Jedi5150,
I used
MANY tents over the years and this season is the first I've picked up a Hillberg. I own a Tarra now and thus far, I've only used it once.
As you probably know, the
Tarra IS a freestanding tent as is its 2-man counterpart, the
Jannu. Ruling out years (experience) of setting up tents, my buddy and I set up my Tarra in the
dark in a talus field near Castle & Conundrum Peaks under a new moon with light flurries. Even though getting the poles to the right sleeve
(only matters in terms of keeping things 'straight') took a little
thought & know-how, I didn't think it was all that difficult or cumbersome.
Once we had the tent erected with one vestible staked out
(the powder snow made it tricky to stake out), the thing was indeed, bomb-proof.
If you went with the 2-man (Jannu), I imagine this process would be even easier.
I also looked at thier tunnel tents but decided on a freestanding instead. My reasoning is that one can't always count on adequete hard ground to be found, rocks, trees, roots are not always givens
and in this case, my first time, the snow proved to be too deep and sugary (fresh) to reliably/successively stake anything down. I suppose if you're using it for motorcycle trips or general tent camping...
formal campgrounds I'm assuming, you shouldn't have much to worry about. So as I think about it, that is, using it for serious backcountry trips where conditions are ambigious, a freestanding tent at least
in my opinion would be preferred...but each to their own.
A good friend of mine has the Nammatj and they used it last month when we were up climbing Pyramid Peak & scouting the Maroon Bells. I thought it was a great tent. Tons of room inside and
very spacious. But it did take up a lot
of area around the tent to stake out. If one needs the tension from the guy lines due to forseeable heavy snow or 'Daytona Winds', this is great, but for general camping, it seems overkill to me. It did take them a while to set it up too. But
I have to say, I was jealous sleeping in my EV2 that they had a veritable mansion!
If you get the chance, set up these tents in store if you're able to. I went to Neptune's in Boulder and looked at what they carried first then set up both the Tarra and the Jannu (at Bent Gate in Golden) before making a decision.
Hillberg is the kind of produt you buy once and keep it forever...like luggage.
As you know, it's a lot of serious clams to shell out (pun intended). Get as much first-hand experience before you buy. G'luck
I'll be using mine for the second time next month on a week-long (trip) attempt to the Maroon Bells and Thunder Pyramid.
If you don't buy one before late March, I can PM you about some more specifics, my opinions etc. after a second use.
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 9:07 am
I'm actually making the trip specifically to look at the Hillebergs. I know, it may sound nuts. But I've bought enough tents without comparing them first, only to sell them later, that I'm willing to put forth the effort (and cash) to do it right the first time.