Well, after some field use, and more planning I am changing up my shelter.
Mostly hunting trips are 1-2 people, early bow season. These are generally backcountry trips. I also wanted a shelter for summer hiking and peak bagging. I decided to got with a Jimmy Tarp Down Timber, with a 6x9 Jimmy Tarp as well. If you have not heard of Jimmy Tarps, I suggest you give them a serious look.
I settled on these to items for a few reasons. 1) Weight, 2) Cost, 3) Adaptability. I am in Graduate school, and have a family, so I can not afford the most expensive gear. I thought Jimmy Tarps were a heck of a deal price wise. Obviously I can not attest to the durability etc. as I have been unable to use in the field yet. But, just going over both items here in the house they seem to be well made (im no seamstress either). I plan on using the down timber as my primary shelter, and with two people I can attach the tarp as a sort of beak option. THis just gives more room for gear, lounging etc. I think a true benefit is I can throw that tarp in my pack each morning with ease, and if I feel like spiking out in another valley for a day or two I can, and leave the down timber setup. Basically a simpler base camp bivying setup.
So, what about camping with the family etc? Winter late hunts? Well, I have an SL5, and it has worked alright. But, I am seriously thinking about selling it and purchasing a Sawtooth.... or waiting to check out the new stuff from Kifaru. I like the SL5, and if I had enough money I would keep it and purchase another tent. But, it is shorter than I thought.
My Down Timber weights in at 10.9 ounces with the stuff sack, and the tarp weights 7.7 ounces with stuff sack. For those of you not wanting to add, that is 1lb 2.6 ounces (18.6) for a two person shelter with option to run base camp/ spike out setup. So far I am pretty siked, and look forward to setting it up.
One other thought. I like the idea of pitching a shelter with trekking poles, but in situations where I think I will be spending nights away from the Down Timber, I want to have my poles with me. So, I have some carbon poles from Ruta Locura coming. Once I get them, I will weight them, along with the stakes I will use, my bivy sack, and pad and quilt. Hoping for under 3 lbs. Or very near. Im not a serious ounce counter, just an overweight outtashape graduate student!
Mostly hunting trips are 1-2 people, early bow season. These are generally backcountry trips. I also wanted a shelter for summer hiking and peak bagging. I decided to got with a Jimmy Tarp Down Timber, with a 6x9 Jimmy Tarp as well. If you have not heard of Jimmy Tarps, I suggest you give them a serious look.
I settled on these to items for a few reasons. 1) Weight, 2) Cost, 3) Adaptability. I am in Graduate school, and have a family, so I can not afford the most expensive gear. I thought Jimmy Tarps were a heck of a deal price wise. Obviously I can not attest to the durability etc. as I have been unable to use in the field yet. But, just going over both items here in the house they seem to be well made (im no seamstress either). I plan on using the down timber as my primary shelter, and with two people I can attach the tarp as a sort of beak option. THis just gives more room for gear, lounging etc. I think a true benefit is I can throw that tarp in my pack each morning with ease, and if I feel like spiking out in another valley for a day or two I can, and leave the down timber setup. Basically a simpler base camp bivying setup.
So, what about camping with the family etc? Winter late hunts? Well, I have an SL5, and it has worked alright. But, I am seriously thinking about selling it and purchasing a Sawtooth.... or waiting to check out the new stuff from Kifaru. I like the SL5, and if I had enough money I would keep it and purchase another tent. But, it is shorter than I thought.
My Down Timber weights in at 10.9 ounces with the stuff sack, and the tarp weights 7.7 ounces with stuff sack. For those of you not wanting to add, that is 1lb 2.6 ounces (18.6) for a two person shelter with option to run base camp/ spike out setup. So far I am pretty siked, and look forward to setting it up.
One other thought. I like the idea of pitching a shelter with trekking poles, but in situations where I think I will be spending nights away from the Down Timber, I want to have my poles with me. So, I have some carbon poles from Ruta Locura coming. Once I get them, I will weight them, along with the stakes I will use, my bivy sack, and pad and quilt. Hoping for under 3 lbs. Or very near. Im not a serious ounce counter, just an overweight outtashape graduate student!
