Photos of Wilderness Equipment in Action

[gisborne612]

Does anyone have any photos of "Wilderness Equipment" (eg tents and packs ) out in the bush?

[norts]

Got lots more, I use a WE pack and use a First Arrow when I take one of my sons walking.
Also my main walking partner uses a WE pack and his 2 man tent is a second arrow.
Norts

[Cocksy_86]

Here's me a few years back staying off the Illinbah Track near the creek. The tent that is tenting in this photo is the Mont Moondance II. Love this tent. Has nearly let me down. Comfortable couples tent but I use to use it for solo hikes. Can handle any rain or wind.

[gisborne612]

Thanks for the photos. I'm about to purchase a WE Mountain Expedition Pack, to go hiking with my boys, and am seriously thinking about a WE Second Arrow aswell. How do you go setting the tunnel tents up on platforms, and do you think a 1st Arrow can reasonably accomodate 3?

[Drifting]

Thanks for the photos. I'm about to purchase a WE Mountain Expedition Pack, to go hiking with my boys, and am seriously thinking about a WE Second Arrow aswell. How do you go setting the tunnel tents up on platforms, and do you think a 1st Arrow can reasonably accomodate 3?

IMHO Absolutely not, at least not comfortably. I tried a 1st arrow with three regular-sized pads and it was super, super squishy. And sooooo overpriced.

Most three person tents should relly be labelled as 2+ tents, as they are too small to really fir three comfortably. I had one heck of a time finding one, especially a 4-season tent for use in Tassie. I ended up getting a nearly $1000 Hilleberg Nallo 4 GT, which is awesome, and $1000, which isn't so awesome.

I'd seriously think about a TarpTent Hogback, if you are using it on the mainland. If you are going to be using your tent on the mainland in three-seasons, there are a lot of other choices too. I'd go to http://www.moontrail.com, http://www.rei.com, http://www.backcountry.com or http://www.rockcreek.com and look there. Much cheaper in the US, even with shipping.

Kelty makes some good cheap tents for three seasons, and Big Agnes makes some good light tents, such as the Copper Spur UL3.

I wouldn't buy a tent in Oz.

[Cocksy_86]

Wilderness Equipment....sigh...my bad...still nice tent though :)

[Franco]

Tarptent does have a 3 person tent, the Rainshadow.
I shot a video of that the other day to hopefully give a better idea of the usable space inside,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNf837Dl1B0
The Hogback at under 2kg would be a more comfortable shelter if not restricted by the campsite space available, and it is a double wall shelter.
As a comparison the Hogbak has a square floor (218x218 cm) of 4.8 sq m. The Raishadow is a bit shorter and narrower for a total floor space of 3.9 sq m (with the floor up, a bit more if the sides are down)
Both are 3 season tents. (no snow nor high winds)
Franco

[farkewie]

Here is a couple from my SCT walk this year.

Cox's Bight

SCT1.jpg (134.34 KiB) Viewed 11010 times

Osmaridian Bay

SCT2.jpg (126.12 KiB) Viewed 11010 times

[Ent]

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[norts]

1st Arrow is nice a nd roomy for 2. Definitely not a 3 man tent unless it's an emergency. Only used it once for 3 people and that was with my 2 sons and they were only about 5 & 7.
2nd Arrow is just a 2 person tent and if youare nice and friendly.
I have never had any issues with setting up the 1st Arrow on the platforms on the OT, taken it through 3 times. First time i set it up took a bit longer but they was mainly because it took awhile to work out how the wire rope system worked.

Roger

[tasadam]

Wilderness Equipment....sigh...my bad...still nice tent though

I thought the same thing, Yeah, I've got lots of gear photos... Oh yeah, that's right, "Wilderness Equipment" is a Brand...
Maybe I should buy something from WE so I remember that!

[Drifting]

Gisborne- what ages are your kids, and what sort of conditions are you planning on? Where are you thinking about hiking, and what time of year. We can probably help you come up with a shortlist to consider, with that info.

[gisborne612]

G'day Drifting. My 2 boys are 10 and 7. I plan to go to Wilsons Promontory, Great Ocean Walk, then up into Victoria's High country, with a view to going to Tassie when they get a bit older. It's hard to tell when they will be ready for something like that. It's hard to find a good tent big enough for 3 without spending a fortune.

[Drifting]

YUp- I ended up spending a fortune, so I know how you feel.

I'd seriously think about the Tarptents. Franco, Corvus and a few others on here have them, and speak highly of them. The big advantage is that they are light, which is good, because your boys aren't going to be able to lug all their own stuff for a whilem, so you need things to be as light as possible.

The High Country can be a bit dicey weatherwise, but I'm sure you'd be fine with one of the more substantial tents, like a hogback.

Check out http://www.rei.com They have a tent finder application. I'll see if I can find some links when I've got a bit of time.

Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 would be high on my interest list too.

Also, when shopping for sleeping mats, keep in mind those Pacific Outdoor Etherthermo Mats. They are pretty cheap, light, and apparently quite good.

[Drifting]

Just an example....
http://www.rei.com/product/761895

[gisborne612]

What do you think of the Vango Tempest 300. Probably a bit small for 3, but I can get one for under $300.

[Drifting]

Someone on here has a Vango one-person tent- Taure-ana I think her name is. She reckons it's ok, a bit of condensation from memory but ok. I'd PM her and ask.

Also, there's quite a few sites with reviews on the net, and as Vango is a UK tent you might get more info there.

I have a vango pack I got for my wife- basic but serviceable. Also a Vango emergency shelter.

[gisborne612]

I'll have to do that. A mate at work has a Vango Spirit 200+. It's a tunnel with a massive vestibule (nearly half the size of the whole tent) He swears by it and has had it in the snow and winds above 100kph. It's also relatively light, but about double the price of the Tempest 300.

[Drifting]

I'll have to do that. A mate at work has a Vango Spirit 200+. It's a tunnel with a massive vestibule (nearly half the size of the whole tent) He swears by it and has had it in the snow and winds above 100kph. It's also relatively light, but about double the price of the Tempest 300.

My Hilleberg is like that- the vestibule is almost big enough for me to lie down in, and I'm six foot. Great for kids when it's raining.

You can get the same effect, to a certain degree, with an ultralight silnylon tarp and a tent with a small vestibule.

Make sure you can fit three sleeping pads/bags on the floor of that Vango. If your boys use 3/4 length ones it might be better.

[Drifting]

This is what I mean about size- the Vango tent shown in this picture is supposed to be a 2-person tent.

http://cid-149ca80ac4e3f21f.photos.live ... E3F21F!277

[Drifting]

God I'm dumb. Try a Coleman Phad X3, if you can still find one. I have one, and it is excellent for the price. Big vestibule with a zip-out floor, lots of ventilation, and very solid. The only let down of it is that it's a bit short, but not too bad, and it's a tad heavy, at just under 4kg. Definitely a full 3-seasons model. I've used mine a lot, and really like it. It's not a Hilleberg, but it'll do the job. I use it for all my school camping needs now.

http://www.kangarootentcity.com.au/welcome/page22.php (down the page) -for sale for $199

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=270297 (review)

[mattyc25]

Bit late but anyway...

Not my tent so I can't give much of a review other than it is not the easiest tent to erect nice and taut, bit of a knack to it. It says two man but I would only be in it with my girlfriend, not my mate put it that way. Otherwise it has always kept him warm and dry.

[gisborne612]

Thanks Matty, Nice shots. I'ts always nice to see gear being used for what they were intended to be used for.

[Drifting]

what tent is that Matty?