Soliciting shelter options and ideas – the Canadian Rockies

Aaron –

I don't think anyone will be able to match your thoroughness in one reply. But hopefully we can have a discussion that gets you closer to a solution with which you are happy.

My short suggestion is that you should consider the Brooks Range Rocket Tent. Being that you have used some Cuben fiber products already, you know the virtues of this material.

I used a prototype Rocket Tent in the Andes last year, and was extremely impressed with its versatility. At 1 lb, 6 oz without poles, and 2 lbs, 2 oz with poles, it's in a weight class with your bivy / tarp set up, but much more weather/bug proof.

There is a lot of discussion lately of Cuben fiber lacking breathability. While Cuben fiber is not breathable, my findings have led me to the conclusion that it is actually a drier environment than other single wall tents. I have compared the tent side-by-side with another single wall tent, made of a breathable material.

When the weather is nice enough to leave the fly open and the door vented, the tent is as dry as the breathable tent – especially if you can point the tail into the wind, thus maximizing the venting.

When the weather is worse – and there is precipitation, the cuben fiber is much drier than a single wall tent. Rather than being saturated by rain or warmed snow, all you deal with is condensation.

The tent is bombproof in the wind. It is designed to be used with an avalanche probe, and ski poles, which adds tremendous strength to the structure. When using it with its "summer" poles, good guy lines are helpful.

The tent is big enough for two people – although tight. As a solo shelter it is comfortable enough for trips like thru-hikes, and solo expeditions.

I am about to put a production model to test here in Chile, so I hope we can continue the discussion. I can send you photos, and even test it in environments or situations which may concern you.

I hope this help.

Don

http://www.alpineambitions.com

http://www.brooks-range.com/StoreBox/trpshl/rocket_tent_a2.htm

Aaron:

Like you, I swear by my Double Rainbow. It will definitely handle what you'll be facing. The extra space is really palatial solo, allowing all the gear to remain inside and room to move around comfortably when pinned down for extended periods by weather. The dual doors/vestibules go a long ways in reducing condensation and improving views and access, even in the rain, plus you can cook under them in a storm (with the rain porch deployed).

Given the type of campsite locations you'll be facing, you might want to add the optional liner to your DR. It will reduce the condensation some and keep any that forms from dripping onto you. This is your cheapest "new toys" option.

That said, I really only use my DR when my wife goes along. I've switched to a SMD Gatewood Cape and the corresponding SMD Serenity Net Tent insert for most solo treks.

If I know it will be rainy and/or buggy all or most of the time, I'll switch to my SMD Lunar Solo. The integral bug netting lets me use all of the extra interior space. The Serenity Net Tent has almost ZERO extra space inside. It does a good job of keeping the bugs at bay, but I wouldn't like to be stuck in it for an extended period.

Wandering Bob

It sounds like you aren't sure if you want a single wall tent are not. You seem to be okay with it, but would prefer a double wall for your trips in the Rockies. If you can make a clear decision on this, then it will be easier for the rest of us to give helpful advice.

I think there are some neat options out there right now that would work well as your only shelter, so you could sell both the DR and the bivy/tarp. These shelters are lighter than your DR (2.5 lbs) that can fit two people okay, but will be a little better for one. Some examples are the Hexamid Duo (single wall) or Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 (2.4 lbs) or the Easton Kilo (2.2 lbs coming in spring). None of these is probably as spacious as the DR, but all of them are lighter and the latter two are double wall which rids you of the condensation worries. The previously mentioned Brooks Range Rocket and the SMD Refuge X are also in this class. If you can find one, I bet you'd really like the Refuge X. It's a 16oz, single wall tent that sets up with trekking poles. Unlike the Hexamid, it has a waterproof floor so you don't need a ground sheet.

I'd be looking at the MLD SoloMid with either the perimeter bug netting or inner net since the bivy 'thing' does not seem to appeal to you. The Canadian Rockies are my backyard and I think this would be a fantastic shelter in those conditions.

On a related note, my hiking partner uses a Six Moon Designs Wild Oasis and has had it in rain, heavy wind, and snow (shoulder season) without any issues. He doesn't use a bivy and only a polycro groundsheet. It only weighs 14.4oz after seam sealing.

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Don: The Rocket Tent looks like a pretty nice product. I think if I had to only buy one tent (ever) that would be it, as it seems like it would be home anywhere – ski touring, mountaineering, backpacking etc. The downsides I see are it weights 920 grams – only 165 lighter than the DR (though much more capable, obviously) and costs $600. I would have to think about that outlay, but it does seem worth thinking about. Field testing reports would be very helpful.

Bob: I already have to liner for the DR – haven't used it much, but next time I'm out with the tent I'll try and bring it along for some testing. The Lunar Solo would end up at about 750 grams after stakes and the extra pole, which is pretty good, but maybe not as light as I hoped. How stable is in in wind (as compared to an A-frame tarp, say)?

