Camping

OVERVIEW:

Silex - A 13,628 foot peak in the San Juan Range of mountains in Southwest Colorado.

The Silex is a large single person trekking pole tent that pitches easily with four primary stakes and has two doors and two vestibules.  Sized to be large for one person with a lot of gear, you can squeeze two into the Silex sleeping on the offset instead of diagonal.  With two people a nest cannot be used.

The Silex pitches very tight due to subtle catenary cuts hidden in the seams and this gives it very good performance in high winds.  We recommend stout and sturdy stakes for the four corners, and if you expect rough weather pegging the additional four stake loops is a good idea.

One of our Zipperless Tents, the Silex solves some pain points associated with zippers in ultralight tents - zippers leak, zippers are heavy, and zippers wear out.  Ditching the zipper improves performance in all these areas.

The Silex fills the niche of backpacking tarp, tarp tent, trekking pole tent, and lightweight hunting tent. 

We believe the Silex is an easy to pitch, easy to use, and very stormworthy shelter at a tempting weight.

Handmade in Grand Junction, CO.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Average Weights:
• Canopy - 17 oz / 1 lb 1 oz
• Canopy, stakes, stuff sacks, & cordage -  21 oz / 1 lb 5 oz
• Nest - 16 oz
• Dimensions:
• Height - 50"
• 7' W X 7' L, slight diamond shape - one diagonal is 6" shorter than the other.
• 49 sq ft
• Large percentage of usable space.  Sitting height above 36" is close to 18 sqft.

• Fabric - 30D Cordura spec ripstop double coated silnylon.  Sage green has a bit of PU mixed into the coating to improve performance in sandy areas.  Hydrostatic head rating 3000-4000 mm.  

Pitching the Canopy

The Silex is a rough square with a slight diamond shape due to catenary cuts in the central seams.  This makes it very easy to pitch by eye.

The canopy requires a minimum 4 stakes and has an additional 4 stake loops for a total of 8 that can can be used in rough conditions.  Guyout loops are provided for optional guylines.

1. Make sure you have slack in the stakeline cordage.

2. Stake one of the triple seam corners.

3. Pull the other triple seam corner out taut.  Use the first guyout point up from the corner as a setback point.  Mark that location and insert a stake there.  Place the cordage loop for the triple seam corner on that stake.

4. Pull out the two doors and stake, making sure you don't pull the centerline off center (this is easy to do when staking the first door).

5. Insert the poles (make sure to use the pole handle keepers)

6. Check tension and adjust stakes as necessary.  

7. Drive the stakes home and tension the stakeline cordage as necessary.

8. Stake out the guyouts and guyline if needed.

Tips:

• The Silex can be pitched with as few as four stakes.  If you expect rough weather, use beefy, sturdy stakes for these four (such as our Twisted Stakes), and fill in the other stake loops as needed.

• In high winds you can dedicate the downwind door for entry and exit and stake out the upwind door.

• You can double stake the primary stake positions easily by using a short piece of cordage with loops on both ends.  Run this cordage through the stakeline loop, then stake both loops. The stakeline will look like a “Y” if you do this correctly.

• A Tautline Hitch tied on the ends of the vestibule guylines isn’t necessary, but handy to add tension.  The same goes for guylines on the sides. Read “Knots You Should Know” on our website to learn this and other useful knots.

To learn more about the Silex, check out Section Hiker's long term review:

Section Hiker Silex Zipperless Tent Review

FEATURES:

• Pitches with two trekking poles (not included)
• Ultralight trekking pole tent with excellent storm coverage
• Add optional nest to provide total bug and weather protection
• Zipperless Doors
• Fabric - 30D Cordura spec ripstop double coated silnylon.  Sage green has a bit of PU mixed into the coating to improve performance in sandy areas.  Hydrostatic head rating 3000-4000 mm.  
• Solo sleeping centering the poles, sleeping on a diagonal.  Two person sleeping arrangement offsets the poles.
• When used as a hot tent, you can't use the nest and a stove at the same time.
• D-rings on both peaks for additional guyout points, or to pitch with a ridgeline between trees.

OVERVIEW:

The Cimarron is the classic pyramid tent reimagined, strengthened, and redefined.  Carefully built from top quality, resilient 30 Denier Cordura Nylon, the Cimarron is the one shelter for all your human powered backcountry needs.  Capable of fitting four adults, and luxurious for two with lots of gear and a wood stove, the Cimarron pitches fast and easy, sheds weather, and will be a reliable companion for many years.

Handmade in Grand Junction, CO.

FEATURES:

• Ultra HD Tent Fabric
• Sod Skirt
• SO Stake Loops
• Dual Zippered Doors With Rain Flaps
• Stove Jack With Rain Flap (Optional)
• Peak Vent
• Two Guyout Points

OVERVIEW:

The Redcliff is a pyramid / tipi hybrid suitable for sleeping 3 - 6 adults. Capable of using a nest on each end or liners, the Redcliff easily adapts to every season. With its rectangular footprint the Redcliff pitches faster than a tipi and its angular panels shed weather better than a plain pyramid.  A steep, symmetrical profile and integrated sod skirts further enhance weather resistance.  The Redcliff is equally at home as a base camping shelter while hunting, or a ultralight backpacking shelter when shared by a larger group. NEW For 2021: We now send this tent with 6 twisted stakes and 6 standard stakes for better staking in varying ground conditions. This change added 5 oz to the total weight calculated on the specifications page. 

