had lots of room. In hindsight I could have saved weight by leaving the pole set behind. We had pretty rough conditions though. Snow on the ground and real cold weather. It was my first outing with the sawtooth stove combo. I did have some troubles getting the fire going each time...but that was due to wet wood conditions.

 

[Idaho4x4Bronco]

What's your guys average pack weight carrying stoves and tents solo? For a spike camp 5-8 days?

Thanks.