Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Page 2 of 2 < 1 2
Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#103444 - 09/23/08 12:48 PM Re: Best tent for Pacific NW / BC [Re: TomD]
CWF Offline
member

Registered: 08/22/06
Posts: 266
Thanks Tom - you da man!

Top
#103445 - 09/24/08 09:27 AM Re: Best tent for Pacific NW / BC [Re: TomD]
Rick_D Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 2939
Loc: NorCal
Veddy interesting.

I used my gen1 goretex tent in the PNW regularly in all sorts of conditions with a lot of success. The best tip regarding cold rainy weather came from the owner of Early Winters, who made the tent: When condensation forms inside, close the doors (the natural reaction is to open them, increasing airflow). Closing them raised the temp gradient and helped drive the moisture through the fabric. This sounds similar to what the RAB fellow is saying.

IIUC gen1 goretex lacks the PU coating all subsequent versions have and simply worked better (until it gets dirty and wets through). My understanding is that eVent has similar properties. Since GE bought the company, eVent tents have disappeared in America, however.
_________________________
--Rick

Top
#103446 - 09/24/08 10:23 PM Re: Best tent for Pacific NW / BC [Re: Rick_D]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
I'd also go the 2-tent route. It seems ridiculous to carry a heavy winter tent for the 7-8 months of the year when you don't need it.

For a lightweight 3-season tent, I'd also go with a Tarptent, either Squall 2 or Double Rainbow. Despite their name, tarptents are single-wall tents, not tarps--most have floors and netting and are fully bug-proof. Get your SO in on the decision, since you need to keep her happy. I suspect you'll both be happier each having your own door and porch with the Double Rainbow. Either of these tents will do fine for 3-season use. They are lightweight--lighter than any double-wall tent. Henry Shires' tents have sufficient ventilation that severe condensation inside is a rare event. I've had far more condensation inside a double-wall tent (Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight--big puddles on the floor due to condensation from the fly leaking through the inner tent) than with my Tarptent Squall 2. It's adequate ventilation, not the number of walls, that prevents or reduces condensation. And Tarptents are more spacious than the lighter double-wall tents; the latter reduce weight by severely reducing the inside space. You and your SO will appreciate the roominess.

IMPORTANT: Tarptents are most definitely not winter tents. They'll repel a couple inches of snow, but not a couple of feet of the heavy wet stuff we normally get in a PNW winter storm. Please read and heed TomD's post!

Since you probably won't be winter camping much for a while, I'd suggest renting (or borrowing) a 4-season tent in winter. I definitely wouldn't buy a winter tent until you've become experienced at winter camping and decide that you really like it. I tried it a few times and decided that I hated it, mostly because of our long hours of winter darkness up here north of the 45th parallel. Your Mileage, of course, May (and probably will) Vary. If you do decide that you want to go all out for winter camping, your experiences in a rented or borrowed 4-season tent will help you decide what kind of tent you want for the winter. At that point you can pick up a used winter tent that hopefully won't break your budget.
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#103447 - 09/25/08 02:50 PM Re: Best tent for Pacific NW / BC [Re: JasonA]
Mattress Offline
member

Registered: 05/14/07
Posts: 109
Loc: Victoria, BC, Canada
My only contribution as a regular west coast hiker is to consider free-standing. I've found on beaches especially it's very hard to get a good pitch with non-freestanding designs. I have a bunch of tents, and by far my favorite for wet coastal is the Tarptent Rainbow (single or double). I'm ok with condensation in the tent and other such limitations of a single wall though, so this recommendation should be tempered by your experience and ability/willingness to stay dry in a wet environment.
_________________________
http://lighterload.blogspot.com/

Top
#103448 - 09/25/08 04:32 PM Re: Best tent for Pacific NW / BC [Re: OregonMouse]
CWF Offline
member

Registered: 08/22/06
Posts: 266
Quote:
It seems ridiculous to carry a heavy winter tent for the 7-8 months of the year when you don't need it.


That IS the length of my winter <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Top
#103449 - 09/25/08 05:25 PM Re: Best tent for Pacific NW / BC [Re: CWF]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
Here in NW Oregon, too--in fact, it's more like 9 months--but that's the rainy season. Will you really be doing extensive camping in heavy snow more than 4-5 months of the year? Tarptents do just fine keeping the rain off. You need the heavy winter tent only when you are in a place/time where it's possible to get heavy snow or consistently below-freezing conditions (mountains or east of the Cascades). You stated that you're mostly concerned about our NW winter rains. If you're going to do lots of snow camping, that's a different story.

I'd still suggest renting a winter tent until you have more experience snow-camping. I also strongly recommend going with experienced folks, preferably in an instructional setting, before you try to snow-camp on your own. There are lots of dangers like avalanches that you need to learn about.
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#103450 - 09/26/08 11:01 PM Re: Best tent for Pacific NW / BC [Re: OregonMouse]
johndavid Offline
member

Registered: 04/23/08
Posts: 260
Loc: jersey city NJ
Regarding TomD's comment:

"My point is this: sure you might be able to get away with a tarp or light tent under ideal winter conditions.,,. But, if things go bad, unless you have the right skills and the right gear". etc.