Handmade in Grand Junction, CO.

FEATURES:

• Ultra HD Tent Fabric
• Sod Skirt
• SO Stake Loops
• Dual Zippered Doors With Rain Flaps
• Stove Jack With Rain Flap
• Peak Vent
• Hang Loops
• Six Guyout Points

 SPECIFICATIONS:

• Weight:
• Canopy - 55 oz / 3 lb 7 oz
• NEW For 2021: We now send this tent with 6 twisted stakes and 6 standard stakes.
• Updated Complete weight - canopy, stakes, carbon pole - 83 oz / 5 lb 3 oz 
• Dual screens add 8 oz
• Dimensions:
• Height 6' 10″
• 102" by 156" footprint (corner to corner), 130" by 178" center to center
• 132 sq ft
• Sitting Room (Area taller than 36") - 41 sqft
• Standing Room (Area taller than 6 ft) - 2 sqft

 SIZE GUIDE:

• Sleeps 6 without stove
• Sleeps 3 with stove
• Sleeps 2-3 ultralight short cots with a stove

WARRANTY

Defects in manufacturing and material for the practical lifetime of the product. Damage due to wear and tear or misuse will be repaired for a reasonable charge.

The Redcliff is a rectangle based structure and is therefore easy to pitch.

• Pick your sleeping area and desired door location - this dictates how you pitch the shelter.
• Stake the four corners in a rectangle, making sure the angles are as square and true as possible.  Do not overstretch the fabric or you will result in a bell shape at the bottom that reduces interior space.
• Make sure vent is open or closed, stovejack is open or closed, as desired. (Harder to reach once pole is up)
• Insert the pole and raise the shelter.
• Stake out the doors.
• Stake out the seams near the doors.
• Use the guylines on each end to stabilize and increase interior space.

OVERVIEW:

The Cimarron is the classic pyramid tent reimagined, strengthened, and redefined.  Carefully built from top quality, resilient 30 Denier Cordura Nylon, the Cimarron is the one shelter for all your human powered backcountry needs.  Capable of fitting four adults, and luxurious for two with lots of gear and a wood stove, the Cimarron pitches fast and easy, sheds weather, and will be a reliable companion for many years.

Handmade in Grand Junction, CO.

FEATURES:

• Ultra HD Tent Fabric
• Sod Skirt
• SO Stake Loops
• Dual Zippered Doors With Rain Flaps
• Stove Jack With Rain Flap (Optional)
• Peak Vent
• Two Guyout Points

These aluminum stakes provide excellent holding power in soft ground such as snow, sand/gravel rock and Tundra moss. We at Caribou Gear always have a mix of stakes pending ground terrain as we head down the river. The rolled lip holds the tent cord and provides a solid striking surface.

The perforations in our stakes not only reduce weight but they also help allow the stakes to freeze in place, providing added holding power in soft snow. The light-weight of these stakes make them ideal for use in the backcountry or on mountaineering adventures.

Description 
9 1/2” x 1” 1 oz. Perforated Aluminum

Proposition 65 Warning 

California WARNING.
WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/product

The Vargo Titanium Ascent Tent Stake is an all-around tent stake designed for sandy soil, or tundra conditions. Reflective cord offers increased visibility and easier removal.

Features

• Lighter than the Crevice Stake
• V-shaped
• Greater holding ability in soft ground
• Reflective cord attached

Specifications

• Weight:  0.3 ounces  (10 grams)        
• Size:  6.2"L  (158 mm)   

Paracord made for hanging game meat on meat pole, packing out, tent, tarp tie downs, emergency and survival situations. 

Made for the most extreme outdoor conditions.

Available colors and sizes:
Black or Fluorescent Orange, 50' or 100'.

Proposition 65 Warning 

California WARNING.
WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/product

DESCRIPTION

8.1 oz Counter Assault Bear Deterrent with Belt Holster
32 feet spray distance – 7 seconds spray duration

Contains 2% Capsaicin and Related Capsaicinoids, the maximum allowed by law. Works on all bear species to deter bears from attacking humans. Great for Backpacking and Hiking. Counter Assault Bear Spray’s NEW innovative formula produces the optimal combination of spray time and spray distance. Deploys a high volume, powerful, atomized blast of highly concentrated pepper spray to deter a bear attack. Registered with the EPA, and meets the requirements of the EPA Significant new Alternative Policy (SNAP) of the Clean Air Act relating to ozone depleting substances.

• 4 year shelf life. Expiration date on each canister.
• Made in Montana.
• Glow in the dark safety wedge with tie string.
• Every can leak tested during manufacturing.
• Packaging is Recyclable.
• Originally developed in conjunction with the University of Montana.
• Produced by a grizzly bear encounter survivor.
• Recipient of the IGBC Stewardship Award for Research and Development of Bear Pepper Spray.
• Cannot be carried on commercial airplanes.

Belt Holster fits 8.1oz Counter Assault Bear Spray canisters.

• Great for hiking and Backpacking
• Attaches easily to belts and packs
• Touch closure secures bear spray in the holster
• Designed to carry either the 8.1 oz. (230g) or 10.2 oz. (290g) canister of Counter Assault Bear Spray
• Sturdy nylon construction

• Long lasting protection from mosquitoes
• Repels mosquitoes that may carry West Nile Virus, ticks, biting flies, gnats and chiggers
• Not greasy
• Won't stain
• Resists perspiration

Important information