Leader Tent input

[Bruce Kolkebeck]

I’m looking for honest input concerning single vs. shared tents for leaders. I’ve been to Philmont five times and have found the policy concerning single person tents to be different every year. I know the drill with smaller footprints and clusters as a reason for the only two person tent policy. I just would like to know what to tell them the ACTUAL enforced policy was last year or the last few years. Its tough enough to find leaders who will take the time and expense for required training, prep hikes and conditioning. I want them to be happy as they are on vacation and two large adults in a tent isn’t a vacation. .

Thanks,

BK

 

[Brian T]

I went with a crew this past summer with 4 adults in the crew. 3 of us had our own tents, 1 opted to tent with his son. 2 of the 3 single tents were Alps Mountaineering Lynx 1 tents, they have a very small footprint; the other single was an MSR Hubba Bubba which is a 2 man tent. The adult that was with his son was in a Kelty 3 man tent. Our ranger didn’t say anything about our choice of gear as a matter of fact, he said that that they seldom say anything about an adult tenting alone unless the tent has a huge footprint and then it’s mostly about the amount of potential weight being carried.
The previous 2 crews from our troop that went also had adults tenting alone, I’m not sure what they had for gear but they said there was no issue tenting alone.

[Matt Dirksen]

Two years ago, we had four adults in our crew, and we paired ourselves up with two tents. I had a Ranshadow II and was very spacious with the other adult in it. On the trail, I did witness many adults in their own shelter, so I can’t imagine the Rangers were enforcing much regarding the sleeping arrangements of the adults. I would think the Rangers would be more concerned if a crew showed up at base camp and every kid had their own personal shelter. Then and only then, I might imagine them referring to their own written “Policy”.

But who knows… It’s all conjecture.

 

[Roger Caffin]

two large adults in a tent isn’t a vacation.
Depends on the tent. I share with my wife, and we are perfectly happy.

Cheers

[Aubrey W. Bogard]

We had a crew of 12 this year with 3 adults.  I tented with my son due to the odd number of Scouts.  The other two adults tented alone.  I have heard of no instances where adults were not allowed to tent alone, though larger crews will be more space challenged in some campsites.

[ed dzierzak]

Just piling on…
I’ve never had a Ranger question adult tenting. Usually during the shakedown all they wanted to know was if everybody had shelter. Only once do I recall the Ranger asking how the youth were pairing up. That was the year we had a co-ed crew with three girls. They brought a 3-person tent and were all together.

[Bruce Kolkebeck]

Thanks. I have forwarded your responses to our leaders. Your input is invaluable.

Thanks again,

 

BK

 

[Steve G]

We had crew of nine last year and I was in a Lunar Solo tent.  Sets up with ONE trekking pole — it was awesome:  https://www.sixmoondesigns.com/products/lunar-solo

The rest of our crew was in 4x man Black Diamond Megamid (4 Scouts — we called it the Circus Tent), and two doubles.  Carrying my Lunar Solo was easy and the Rangers never blinked — you will see lots of adults in solo tents and I never heard of anyone even being questioned.

I think you can rest comfortably and plan for solo tents for any adults who want them (!)

[Bruce Kolkebeck]

Thanks Steve. My leaders are breathing easier knowing they have an option.

 

BK

[Wilson M]

Bruce,

Yall may have beat this one up already, but having been a ranger / RT, the only policy we had to enforce was that every member of the crew must sleep in a tent. (I.E. No bivys, hammocks, or sleeping under the stars…) This rule is directly due to bear protocol / insurance risks for the ranch.  As you mentioned, we look at clusters/LNT when passing through sites. We also ensure that there are no lone tents.

No ranger should be giving any of your adults or scouts flak for choosing a solo tent. (If so, seek out someone in Ranger leadership at base and call their bluff.) If it were me going back again, I’d use a Tarp tent MoTrail or split an MSR Hubba Hubba Nx with another adviser. Both are great and on the lightweight side. Also some good stuff mentioned above for Six Moon and the BD Megamid. The ranch has a pro deal with MSR now and issues the Thunder Ridge, which is really beefy, but also unnecessarily heavy. I’ve led crews with advisers sleeping in each type of tent and both have their own pros/cons.

Like Matt and Ed both mentioned above, all the shelter issues will get smoothed over during shakedown (& as you’ve experienced already.) I’d probably be weirded out as a ranger if an entire crew showed up each with solo tents, but I’m not aware of anything technically prohibiting that.

Whatever you wind up sleeping in, it’s Philmont – you’re gonna have an awesome time! IWGBTP!

-Wilson

[Michael C]

I took a tarptent protrail last year and was never questioned about using a solo tent.

[SFOldManClan]

The adults on our crew discussed this on an Appalachian Trail hike in Virginia – Pass Mountain Hut (2690’) in vicinity of Double Bear Rocks, in January (balmy 24F and snowing) , after they heard my buffalo snoring at night and I when I was awoken by another leaders snoring, we all agreed to sleep separately. One guy was so loud, I thought a bear had shacked up with us in the Pass Mountain Hut!

I picked up a lightly used Zpacks Plexamid Tent (15 ounces) just for some standoff from the noise. I also invested in some ear plugs!

[David Y]

Being in a separate (not sound proof) tent won’t save you from others’ snoring in nearby tents, trust me. You may as well be in the same tent. Your efforts may be better spent resolving your snoring/sleep apnea problems that may lengthen your lives.

[Author]

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