Elk Hunting 101: tarps and three sides shelters.

[Stixbowdrew]

Who out there uses tarps and three sides shelters when in the back country? I'd like to hear some positives and negatives. Been considering these lightweight options and being a slight minimalist I am drawn to them. Thank you guys and gals!

[PistolPete]

I've been using a single-wall floorless tipi, but I am thinking of switching to a cuben tarp as well, for the same reasons. I've already made a Tyvek bivy sack for my bag for foul weather so I'm ready to go for a tarp. I don't think I'd do it without a bivy, though. Too much blowing rain.

For 2 people, I think I'm going to go with an 8.5x10 cuben tarp from Zpacks but I'm not fully decided on size. I'm interested to hear what others have to say.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I have never mountain hunted, but enjoy backpacking Michigan's wilds. I use a hammock and tarp now. But I have also packed and used an Egret tarp only. My only gripe is the fact you don't have a floor, so dependant on what you set up on your mat, pad or bag is covered in it. But the weight, ease of use and "romance" of a tarp only is kinda' cool.

Bugs can be a problem as well.

[Matty]

If spending the $$ is an issue its not a bad option. There are lots of people who take this rout. Last year I bought an ultralight 2 man tent from Big Agnes.  I think it's called the FLY CREEK UL.. Big enough for 2 people and some dry clothes. My only issue with hi country weather is that it can be brutal and a tarp might not do the job. In a pinch or survival situation go for it. But if I can help it I personally wouldn't take that rout.

[Stixbowdrew]

I was looking at some of the options kelty offers and they look very nice

[Burnsie]

We would have been miserable and soaking wet our entire Colorado trip if we had went that route.  I too have thought it would be neat to go minimalist and "rough it".  But after that trip I would never risk it.  It would have been a fiasco with the relentless driving rain and  hail for a good chunk of the trip.

[Stixbowdrew]

I am headed to the Flattops in 2016. And thought this would be a fun option. So far sounds like it's not the best route to go

[old_goat2]

Year before I moved to Colorado it snowed heavily Labor Day Weekend in the flattops! Last year I think they had several day in a row of rains in the flattops and the season before that the whole North half of the state got hammered and flooded. September weather can be brutal here.

[cacciatore]

The Flat Tops are home of severe thunderstorms in September,you are above 10,000!

[ksbowman]

Originally posted by cacciatore:
The Flat Tops are home of severe thunderstorms in September,you are above 10,000!

I got caught once on top the Flat Tops in a terrible storm. Blew so hard it broke tent poles, rained so hard it came thru the tent fabric and the worst was the lighting! Be prepared for any weather there.

[old_goat2]

Wildest I got into in the flattops was blizzard conditions and lightning, that was freaky, but that was in second rifle not archery season

[Biathlonman]

I adore my TarpTents.  Contrail when rolling solo and a Rainshadow III when company is along.  Kifaru Sawtooth when the wood stove is required.

[Matty]

Got into 3 hailstorms last year. First week of the season. Glad I had my tent. It held up great. This year we'll have a camper at base and if we need to stay back country. I'll have my 2 man.

[KSdan]

Not wanting to hijack the post but could some of you add info. . .I hear a few of you mention the need arises during fairly harsh weather.  That being the case would an ultra light tent really be enough?  That Big Agnes mentioned is only 2.5#- but I really wonder if it would hold up in hail, hard rain, or snow?? Thanks for adding to this. . .

Dan in KS

[MnFn]

After four trips to Colorado in September and one in October, I wouldn't do it without a tent.

[Jakeemt]

I too hit the back country with a tarp and hammock. If it's mosquito time grab a little netting to roll up with your tarp.

[old_goat2]

Ksdan if you setup under some cover a quality tent should hold up. The hail I've seen in the mountains is usually micro hail in my experience, but it can pile up in the feet worth in a hurry!

[mgf]

No mountains here but I use an open sided tarp shelter and a fire on short trips in cold (but otherwise decent) weather.

The reason I do it is that a fire keeps you warm and dry all night.

The down side is that prepping enough wood and proper reflector for the night takes time and can be a lot of work. The second negative is that the fire needs to be tended periodically through the night.

The reflector is an important part. It's not just to reflect heat but to create a chimney of sorts so you don't smoke yourself out.

The reward is when I can literally reach over and put the coffee on in the morning without having to crawl out of a warm bag, pile on a bunch of clothes and deal with an ice cold camp.

[LongbowArchitect]

KSdan-"would an ultra light tent really be enough? That Big Agnes mentioned is only 2.5#- but I really wonder if it would hold up in hail, hard rain, or snow?"

Yes, an ultra light 3-season tent of good quality will be perfect for backpack hunting the Flattops. I would never attempt it with a tarp or 3-sided shelter. Expect the unexpected when you hunt Colorado high country. It's going to rain and it can snow a LOT at that time of year. I use a 2#-2oz REI Quarter Dome 1 for backpack hunting and it's awesome. I got rained on for 4 days and a blizzard for 2 days in late September at 9,500' elevation.

[bowhunter15]

Originally posted by LongbowArchitect:
KSdan-"would an ultra light tent really be enough? That Big Agnes mentioned is only 2.5#- but I really wonder if it would hold up in hail, hard rain, or snow?"

Yes, an ultra light 3-season tent of good quality will be perfect for backpack hunting the Flattops. I would never attempt it with a tarp or 3-sided shelter. Expect the unexpected when you hunt Colorado high country. It's going to rain and it can snow a LOT at that time of year. I use a 2#-2oz REI Quarter Dome 1 for backpack hunting and it's awesome. I got rained on for 4 days and a blizzard for 2 days in late September at 9,500' elevation.

I used an REI Quarter Dome T1 last year during first rifle near the flattops. Same tent, older version. At 10,400' it snowed 8" over 36 hours. The tent held but but had lots of condensation since the snow plugged up most of the ventilation, and I got really stir crazy riding out the blizzard for that long.

For this year I'm going with an MSR Hubba Hubba NX. It's a 2 man tent, but you can pitch it without the mesh and floor which makes it more "tarp-like". So you can roll the sides and make it a 3/4 shelter if you want, or leave everything down for the full shell. 2lb 2oz when pitched like that.