How many shelter types do you have and how much do you actually use any particular one? I'm trying to narrow down exactly what kind of shelter I should invest in. If I had pack animals, I would get a canvas wall tent and stay really comfortable back in there a few miles. Unfortunately, I can only take what I can carry on my back or where I can get my vehicle. I can easily set up my vehicle for sleeping in at the trail head and leaning towards just using that method over a wall tent or similar shelter because I can't get a wall tent in much further than my vehicle anyway so whats the point of spending the extra $1800. The extra space of a wall tent would be awesome but is it worth it if you are near your vehicle anyway?
I liked the idea of a tipi and lightweight stove for cold weather and packing in on foot but with getting up several times to keep the fire going, at what point are you better off going with a traditional 4 season tent even if it's a bit heavier? Say you don't bring the stove in conjunction with the tipi, is the 4 season tent (double wall type) warmer then? Pros or Cons? I would use the tent mostly in the fall but a little in the spring too. Is a 4 season tent overkill and way heavier to pack in than what you need in the spring? A tipi with or without stove may be a better all around choice?
Lastly, for those who use a bivy, do you go out planning on only using a bivy to be ultra light weight or you use it in conjunction with a base camp and have the bivy in case you find the game you're after and don't want to leave them?
I liked the idea of a tipi and lightweight stove for cold weather and packing in on foot but with getting up several times to keep the fire going, at what point are you better off going with a traditional 4 season tent even if it's a bit heavier? Say you don't bring the stove in conjunction with the tipi, is the 4 season tent (double wall type) warmer then? Pros or Cons? I would use the tent mostly in the fall but a little in the spring too. Is a 4 season tent overkill and way heavier to pack in than what you need in the spring? A tipi with or without stove may be a better all around choice?
Lastly, for those who use a bivy, do you go out planning on only using a bivy to be ultra light weight or you use it in conjunction with a base camp and have the bivy in case you find the game you're after and don't want to leave them?