Maybe I should write a book, our marriage in tents. Probably not but I admit I have a problem. My problem: I can’t admit that there is no such thing as too many tents. Actually my true problem: there is always a better tent than the one we currently own. I thought I would take a trip down memory lane on the various tents we previously owned and two that we still do.
Our first family tent, a classic cabin tent. This tent had a unique feature, it only leaked where I was sleeping. We dragged this thing all over the country and have plenty of great memories exploring with the grirlsOur first backpacking tent: Sierra Designs, this is on Mount RogersOur next tent was a 3 person Mountain Hardwear. This is Jamie and I in the Smokies.This is our first backpacking trip with the girls. High wind and rain all night, Leann and I were in the Sierra and the girls were in the Mountain Hardwear. I hardly slept, they had no issues. This is on the approach trail to Springer Mountain and the start of the AT. Our next night was at the Len Foote Hike Inn, one of my favorite places in the country.After the Sierra Designs we moved to the North Face Rock, which had 2 doors and 2 vestibules. We no longer had to climb over each other to get out of the tent. OK, Leann no longer had to climb over me since I slept by the door. It was nice to have the extra door and gear storage room. This was on the Chuck Keiper trail which might be the hardest and most remote trail in Pennsylvania.Big Agnes SL2 on our first backpacking trip west of the Mississippi: Wind River Range in Wyoming. This tent was 2 pounds lighter than the North Face. Might not sound like much until you carry it 50 miles through the mountains.We went to our local outdoor store (pre REI) to just look around and they had a great sale on the Big Agnes SL3 (3 person). We bought it of course and sold the 2 person version.This was our first foray into single wall tents set up with our trekking poles. Plus: lightest tent we ever owned. Negative: not made for the East since we always got condensation inside on cooler nights. We used it for a year and sold it.Now we are back to Big Agnes with the Copper Spur UL2. This was 3 pounds, 2 doors and 2 vestibules. Maybe the perfect backpacking tent and we used it a lot.We were gearing up for our first backpack trip North of the Arctic circle and purchased a Big Agnes Battle Mountain. Fortunately we bought it at REI and were able to return it. no questions asked. This tent had a serious design flaw, water and snow would collect on a low spot on top, not a good feature in a tent.We replaced the Battle Mountain with the Hilleberg, This picture is from a recent trip and the tent is still standing after 3 straight days of 60 mph winds,. Other tents on the trip ripped and had bent poles. Ours did not have a scratch, stay tuned for that story.Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 which is a bigger 3 person version of the UL2 above. This is our go to tent for all trips not in Alaska. Leann likes it since there is plenty of room for Sammy. I don’t think we need the extra room since he sleeps on me anyway.
4 replies on “TENTS, TENTS, TENTS”
I have lots of great memories from trips in the green cabin tent!
Same here but why did it always leak on my side?
Yep Steve, I have to agree. Maybe you should have found a support group to hang out with after 5 or so tents, but instead you chose to spend your time with enablers.
I am open for suggestions on a support group, the quicker the better since I am looking for a new tent.
4 replies on “TENTS, TENTS, TENTS”
I have lots of great memories from trips in the green cabin tent!
Same here but why did it always leak on my side?
Yep Steve, I have to agree. Maybe you should have found a support group to hang out with after 5 or so tents, but instead you chose to spend your time with enablers.
I am open for suggestions on a support group, the quicker the better since I am looking for a new tent.