Wet-side, high country shelter & stove ideas

[pd]

I am pretty sure that this topic has been covered elsewhere, but please humor me just this one time.

I would like to buy (build? probably not an option for me) a "shelter" and "stove" combination.  I was really inspired by another forum member's DIY teepee with a stove--he did a great job with this. 

I have owned (still own) several tents, many different styles/combinations.  Tents have several things going for them: Generally speaking, they are warmer, drier, keep the smallest critters out (especially bugs, but not rodents if they want to chew a hole in the tent), and provide a bit more security.  On the other hand, tents do not allow me to stand up inside, which can be a problem (chronic back pain).  Thus, I am really leaning towards a "teepee" style shelter.

After doing much research, I see that several companies make teepee shelters.  They all tend to be made with 40 to 70 denier nylon, are floor-less, and have plenty of floorspace as well as head room.  Which to choose from, that is part of my question.

Next, let me explain my use.  I want to use the teepee shelter for high country hunting, with one other person (two hunters, with gear).  Also, the most important point is that this shelter will be used in the high country, during late season, in western Washington.  Hint: Rain.  I really need the ability to dry out wet clothes, and thus want to add the lightweight stove.  I know of several companies making stoves (Kifaru, Ti-Goat, Ruta Locura are just a few), and there is even the DIY option (HPG).

In addition to the general questions ("which brand do you use or recommend?"), I have specific questions.

1. Do any of you use a floor less, teepee shelter with a collapsible stove in the high country of western Washington during the cold, rainy hunting season?  What are your experiences?

2. Have you ever used both the teepee shelter (cooking, central space) AND used a tent (sleeping only)?  I know, it kind of defeats the ultra-light mentality, but I would like to ask anyway.  Finally, there is the issue of my budget--I don't want to spend close to $1,000 for the combination.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

[snowpack]

You can use a bivy like the OR alpine and use a large lightweight nylon wing/fly.  You can put the wing/fly up high enough to stand.  Also, if the trees can take it, use a hammock instead of a bivy.

[washelkhunter]

Best bet is to split the cost of stove and tent between you two. The kifaru sawtooth with a stove is a nice choice. The homemade tent featured by a member here was pretty slick right.

[shootnrun]

I will be going with a SL 5 from golite. I will not be opting for the stove, but have seen them added to the SL 5 diy style as well as having it sent off and added by a "pro". The SL 5 seems to be the best bang for the buck for size v. Weight. I understand it is a good idea to seam seal them yourself as well. It is also reccomended you get a bivy if you go floorless to keep any blow in rain at bay as well as keeping your sleep system a little more protected from bugs, dirt, or what have you.

[kentrek]

i used floorless in rain.. aslong as you dont mind sleeping in a puddle (not an option when its cold) than go for it...youd need to take a lot of time in camp selection and prep..

i would go  with a 3 man ul tent,the lightest you could afford...and then pack a extra big tarp to build a coverd area..go with the biggest you can "afford" to pack/buy..also it works really well to build a fire under your tarp if your tarp is high enough and your fire is small enough...i cant see one of those small stoves being too great at drying clothes with any speed (nev used em tho)

wind is gona be your big killer..the saying "location,location,location" cant be said enough when the nasty weather arrives

are you going to be on the move or held up in one spot ?? is pre-prepping an area a option ??

[pd]

are you going to be on the move or held up in one spot ?? is pre-prepping an area a option ??

Good questions.  Yes, the plan this year is to prepare a location (clear the shelter footprint and collect firewood) during the summer scouting trips.  I would set up the shelter then, to get used to the prevailing winds, etc.  Also, the shelter would be in a fixed location--hunt out of this central location, and always return to base every night.

[kentrek]

are you going to be on the move or held up in one spot ?? is pre-prepping an area a option ??

