Alaknak

[JGH]

I visited a Cabelas recently and was impressed with the 12 x 12 Alaknak ... anyone with some experience out there?

[>>>---WW---->]

They look nice but nylon doesn't make for a very warm tent. Nothing beats a good canvas wall tent. The new sponsor here on the forum (Wall Tent Shop) looks like he has some good ones at a decent price. You might do good to compare before you buy.

[JGH]

Looking at canvas, too ... (how's that canvas when it's wet and time to go home, though?)

Seriously, I am looking at all options for a large tent ... but Cabelas points on the visa are telling me that I should shop there!

I need something that is pack-able on a single horse and can house 3 people. I like backpacking, but I think next year I'll try to "go big" with housing and live a little more comfortably.

[ctdad]

I have a 13x27 alaknak. It is huge but I bought it used for about 75 percent off. It is great but too darn big to pack anywhere. I have camped in one of the 12x12s before and there is plenty of room for three people in cots and a stove. I like these tents. I doubt there is significantly more insulation from canvas than from these tents but I could be wrong. They can handle wind and snow.

[>>>---WW---->]

As with any tent that gets wet, you need to set it up when you get home and let it completely dry out before you store it. Just about any horse can pack a 3 man canvas tent with no problem.

But you are the one that will be using it. So no matter what you choose, if you are happy with it, that's all that matters. Hope you have fun with all those Cabela's points. LOL!

[Indian Summer]

Canvas certainly does insulate better. The thing I don't care for with nylon and relite is condensation inside. Yuk!

This year I helped out an outfitter in Wyoming for one week. I stayed in his Alanak. At one point we poked a few holes in the floor to drain the water from the side of the tent we dubbed "Lake Alaknak". Double yuk.

I'd use those point for some merino wool base layers or something. There's a reason the army and outfitters use canvas. When it comes to tent material it's the Cadillac.

[Elkduds]

I read up on Cabela's Alaknak customer feedback when I was tent shopping. Most complaints were RE tent melting around stove jack or near heat source, and condensation. If I were to horse-pack my 10x12 canvas wall tent, I would cut all poles and possibly stakes at camp. So I would carry tent (60ish #), tarp for rainfly, maybe a heat source, cots, pads, bags on one horse, easily. I found my tent w pole/angle frame on Denver Craigslist for about $200 after watching for a few months. I have a nylon tent, but I love my canvas cottage.

[Indian Summer]

Keep in mind that Cabela's customers aren't what most of us would consider hardcore hunters. Weekend warriors and family campers would be more accurate.

Canvas, why not? That is the question. But Cabela's canvas is sure pricy.

[JGH]

I sure understand the canvas proponents ... canvas seems to be the "gold standard".

That said ... I'm not an outfitter, leaving the thing up for months. Nor am I hiring employees to help me put it up ... many times, it'd be a solo venture. Are canvas tents easy to put up solo? Many of these trips would be 2- or 3-nighters in the summer at horse events.

I'm still thinking on it ... thanks for the thoughts!

[cnelk]

John
During this past archery season I stopped and visited with a couple guys that had one of these set up in their camp.
Upon inquiring about it, They even let me look inside and told me about it.

He had 2 cots, a Mr Heater and gear inside. We discussed the 'nylon' and he mentioned how there was plenty of venting opportunities for safety and condensation.

I am considering one of these tents myself!
I have 3 canvas wall tents and 3 nylon backpacking tents. They each have their own pros and cons.

Knowing how and your style of hunting, I think you would be quite satisfied with it!

[>>>---WW---->]

John, as I said in an earlier post, "If you are happy with it, that is all that matters"!

For summer and early fall I think you would be OK. But for a cold winter camp, I'd be leary unless I could rig a plastic tarp around it somehow. I have seen a few of them but was never inside of one. They do hold up pretty good to wind and heavy snow though.

On the other hand, I have been inside one of those teepee style tents similar to the Kifaru. And even with a wood stove going and both front and back doors open, it was like an Amazon rain forest in there. The condensation was so terrible if you jarred the material it would actually rain on you.

Another thing Is don't use any type of propane heater. LP helps to add even more condensation. One year I was in a 19' camper and I strung up a temporary clothes line inside to dry out a few items. With the propane heat, they were almost as wet the next AM as they were the evening before when I hung them up.

[Sawdust]

I have a alaknak 12x12 and a cylinder wood stove. I love this tent
It does what I need. I have tried to heat the tent with propane and
It did sweat pretty bad, but with the wood stove I have had zero problems.
The 12x12 can fit 4 cots and wood stove but it is very tight. 2 or possibly
3 cots would be best. I have spent about 50 nights in it in the last 2 years.
I have a buddy with canvas wall tent and it is nice also. I feel both have
Their places.

Sawdust

[Indian Summer]

With a pole frame I can set up a wall tent by myself up to a 12 by 14. Quick too.

I bet you could find a good deal on a used Alaknak if you're sold on those.

[Njdiverdan]

I've had a 12x12 alaknak now for several years. For the last two years it has been set up the week before archery elk and stays up until the week after. It is also used for several summer family camping trips as well. We also have the vestibule which gives you a nice gear area. 3 cots plus stove is very comfortable. We even used a big buddy propane heater last year and the only condensation was in the vestibule ( indoor outdoor carpet for floor) during the coldest nights. This was with 5 guys in it. 4 in the main tent (disco bunk cots are great) and one in the vestibule.

At 20 degrees and windy at night the big buddy ran on medium and kept the tent very warm.