The tent was warm with very little condensation (I expected quite a bit with two large dogs and I in the tent), roomy for getting in and out of layered clothing, and the window was very nice for watching the snow accumulate on my exposed ridge.Īll in all it performed quite well. It piled up on the K2, then mostly slid down the sides and piled up around the edges of the fly. This was followed by rain that quickly turned to snow and piled up over 12 inches by morning. It felt like the tent, the dogs, and I were going to become an airborne tent saucer.but she held firm. For the next 3 to 4 hours the wind blew so hard I thought it might knock down some nearby trees that were still full of snow from the last storm. I got the tent up, dinner finished, and everything ready before the wind kicked up and my two dogs and I packed in for the night. I was able to camp in some light snow and reasonably cold weather last winter while skiing, but this year I heard about a storm moving into our area, and headed straight for the mountains. I have used it sparingly (I have two other Eurekas, a Solitaire, and a Timberline Outfitter 6) but I have tried to get it out into some real weather and just hadn't been able to be out in the kind of storm I've been looking for.until this past February. The first time I used it was in a summer thunderstorm and I had no leaks, no problems with water penetrating the fly, and it was steady in the accompanying wind, but it was new, and I was very careful about setting it up. I have had my K2-XT for almost three years at this point, but haven't posted a review because I haven't felt that I had challenged its capabilities yet. It does breathe nicely in warm weather too. I've spent more time using it in subfreezing or otherwise inclement weather than warm sunshine (not by choice), but that's what it's made for. I picked up a second stuff sack and carry the tent body in one, the fly, poles, stakes, and footprint in the other when I feel like passing off some of the weight.Īll around I love this tent. I put the whole shooting match on the top of my (external frame) pack and don't mind it too much. They've basically thought of everything and the weight adds up. That said you're also paying for (and carrying) doors, windows, and vents with massive solid zippers and no-see'um screens. With poles, stakes, and a footprint you're tipping the scales at around 11.75lbs in a 8"x24" stuff sack. Perhaps the real downfall to this tent is its packed size and weight. They also changed the location of the vestibule pole from inside using a sleeve to outside with clips. It has always had hi-lo venting but earlier models didn't have enough fly venting so there were still condensation issues in cold weather. Over the years Eureka! has improved this tent's ventilation. I use the center ring to hang a small lantern. There are also several pockets to store gear inside the tent and an optional hanging shelf (which I didn't buy). I love the two vestibules, especially when there are three of us (or two and a large dog), giving a decent amount of room for gear storage. It pitches very tightly and really doesn't require the guy lines unless you're expecting some weather. I can do it by myself, but is it easier with another person (like my 11 year-old son). Other tents collapsed during the night but we never even knew it snowed until the next morning. A surprise overnight snow fall of 12" of the Adirondacks' finest heavy wet stuff didn't even phase this tent. Although I don't need an expedition grade tent it has come in handy. Given the prices, however, I spent a lot of time researching until I finally decided on the K2-XT. I'd spent too many cold nights in a three-season tent where the wind howled through the bug netting sides and decided that I needed a good four-season tent. I bought this tent used after returning to the world of backpacking following a too-long hiatus.
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