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It needs to accommodate one person on Kilimanjaro for 9 days. He will be using a porter, so weight isn't a huge issue, but I've written it down anyway.

The North Face Meso 22 @1,7kg
The North Face Tadpole 23 DL @ 2,13kg
The North Face Tadpole 23 @ 2,37kg

He must only want a North Face?

Yes.

Kilimanjaro is just a hike. It really doesn't matter.

There is every type of tent imaginable on that mountain.

I know, but it's for my dad. He wanted something solid and I obviously don't want to take any risks with this. I was thinking about a VE25 (I already have one), but it's too heavy for one person use. I don't really know the other tents, so was hoping for some info.

Well, seriously it really doesn't matter. So just get the tent you ultimately want to own. The guides up there are using all kinds of stuff. Part of my support crew slept in the cook tent which looked something like this:



If the tent can take the winds that any normal moutain could dish out I would think you would be ok, so just get whatever is comfortable for you. And you can always get enough porters to carry it and everything else, if weight is really a worry.

I took a look at the tents, I would have confidence doing the peak with any tent you listed there.

a tarp and a warm sleeping bag.

seriously... the meso, only because it is the lightest of that bunch.

just curious... why tnf?

The best Kili advice...

Do a safari.

zeroforhire wrote:a tarp and a warm sleeping bag.

Read up, it's for my dad, who is obviously a bit "older"

zeroforhire wrote:just curious... why tnf?

Because I can get good deals on those

Just out of curiosity, what company are you using?

The ones I have been looking at supply the tents (if you're on a tent route.) The ones that don't seem to be seriously low budget operations, not sure if I would want to go that way.

FWIW, my 3 season is a REI Half Dome 2, and my four season is a Mountain Hard Wear Trango 2. Both have been awesome for me.

How much does a little extra weight really matter? Aren't the porters going to carry it? For me I'd rather have a little roomier tent for comfort if reasonable.

I like the VE25 too BTW.

If somebody else is carrying your tent, get the heaviest one possible ......

Any tent will do. Wind and rough ground is the main problems. Have a footprint to put the tent on.

Guides should provide it and a big comfy sleeping matt. I was under the impression you can't climb the mountain unless you are with a guide? Someone correct me if I'm wrong?

In any case, I would just rent one. I rented a sleeping bag for around 20 dollars. It was actually pretty nice and they provided me with a brand new bag liner too.

I used TEAM KILIMANJARO for my trip. They did a fine job overall.

As MrChad said, the guides are basically sleeping in tents that are little more than tarps. I would easily take a 50 dollar coleman up there. It's a piece of cake.