Reasonable tent requirements for OLT

[rebro5]

Hi all,

I'm after a bit of advice from those experienced with OLT/Tassie weather.
A mate and I are planning to do the OLT in Feb. We have a choice of tents, my TarpTent Rainshadow 2 (1.3Kg) or his Exped Venus (3.2Kgs).
Obviously the Tarptent saves us a couple of Kgs - always a welcome thing, but the Venus is far more robust. We will probably stay in the huts, but weight that up each day based on crowds, weather etc, but of course being forced to use tent is always a possibility.
So the question is would the Tarptent be a reasonable choice of tent for the OLT in Feb, or should we carry the extra weight and safety of the Venus?

Rebro5

[sthughes]

Hi all,

I'm after a bit of advice from those experienced with OLT/Tassie weather.
A mate and I are planning to do the OLT in Feb. We have a choice of tents, my TarpTent Rainshadow 2 (1.3Kg) or his Exped Venus (3.2Kgs).
Obviously the Tarptent saves us a couple of Kgs - always a welcome thing, but the Venus is far more robust. We will probably stay in the huts, but weight that up each day based on crowds, weather etc, but of course being forced to use tent is always a possibility.
So the question is would the Tarptent be a reasonable choice of tent for the OLT in Feb, or should we carry the extra weight and safety of the Venus?

Rebro5

Anything in between?

If conditions are bad enough to NEED a shelter between huts then the Rainshadow hardly fits the bill. But it's very unlikley you will need it so the Venus seems a bit overkill. Personally in summer I'd carry the Venus and use it all the time rather than the huts, unless the weather sucks. Just my 2c.

[Ent]

Oh boy this question is near impossible to answer. Nearly everyone makes it to a hut so for most a tent is an item that never sees use. But if you do not make it to a hut then the reason why not might be terrible weather and in that case a good solid tent (bivvy) is the go. At the end of the day it is personal choice backed hopefully for some testing. Work on what you need for minus five and strong winds and you can not go much wrong. Add in a bit of snow loading and you will be better placed again. Basically if you believe that a shelter can handle some wind plus driving rain and the other gear will keep you warm enough at minus five then you should be right. If you have your doubts then upgrade but fully expect never to need it.

Cheers

[rebro5]

Anything in between?
.

Yeah, I know what you mean, its rather the 2 ends of the scale, something it the middle would be nice, but we have what we have.
Thanks for the input.

Rebro5

[rebro5]

Oh boy this question is near impossible to answer. . .

Hence my question, semed near impossible for me too - no first hand experience, hoping a bit of the local knowledge in this group would lead me in one direction or the other.
cheers
rebro5

[walkinTas]

As sthughes said, you are carrying a tent for one of two reasons. Either you will sleep in the tent in preference to sharing a crowded hut (if necessary) - my choice - or you will use the tent in an emergency because you've been trapped short of a hut by extreme weather. A possible third reason is that you may wish to take side trips to areas where there are no huts, and will need a tent.

There is always a chance of snow or inclement weather in February on the OLT. Of course, you could be lucky and walk the whole track in sunshine wearing shorts and shade hat.

I personally don't think I would be comfortable in the Tarp Tent Rainshadow 2 in snow or strong winds and rain, but I have no experience with the tent, so that is just an impression. You have experience with the tent so should be better placed to decide if you would like to camp in cold and damp conditions in this tent. My current 3 season tent and ground sheet weigh 3.9Kg, so I understand that when you are packing for a long journey, this is an obvious place to save some weight.

I think the best advice so far is 'somewhere in between', but if that isn't an option, you decide on the level of comfort and protection you want. Are you sure you will be fine in the Tarp Tent in snow, sleet, heavy rain or strong winds? Your call. You should always plan for the worst conditions, that way you are prepared when the worst happens. To plan for and hope for the best conditions only, is to gamble. Risky! Especially on the OLT.

[rebro5]

Are you sure you will be fine in the Tarp Tent in snow, sleet, heavy rain or strong winds?

Not at all, also it is a new purchase for me as well so I don't even have the experience of its use yet- though that little issue will be rectified soon. It sounds like the prudent thing is to go with the Venus with confidence it will be up for the job. This isn't a bad thing, I was just hoping you locals would say that Feb is always beautiful on the OLT and a tarptent is a "shoe-in" for the job .
Thanks for the advice, it has been helpful.
rebro5

[walkinTas]

Not at all, also it is a new purchase for me as well so I don't even have the experience of its use yet- though that little issue will be rectified soon.

I was going to say, you've still got plenty of time to take it out and try it in harsher condition and see if it come up to scratch.

[rebro5]

Certainly planning to doing a bit of that too.
I can easily check it in the rain just in the backyard, but I'm also planning a few nights out over winter for this reason.

regards

Rebro5