2-person tent suggestions for PNW alpine conditions

I need a double walled or hybrid since in the rain, I don't think this will work as well. Thanks though!

Thanks for the advice. I want a double walled tent or hybrid so it performs better in the rain, however. But thanks!

Thanks for the input. So what tent do you use now?

Looks similar to the Hilleberg Anjan 2 which I can actually purchase locally. It is a consideration, but I am hoping to go lighter.

Misting has often been associated with condensation being knocked off the walls. Meaning that misting may actually never happen. May have also been rain splatter through the mesh sides.

As I have already stated, Tarptent changed the fabric in use several years ago , so regardless if the previous fabric did have some misting problems or not ,it does not apply to the current version.
(for the record, I prefer the older fabric and have posted several video clips showing that it could take heavy rain)
As David mentioned, condensation dislodged from under the fly can be interpreted as mist coming trough the fabric.

I’ve read that Stephenson Warmlite quality has suffered in recent years with the retirement of Jack Stephenson. I think his son ran the operation for a while, although it seems his daughter is running it now, so maybe it’s better(?). However, I have an older 2RS that weighs about 3 lbs and works quite well. Only had it in the rain a couple of times and there was condensation on the end cones, though not disastrously bad. The zip-out panels and huge mesh windows on the side are actually pretty neat. We use it primarily for canoe trips these days.

I did read about these tents. I think I would prefer the Hillegerg Anjan, however because it would work better in warmer weather and the weight wasn't drastically different. I won't be using this tent in the winter.

It's actually not a bad warm-weather tent. With the side windows open on one or both sides, it's cool and keeps the bugs out, with the side panel "awnings" providing pretty good shade, depending upon orientation to the sun, of course.

I think in the PNW you would be much better off with a Hilleberg for three-season use. The Warmlite is a great – and remarkably lightweight – tent but I've had condensation issues even in the dry Northern Rockies. If you do go with a Warmlite, the side windows are a must.

For me, the Anjan would be two heavy for solo and much too small for two person use (your sleeping pads are going to touch at the foot end).

And this review would give me pause:

http://www.trailspace.com/gear/hilleberg/anjan-2/

Carol,
The liner on the Rainbow/Double Rainbow will take care of possible condensation drips and prevent you from rubbing a possibly wet roof area.
I just wipe the roof area down but others do prefer to have that barrier.

Hi. Thanks for the input. The link you have is for an older version. The newer version has longer sides, has great reviews and is popular. See this Outdoor Gear Lab review: http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Backpacking-Tent-Reviews/Hilleberg-Anjan-2. It is actually big inside- 87 inches long and 52 inches wide. I am looking for a double tent, not a solo. The Anjan can be pitched with just the outer. The inner provides more protection than just a mesh inner. The tube design is great in wind. Although not free standing, it should be easy to pitch. (I owned a similar hoop tent and I am familiar with them). This is seemingly the perfect tent for us, but the problem is it weighs almost 4 pounds trail weight. But if we are only hiking a day or two and setting up a base camp, it would be worth it to have a solid, comfortable, well built tent that can survive anything the summer, spring and fall throws at us here including mosquitos. Still, I want to try to get something lighter if possible.

If we get an Anjan, we will want to have a lighter fair weather tent to use in the summer as well. Especially if we have to put in more miles with our full packs. So I am still back to square one…

Carol

Thanks for the input. The Scarp 2 looks great, but I would look at that as a second, heavier tent to own for the colder, wetter seasons. I want something lighter for the summer when the weather is usually good here.

Carol

Sounds like the Anjan is the right one for you. Split up the inner and outer and then each of you can carry less weight. Given the lower fly design now on the Anjan, ventilation will not be as good and therefore, condensation may be a bigger issue. What about the leaking seams? Did Hilleberg fix that as well?

Is your partner tall? If using a 'long' bag, the end of the bag will touch the sloping end of the Anjan as it is the same essential design as the Nallo, which I had for a while. May be an issue if condensation forms.

If you choose to go that route, contact Charlie at bear river outfitters. He knows hillebergs and is an authorized dealer.

"The Scarp 2 looks great, but I would look at that as a second, heavier tent to own for the colder, wetter seasons. I want something lighter for the summer when the weather is usually good here."

The Scarp 2 is lighter with more livable space than the Anjan 2.

Thanks for the input, Bob. I would still rather have the Anjan to use as a second tent for when we are expecting some colder, wetter weather. In addition, I still would like a lighter tent than either of these to use in the summer when we know the weather shouldn't be too bad the entire trip. Am narrowing it down to a Big Sky sol nylon tent or a cuben type such as Z packs or another cuben tarp with an inner.

Carol

I own a Nammatj 2, which I find is plenty of room for two adults. However it's predominantly a winter shelter, so recently I looked at the Anjan models with thoughts of shaving some weight for three season use. For me the tapered design, with a shorter rear pole than front, made the Anjan 2 a non-starter. In the Nammatj 2, the poles are identical length, which makes the ceiling height and floor width uniform between the poles (the taper only starts toward the foot). Two adults can comfortably sit up, one front one rear. In the Anjan 2, you lose about 8" of headroom between the front and rear poles, and adults have to take turns sitting up.

