Alpine climbing with a bibler ahwahnee?

Any one own an ahwahnee and use it for mountaineering or alpine climbing?

Tits McGee wrote:Any one own an ahwahnee and use it for mountaineering or alpine climbing?

Thanks for the insightful post, Ray. Maybe I should be more specific. Does anyone who has used an ahwahnee climbing want to share experiences using it, good, bad or indifferent. Are the limitations or draw backs vs. a smaller mountain tent etc?

Anything with the heavier ToddTex is going to be better suited for advanced base camp type climbing, where you may have to endure some crap weather for a bit (but is far enough that you didn't lug something like a Trango or VE 25). Lugging these guys up a mountain route is going to fill up a good amount of one persons pack, and they are heavy compared to a Firstlight or a HiLight. The caveat is that the Epic material doesn't "breathe" as well so if you get seriously stormbound you will get damp inside.

It depends. I own both and choose depending on the area and objective.

Thanks Ryan. Does anyone have any pros/cons, ahwahnee vs. eldo or ID mk2 style tent? Are side doors detrimental in the mountains?

FYI the ahwahnee got pretty poor reviews by the outdoor gear lab, due in part to the side doors

outdoorgearlab.com/4-Season…

So, I actually have owned the ahwahnee for several years and never really used it. Just wondering if any has good experiences using in the mountains? Or if I should sell it and pick up a more alpine specific tent.

Interesting thread...

How so Devin? Just wanted to make sure it wasn't stupid to haul the ahwahnee up the side of a mountain, before I haul it up the side of a mountain.

If you consider something more lightweight u should look at the direkt 2. It may b small with 2ppl but it's crazy light and bomber. About 1/3 the weight of ur current setup

I guess because it's what the tent was designed for. Yes, there are more breathable, lighter, or more compact alternatives, but considering you already own the tent what's the harm in taking it for a test run and trying it out. It'll be a more worthwhile experience than reiterating yourself to no avail.

The two doors add weight, complexity, bulk, and expense. The Ahwahnee is a design compromise between a smaller I-tent and a larger Fitzroy. If I had one I'd use it but it wouldn't be my first choice.

I love this thread but have nothing constructive to add, i think most posters would have devolved into a flame war, good sticktoitiveness Tits

Thanks for the vote of confidence Greg. You never know what you'll get on mp when you ask for opinions. I bought the tent for its versatility and size, because of being 6'2", never used it and wondering if I should cut my losses and sell it. I was hoping that at least one mp'er had specific experience using it...Thanks all for the positive contributions.

I've used it. It's very warm and I like the fact I can get in it and set the poles up from inside in bad weather. Any water or snow that does get in on me evaporates quickly, unlike nylon tents, so it's never clammy.

I mostly use it by myself and just cook inside with a Pocket Rocket, so no extra vestibule weight ( 6#, 2 OZ ). If I turn the Pocket Rocket on about 15 Sec. every 15 minutes or so, I can sit inside in just a shirt and read when it's blizzard outside. Every other time I make some more tea. If I share it, we distribute the weight and take the vestibule.

It also is probably the worlds best warm weather tent too since both sides open up. It's my first choice for single night car camping ( Have a $50 tent for when I'm going to leave camp setup while I'm gone ) and when I used to go on Motorcycle trips.

One gripe, though, is if it's raining, I have to get in and out quick as the water will rain straight in the tent due to the angle of the doors and the relatively small awnings.

I have to say that the ahwahnee is great for its length but the door seems to be a problem in a few areas. If it was snowing hard it seems as though lots of weather would be allowed in. Also it was to be setup in a tight spot it could be hard to get out of. I will say I have only used the tent once in Washington and when I used it I did not experience the for seen problems. I own an I Tent and a firstlight (firstwet) and like both tents. I know the I tent is not the lightest but I have used it in the Himalaya and Alaska and was happy I had it. The small foot print allows it to be set up in narrow spots which I can think of a number of times when I would not have been able to get outta the ahwahnee. My biggest problem with the tent is that because the door is on the side it can't be guided out that well. I have a ton of big mountain, harsh mountain experience and I have had to guide out the I tent and it does have descent spots for that. If you can find a nice tent that fits you that opens in the front I would go for that.