lets talk backcountry shelters

[fillthefreezer]

Feelthefreezer,

In addition to hanging the tent (to save pole weight) you can cut a length of branch/tree for the center pole on the SL5.  I have a photo of my Kifaru paratarp with sticks for poles posted in an adjacent thread called "Camping."  Your initial post tells me you've done your homework and are looking at some of the good gear.

I've thought of that, i use a spike style wall tent that way but when I'm carrying camp from my shoulders i rarely have a saw and i don't know if id trust a broken stick end against silnylon..?

I'm having a hard time finding a Golite Shangri-La 5 tent available online...id like the nest with bug proof option but can't find one available...Anyone out there who can help me locate a link?  Most say unavailable or out of stock.  I understand they are no longer in production but would like to find one.  The ones available appear to only be the tarp section and not the bug screen or birds nest.  Any help will be appreciated. 

I'm with ya, i emailed golite on saturday, yet to hear back. id buy the whole deal and leave the nest at home unless i brought the wife or something probably...

[BrushChimp]

They are right on their website. 

http://www.golite.com/Shangri-La-5-Tent-P46714.aspx

All the Go Lite tents look like great deals to me!! I almost want to buy a couple more tents just to have.

[BrushChimp]

Excuse me. I just noticed they are Out of Stock at that web address. Hope you guys have luck elsewhere.

[Shawn Ryan]

Having an SL4, I can't specifically comment on the SL5, but the SL4 peak has a durable pocket that will hold a stick just fine.

I believe Go-Lite just completed a sale on the SL5, so they may be hard to find for awhile.

[fillthefreezer]

talked with rachael from golite today, she said theyre expecting more shangri las instock later this month but not sure if the pricing will remain the same. they also only sell as a bundle now

[Miles]

talked with rachael from golite today, she said theyre expecting more shangri las instock later this month but not sure if the pricing will remain the same. they also only sell as a bundle now

If you end up buying the bundle and want to get rid of the nest, let me know and I will buy it from you.   I'm thinking a nest may be a nice thing to have down here in Cali with snakes crawling around. 

[fillthefreezer]

talked with rachael from golite today, she said theyre expecting more shangri las instock later this month but not sure if the pricing will remain the same. they also only sell as a bundle now

If you end up buying the bundle and want to get rid of the nest, let me know and I will buy it from you.   I'm thinking a nest may be a nice thing to have down here in Cali with snakes crawling around. 

where in CA are you?

[dblungshot]

talked with rachael from golite today, she said theyre expecting more shangri las instock later this month but not sure if the pricing will remain the same. they also only sell as a bundle now

Thank you for the update and info.   

[dreamingbig]

I got an email today from GoLite with this subject line: "GoLite Big Score: Granite Creek Softshell for only $59.99 and Shangri-La 5 Tents Back in Stock!"  I went to the website but it appears that they are still out of stock on the website.

[dblungshot]

I got an email today from GoLite with this subject line: "GoLite Big Score: Granite Creek Softshell for only $59.99 and Shangri-La 5 Tents Back in Stock!"  I went to the website but it appears that they are still out of stock on the website.

Available on the website now.  Just picked mine up.  Thanks for the heads-up!

[dreamingbig]

Awesome and you are welcome.

[swanny]

Here's another tarp style tent with the single pole. It's on my list of items to purchase. Strong in wind and snow, guide services use these for their kitchens a lot.

http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/shelters/mega-light-tent

[dreamingbig]

Another option to the Shangri-La but it demands a premium price.  Not as spendy as Kifaru though.

http://seekoutside.com/products/ultralight-tipis/backcountry-shelter/

[fillthefreezer]

Another option to the Shangri-La but it demands a premium price.  Not as spendy as Kifaru though.

http://seekoutside.com/products/ultralight-tipis/backcountry-shelter/

see 1st post..

[LivinTheDream]

I just got done sewing up a tipitent. When I started searching for the right backcountry shelter, i really liked the tipi style and what it had to offer. With the fact that you can make it a heated shelter I was sold. A stove in the backcountry isn't a must but for the extra 6lbs I will glady pack one for long stays. Our group of 4 lives for the backcountry bow hunt, and we wanted a better option for backcountry base camp. No more little two man tents and being all cramped up in rain/snow storms! Here are the dimensions of my do it yourself tent.
9 ft tall, 17ft diameter. It could sleep 8 in a pinch but 4 comfortably with gear and stove. The tent weighs 3.8lbs with a 6.4lb titanium stove from ti goat. Total pack weight with tent, stakes, stuff sacks and stove comes in around 11 lbs. I'm still working on a plan for a good center pole. Right now just using a extension pole for a paint roller, actually seems to work ok. Total cost to make was just around $300. I ordered my materials online and got the stove jack kit from titanium goat. Used google sketch up to build my blue prints then built a practice tent out of blue tarp. My secret weapon in all this was my mother in-law. She sewed it all up, without her I would have had a much tougher learning curve but it could be done. So far it has held up very well in the minor rain we have had it in. Seam sealed by hand. The center pole is reinforced with heavy canvas so that I could cut a tree limb if I got in a pinch. The only pic I have of it was just a quick set up, I could have made more adjustments to make it more taught. Overall I'm very happy with the outcome. Excited to get it out on some scouting trips soon.