Dan: I definitely don't have anything against single-wall tents. The weight advantages are undeniable. The Refuge X is something to think about – why doesn't SMD make it anymore?

David: The Wild Oasis and SoloMid look very similar. Is there anything to really differentiate the two? 425 g is getting into very likable weight territory.

Another option I was considering was making something like the MLD Grace Solo and Serenity out of cuben. With poles and stakes etc. this would weight in at about 450 grams. Anyone with experience with these two?

Aaron, are you familiar with the Lunar Solo? Or the Gatewood Cape? The Wild Oasis is essentially the same shape. The back actually slopes out quite dramatically and the height is at the front of the shelter – there is a review by BPL.

The SoloMid is a modified 4 panel pyramid, so the height is in the middle. I would argue that this shape is more ideal for snow loading of any sort and is ultimately stronger.

SMD made a fairly small run of the Refuge X because it was such a radically new product at the time and they weren't sure how it would work out. There are a few areas that could be improved (ie. a real bathtub floor) but overall it was a pretty good shelter and darn light. I had one and liked it except my wife wasn't into the single wall thing.

SMD was originally going to do a second generation of the Refuge X but I think they changed their mind and decided to do a cuben version of the double wall Haven instead. That was the plan but the Haven did come out quite a few months ago now and there hasn't been any mention of a cuben version so I'm not sure what they're thinking.

I have to second David's thoughts on getting a Mid style shelter. I live in Alberta within a few hours of the Saskatchewan River Crossing and have done several trips in the David Thompson and Jasper area. For two person trips I am currently using an Oware 9×9 mid with perimeter netting. It works very well for keeping out the mosquitoes, setup is very simple and the space to weight ratio is excellent. It does a good job of shedding wind and handles snow better then most ultralight options. I have been caught in a couple of freak snow storms with a tarp as shelter in the so called Canadian summer season. I managed to keep the snow at bay but a mid would have been so much less hassle.

Obviously if you are looking for a solo option 9×9 is too much shelter. Check out MLD and Oware for smaller options. I would also keep in mind how much time you spend in camp. If you hike pretty much right up to bedtime, set up your shelter and crawl right into your bag then a more cramped living space is fine. If you find yourself spending some time around camp in really buggy conditions I think you would find the extra space of the larger mid to be well worth the extra weight.

Good luck with your decision.

My choice would be the MLD Duomid and mesh inner. You can leave the inner behind outwith bug season. The Scottish midge (mosquito) can be a nightmare at times. They form huge clouds and go in your mouth, your ears and up your nose. I've seen grown men weep!
I've been very happy with this set-up, as it gives me plenty bug free and dry (it rains in Scotland) room at night.

Aaron:

Many UL tents, like all tarps, are now designed to take advantage of trekking poles now commonly carried by UL hikers. In your case, you have to add the extra folding pole.

The LS is quite stable in the wind when pitched with the rear pointing into the breeze. For optimal headroom, pitch it at or near 48 inches instead of the standard 45. This makes the mesh sidewalls vertical, or nearly so, and allows for maximum ventilation. Pitch it with the rear triangle on the ground for driving rain or winds.

The carbon fiber pole from SMD is too flexible for my taste, and having snapped a CF trekking pole once, I don't trust CF for tent poles or stakes. I got a metal one from Henry Shires at Tarptent, The weight is the same (2 vs. 1.8 ounces and and it's cheaper ($5 vs. $30).

WB

I'd say either a mid or hooped bivy would be would be a good choice. Having don e quite a bit of climbing in the are a MSR Hubba Hubba is IMO perfect in summer even in the high alpine.
I had been about to suggest that a Megamid or a BetaMid
For one person though, a lightweight one person mid or hooped (head and foot) single wall bivy would fit your needs – I think ID makes some eVent models.

It seems like a mid-style shelter is going to be the way to go based on all of your replies, and some further thinking by myself.

The advantages of this route are that it should be an extremely storm-worthy shelter – much more so than a traditional tarp, or even most tents, from what I can gather. With either a mesh skirt or a mesh inner tent it would be completely bug-proof. I almost feel like I could use a slightly larger one as a replacement for both my tarp/bivy and my companion Double Rainbow – the simplicity of which certainly appeals to me. I'm not sure if I would go with one of the commercially available products or make something myself. Some rough calculations lead me to believe I could get a good-sized tent out of 6 yards of cuben, which would run me about $150. Throw in a mesh skirt, tie-outs etc. and I'm still under $200, with a total fabric weight of around 300 grams. Add on 50 g for bonding, 50 g for stakes and 100 g for a pole, and thats a storm-proof, bug-proof shelter for one or two people for 500 grams. Which is very nice. I'm not without a couple of reservations, however.

Of less importance is the decision about bug protection – a mesh skirt and polycro groudsheet, a la the SMD Wild Oasis, or a complete inner mesh tent with bathtub floor, a la the MLD InnerNets. The former being the heavier of the two options, obviously, but being a bit more weather-proof (not sure if there would make much difference) as well as permitting a bit more flexibility (leave behind out of bug season, set up alone in good, but buggy weather). Anyone have any thoughts on this?

My main concern with the mid-style tent, however, is the center pole. I currently have the tarp pole set from Gossamer Gear (which I believe are identical to the ones sold by Tarptent – .344 easton aluminum) and I'm not sure I would trust the 42" poles as a center pole for a mid. Even when setting up my tarp, I can't yank too hard of the guylines otherwise the pole begins to bow outwards. And that is with a 42" pole length – for a spacious mid I would want a center height of at least 48", if not higher. The MLD Duomid is 58" I believe.

This problem got me looking at various carbon fiber poles, which I think could be the solution. The main stumbling block is that a typical CF tent pole is not what I want – those are designed to have some flex to them to allow them to bend into the arcs that tents require. I want something that is as rigid as possible. It seems like a larger diameter, thin-walled carbon tube would be ideal. I did a bit of searching around on these forums, and found a few ideas, but it was difficult to make complete sense of the discussions. The most promising tube I found was this: http://www.awindofchange.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_code=AWOC&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=skyshark-tubes but I really don't have a lot of good information on any of the poles. Does anyone know anything more about this? Or who might know more about this subject on the forums? It seems like Roger Caffin had quite a bit to say on the subject of CF tent poles…I might start another thread to specifically discuss this topic, but we'll see what answers I get in this thread.

Again, thanks all for the replies. Most helpful.

BD has a CF pole for their Mids that you can order as a spare part. In the same conditions (and winter) I used a Rab Summit Extreme which worked for me. Once we are talking super light and below the treeline a cuban mid sounds perfect. That and a Firstlight would see you year round IMO

Have you looked at the Fibraplex Pinnacle poles?

http://www.fibraplex.com

Click on CF poles, then "order now" and look for the pinnacle replacement poles.

The Pinnacle looks to be essentially 3 poles bonded together (there is a picture on the website for a better explanation). I would imagine it has a lot less flex than a single pole.

BTW, I have no experience with these so I can't tell you anything about them.

Your comments re the Canadian Rockies apply in some respect to Wyoming's Wind River Range, where large sections of the range are above timberline and where, below timberline, most trees have been killed by the bark beetle so are extremely unsafe to camp near. The difference is that there is more choice of camp spaces even though we have to camp away from lakes and trails (200 ft.) and streams (100 ft). For the most part, though, snugging the tent under tree cover to avoid condensation isn't going to happen!

I found that the SMD Lunar Solo was great at fending off the high winds, rain and hail accompanying Rocky Mountain thunderstorms. However, I found it far more prone to condensation than comparable Tarptents, most of which have more ventilation. The wide skirts of the Lunar Solo tend to funnel moist air from the ground into the tent, a process I observed nightly before going into the tent.

While it's not as light as some other solo tents, had you considered the single Tarptent Rainbow? It's quite a bit lighter than the Double Rainbow and has only one door/vestibule, but otherwise is the same. I gather you don't use trekking poles, so the weight difference between the single Rainbow and tents that use trekking poles won't be as great for you.

Mary: I don't know if I'd really call 965 g (for the Rainbow) versus 1135 g (for the Double) significantly lighter. I'm pretty certain I can find a good number of options lighter than that.

I'm likely going to be making myself a cuben-fiber mid-tent similar to the MLD DuoMid. This could very well replace both my tarp/bivy (with a very slight weight increase) and the Double Rainbow if all goes well with it. I'm currently thinking of most of the same features as the DuoMid – zippered entry, 3 tie outs a side, mid-wall tie outs, top vents – but with a hexagonal floor shape instead of a rectangular one, and a slightly lower peak height. I'll be bonding whenever possible, though I'll have to ask around about the best material to use on the reinforced parts of the DuoMid.

Also going to have to keep researching options for the center pole. I'm almost certain that carbon fiber will be the best material, and its strength- and stiffness-to-weight ratios are far superior to aluminum. I just have to find the right kind of carbon fiber pole. Most of the ones I've looked at so far have a fairly small diameter – to resist buckling failure under the compressive loads the pole will experience in the mid I want something of a bit larger diameter. I'll have to look into the Black Diamond and Fibraplex options, though I'm not convinced their stuff is ideal – especially the Fibraplex stuff.

My vote goes to the TT Moment. From my own experience extremely wind worthy and very light, not to mention fast to pitch and with a nice vestibule.

BTW, read the "review" of the Moment here at BPL with several grains of salt. His negative experiences are not mine at all. Others of similar opinion about this "review".