Black Diamond Highlight Vestibule

How about just for during heavy wind and rain.  But not at the cost of heavy weight.  One vestibule is sufficient, and it can be integral with the tent, so not so heavy.  When closed, it also makes the tent more steadfast.  Note:  Have never had a problem with attracting critters when cooking and eating under the vestibule.  Probably because am neat, use the site for only one night, and the rain washes the food odors away for the next trekker.  For winter warriors, most of the fauna including bears are sheltered somewhere else that time of year.

Not so much concerned about rain.  Would really only be using something like this in deep winter frigid temps when there are strong winds and snow accumulations of any significance.  There are not many reviews that I can find on line about it actually being used in these conditions. In all reality, I am most confident that it would NOT be needed at all, but of course it is appealing to have that slight “buffer” zone upon entry and exit of the tent, as the side entry door is quite large and exposed to the elements. For a single person obviously it would not be needed for storage room at all and I would not be using it with another person unless it was an emergency situation.. So that is moot point and nonfactor. Cooking space is enticing, yes. Wind whipping and snow blowing, it would make a nice place to heat water and melt snow while remaining hunkererd down in protection. It is added weight and bulk but if it is worth it I do not mind the sacrifice. I want ease.. Simplicity and convenience.. Setting up and breaking down and packing up is important to me, as is storm worthiness. If it can do those and also take a pounding on the mountain then I can justify adding it..

Spell check that.. Hilight.. Not highlight!!

You sound truly like a winter warrior!  But not sure that I envy you.  Just saw on TV about some guys who lost all fingers on both hands.  Were I not a chicken heart, any decent size vestibule would be fine, if it were light and strong enough. Snow Peak used to have a winter tent called Lago 2 which was just a simple dome, but the floor could be unzipped and folded back to provide a safe place to put the cooking stove.

Please, I prefer you not to envy me!! And by no means am I a winter warrior. I keep it fairly simple and do what I have to do to get my rush and my fix, lol.  I just need to be out there with nature in the mountains as much as possible. There is a quote I came across which I love.. and I added it to a picture I took from our Escarpment trail hike.. Posted below…  So for me, I love all the seasons to be hiking and camping , even kayaking in the wilderness. Winter is extra special for all the obvious reasons, like it or not.  

Looking at your Highlight, can you figure out how the vestibule attaches to the main tent?  The storm worthiness of the vestibule would seem highly dependent on the strength of the mechanical connections to your tent.

If you just wanted to keep the weather out when you enter and leave the tent, perhaps  rigging out an 8X10 tarp would do the trick.

Thats the vestibule… I snapped those pictures from someones video. It also uses another pole. I am going to assume it is worthy and check it out. It wont be until next winter here in NY so plenty of time. Though I can test it out in my yard during stormy windy rain days or hurricane season!!! That sure will answer my wind questions and if it survives that without shredding or blowing away then come winter I can use it and see about snow load. Well that is my plan..

The webbing and hooks look sturdy.

my 2 cents. I have owned the Hilight since 2008. Love it. very storm-proof above treeline. have had to use the extra guylines only a couple times in severe weather. I checked out the vestible and was not convinced it was a good option compared to owning a dedicated 4-season tent from Hilleburg (for winter) since weight would be similar and the vestibule is an integral part of the tent body

Sooo?? You use a Hilleburg now for winter storm trips? Or you still use the Hilight and just no vestibule?

Other then the weight penalty, do you think the vestibule would be storm worthy? I see you have used the Hilight above tree line in stormy weather.. so would you consider the vestibule to be storm worthy as the tent itself, or is there potential for failure with it? Never mind the added weight penalty.. would it withstand heavy winds and snow loading? Do you think?

Use the Hilight with no vestibule.  The straight wall of the Hilight front entrance make it really easy to sit just inside the door and manage the stove outside with very little exposure to weather.  I have only boiled water twice in the tent when it was too extreme outside and I kept the side vent fully open and the front door partially open.  With the end pitched into the wind, the design of the vent and door overhang do a really good job preventing weather come in.  Never had to use fully zipped up.

That is perfect what I needed to hear. Coming from someone who uses it too! Thank you very much. Appreciate it!

One more question about the hilight. Any tips on packing it back up into the stuff sack quickly and efficiently? Those vent brims are awkward..

My 2008 version does not have the roof vents so it is easy to stuff in

Thanks..