The REI Arete ASL (All Season Light) 2 tent fills the gap between the limited seasonality of an ultralighttent and the robustness of a 4-season tent.
Location and Season
Since I hike and camp all year round, I needed a tent that was light and yet hefty enough to withstand heavy snows, wind, and rain. In January I used it on a two day trip into the Eagles Nest Wilderness, and although it did not snow, it offered great ventilation and insulation through nights that reached lows as low as -18.
Then, on a trip into Lost Creek, it endured a freakish May snowstorm that dropped 10-12 inches of heavy, wet snow. It snowed so much and so fast I was initially worried it would collapse the tent. The tent, however, held up magnificently. When I went to sleep there was close to 6 inches of snow caked to the dome of the tent, making it look like an igloo. When I woke up the next morning, as the steel colored sky lifted, and the sun shone on the glistening landscape, the I emerged from my den dry and warm.
Though the tent is a dream in these harsh conditions, the regular qualm I have is the perspiration on the inside. By myself on a night when the vents need to be closed -as in the May snowstorm- the walls will streak and can pool up on the edges and in the corners. But it has never been enough to make me uncomfortable; and it beats leaky and drafty seams on some other tents I’ve used.
One way I have found to keep the walls drier is to use the guy-lines. A friend of mine who owns another REI tent looked at the lines inquisitively and asked if they really worked. Absolutely they do. On some nights in the Flat Tops Wilderness in June when it snowed, hailed, rained and sleeted for two days straight with a constant gale between 25-50 mph, those guy lines kept the tent extra sturdy and also contributed to drier walls. The air can get in the and wick out some of the sweat on the outside of the walls. If the weather is constant and warm enough, get rid of that fly -which looks better suited for an Apollo mission than a tent- and enjoy the view out the screen door.
Spatial Awareness
It’s easy to get in and out with only one person and their gear. Traveling solo in the winter and early spring is great because I have a place to store extra gear inside, out of the weather, since the vestibule is left wanting. It’s enough for boots and a small pack, but don’t expect to keep much else in there. As far as sleeping solo, it’s roomy and open, which reduces the perspiration factor. There is plenty of room to move around, and enough space to stand on knees and dress inside. And the several mesh nets to store headlamps, books, maps, toiletries and whatever else you want inside offer additional space without it eating up moving room.
Add another person to the mix, and it’s a party. Beginning in early June through September my wife and I backpack together, and sharing the tent is, well…I’ll just say that for people traveling together, it would be a good idea to discuss how you feel about spooning. It’s cramped. On a recent fishing trip where we hiked into Northgate Canyon of the North Platte, three of us long time buddys played a game of ro-sham-bo to see who slept in a bivy sack under the looming thunder heads. Although tight, it’s doable and can make for some great memories.
All Said and Done
It’s a great item to have, and notwithstanding some extra weight and space that comes with it -especially for an ultralight packer like myself- it offers an economic and quality choice for shelter in any kind of weather the gods of nature can throw your way.
REI Arete ASL 2 Tent
REI Arete ASL 2 Tent: Portable Bomb Shelter
Posted by sainteterre on May 25, 2010 · Leave a Comment
The REI Arete ASL (All Season Light) 2 tent fills the gap between the limited seasonality of an ultralighttent and the robustness of a 4-season tent.
Location and Season
Since I hike and camp all year round, I needed a tent that was light and yet hefty enough to withstand heavy snows, wind, and rain. In January I used it on a two day trip into the Eagles Nest Wilderness, and although it did not snow, it offered great ventilation and insulation through nights that reached lows as low as -18.
Then, on a trip into Lost Creek, it endured a freakish May snowstorm that dropped 10-12 inches of heavy, wet snow. It snowed so much and so fast I was initially worried it would collapse the tent. The tent, however, held up magnificently. When I went to sleep there was close to 6 inches of snow caked to the dome of the tent, making it look like an igloo. When I woke up the next morning, as the steel colored sky lifted, and the sun shone on the glistening landscape, the I emerged from my den dry and warm.
Though the tent is a dream in these harsh conditions, the regular qualm I have is the perspiration on the inside. By myself on a night when the vents need to be closed -as in the May snowstorm- the walls will streak and can pool up on the edges and in the corners. But it has never been enough to make me uncomfortable; and it beats leaky and drafty seams on some other tents I’ve used.
One way I have found to keep the walls drier is to use the guy-lines. A friend of mine who owns another REI tent looked at the lines inquisitively and asked if they really worked. Absolutely they do. On some nights in the Flat Tops Wilderness in June when it snowed, hailed, rained and sleeted for two days straight with a constant gale between 25-50 mph, those guy lines kept the tent extra sturdy and also contributed to drier walls. The air can get in the and wick out some of the sweat on the outside of the walls. If the weather is constant and warm enough, get rid of that fly -which looks better suited for an Apollo mission than a tent- and enjoy the view out the screen door.
Spatial Awareness
It’s easy to get in and out with only one person and their gear. Traveling solo in the winter and early spring is great because I have a place to store extra gear inside, out of the weather, since the vestibule is left wanting. It’s enough for boots and a small pack, but don’t expect to keep much else in there. As far as sleeping solo, it’s roomy and open, which reduces the perspiration factor. There is plenty of room to move around, and enough space to stand on knees and dress inside. And the several mesh nets to store headlamps, books, maps, toiletries and whatever else you want inside offer additional space without it eating up moving room.
Add another person to the mix, and it’s a party. Beginning in early June through September my wife and I backpack together, and sharing the tent is, well…I’ll just say that for people traveling together, it would be a good idea to discuss how you feel about spooning. It’s cramped. On a recent fishing trip where we hiked into Northgate Canyon of the North Platte, three of us long time buddys played a game of ro-sham-bo to see who slept in a bivy sack under the looming thunder heads. Although tight, it’s doable and can make for some great memories.
All Said and Done
It’s a great item to have, and notwithstanding some extra weight and space that comes with it -especially for an ultralight packer like myself- it offers an economic and quality choice for shelter in any kind of weather the gods of nature can throw your way.
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