Let's see what you use in the backcountry. Planning a DIY hunt in a couple years above the tree line. Less is more!

I have used tents, bivys,and tarps. They all have thier place but I like tents hands down.  With some of the new tents weighting alittle over 2 lbs it's worth the weight to me. I have used a 2 man serria designs lighting for years that weighs just over 4 lbs,but I like the extra room in bad weather. There are alot of ways to cut weight instead of the shelter IMO.

9x11 homemade silnylon tarp in CO this year.  

Idaho 2006

 

Haven't gotten the chance to use it for hunting as yet, but it's in the planning stages.

 

The Kifaru tipi pegs and poles weigh 4.8 lbs. I'm about 5'9" tall and I can jump up and down in it. That first back pack I am wearing, weighs less than 4 lbs. empty with all the added extras i would estimate it at 5700 CI, I'm getting older so less is more.

I would like to have a nice tarp or a light weight tent. The prices of the good ones are staggering. Anybody have any suggestions for somone on a tighter budget?
Dont mean to hijack this thread but I wouldnt mind to see the prices on these tents and tarps.

Thanks Jason

A North Face VE 25, its pretty heavy at 11 lbs or so, but in tents it's a long-time 4th season standard.  Fits 2 plus lots of room for gear.  Really stands up to snow loads and very high winds.  Here's a couple pics from a fly-out trip.

During a fall blizzard just above treeline, had already shook most of the snow off of the tent.

 

And after the sky had cleared.
 

Also have a 1 man Sierra design light year tent, real light and an easy set up, sorry no pics of that one.

The fabric for my tarp cost about $40.  Took me a couple days to make it if you don't count the sewing class I took with my daughter.  It was called "Mommy and Me".  Talk about sexist  

When and where? Solo? I would consider different options if I was hunting in Sept vs. November, and based on location.

I'm planning on a kayak hunt next fall, I'm thinking a Eureka 2 man for a solo hunt. Enough room for me and some gear, small tarp for storm protection and cooking.I'm going to pack like I was back packing.....bare bones and lite!

i hunted tahr in may with 2 mates. they shared an Exped Venus II. i had a hilleberg soulo.
here's a bit of a 360 of camp.
the soulo isn't the lightest solo tent but it is sure as heck made to take a beating. we experienced some very heavy rain and wind, it was scary. like twitchstick said, there are other ways to save weight. when your in the backcountry you may have to rely on your shelter to survive. it had better be good!

We've used tarps quite a bit in dry or snow conditions and it's romantic to be by the fire etc.  but for really bad weather you need a tent.  

It would be nice if someone would come up with a lightweight material that was safe to use with a fire.  Then with a fire in front of an open tent door door we'd have the best of both worlds.

Here's my Henny.  

I really like the big agnes tents, I have the seedhouse SL3, very lightweight sturdy tent.

When I go solo I bring my clarks jungle hammock, most comfortable nights sleep I've had in the woods. Even works in the snow, but I wouldn't recommend using it on a regular basis in the winter.

The small Golite tipis are not too expensive and highly regarded.  It works great for me, though condensation can be tough with two.  Can also be modified to take a small stove...

Tarps are tough in wind above treeline.  If there is no precip, the noise can be bad, and if there is precip, well, wind + precip means a big tarp or tarp + bivy, and then you could have had a tipi or tent.

John, where'd you get the silnylon from? Only thing I can find around here is normal ripstop nylon fabric

Big Agnes

That beatle kill country looks Familiar.

Mountain Hardwear Kiva, North Face Mountain 25 4 season.

Scott, that is up Pilot Creek on my sheep hunt last year.

Well, here is a shot below tree line, only a few feet above sea level in SE Alaska:



4 man Kifaru tipi.  The 4 man works well but is kind of an odd duck, so I traded it in for a supertarp and an 8 man.  I let my buddy use it in Alaska this fall.  I'd say this would qualify as above tree line:



I have also used a Big Agnes Seedhouse 2 for years.  Great choice for one guy.