I have just returned to backpacking after a few years off. I have gone through my gear and while everything generally checks out, I believe my 30 year old North Face Westwind tent has met its maker. I was looking at the Hilleburg Akto but while searching through these forums saw the Tarptent Scarp 1. I could not find much other information on this tent in the forums and only a few tidbits on the internet for reviews (I am also a bit computer challenged). Does anyone have any information on how this tent holds up. I usually do winters in the Virginia, West Virginia mountains but do occasionally head north to the New Hampshire area. Will have snow, but mostly cold rain. When it does snow it will be wet and heavy.

Do want to have something I can eventually use in the western mountains.

Found a lot more information on the Scarp today, both on this site and on line. Had to change the way I was searching, less is more kind of thing. The Scarp looks like it will be my new solo tent.

Blast from the past... the old NF Westwind was a top-drawer tent!

The Westwind has been a good tent. Never liked the door, let to much snow in, but at the time, there wasn't much better. The floor material just started to feel brittle or just not right. Last thing I want is a failure on a stormy night. I ordered the Scarp and it should be here for January's camping.

Hilleberg makes nice tents. I think I'd reconsider them were I you.

I had a Tarptent, but I really couldn't like all the condensation, even here in the high-dry West. Beautifully made and fine for a long thru-hike, but not a general 4-season tent IMO/E. Doubly-so in a humid locale like the East Coast.

Me, I use a Black Diamond Firstlight as a 4-season solo tent and prefer it far and away over the Tarptent. Certainly more of a viable East-Coast option than the TT too.

I still have an old TNF 1979 VE24 and 1986 June Bug...

Brad
Just out of curiosity, have you had the opportunity to compare the Scarp with the Akto ?

Franco

Nope... I prefer the roomier, lighter, more breathable Black Diamond Firstlight here in Montana to either the Scarp or the Akto.

You think the Scarp is more breathable than the Rainbow?

When I buy another TT it'll be the Contrail. I still think it's among the best of the TT models.

Sorry Brad , it was a "loaded" question because I happen to know that you have a Rainbow and that and the Scarp are not at all alike... .
The Rainbow is an hybrid , so you do have the side mesh walls in the "inner" however the top is single wall.
The Scarp is a full double wall tent with a fabric (called solid by Henry) ,totally separate, inner.
You can even put up either fly or inner by themselves.
Like any tent you still get condensation however you don't come in contact with it.
In really cold weather (ie -20f and less) the Akto may be a bit more glove friendly, but with the Scarp you do have the advantage of beign able to add extra poles to hold more snow.
The Akto very simply is not a Soulo nor a Staika .

For you , I still like the Contrail very much but now I would also look very carefuly at the Notch.
Franco

Franco, I just went and looked at the Notch... nice. I'd have to get the pole set as I don't do trekking poles (I use a single cane).

As to the Scarp or Atko, for me the BD Firstlight is a lighter, roomier, more bomb-proof alternative. In winter I don't need a double wall, and for the rain I get here the Firstlight's single wall works more than adequately.

I'm sure the Scarp is excellent, I just can't see how it's better for my needs.

A couple shots I took five or six years ago...

Brad
Since the OP has already decided anyway, we can digress...
When the Firstlight was announced I got all excited because of the weight/space ratio and I was already very familiar with the Bibler design.
About 30 minutes after the box of the first delivery to Melbourne was opened, I was inside one .
I then discovered that on top of a mat my sleeping bag would touch both end walls . (I am only 5'8")
Sleeping at an angle just does not feel right for me. So I purchased the Lighthouse, I already had tried out the Aussie prototype of that one.
Franco

I'm 5'10" and I don't have to sleep at an angle. Straight works fine, but I think a 6" tall person is the absolute upper limit for a person in this tent.

Definitely the Lighthouse is a better option for those taller than 6'.

Love the winter tent picture. Wish I had Christmas cards of that.May I borrow the picture for non resale use? Philip

That picture was already borrowed from the TT site.
The proud owner of that Scarp is Matthias Nietruk from Germany.
Loads of nice shots of TTs in action here :
http://www.tarptent.com/gallery.html
Franco

I just received my Tarptent Notch. It is really, really yummy! Haven't used it in the field yet but it sets up nice and taught - really stable through the ridgeline. My only criticism thus far? I would prefer a bigger stuff sack (ha).

To the OP, I prefer more room to less for a winter shelter. The Akto is a bit small for extended stay and as Franco mentions, it isn't going to be optimal in snow loading conditions. 'Doable' but not optimal. The Scarp with the crossing poles will do much better with static snow load.

However, I am a big fan of the Hilleberg Nallo 2 as a solo winter tent. Very strong, good ventilation, double walled, easy to set up, and will last a lifetime.

I liked the look of the Akto but also looked at the Soulo. Freestanding was not a requirement for me as I have never had a problem with setting up the Westwind (not free standing). I chose the Scarp for its shape and the extra poles for support. That decision is somewhat based on a night I spent where we had high wind and driven snow, which part way through the night turned to freezing rain. The load on the tent that night was pretty intense, I was surprised the poles did not snap. I didn't think the Akto would hold up to that. I have never been a fan of single wall tents, but my opinion may be based on old technology. I did not even put them on my look at list. A lot has changed in the last 10 or so years, I may not have made the best decision in my selection (I do feel comfortable with it though) But with the information I had at hand, that is the decision I made. Hopefully I will be out testing the tent soon and hopefully it will do what I want it to do.