Climbing Montain Tent Review

The ultimate in alpine shelters, these 4-season models are designed to protect you from even the harshest weather and extended base camp adventures. They tend to be heavier than backpacking tents, but you’ll thank yourself for the extra pound when the wind starts howling and the snow starts blowing. Mountaineering tents often have a single vestibule and lower peak height for a more aerodynamic design that resists winds and sheds snow easily. They also feature a host of internal guy line loops for more advanced anchoring and ventilation that refreshes stale air and wicks moisture to prevent frost and condensation.

Most tents have a door with a bug screen to defend against pesky bugs while cooking and sleeping, but not all do. Depending on your environment and goals, you may want to consider a model with a window or hatch that you can leave open for ventilation and a clear view of your surroundings.

All of the best mountaineering tents are designed to withstand harsh alpine conditions with ease. They’re built to be sturdy and resilient in high winds, snowstorms, and even ice storms. They are usually made of either lightweight but strong nylon or durable, waterproof polyester. The fly, poles, and tent body are designed to be one integrated structure that can withstand even the most intense weather conditions.

To make sure that your tent is secure, the manufacturer designs it with reinforced seams and stitches, as well as a rainfly and guyline attachment points. It’s also a good idea to use a couple of extra stakes when camping in an alpine setting, especially on bigger mountains. This way, if you lose one of your tent stakes in the snow, you’ll be able to use a long piece of gear like an ice axe or a bamboo wand as a “deadman” anchor, which is basically a pole that wraps around a stick, rock, or stuff sack filled with snow and then buried deep into the ground.

The Mountain Hardwear Trango 2 is a tank of a tent that’s ideal for expedition-worthy adventures, including harsh environments and remote base camps. It’s been used in the Antarctic, on Mt. Everest, and at the North Pole. While it might be overkill for summertime mountaineering in the Tetons or Canadian Rockies, it’s perfect for more ambitious peaks and hut-to-hut ski tours, as well as polar exploration and other high-altitude adventurers. It’s also incredibly livable and easy to pitch in raging winds thanks to the hubbed pole system that’s pre-attached to the tent material. You can even pitch it by yourself with a little practice, but you might want an extra pair of hands for the toughest winds and icy conditions.