...ongoing ultra light gear upgrades...
I've started upgrading some of my gear to allow me to use it on the Te Araroa trail more effectively, one of my first purchases was a new ultra light tent.
Big Agnes Copper Spur tents
Big Agnes is a well known and respected American outdoor equipment firm specialising in tents, sleeping bags, mats and ancillary equipment. Many of the Te Araroa trail walkers over the past 2 years have been using these tents very successfully.
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| The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 1: 3+ season free standing tent |
The Copper Spur UL 1 person is a true 3+ season free standing tent, i.e. they do not need to be pegged to the ground to be erected. This is an advantage in areas where it is rocky or hard to find peg friendly spots. These tents are also supposed to be stable which is useful in windy old New Zealand. This particular tent design has won multiple international awards over the last 3-4 years.
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| Big Agnes Copper Spur: Inner tent and pole system |
I brought the one person version of this tent (they range from 1-4 people) so it weighs around 1 kg, that is light for a free standing tent. With my normal plastic groundsheet I'm looking at 1.1 kg total!
It is also very roomy with the same dimensions as my current two person tent but with more headroom. I'm 6'3" tall and I still have ample space at head and foot when prone in this tent.
It is also very roomy with the same dimensions as my current two person tent but with more headroom. I'm 6'3" tall and I still have ample space at head and foot when prone in this tent.
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| Dimensions of the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 1 |
The vestibule on these tents is very generous...I have room under it for my pack, boots, walking pole and cooking gear with space to spare. The one person version has one entrance/vestibule but all the other sizes have two entrances/vestibules.
This tent was purchased online from Gear Shop, who I believe are the sole distributors for Big Agnes gear in New Zealand. They had a 2017 summer sale so I managed to buy mine for only $450 NZD when the usual retail price is over $700 NZD. That is a stunning price given these tents cost $375 USD in the United States.
A real bargain!
A real bargain!
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| Big Agnes Copper Spur:with the fly sheet closed down |
I have yet to use this 'operationally' but will be sure to post some shots once I do. Next to buy is a new lighter pack, trail shoes and UL down sleeping bag/quilt and I'm ready to go...
That should get my base weight down to around 8-9 kgs total.
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