MSR Access 1 tent

Thank you both!

@dirtbaghiker

A Harriman overnighter would have been great, but I don’t get in until Sunday….and have some family obligations while I’m out there.  Looking forward to getting a decent bagel though!

@mtwarden

I looked at the Hilleberg’s but didn’t consider the yellow label since they describe them as, “engineered for warmer climates and for the snow-free months of the year.”  But looking at the specs, it appears the other tents that I’m looking at, like the MSR Access, would fall in that same category if Hilleberg were to sell them.  I’m really just looking for something for short trips that can handle some moderate wind and snow, so I’ll have to reconsider them.

Chris

Didn’t know this tent so took a look at their setup video.

Just so you realise what you are getting into, it’s inner first, with 3 poles to set up before you can get the rain-fly on.

In any kind of wind and rain you’ll have a hell of a time trying to keep the inner dry.

That would make it a no-go for me – your priorities may vary.

But as Mike was saying, you might want to consider a European design like the Niak (or a more affordable equivalent) that’s fly-first. In our rainy climate inner-first designs aren’t so popular – and for very good reasons!

Very Nice bathtub floor although a tad narrow. Camped at Indian Gardens with tent pitched in a swale waking up in the a.m. in the middle of a lake around my tent half way up the tub. Very carefully exiting was able to remove my down bag and other gear without getting any of it wet. Could have been another story with another shelter. This was a version 1 Hubba. I grieve today over getting rid it. We never have too many shelters.

About pitching the inner first. Its not 3 poles!! They are all connected together hub style.. so yes its 3 poles but its all one piece and ridiculously easy to set up. Also its a solid inner tent, small mesh vent near top side of door if i remember.  It also pitches stupid fast and easy, so if it was snowing, which is what it was designed for.. you would be perfectly fine even if you pitched it slower.. then got the fly on.. Now if it was raining.. I still think you would be ok.. move a little quicker.. but I think it would not present a problem. Definitely NOT a deal breaker on weather or not to use this tent. I personally would only use something like this in below freezing temps and when it would snow. I would not be using it in mild weather and rainy days.. not to say you can’t.. but I have other shelters for those days and nights. I wanted it for winter with snow and wind..

This past weekend our mountains got quite a dump of snow (around 2-1/5′). It was the opener for the rifle elk season. A friend and a couple of his friends had backpacked in, and were set up with three tents – a Kuiu Mountain Star, MSR Access 3P and a Tarp Tent Moment with additional cross pole. The only one that didn’t collapse under snow load was the TT Moment.

^ interesting

my buddy has Moment, it was the first I had seen in person (this summer 8 days in the Sierra’s)- he only had the one pole as it was all that was needed, but it did very well in a rather rough wind storm one night (I was hanging onto my trekking pole tightly in my Aeon Li!)

Mike, it was interesting to me too. My friend is the one that has the Kuiu, and was really surprised at how the three tents handled the load. It could very well be that the narrower profile of the Moment was the deciding factor, and that a 1P Access may have handled the snow better than the 3P. Dunno. I do know the only truly “bomber” tent I’ve ever owned was a circa 1979 North Face VE24. That thing could handle a cement truck on top. Also, the BD Firstlight I had could handle a lot of snow too.

^ the Moment is a slim profile, very possible that helped a bunch

I had a Firstlight too- I was in a couple of really nasty storms with it, it handled the storms better than I did! :)

You and I “track” on gear choices… :)

I had a moment.. sold it after i had fiddle issues in some wet snow.. those struts popped out while setting it up and the pole sleeve was rather tight and cumbersome with it being slushy wet. I wanted to love that tent.. but i just remember being a little frustrated with it.

dirtbag, the only TT’s I’ve owned was a Silnylon Rainbow, and currently a Rainbow Li. I prefer a bit more overhead space when laying down, and the Moment didn’t strike me as having the same “headspace.”

I just got an MSR Hubba and was planning on using it on the Elk opener here in Montana, but I saw the forecast, decided I’ve killed enough elk, and stayed home with my feet up in front of a fire. :)

^ I hunted opening day, which was pretty much of a waste, but I decided not to camp overnight and instead skedaddled the heck out of there for home.  Went back a couple of days later and would have had to put on chains to get to where I hunted on Saturday- it REALLY dumped!

Old dogs can occasionally learn a new trick or two.

Old dogs can occasionally learn a new trick or two.

Seems to have taken me longer than some :)