Good questions.  Yes, the plan this year is to prepare a location (clear the shelter footprint and collect firewood) during the summer scouting trips.  I would set up the shelter then, to get used to the prevailing winds, etc.  Also, the shelter would be in a fixed location--hunt out of this central location, and always return to base every night.

yeah thats a good idea..lol

heck go crazy then,esp if your gona be there awhile..if you dont mind stashing stuff then stash some big items like your tarp

id recomend having at least two walls around your fire for wind protecttion..maybe build walls from sticks...def make things comfy an make sure your woods gona be dry once you get there (id stash the wood also)

[Tim in Wa.]

I've got a Kifaru 6 man .Tipi wise its perfect for me,its big enough to stand up to pull my pants on etc.If i leave the center pole behind and cut a pole where I camp it weighs about 4 1/2 lbs without the liner.If I'm closer to the trail head I use a liner and even a couple of low cots.The best collapsible stove I have found is http://www.edtsbackcountry.com/#!products.If I'm winter camping especially if I'm pulling a sled I use a stove that I built from s.s stock pots from Walmarrt,it doesn't break own but I line it with a plastic bag and stuff my tipi in it for transport
Tim

[Shawn Ryan]

pd,  I live in Wet WA, but have not used my SL4 and Kifaru stove in extremely wet WA weather. I've slept/hunted the William O. Douglas in the rain with it and it was fine.  I have spent weeks in the OR Eagle Caps with that combo, including in the rain and  light snow and it was fine. I've used a Tyvek-type ground tarp under my bag, but now use a Ti-Goat Raven Omni bivy instead.  The rain and snow in the Eagle Caps was not as nasty and wet as some Western WA weather, however.

The stove makes drying out your gear during the evening and some over-night a real plus. (I have not had success at keeping a fire all night, probably because the fuel I've had access to burned quickly.)  Being able to almost-stand up is a real plus.  The 90 sq ft of footprint is enough room for 2 guys, gear, and stove; but not as nice as a 16' wall tent!

I've never tried the two-tent approach.  Defeats my purpose.

[fillthefreezer]

i sure wish my sl5 had that style door...

[pd]

Thanks, Shawn.  Hmmm, you say that you haven't camped with this arrangement in "extreme" wet weather, but your photographs show some tough conditions!

I am really leaning towards a teepee-style tent.  I need to make quite a few decisions first.

*Do I order the tent with a liner or not?  It is much more expensive with a liner, but the liner sure seems to help with condensation during cold, rainy nights.
*Do I order with one or two doors?  One seems to be fine, I think.
*Some of the teepee makers offer a "storm door."  I suppose that this is an extra flap over the door.  Anybody with ideas?

One of our fellow members has given me great ideas about a cylinder stove.  I am going to give this DIY project a shot during the summer.

[Shawn Ryan]

pd, In my opinion, you don't need the liner if you have a stove, unless the temps are going to be real low. You may have low enough temps, up high on a late hunt to need a liner.  You can always order the liner later when you have more experience with your setup.

As for door numbers, I think for a 2-man tent, one is enough. If you buy a Kifaru or Seek Outside 6-12 man tent, then 2 doors makes more sense.

Don't know about the storm door.

For compact cylinder stoves, check out Ed T.'s post on 24hourcampfire.com or Titanium Goat's design. Ed designed and built the Kifaru box stove for years and has some designs for homemade cylinder stoves.

As for weather, living in Clark County and hunting West. WA, makes me appreciate extremely wet weather and I'm careful not to exaggerate my experience and what I know.  I'm too old to do otherwise.

[Tim in Wa.]

Get the liner or at least figure it into your budget because you will get one eventually
Tim

[pd]

Get the liner or at least figure it into your budget because you will get one eventually
Tim

Thanks to you all. 

I am planning (household finance manager approval pending...) to order a custom teepee, with a stove jack and with a liner.  I figure that I might as well buy something that is right for me, and will last for a very long time.  As I said earlier, I am also planning the DIY cylinder stove.  This should set me up well. 

The liner will add some cost to the package, but I would rather do this in the beginning, and not be miserable during the late season rains.  On the other hand, I won't add the mosquito net--I just don't see the need.

I really like this forum--you guys are a generous with your knowledge.