4 Season Ultra Light Extreme Weather Shelter System

Michael, I no longer have my Eldorado… sold it to a guy in AK. Also sold my Mountain Hardware Trango 2 and my Stephenson Warmlite 2 RS.

Nowadays I am using a MLD Duomid (mid and bathtub ground sheet and pole jacks weigh a bit over 2 lbs) for winter and staying below treeline and generally avoiding the heavy snow scenarios I used to relish when I were a lad.  I still love the cold and snow, but I just don’t see being out for 5-10 days in sub-zero weather any more. :^)

Stephenson… a 3lb tent that could handle a bit of weather, lol

I would not suggest using CF poles under snow in a tent that has poles at a tight radius and that needs those poles to be bent inside the tent itself.
I have actually made a couple of dome tents where that was the normal method of pitching (on the inside). It was a STRUGGLE every time inside the tent. I was told that the view from the outside was amusing. Of course, in a storm, when the tent is not fully supported during pitching, there is a very high risk of damage.

Snow loading IS a problem for most tents. Pyramids collapse at the edges; most others collapse in the middle. Serious snow tents use internal storm guys to prevent the collapse.

Cheers

There is nothing universal in that or any other tent design apart of course people making exact copies.

So to get one custom made you would need the original or be prepared to pay for several attempts.

as a tip, when DIY people think they have 90% of the design done, it takes another 90% of the time to get the missing  10% finished.

I find the timing of this thread interesting, as I’ve been thinking about this very same concept myself. Both in the context of winter backpacking and prepping.

I don’t think we could use the term or label of UL to apply to it though.  I think the best you can do is use the term “reasonably light”.

I haven’t read the entire thread, just kind of quickly skimmed through.

This is what I’m planning on doing in the near future: I have a Cuben Solomid, which when I do an inverted V with poles, I find offers me plenty of space since I’m shorter than average.

I’m buying some RSBTR Membrane silpolyPU400 (1.07 oz/yd2) and to that, I’m attaching a combo of a layer of 2.5 oz Apex and a layer of Insultex (1.27 oz/yd2). In between will be a mylar space blanket. I’ll probably take some scrap pieces of Apex I already have and place them strategically on one side of the Apex and one side of the Insultex to give more air space for the space blanket (to better reflect IR).  Then that will be sewed and taped to the cuben.

For breathablity, at the peak* and the door, instead of above material, I’m going to use .9 oz/yd2 polyester taffeta as the outer layer (pretty WR and very quick drying) and then a very breathable inner layer and put some thicker Apex between it (to make up for the lack of the Insultex and space blanket material). *Actually for the peak part, the inner will likely be some kevlar fabric, and the inner door fabric will likely be 1.1 oz uncalendered polyester ripstop.

I have a small open wood stove (for cooking) that is the type that updrafts air from the bottom and directs a focused flame through the top (sort of rocket like).  I’m going to experiment with using this right under the peak and see how the smoke situation is. Most of the smoke should updraft out the peak vent (hopefully I won’t have to add a liner ala Teepee style). I’ll do it at home first in the backyard, before I take it out, out. I might have to devise a little pipe to go over it and out the tent or a liner.  Likely, the peak part will be velcroed on rather than sewn or taped.

It may be small and insulated enough that I don’t really need any kind of stove–however small it is, and maybe a couple of larger beeswax candles plus body heat would keep it plenty warm. The only reason why I would want a tiny stove in it to begin with, is to help dry things out.

Quick note, the new PU4000 coating is very high quality and very durable. It’s not the PU coating of yesteryear.  Besides it’s high level of waterproofness and durability, it’s also nice that you can use tape on that side.

I expect this modifed tent to weigh around 3 to 4 lbs, not including the little wood cooker stove.  It should allow me to bring a less warm and heavy sleep set up.  The combination of 2 waterproof layers of fabric, 1 layer of Insultex, 1 layer of 2.5 oz Apex, and one mylar space blanket should make it fairly thermally resistant. The very breathable, but well insulated peak and door areas should allow plenty of moist airflow out.  My only concern is frost/ice building up in those areas (particularly within the Apex).  A tiny woodstove would alleviate that no problem though.

(I’m also treating the outside of the tent, the cuben, to make it more slick, so snow doesn’t stick to it as much).

If bulk wasn’t an issue, I would probably just use one layer of egg crated, thin CCF foam+mylar space blanket as insulation and use velcro at the openings to connect the covering, inner fabric to the cuben, rather than bond or sew, so you could knock out any frost (and it would allow you to replace the space blanket as needed).  Plus you still have a UL tent for warm weather use if you go the velcro route.  Yes, you could have it all with some extra work. Just have to think (really) outside the box.

I haven’t gotten into the pulk scene yet, but the bulk would be fine with a pulk. If using low density foam, could get it pretty light weight, but fairly high insulation factor.

I would not suggest using CF poles under snow in a tent that has poles at a tight radius and that needs those poles to be bent inside the tent itself.

is that because of potential injury if it breaks and becomes jagged and sharp, shrapnel etc?
No.
When a CF pole breaks, it is a clean snap straight across the tube (in my experience). Mind you, at 3 am it makes an almighty cannon boom – it couples to the tent fabric.

Cheers

Hey Justin – are you talking about lining the inside of your tent with insulating foam?

Cheers

Obviously foam wouldn’t go over the peak vent area. Over that, I would just stuff a very breathable Apex/fabric combo sort of little pillow.

If burning the candle and/or cooking, would need at least a tiny open hole to outside at the bottom for fresh air.

Bearpaw said he would be willing to do it

Please do yourself a favor and search BPL threads about Bearpaw before shimmying down that rabbit hole.   :^/