The Anjan 3 is 4oz heavier than the Anjan 2, and it's much more liveable for two. The extra width and door height more than offsets the tapered roof. I'm still thinking about one, but will wait till next spring if I do decide to buy.

Hi Dave- Thanks for pointing out the Scarp 2 is lighter. If I decide to go that heavy, I will investigate the different Hellebergs and the Scarp further. However, right now I want to try to go lighter for summer. Focusing on the Big Sky products or else a tarp with an inner. Either should be fine for summer here. In the end, I think we will end up with two tents.

Carol

"The Scarp 2 looks great, but I would look at that as a second, heavier tent to own for the colder, wetter seasons. I want something lighter for the summer when the weather is usually good here.""

For summer here you'll be fine in a single wall or DR with the liner if you really want. Dont sweat the double wall aspect if you are strictly looking for a summer tent up here IMO

VVVVV Yep! what you are saying below. IMO the Duplex and the Scarp cover all the bases unless you are getting really nasty weather.

Hi Bob. Can you please tell me what tents you own or have owned? I think I saw a post of yours somewhere stating you have a Z Packs Dublex. Where have you used that and what are your impressions? In looking at their website, people have taken that all over the place including the PCT through Washington and in other exposed places camped on snow with no ill effects. No doubt with their towel handy to wipe up the condensation, however.

As we progress with our decision, my husband and I are thinking we need two tents: one summer one for fair weather and occasional storm, and another more solid tent to be used in shoulder season. We do not plan on using in the winter, so we do not need a 4 season tent or a mountaineering tent but we will use it in alpine conditions above or at tree-line which are colder and more exposed but not extreme by any means.

Right now I want to focus on the summer, lightweight tent search. But as with any hike in Washington, at higher elevations at any time, there can be rain, cold, fog, and occasionally light snow (but it would only be a dusting). But it can also be 80 degrees, sunny, hot, and buggy. But any of the shelters I listed should be able to handle these conditions, some better than others, but no doubt with a weight penalty.

Carol

Nearly all of my trips are in the PNW. I have been through a bit of rain in single wall tents from TarpTent, Six Moon Designs, and MLD without much problem. I do get a little misting from condensation but keep a bandanna handy to wipe the walls if needed. An inner helps. If you are in the Seattle area and interested in taking a look at my Duomid and inner netting, send me a message.

Carol, my tents… oh, gosh, too many! Over the years, Eureka Timerline (just plum wore out!), Bibler Eldorado (sold), MH Trango2 (sold), SD Stretch Dome (still own, and everything hereafter…), BA Fly Creek 4, Marmot Limelite 3, Stephenson 2RS, MLD Duomid (silnylon) and Zpacks Duplex.

Luv-luv-luv that Duplex. I've never used it in a consistently windy place and have endured only 1 serious series of thunderstorms which occurred this past spring. Really got hammered with torrential rain and strong gusts and emerged no worse for the wear. Got a little splash back over the floor tub on one end, but nothing disastrous by any means. While I've read some complaints from people in windy places that the doors flap, it has not been a problem for me. However, I have not camped above treeline, so that's a big difference. Also, I use mine just for me + dog (58lb), and I'd guess it's pretty cozy for 2 adults… so there's the Triplex!

However, I do not consider the Duplex to be a winter tent, at least not if there's going to be serious snow or icing. My lightweight choice there is the Duomid. I know you guys aren't considering mids, but pitched with poles in the inverted V arrangement it has worked well so far for me and my pooch.

Duomid inverted V pitch

Thanks for the photo, Bob. Nice photo- where were you hiking? Thanks for the feedback. I still think the Z Packs would work fine here in the summer, even above tree line. Do you find it fairly easy to pitch?

If we decide to do more 4 season hiking, the mids with the inverted V attachment sound great, especially in snow when you can carve out a huge spot. In the summer I can see this could be a bit more problematic with a large footprint.

Carol

From Carol
"The Scarp 2 looks great, but I would look at that as a second, heavier tent to own for the colder, wetter seasons. I want something lighter for the summer when the weather is usually good here."

From Dave
The Scarp 2 is lighter with more livable space than the Anjan 2.
The weight is close (on paper the Scarpo 2 is 100g lighter) the size is different.
The Anjan is longer, however with the sloping end about a foot is not usable as laying down room without pushing onto the fabric.
The Scarp 2 has both ends at a minimum height of about 14" enough for most on top of a mat.

Hi, Carol

There is a rather extensive thread about the Duplex Here, and if you do a search you’ll get a whole bunch of hits for it.

Simple answer is, it’s easy enough to pitch but there are some tricks and tweaks to get it just the way you like it.

The Duomid photo above was from the Adirondacks. I’m about 3.5 hrs away from the eastern High Peaks, about 1.5 hrs from the Catskills and very nice Harriman State Park is close enough that I call it “my backyard”… super quick getaways, not exactly wild but an excellent proving ground for gear testing.