Tent Thread

[Dr. Crash]

Originally posted by cj001f
I currently own a Bibler Winter Bivy - made of Epic, like the tents. It's great for Snow, Cold, Dry. Not bad for rain - but it definitely doesn't keep it all out. Based on that experience I'm not in the market for an Epic tent - nor do I see much purpose, save high altitude mountaineering. YMMV

[hijack]How do you like the bivy? I'm thinking of getting it for snow caves and emergencies[/hijack].

I think there's a big difference between the bivy and tents in that tents will be taut tightly and until you touch the walls the rain will be kept out even though the fabric is not 100% waterproof. Just like a taut umbrella protects you from rain even though the umbrella's nylon is not waterproof.

drC

[Phil]

Originally posted by Dr. Crash
[hijack]How do you like the bivy? I'm thinking of getting it for snow caves and emergencies[/hijack].

I think there's a big difference between the bivy and tents in that tents will be taut tightly and until you touch the walls the rain will be kept out even though the fabric is not 100% waterproof. Just like a taut umbrella protects you from rain even though the umbrella's nylon is not waterproof.

drC

I sleep in a snow cave with my salathe and never been wet threw the bivy. I can imagine it being somewhat humid if it were in a downpore (?) or a wet blizzard.
Being out there means toughing shit out, there ain't no perfect gear if there were we would have 5 star snow caves and the backcountry would be infested and boring. Hijack what you said ?

[Crinkle]

pretty good prices at www.campmor.com
I have a Eureka Apex, 2 man, 3 season, weighs about 5 lbs.

[Spats]

Just did a 5-day backpack with a Tarptent Cloudburst. Two person tent, single wall, I got the sewn-in floor.

2 pounds 6 ounces with included titanium stakes and stuff sack. That's 3-4 pounds lighter than the average 2-person tent, and half a pound lighter than the average 1-person.

It's a little more work than a regular tent: the fabric stretches a bit once you pitch, so you have to restake before climbing in for the night. And like any single wall, you'll get condensation on the inside, so if you don't pitch tight, your sleeping bag will contact damp nylon. But it's about a million times easier than dealing with a tarp and groundsheet.

It's got plenty of room inside, especially if you stake out the sides. Didn't get any serious rain, just sprinkles.

It's not good for winter camping or serious rainforest work, because there are no vestibules -- just an overhang on the front and back. But for most hikes, where you're only worried about bugs and thundershowers, it's perfect.

It's still expensive, but much less so than a Bibler, Hilleberg, or Warmlite. And it weighs pounds less.

They've also got a solo tent (not a bivy) that weighs 1 lb 9 oz.

www.tarptent.com