Range or Pyramid Tent For Winter Camping

[Fishinguy40]

I have a 14 x 16 canvas wall tent that I bought several years ago and I am very happy with it. It gets used every year for deer camp and it is very comfortable when setup with cots and a wood stove.

I would like something smaller, where I would be able to setup a cot and a woodstove (I am getting older and more fragile) but I would like something much smaller that doesn't require the framework that a wall tent does. Ideally it would be large enough for two people. This would be ideal for the muzzle loading season because I often hunt alone.

Does anybody have experience with a canvas range or pyramid type tent? They look like the thing I might be looking for because they are smaller than a wall tent but require only a center pole and not the framework that a wall tent does. A range tent with short side walls (maybe 2 ft) would really be ideal.

If anybody does have experience with these style tents, any recommendations on size? Where to purchase? What is big enough for two people with cots and a wood stove, without being too big? Is there anybody around Minnesota that makes or sells these? I look on the internet but picures aren't the same as seeing one setup to tell just how much room you have.

[kaplan]

You might check out a company called Alaskan Canvas. They have a pretty cool "cold weather" tent. A little pricey, but it looks perfect.

[kaplan]

My bad. It's called alaska tent & tarp. The tent is "arctic oven".

[Powerstroke]

Check out Snowtrekker tents. They are exactly what you're looking for. I rented one of these last year for a winter BWCA trip and it was fantastic.

[Fishinguy40]

OUCH to both tents. Niced but spendy.

[Powerstroke]

I did a quick search and the "Reliable tent" from outfitter warehouse is rather cheap, but I would bet its not nearly as nice because almost all of the tents I found were in the $800 range. If a tent is selling for 1/3 of that price I would doubt its construction.

I have personally used the Snowtrekker one, its made locally and I liked it. I set up the expedition all by myself on a solo BWCA winter trip. I liked it alot and will consider getting something similar in the future.

[Fishinguy40]

I agree with you. You usually get what you pay for. My problem is it would only get used once a year, when I muzzle load in December. That and my wife will probably shoot me. It's usually a lot colder than the regular firearm season in November and I'm usually by myself.

I have toughed it out in a small pup tent as cold as -8. Boy it sure would be nice to be able to have a wood stove for heat and some room to stand up/move around. Nothing worse than trying to crawl out of a sleeping bag when it's below zero outside and you get a charlie horse!! It happened to me a couple years ago. I'd lay out and stretch but every time I bent my leg again to crawl out of the pup tent it cramped again. It must have taken me 15 minutes to get out of the tent and luckily I was by myself....if other hunters had been around I'm sure they woould have come running to see what all the screaming and cursing was about!

[Redlantern]

Fishinguy, not saying you shouldn't go with a wall tent but the charlie horse was probably caused by not getting enough fluids. I've found that increasing your intake of water or other non- caffeinated, non-alcoholic drinks will increase your warmth dramatically along with reducing cramps. The down side is you need to relieve yourself frequently, which is not something one really wants to do when you're in your warm, toasty sleeping bag. Do it though and you will sleep much better and warmer.

[Fishinguy40]

Powerstroke, I saw your BWCA pics in the ice forum under crazy camping. Very nice. Makes me want to get out and do the same thing.