Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Tents

Due to really badly pinched nerves in my feet,I have had to opt for the overnight trip this year.
I haven't slept at Trail Camp since 1976 and that was without a tent.
I have pored over all the catalogs and have narrowed my choices down to 2 tents, both similar in weight and price, however one is free-standing, the other is not. The non free-standing tent is lighter in weight and looks more comfortable. I want to go that direction.
Question: Is it possible to take a non free-standing tent and put big rocks on the edges of the tent or on the loops used to bang the pegs into the ground? Or do you all recommend free-standing?

hint. don't put rocks on the tent or stake loops. bring the tie-down cords stright out from the stake loops and wrap or tie them around a rock.

I've had a hoop tent before and it drove me nuts! It ALWAYS had to be staked and if one of those stakes came loose it was over with. Try setting up a hoop tent in sand! I would definately go for the free-standing tent. It can't weigh that much more then the hoop tent and besides that the free-standing tent will, more then likely, hold up to harsher weather better. There are tons of really good lightweight tents out there. Take your time and find one that's right for you and your style of backpacking.

Look at the Black Diamond Megamid. I use mine 4 seasons w/o a floor using a space blanket. Rocks are fine and plentiful. It weighs only 3.5# and is less than $200, sleeps 3 with gear comfortably, 4 in a pinch. Word on floorless. This lets the marmots come and go w/o eating a hole through the tent

I often hear the argument for free standing tents as being easier to pitch and use. This is supposed to mean fewer anchors I suppose. Well, I always seem to end up anchoring my free standing tents as elaborately as my anchored ones. So to me that is no advantage. I'd go with the one with weight and features you like.

Megamids have a huge weight advantage but are hard to seal against bugs.

I'd second mark j's suggestion about the tie cords.

Thanks all. You have helped me narrow it down to 2 tents: 1: Eureka 1-person bivy, 2 lbs, 14 oz. $69.99 NOT free-standing through campmor.com and 2:Eureka Zeus Exo, 1-person, 3 lbs, 8 oz. Free-standing, $119.00 same company. I figure if it's blowing hard, you're going to have to put rocks on any type of tent.

There is also a North Face Trek Bivy, 2 lbs. 4 oz. thru SierraTradingPost.com and it's on sale for $180. But if it should "walk away" I'd really hate to lose something that expensive.

Anyone have any experience with Eureka products?Not buying anything until about June. Have July and Sept. permits. Appreciate all help.

Just my 2 cents worth.
I have both free standing and not freestanding, It's a toss up I like them both. It ends up just a personal choice.
Now the second part about a bivy. I used to use a bivy for short summer trips until the first time I got stuck in one during a two day ugly storm. It has NEVER left my garage again. I thought I was going to go nuts in that thing.

I purchased an Eureka Zeus Exo 2 as soon as they were released last year. The tent is free standing, however you will still need to at least us tie outs on the side flaps to open up circulation in the tent. Since this is a single wall tent if you do not vent it well, a large amount of condensation will develop inside by morning. If you keep the tent vented, this will be a great extremely light weight tent for you, with a reasonable price tag.