Small Tent Wood Stoves

[two4hooking]

I bought the 8-man SO tipi this past Spring and used it twice for Spring gobbler and the Baltimore shoot to get acquainted.  XL stove will be a game changer in Idaho for elk this year. 

Get some longer spikes for the cardinal points if it will be really windy and be sure to stake out the guy out lines. I had mine blow down while I was away from camp but miraculously the stove was hot but not enough to burn  / melt a hole. 

[pavan]

Two things I found when canoe tripping with my Egyptian canvas 9 by 9 Baker tent in Canada. 1. When there is a lot of granite a loop of parachute cord and a rock works better than a stake in the ground. 2. A rope through the loops made very tight with a truckers hitch between two trees is better than using the pole set.  Two other things, 1. I also found that wool socks and wool long johns was easier to maintain than a fire.  2. It is easier to stand up when getting dressed on a rainy day than to do all kinds of contortions, trying to get dressed in a little nylon dog house on a rainy day. Okay one more, if someone wants to go along on an early season trip and they insist on using one of those damn hammock tents, leave them home. Two things are guaranteed to happen.  1. They will want you to load up their stick burner heater can and start the fire under them so they won't need to get out.  2. They are going to be so achey and stiff and have a headache from breathing smoke all night the next day that it would be very tempting to put them out of your misery than to do all of their share of the work.

[kevsuperg]

To each his own I guess.
 I'm just happy when someone wants to camp/hunt with me regardless of what they use.

[Kevin Dill]

If there's one thing you must do with a tipi, it's getting it staked down securely. Everything depends on the stakes holding. So many things can affect that. Soft soil allows for stakes to move over time. Wind and fabric movement can cause stakes to 'work' and loosen up. Driving stakes at the wrong angle means they may not hold as well. Over several years I've switched the majority of my stakes out to MSR Cyclone stakes. They hold like a bulldog, and I'm reminded of it when it's time to strike camp and go. One thing to always remember is to keep the center pole adjusted very snug in windy weather. A taut pitch means the tipi flaps less, and makes for less stress on everything.

Very nice to fire up the stove and do your hygiene chores without hurrying, and without shaking like a nervous chihuahua.

[YosemiteSam]

While backpacking with the wife recently, she told me that she'd rather see me spend $15k+ for a small trailer than $1k for a large tent & wood stove -- at least until the boys are old enough to hunt with me and carry their own weight.  So I'm interpreting that as a "clear mandate" to buy both eventually but the travel trailer for now

I appreciate everybody sharing their experiences, however.  It still has a lot of appeal.  I think I'll revisit this in about 5 years once my oldest can join me for the backpacking hunts without me carrying most of his gear.

[old_goat2]

While backpacking with the wife recently, she told me that she'd rather see me spend $15k+ for a small trailer than $1k for a large tent & wood stove -- at least until the boys are old enough to hunt with me and carry their own weight.  So I'm interpreting that as a "clear mandate" to buy both eventually but the travel trailer for now

I appreciate everybody sharing their experiences, however.  It still has a lot of appeal.  I think I'll revisit this in about 5 years once my oldest can join me for the backpacking hunts without me carrying most of his gear.

Spend 14k on the trailer and buy the shelter too!

[pavan]

The two most 2nd happiest days of your life involve campers. The two most happiest days involve lake homes, been there done that, and yep it's true. The most rewarding thing i ever spent money on is bought packs, camping gear and top of the kevlar canoes and headed for the boundary waters and Canadian wilderness with the family.  You would be surprised how many folks take toddlers on Canadian canoe trips, a rough wilderness adventure by most people's standard, the kids handle it fine.  I met a little boy on his second birthday in Canada, his daily achievement was holding up two fingers, he was on his fourth Canadian canoe trip with his four, bi-yearly consecutive, siblings and parents.  Bi-consecutive, he was two, yep mama was pregnant with number six.   

[YosemiteSam]

Pavan, an old friend of mine from AK used to share some of his stories of canoe camping trips.  Last I heard, he spends most of the year in AK and the winters down here in CA.  Those trips sound like a dream.  At the moment, our rivers are running at class 4+ so canoes are out of the question, as are kids...  Not to mention guys with wives who want them back safely...

[pavan]

i could not live in California, it is way to far from the Canadian shield country.  The most beautiful place on the planet is Quetico.

[Redfeathers]

Kevsuperg, you get a chance to try out your Seek Tipi?

[ozy clint]

Camping in a hot tent with woodstove in cold weather is one of life's simple pleasures.

I second what Kevin dill said.

The cutting of the wood is part of the experience.

[kevsuperg]

Hey redfeathers.
  Didn't get to use it as much as I wanted but did get some time in it.
 Easy to set up.  Got quite a bit of condensation on the inner tent, single wall. I was set up on grass though.
 Stove is nice but the burn time is short. Fire needs constant attention is you're trying to stay warm.
 Overall I like it . light, easy to pack but not sold on the floorless part yet.
 

[Redfeathers]

Kevsuperg, I'm sure you have looked at Seek Outside's website or info was sent with the tent, they have some good info about condensation on their website. Thanks again

[kevsuperg]

Oh come on. Who reads instructions. Ha
 I just need a Little more time in it and pay more attention to where and how I set up.
 I'm really happy with it . couldn't be easier to set up. 

[two4hooking]

This thread needs some pics.  Nothing like some hot pancakes after a little hunting.  The benefit of the flat topped stove as opposed to the round models.