Winter camping

[Newmountaineer]

For those of you that either camp in the San Jacinto mountains during the winter/spring or are experienced enough to know, should I be looking at a 4-season or 3-season tents for winter/spring camping in the San Jacinto Mountains?

[Perry]

4-season! And I would bring a sleeping bag rated for 0 F. Sometimes people camping in Round Valley end up digging themselves out of the snow in the morning, if it snows during the night. That didn't happen this last winter, but 2004-05 was very different. It sounds like a lot of fun, but I sure wouldn't bring my cheap tent and old sleeping bag. Summer is totally different.

[Newmountaineer]

4-season! And I would bring a sleeping bag rated for 0 F. Sometimes people camping in Round Valley end up digging themselves out of the snow in the morning, if it snows during the night. That didn't happen this last winter, but 2004-05 was very different. It sounds like a lot of fun, but I sure wouldn't bring my cheap tent and old sleeping bag. Summer is totally different.

That's what I was looking for. I thought 4-season, but I wanted to make sure it wasn't overkill. Any suggestions for a solo/2 person 4-season tent that won't break the bank? I was looking at the REI Mountain 2 but the weight (~9 lbs.) seemed high to me. Then again, maybe I'm just not used to 4-seasons tents.

[Perry]

Sierra Trading Post and Campor have discounted stuff online. I have never bought a tent from them.

This one is *only* 8 pounds, but at $200 for a 4-season tent:
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/store ... d=12500226

They use 7,000 series aluminum, so maybe the only way to go lighter is a 1-person tent or bivy. But this has the "luxury" of 31 square feet.

[Perry]

This looks like a really good deal:
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/store ... d=12500226

3 pounds and $60! But it probably lets in too much moisture. That fly doesn't look like a very good seal.

[phydeux]

I'd say you're better off spending some extra $$$ on a better sleeping bag rather than a tent. Most winter days the SJW is pretty mild up above 8500 ft. Unless you're planning on going up into a winter storm, a decent 3-season tent should be sufficient. If you've got one with close to a full coverage rainfly, that would be sufficient to keep the occasional blowing snow outside (bury the bottom edges with snow and you'll be OK). However, it does get cold at night and a warm sleeping bag will help. The coldest night I've experienced up at Round Valley was near 0F, but it can get as high as 30F. Daytime on the peak on a clear day can get quite warm (50F).

[magikwalt]

I've been checking out ebay for the very same thing. There are some good deals to be had but you have to go read the reviews on the tents you find interesting.

[KathyW]

You can probably get away with a 3-season tent in the mountains of Southern California but a free-standing 4-season tent is always nicer in the snow.

If you're looking for a lightweight 4-season tent, Integral Designs makes some good tents but they are pricey.

[Newmountaineer]

I'm not sure if I want to deal with the extra (usually double) weight of a 4-season tent. I'll probably only use it when the weather looks to be okay (I know it can change quickly). Also, I'll be looking to go in Spring after the snow has consolidated. I'm also not keen on laying down more than $300 on a tent at this point (maybe down the road if I need to). I've been looking at the REI Quarter Dome UL. It's a 1-2 person 3-season that seems to have good reviews. I've heard it can withstand wind very well. Is that the primary concern with a 3 vs. 4 season tent or is more about the snow load? If the weather is okay (light or no snow), will the snow somehow leak into a 3 season (with rain fly) because of the mesh? As you can tell, I'm pretty new to tents.

Here's a link to the REI Quarter Dome UL.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Product ... d=47687600

[Hikin_Jim]

Snow load is a concern. A three season often can't take a good dump of snow without collapsing. Some three season tents are better than others. My Sierra Designs Orion AST sheds snow pretty well.

Wind is also an issue. I've been through some pretty good wind storms at Little Round Valley and at High Meadow Spgs (in the SGW). You want something solid.

With fresh powder, having a lot of mesh is a "no go." The blowing snow will get inside. With consolidated snow, mesh is less of an issue, but mesh does not retain heat as well. On the other hand, closing every vent to retain heat sometimes backfires; you get so much condensation that you soak up your sleeping bag -- a really bad idea with down.

Be wary of single wall tents. I've had major condensation problems with my Kelty Dart I (discontinued model now I think). It's light as a dream, but it has unsolvable condensation problems in cold weather.

There are 3+season tents (extended 3 season tents) that you could check into. A little heavier than a 3 three season but not quite a four. I believe Sierra Designs makes a model and probably a couple of other manufacturers. There are also convertible tents where one can remove certain zip out panels and certain poles or segments of poles. I haven't personally tried any 3+ season or convertible tents.

Another option is to RENT a four season tent as needed. A16 rents 4 season tents as does I think REI Santa Ana. Most REI's and all Sport Chalets do NOT rent 4 season tents. I figure for the once or twice a year I really need a four season tent, I'll just rent. The things are freakin' pricey. A lot of my winter hikes I do at lower elevations (below 6000 in the San Gabriels for example), where I can use a 3 season in the "dead of winter."