Here's a newspaper article about crossing the Juneau Icecap in first week of April with Megamid:
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/051001/Out_Icefield.html

Last weekend of February, a highly routine trip, using Megamid as a matter of course, in coastal mountains near Vancouver (See page 14).

http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca/calgary/chinook/Chinook-Apr01.pdf

Etc. ..There are plenty of other examples. The founder of Mountainsmith packs later developed Kifaru tipis essentially as winter shelters in Colorado. (They are in effect, over-sized Megamids). The book "AMC Guide To Winter Camping" (1991) had extensive recommendations regarding similar tents. Book had a northern New England focus. Etc......

The idea that a properly designed, fully enclosed tarp shelter is suitable for winter conditions is simply NOT far out, unusual, dangerous, or uninformed. Rather, it's pretty common.

Yeah, a winter mountaineering tent with a fly is warmer (assuming you're not going delux with a woodstove). If snow is wind-packed to the point of solid ice (plausible only in exposed places well above treeline in winter) then yeah, battening down the edges of a Megamid (or similar) with chopped ice would be a trick. Otherwise, snow banking seals them right up.

Top
#103451 - 09/26/08 11:51 PM Re: Best tent for Pacific NW / BC [Re: johndavid]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
There was a "Nature" program a few years ago about winter in Yellowstone, in which the naturalist was sleeping in a bivy under a tarp. Of course he was highly experienced and of course he had a TV crew with him (no mention of where the TV crew slept!). I certainly wouldn't recommend this type of gear to a beginner.

There are a number of floorless pyramid tents made by Mountain Laurel Designs, Oware, GoLite, Black Diamond and others, which will shed heavy snow and are a lot lighter than your standard 4-season tent. With a mosquito netting "nest" added, they are suitable for summer, too, although the tent/netting combo is definitely heavier than most tarptents.

The point here is that the OP has admitted his inexperience. If he's going out in winter, he needs to learn how to cope with all the hazards he will encounter and gain experience in the company of experienced winter backpackers. To start with, he'd probably feel more comfortable and possibly save money by renting or borrowing a winter tent. Once he's had winter camping experience and decides that he likes it, that's the time to consider investing and possibly going to a pyramidal tent.


Edited by OregonMouse (09/26/08 11:54 PM)
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#103452 - 09/28/08 09:19 AM Re: Best tent for Pacific NW / BC [Re: OregonMouse]
JasonA Offline
newbie

Registered: 09/20/08
Posts: 4
yeah its true, I have done little back country backpacking, so as such I'm really very unfamilar with the most effective types of gear. I will definitely take your advice and hold off on the winter camping until I've done more 3 season. I think the Sierra Club does a course (WTC) on back country backpacking, which includes some winter camping training - might give that a go next year.

but anyways the big point for me was to get a tent that could withstand heavy rains over three+ plus days without leaving me drenched inside. Anyone living in the PNW knows what I'm talking about. Oregon's a classic for lots and lots of rain, while Washington and BC can get that plus occasional heavy snowfall in Winter. I assumed that meant a mountaineering tent which is why i've been considering the 4-season. So... I guess I don't really want to bank on "light" rains.. I suspect many if not all three season tents do well in this area. The big question for me is, if not a mountaineering tent, what tent(s) would be most appropriate. In short, I'd rather get something thats well reviewed for these situations, as opposed to what I can barely get away with.

Top
#103453 - 09/28/08 05:15 PM Re: Best tent for Pacific NW / BC [Re: JasonA]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada

A plastic sheet - rigged properly, will keep you dry in the most torrential of rains. seriously.

If you are used to your tent leaking if it's not a "mountaineering tent" then your tent you are thinking of was probably a cheap POS bought at wal-mart or crappy tire, and then not waterproofed or seam sealed.

look back at some of the suggestions made here for 3 season use, and consider one of the
reputable ones. I've got plenty of tents - and tarps - that are not "mountaineering" stuff that have kept me dry in multi-day monsoon type downpours - as long as I did my part (seam sealed before taking them out the first time, didn't pitch them in a bowl that would fill up with water, etc.).. Keeping dry really isn't rocket science.
_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


Top
#103454 - 10/03/08 05:25 PM Re: Best tent for Pacific NW / BC [Re: JasonA]
scottyb Offline
member

Registered: 05/28/08
Posts: 278
Loc: Texas Hill Country
Quote:
So, I've been particular to Mountain Hardware stuff, because they seem to offer some really nice stuff at weights that I think aren't excessive. One I've been specifically eyeballing is the MH
Skyledge 2.1 .


BTW, REI has this tent on sale starting 9/3. If I remember correctly it is $249, down from $325.


Edited by scottyb (10/04/08 01:21 PM)
_________________________
Just because you don't take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you.... Pericles (430 B.C)

Top
Page 2 of 2 < 1 2

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 160 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum