pyramid shelter winter camping

2022.07.31
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pyramid shelter winter camping

Thanks for joining the AlpineSavvy mailing list. Simply flatten the tent and put a few snow blocks in the middle to keep it from blowing away when you're gone. I'm not buying that. You can get big discounts if your an AAC member on BA gear (or if you have a friend who is), If you want one shelter to do it all SlingFin would be a great option, Haha idk about that but Im sure more sane people would consider it suspect that my gear closet is worth more than my car shield 3 looks interesting, thats the lightest tent Ive seen in that style. Maybe I'm wrong but I'm not gonna spend the money to find out. The Silvertip is your base camp and group shelter and can later be your cook tent. Unfortunately I don't get to use my pyramid tent as much as I would like because most people I hike with prefer a floor. You can make a foot well because were using an A-frame support, not a center pole, see below. If your trekking pole is not long enough, you can lash it to a second trekking pole with a Voile ski strap to create a longer pole or extend it with a pole jack, which is essentially atent pole repair sleeve that fits over your trekking pole tip to make it longer. They also work best on flat and even ground, unlike a flat tarp, where you can pitch one side considerably higher than the other and still get a viable shelter. Also packs smaller which is nice. I wouldnt buy the cuben fiber for longevity or strength.

Setting up a pyramid tent by yourself is never easy. I am looking for the most light weight option for above treeline in the winter. If you are just going around Denali NP then a pyramid would work great since treeline is so low there - I was there a year ago and mainly used a gatewood cape and I only camped below treeline once and had plenty of room generally. The X-Mid 2P might work as a mid-inspired tent. Another vote for the Mega Light. You're currently viewing a free preview of a member exclusive premium article. How are you going to find a stick above the treeline in winter? I kind of already knew the answers but with about 1lb per person with a pyramid I would love to take it to the mountains. Another common alternative is to purchase a half-sized inner tent that only fills part of the pyramid to save weight so you can safely cook in the floorless half in bad weather. I've had mine for 3yrs and it's in good shape but I don't think it's a lifetime shelter. Your email address will not be published. Some models can get pretty light but not as light as a pyramid. Here's a photo sequence and pro tips from Graybird Guiding showing how to prepare your campsite and set up your tent. As for strength although the fabric is stronger the more likely failure is pulling out anchors which cuben will put more force on from the lack of stretch. But they are heavy. I would expect better snow shedding due to steeper walls and more structure, and similar or greater living volume in a smaller footprint. I've seen REI selling "Snow anchors" for staking tents in deep snow. pyramid in high wind you want guylines on each side, like the McKinley tent, the McKinley tent has those four short poles on the corners. (No more than 2-3 emails per month, we promise.). If you are doing Denali (the mountain) you may run into spots where you don't have room to pitch a pyramid. Pyramid tents can be used above treeline, although you might want to modify the shape if you expect high wind. The wind will have little effect on the tarp while it is flat. In that same ballpark is the Supermid.

One alternative is to lower the profile to be about two-thirds of normal. And for extra ventillation two tunnel vents positioned partway up the side walls opposite the roof vents for when you seal the bottom with snow. It would be for everything from expedition tent (or cook tent), to a ski touring tent, to solo summer backpacking. We used it on a high alpine bench (~10,000ft), and it held up well in the winds. It is super flexible and could cover the options you are considering. I'm looking at a purchase like you are. Without skins, point your skis downhill. My go to winter tent is a single wall Garuda Kusala tunnel ten.

3) Stomp out pad with your skis. Join us and ask yourself the question: Do I really need that? The peak itself is usually reinforced so the center pole doesnt puncture it. DCF is not more durable than silnylon or silpoly. Here's a fancier model from Hyperlight Mountain Gear that's made from Dyneema composite fabric. The idea seemed to be that you burry bags full of rocks in the snow rather than staking. The first winter thru of the PCT was done with an MLD MID. Here are the top 10 pyramid tarps that we recommend. In my opinion, a pyramid is the best snow tent. Connect with us on Face-gram, Insta-book and the Tube via the icons below. Pyramid tarps are a popular ultralight backpacking shelter option because theyre relatively lightweight and wind-resistant. Pyramid tarps often called mids, short for pyramids, are available in multiple forms ranging from one-person ultralight monopole tarps to multi-person winter tipis, complete with inner tents, stove jacks, and wood stoves. On the other hand I feel like the ultamid will get used all the time afterwards Obviously the latter is cuben fiber and a large investment that will last forever, but my question is the increased strength worth the cost or will the Silnylon tarp be suffiecient. How about set up? The silnylon held up to the high winds we encountered that night just fine. What's great about pyramid tents in snow? A Membership is required to post in the forums. Better climate control: Lift up the bottom a bit if you need some ventilation, or bunker down from a storm by putting snow blocks on the outside. The 0.75 DCF could easily take many times more weigh in snow than any trekking pole could ever handle without collapsing. Not having a center pole in the way is really nice! And then I would use 4 poles to pitch it in a double A frame (assuming two people) with something like an extended length DPTE. The Rab Latok Mountain 2/3 would be a good alternative. In some areas, trees are not there, but some low woody bushes are there. * The design is very dependent on *all* the stakes holding all of them. You're definitely right to be looking at mids. Most smaller capacity pyramids (1-3 people)can be set up with a trekking pole instead of a separate tent pole, which is common with the ultralight pyramids made by cottage manufacturers. Honestly an incredible tent. This is particularly advantageous in winter when insect protection is unnecessary. 6) Once the tent is anchored, bury the edges with the snow blocks you made earlier. It has all of the needed guy lines and center point point so that improvising is not needed. 1) First, choose a gentle slope. Is that a common method? I combine it with a Tyvek groundsheet to provide some sort of dryness. How much wind can a pyramid take? 2) Remove snow in blocks, which youll use later. Your email address will not be published. In the wind, in the winter with gloves I would want a second person. The rest :-). r/Ultralight is the largest online Ultralight Backcountry Backpacking community! The best way to reduce or eliminate any internal condensation is to maintain as much airflow as possible. A small and tangential point - I remember both the Eolus and Silex coming in at 3-5 ounces overweight after seam sealing based on user reports on Rokslide. The BA shield is the small footprint dome you use for areas with less space. Pyramid tarps are called monopole shelters because they only require one pole to set up. I'm be taking my mid above the treeline, I'll see how it holds up. Sleeps four people, weighs 1650 g (3 lb 10 oz). Hell if you wanted to you could even have a totally integrated floor sewn to the top like a Dome mountaineering tent - just gotta make sure the ventillation options are adequate. X-Mid 2P would accommodate 4 in fly only mode (pic here) about as well as the MSR Front Range. Does anyone have experience using a pyramid in full out winter above tree line conditions? Works great as a cook tarp too where you can hangout with a bunch of people on group trips. When evaluating multi-person pyramids, try to find ones that let you orient your head facing the front wall so you and your partner(s) have equal access to the door, rather than pyramids where youre lying perpendicular to the door. It is a pyramid shaped poncho that can be pitch with a trekking pole as a tarp. Shoot us your name and email, and well keep you in the loop so you hear of all new articles. Our premium articles include in depth journalism and insights from the Backpacking Light editorial team. Honestly, I don't know if you actually gain strength from going to the Hyperlight. The only limitation on a pyramid is that you need to make sure you have a relatively large space to pitch the tent. Sorry to thread highjack but just curious here. Home Forums Off Piste Mountaineering & Alpinism Pyramids above treeline in the winter? The traditional way to set them up used a cord around the circumference that all the other tie outs were pre tied to. I use my pyramid as my main winter skiing tent, above treeline, in high winds, and have never had any issues with it. I will be using it between 10,000 to 14,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada's here in Spain. I live in Alaska so I need something storm worthy. Durable fabrics, both should weather with the best of them. It's definitely true that you need to stake it out well. This makes a pyramid tent a popular choice for expedition climbing, like on Denali. Just rambling now. Save big on Exos/Eja, Atmos/Aura, and Stratos/Sirrus Backpacks. Then put up the pole and the other guy outs. I plan on stretching its use as a four season tent in the snow by digging it out/building walls and guying it out well. You talk seem to have a lot of ideas for winter tents, and honestly I think Im not as well versed as you. Floorless, so no more sleeping in a puddle of accumulated meltwater. We try to post Tasty Tips daily! Would you trust your life with a pyramid over a single wall tent? Here is what they used in McKinley in the 70s. Trying to dig down to ground level can be problematic. Or you can just use STICKS, the ultimate UL solution. Silnylon will also shed snow easier. about 4 pages down, pyramid climbing McKinley. An alternate to an igloo. The way I figure it is, my mid and my 4 season tunnel are in a similar magnitude regarding wind profile and material strengths. 5) Use your skis (or buried bags) to anchor the four corners. The way they position the seams, shape the tarp are different and effect stormproofness, interior room, etc. But I don't do any winter alpine climbing just general mountaineering, it could be great. Small stuff sacks for deadmen are very strong. I would imagine the MSR you mention would work, I used a Mountain Laurel Designs supermid which I liked. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, DurstonGear.com - Use DMs for questions to keep threads on topic.

Without them, you really can't use the outer 1 foot or so all the way around, but the poles weigh more, so maybe you're better off just making the floor a little bigger. Plus I can use it in the summer instead of my tarp if I want. The Silvertip is designed to fit really tall people - you would have no problem. You must be logged in to reply to this topic. This could potentially be a great choice but I simply can't find the info online and haven't taken the time to email them. But I imagine we have similar thoughts about career and lifestyle. While not an issue for solo use, youre probably going to wake up a partner if you have to get out of a multi-person pyramid at night. Check for the latest price at: Mountain Laurel Designs, Check for the latest price at: Six Moon Designs, Check for the latest price at: Zpacks.com, Check for the latest price at: Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Check for the latest price at: Locus Gear, Check for the latest price at: Seek Outside, Check for the latest price at: MSR | OutdoorPlay, Check for the latest price at Black Diamond. I have never used a pyramid tent before. Watch the Tarptent Dipole Review Premiere on YouTube: Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. I agree with u/adeptnebula that the Xmid 2 or SS2 make a lot of sense (fly only) for a good bulk of use even in the alpine. Another option is to get a pyramid that is larger than necessary so you have more room inside to move around. Actually lemme not write this out, i'll snap a photo of an old paper I have detailing some mids in that category. Me, for light-weight I would only use a double-skin tunnel tent at that altitude. "Setting up a pyramid tent by yourself is never easy. Another interesting pyramid tent hybrid is the Six Moons Gatewood cape. While the headroom at the center of a pyramid tent or tarp is usually quite good, letting you sit up with ease, the interior can be awkward to use depending on the slope angle of the walls and their distance from your face and the top of your feet. The big problem with mids - two or one pole - is they do take up a lot of floor space. Lots of dry snow but very hard winds during the winter. Absolute beefcake shelter. This gives a backrest and added height so you can stand up inside. Keep in mind their main market is hunters with a lot more gear than any of us bring. But if one was to dig down in the mid, and take down the pole, and do your best to tie up the flapping material, you'd get a way way better wind profile. Snow doesn't shed off DCF that well. http://smg.photobucket.com/user/TimberlineX/media/TentsforSaleJune2009003.jpg.html. Free Shipping and Returns. Black diamond mega or beta are good choices. Here is another mid like tent we used to use. Note the skirt around the bottom edge; you can stack snow blocks on this to seal up the tent. I understand that if you have pickets, flukes, ice axes, skis, snow stakes, etc, that those will work just fine, especially when you're pitching under duress in a screaming gale, but if you've got the luxury of time and reasonably calm conditions to pitch your shelter, these things are quite adequate. Connect with them at their website and on Instagram. This feature requires an active Backpacking Light Membership. DM me about nursing/healthcare/ lifestyle if you want - current 2nd career ASN nursing student in Seattle with a lot of healthcare experience - can't answer anything about grad programs. Cheers. At these price points, the front range would allow me to budget for a single wall tent expedition tent with it, while the hyperlite I would hope to use more in place of a single wall. Compare it to the MLD supermid for example. I dont really want a burly 8lb mountaineering tent that I will only use a couple times if I can manage to make something else work. Usually the best option is a single wall tent. A deadman, skis etc. If the only ground you can set a pyramid on is uneven, youre probably going to get some wall sag instead of a drum-tight pitch on the high side. No it's not that light, but it goes up anywhere in any conditions and one person can pitch it easily. Most pyramid tents and tarps have a single front door, which can be problematic depending on its position and the number of people sharing the shelter. Plus, check out the backrest which comes from digging into a slope, clever! If your platform is level, you won't slide. Higher peak hight means more wind can catch it.

MLD said that their silnylon which is 20 and 30D will last twice as long as their DCF shelters. There might be sticks that dropped off trees and are visible, but they would likely be below treeline, not above treeline.

If this bothers you, look for pyramids with a higher peak height and steeper sidewalls. If you rig it as shown below with ski poles, there's no center pole, which saves some weight and gives you even more space inside. I used McKinley tents in scouts and later for two other outdoors schools and none came with corner poles. A sleeping bag size one, snow filled and clove hitched around the center buried in snow resisted pullout from six men pulling downhill on a climbing rope in one test. Check out this short (2:40) video that shows how all this comes together. Finally if you're not a weight weenie the Cimarron (for a larger footprint) and the Silvertip (for a smaller footprint) both make a lot of sense. It is correct that one good UL solution is to tie off to a buried stick. I trust Ron to have bias orientation figured out. Any type of tent will need to be guyed out anyway. A good metal snow stake like the venerable SMC snow stake has centered holes in it, and I find those to be virtually foolproof, although the weight will add up. A pole is often included with the shelter or available as an option. EDIT: Looks like their new shelters are announced - they have pre orders up - and damn these do not dissapoint! We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Pyramid tents are usually just pyramid tarps with an optional add-on inner tent that has a floor and mesh netting to protect occupants from ground moisture, insects, and creepy crawlies. As shown in these photos, you're using your skis and poles as part of the tent structure. This makes a massive difference in interior room. The vent is nice and the mid panel tieouts add a lot of interior room. Cuben tends to do worse for longevity. They both have advantages/disadvantages. New Customer Discount. It's light and so damn tough. Personally my ideal shelter for winter use would be the Xmid / SS2 / Silex approx layout but paired with burlier fabric, zippers, and real snow valences. The Mountain Laurel Designs (MLD) Supermid, Hyperlite Mountain Gear Backpacks: How to Choose, How to Reduce Your Backpacking Water Weight, Backpacking and Fly Fishing the Dry River, How to Stop Your Superfeet Insoles from Squeaking, Bare Boxer Contender Review: A Small 2-3 Day Bear Canister, Nitecore 10000 mAh USB Power Bank (5.9 oz), Feathered Friends Flicker 40 Quilt Sleeping Bag. It also fits over the same net tent as the Six Moons Deschutes Tarp. I bought my Silvertip for above treeline and also 4 season use though so it's less of an issue. http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/4-Season-Tent-Reviews/Brooks-Range-Invasion. For what it's worth, Max Neale strongly advocates for this tent in his 4-season Alaska adventures, including Denali. Timewise, this typically takes two people about an hour, and a bit faster after you've done it a few times. I am looking into a pyramid tent. Many of the manufacturers listed above sell half-mids inner tents that can be used for this purpose. All Rights Reserved. That catches less wind, but to do that, you have to have a center pole that can be reduced to two-thirds length. Get our free Handbook and Receive our weekly newsletter to see what's new at Backpacking Light! With your ski poles making an A-frame as shown here, you of course need to remove them the next day when you go skiing. But with HMGs build process I probably wouldn't be concerned about it. When purchasing a pyramid, make sure to look for ones that have interior gear loops or attachment points so you can conveniently suspend accessories in the interior. It's the only shelter design that will be storm-worthy enough for your extreme use case while being light enough for your minimal use case. Both materials are likely to have a similar lifespan, although many people prefer using Silnylon over DCF in winter because snow slides off its surface more easily. I'm just across the border from OP in the Yukon and I've used mine for years, summer and winter. Let me get one misconception out of the way. I do have an HMG backpack which I really enjoyed and the stitching around eventually pulled through the material. Also if Im going to have to use a true mountaineering tent then Id rather go the cheaper route on this kind of tent, but Im not really excited to own a bunch of tents. You took 3 feet of snow and 30 mph winds but you would not use it on a volcano?

Internal condensation is best addressed by encouraging plenty of airflow through a pyramid, by keeping the front door open or pitching them so plenty of air can blow through, low down near the ground. I think the reason to go dcf is weight, and it's properties while wet (doesn't get water loaded, seep or stretch). You might want to include the Zpacks Altaplex tarp, which is the perfect size for a solo+ shelter and only weighs 7.6 ounces in 0.50 DCF and 9.5 ounces in 0.75 DCF. 4) Optional: Dig a footwell for even more interior space. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting. Check those wall angles (and note peak height as it informs angle) on the HMG 4. On-route it has to large of a profile and it is probably way more of a hassle then I would want to deal with. Pricey but maybe worth it if you use it a lot. Map - Portland rock climbs and bouldering, Pacific NW Long Hiking Routes - GPX Tracks. OSPREY-PACKS: Backpacking Pack Sale! Yes, finding a stick might be difficult. I have been looking for some used integral designs and black diamond tents for sale. Also take a good look at SlingFin shelters - they have some damn fine designs going on and I know they have some new stuff coming down the pipe that sounds really nice.

If you opt not to use an inner tent in a pyramid tarp, you can use a lightweight footprint, like Tyvek or window wrap, as a waterproof groundsheet, or an ultralight bivy sack with a mesh hood for added insect protection. If you use an inner tent with a pyramid tarp, youve effectively turned it into a double-wall tent, with all of the advantages and disadvantages commonly associated with them. The material also does not stretch when it gets wet by rain or morning dew. http://warmlite.com/tents/tents-technical, http://brooks-range.com/Invasion-Tent.html Free Shipping and Returns. You should get a confirmation email soon; please click it to be added. I am trying to decide between two but also very different products. "* The design is very dependent on *all* the stakes holding all of them.". For the original OP - I'd also recommend you checkout Big Agnes or Rabs mountaineering domes (Nemo Tenshi maybe too) - I'm using one regularly (now discontinued but similar) and they are damn hard to beat for a true fast and light alpine tent. Here are some hard-earned insights into how to use them and what to look for when purchasing one. I just dont see myself using it for weekend ski trips or anything other than a high camp on a committed climb. Id be interested in what you would think is the most versatile 4 season shelter that you would trust in a committed high alpine situation lets assume its not a bivy ledge, so footprint is less of a concern. The UltaMid 4 looks a bit larger and heavier. Can they handle it? The shape of the footprint circular versus square or rectangular can also have an impact on the amount of edge clearance you have. The great thing about local found sticks is that if your taut line hitch around the buried stick is above the snow, you can simply untie the knot, pull the cord and leave the stick when it is time to break camp. It's also survived 30 mph sustained winds, although you obviously have to pitch it carefully. Backpacking Light helps hikers and other backcountry enthusiasts overcome their barriers to living a life outside in Wild Places. https://www.amazon.com/Snow-Sand-Shawn-Forry/dp/B07PNKKMPS. While different versions of this tent have probably been around for thousands of years, Black Diamond was one of the first (early 1990s?) I typically use skis on all four corners. Didnt trust it in that situation? I like a flat tarp for the intangibles despite it not being always functional. * You can get a bit of condensation in them as a top vent is tricky to do. They couldn't. Sounds like you have pretty deep pockets - I'd recommend going with a Silvertip and Big Agnes Shield 2/3. We used Chouinard pyramids in eastern Oregon in the winter where poles on a Northface expedition tent broke from the wind. I'd consider something bomber like a tunnel tent. Internal guylines are really awesome if you can rig them - I've added internal loops to multiple designs that lacked them. You can watch the documentary on Amazon. Ive been using my 0.75 DCF Altaplex tarp for winter camping this year and its super solid, especially if there is enough snow to dig down and lower the tarp edges right down to the snow to seal out more drafts. Really just considering msr cause that would be cost with the bug screen insert. Stake that cord out on the four corners, then reinforce with other anchors. It took me a while to dig one up, but back when I did a little above-treeline camping (very little, actually, with my Bibler eldorado), I used these deadman stakes which were made from the venerable yellow plastic stakes with the heads and points cut off and were then drilled to make them lighter. Consider bringing longer, thicker, and heavier tent stakes when anchoring your shelter in windy terrain. My options are the MSR Front Range 4 (400$) and the Hyperlite Ultamid 4 (1100$). IF the centre pole is strong enough, and IF the fabric is strong enough, then you only have 3 other things to worry about. We put rocks around the edges so that wind could not get underneath very well. If the snow is deep enough, you can bury the bottom edge of the tent in the snow, and the wind won't get under the edge and into the tent. to make a commercial model, which I think was the Megamid. And the light models are extremely expensive. Required fields are marked *. Nice to see Black Diamond moving to polyester. Press J to jump to the feed. If $1100 is in your budget, maybe look at getting two sil nylon shelters. Since the X-Mid 2P does have more headroom it would have larger profile to the wind that can be partially compensated for via the peak guylines but if wind is a top concern then a single pole shelter would be better. Use the links below to share this content: Viewing 22 posts - 1 through 22 (of 22 total), Live Webinar - Introduction to Map & Compass - July 2 @ 9 AM US MDT, http://brooks-range.com/Invasion-Tent.html, http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/4-Season-Tent-Reviews/Brooks-Range-Invasion. I called them "Deadfeathers". Think about geometry and tie out options - wall angle should be a leading concern. As does the price. Note that many of the pyramids not the same shape.