Qualities of a best mountain tent
Posted BY Ian under tent-qualities
If you are going to go up and camp on a mountain then you already probably have considerable experience camping elsewhere. Pointing out the qualities that a best mountain tent should have does seem a little like teaching granny to suck eggs, but I'll do it as this should help you to clarify your own thoughts. You may weight factors differently but you still need to consider the same ones.
Strength: Strength comes not only from the materials used but also from the tent's design. Crossing poles form a more rigid structure, especially where the threading for these and the guy lines enforce the intended shape. Wind or a build up of snow can deform a tent considerably, especially if there are large flat areas exposed to the problem.
We should not forget that entrances offer a weakness. This weakness needs to be mitigated. Zips must be strong and slide easily, and should be covered when closed with some form of cover. Entrances need to be well designed and located such that you can get in quickly without bringing in too much snow with you.
In this section I also include the almost obsolete requirement that a tent be of a standalone design. This hardly needs saying now when it seems all mountain tents are like this but, again, the idea of this article is to make issues clear so that they are not forgotten.
Weight: Mountain tents use quality materials by default. A little excess weight can be shaved off by the use of very specialized materials but often there is a pay off in terms of strength. That's a sacrifice that needs careful consideration. Weight becomes more of an issue at altitude and, given that this is also where some of the harshest conditions are found, the right balance is even harder to achieve.
Space: The space consideration requires a balance. You want as much as possible, without adding unnecessarily to the weight. Space is not just about the sleeping area, it includes the available areas for the storage of kit, for cooking and for performing other chores.
Space is also not just a number; it matters how that space is arranged with relation to the sleeping bodies, the entrance or entrances and the slope of the fabric. In extreme conditions you are going to want to do as many chores as possible from the warmth of your sleeping bag.
Weather-proofing: I use that term rather than water-proofing in recognition of the fact that more often than not the 'water' will be in the form of ice or snow. It is vital that the ground sheet be integral to the tent, and totally impervious to water. At very low temperatures, water vapour is going to condense on the inner anyway. Only the next factor is going to help reduce the amount of that.
Ventilation: Providing adequate ventilation without allowing a full blown wind to rattle through the tent takes some clever thinking. Ventilation would ideally be adjustable to suit different conditions.
Price: I've left this to last as it really shouldn't be a major factor. You need a tent that will cope with the harshest conditions and quality materials cost. That's not to say that you can't save a little bit. You can avoid unnecessary features in deciding which tent to buy, and then shop around until you find your best mountain tent at the best price possible.
A mountain tent is a major purchase for any climber. It pays to put the effort in and really ensure you understand the pros and cons of different models. Fortunately there are plenty of reviews around and after a while you should find yourself being directed towards one best mountain tent for the type of mountaineering you intend. That's the key - read those reviews and ask yourself if you will be in the situations the writer describes.