tent for rainier in july

[jon connors]

WIll a 3 season tent work for Rainier in july? i want to get a nice tent i can use when going backcountry with my family, and i dont really want to buy a winter tent just to go up rainier.

[dave schultz]

dig a hole and you dont even need a tent ...

 

but yes, a 3 season will most definitely work in july, unless they get a nasty storm, but then you just need to build a wall around it.

[Bronco]

What tent is it specifically?

[KaskadskyjKozak]

 

With stable weather and a high freezing level a bivy sack can also work just fine in that time frame.

[mattp]

Most family backpacking tents will not cut it high on Rainier if you get high winds. I've seen 'em blown to shreds.

[KaskadskyjKozak]

Most family backpacking tents will not cut it high on Rainier if you get high winds. I've seen 'em blown to shreds.

 

NOAA is a great resource and the detail link will show wind speed forecasts hour by hour.

[alpine et]

I've had better luck with this link over NOAA:

 

http://www.atmos.washington.edu/data/rainier_report.html

 

though I wouldn't be surprised if it comes from the same data... but the pinpoint NOAA site I usually use averages over a region and this one probably picks out the values for the summit perhaps?

[obwan]

Matt is correct. most light wt 3 season tents do not do well - mostly due to high winds, they will be shredded or flatened. Those that survive have been guy lined and anchored down well, with snow wall protection.

Basically the main difference in 3 season vs 3-4 is the added pole structure and less mesh. Of course the extra poles add 1-1.5 lbs but may be worth it, as I have seen several tents go on Rainier. Some examples are the 3-4 season REI Arete ASL and MSR Fury. It's when you go to a full 4 season tent the cost is higher and the extra weight.

[tvashtarkatena]

Tents seem to blow away during the climb more often than they shred. Guy it down with the upper attachment points using deadmanned snow filled stuff sacks and you should be OK.

 

Otherwise, your stuff might wind (get it?) up in the wrong hands:

 

Edited February 26, 2013 by tvashtarkatena

[jon connors]

the test i was thinking of getting is this one

 

http://www.tarptent.com/double-rainbow.html

[obwan]

At 41oz, this is considered a one season tent for light weight trail hiking - even the typical 3 season tent would be better for Rainier in July.

If you want to go light- save your money and buy a bivy sack as mentioned above.

tvashtarkenta says they blow away while up on the climb - I've seen that happen, when you return from the climb and everything is gone, it's pretty disturbing.

I also awoke one night with lots of yelling and screaming going on - a guy got up to go pee and his girl friend in the flimsy tent was blown down the slippery slope toward a crevasse. Luckily someone tackled the tent and girl inside - not a good night, not to mention a ruined trip. In high winds of 50-60 mph, they need to be bomb proof.

[ScaredSilly]

The best option for your tent when leaving for the day is to drop it and put a bunch of sacks with snow or rocks on top. The other option if going up to Muir is to stay in the public shelter.

[petsfed]

Of course the extra poles add 1-1.5 lbs but may be worth it, as I have seen several tents go on Rainier. Some examples are the 3-4 season REI Arete ASL and MSR Fury. It's when you go to a full 4 season tent the cost is higher and the extra weight.

 

Wow, really? I mean, MSR sells it as a fully featured 4-season expedition tent, and now you've got me looking at my Stardome in the closet (what it was sold as under Moss) and questioning its utility. Really gotta get my other 4-season tent in for repairs then.

[grandpa]

... In high winds of 50-60 mph, they need to be bomb proof.

Hilleberg Nammatj a good choice?

 

[obwan]

Of course the extra poles add 1-1.5 lbs but may be worth it, as I have seen several tents go on Rainier. Some examples are the 3-4 season REI Arete ASL and MSR Fury. It's when you go to a full 4 season tent the cost is higher and the extra weight.

 

Wow, really? I mean, MSR sells it as a fully featured 4-season expedition tent, and now you've got me looking at my Stardome in the closet (what it was sold as under Moss) and questioning its utility. Really gotta get my other 4-season tent in for repairs then.

 

Sorry - looks like something got left out of my post. I meant to say that "here's a couple of 3/4 season tents that may do well". It's all in the guying down and snow bag anchors as mentioned. Moss tents were bomber.

[ADKMan]

Hilleberg Nammatj a good choice?

 

I used a Nallo 2GT at camp Schurman last July and it worked perfectly. Being the heavier cousin of the Nallo, the Nammatj will hold up to anything the mountain can throw at it.

 

[Dave7]

Hilleberg +1....I have a Jannu and it has stood up to everything I have thrown at it. Rainier being one of them.

[JasonG]

While a 4 season tent by Hilleberg and the like will certainly work well, it really depends on how flexible you are and how much of a weather weenie you tend to be. Forecasts during the summer tend to be pretty accurate 24-48 hrs in advance, and I typically don't even bother driving down to Rainier if the weather is less than perfect (no clouds, low (<30mph) winds). Under these relatively common summertime conditions, you could use a Walmart pup tent (properly guyed).