Product DescriptionThe Marmot Alpinist is an extreme mountaineering tent
From REI:
"The Alpinist offers bombproof protection during extreme mountaineering outings. Knee-pole design creates a steeper sidewall for inside spaciousness; provides more volume around you while you are lying down. DAC Featherlite® SL poles offer a very high strength-to-weight ratio, plus they slide in and out of pole sleeves more easily. Combination pole sleeve and clip system combines advantages of both and allows swift setup even in high winds. Bathtub floor--all perimeter floor seams are up and off the ground for superior waterproof protection. Seam-sealed, waterproof polyester rainfly has buckle attachments for fast installation; adjustable airflow vent helps control interior climate. Large D-shaped doors provide easy entry and exit--no need to crawl over your tent mate! Stuff sacks, stakes, repair fabric, pole repair sleeve, guy cord and sliders and buckle included. Average minimum weight specification is based on tent, rainfly and poles only."Product InfoMaterials:
Fly Fabric: 40d HT Polyester Assault MemBrain
Floor Fabric: 70d Nylon 5000mm
Pole: DAC FeatherLite SL 9.0
Number of Poles: 3
Min. Weight (US/Metric): 4 lb 15 oz / 2.09 kg
Max. Weight (US/Metric): 5 lb 8 oz / 2.26 kg
Number of People: 2
Dimensions (US/Metric): 88" x 50" x 42" / 223 x 127 x 106
Floor Sq/Ft Sq/m: 30/2.7
Vestibule Sq/Ft Sq/m: 8/0.7
Pack Size (US/Metric): 8" x 20" / 20 x 51
Features:
DAC Featherlite SL poles
Knees pole system
Window Weld
Storm Pitch
Adjustable air flow ventilator
Superior pole structure
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Reviews
| Brad Marshall | Alpinist | | 
Hasn't voted | My wife and I used a 2006 model Marmot Alpinist on Aconcagua this year. For such a big climb the tent did surprisingly well considering it's small size. At 5 pounds we enjoyed it's light weight and the single wall design meant only having to set up one thing. The only drawback was the reinforcing straps permanently attached to the poles which we cut off to make it easier to slide the poles through the pole sleeves. However, the permanently attached metal loops on the poles still made it difficult to slide the poles through the material. After talking to the Marmot group I've since found out they have removed the straps from this year's model and replaced the pole sleeves with external clips which should make set-up easier. | | Posted Feb 28, 2007 2:08 am |
| jschrock | Alpinist | | 
Voted 5/5 | I have not used this tent in stout winter conditions yet. Will add to this review when I have done so.
My needs/wants in a new tent were light weight, easy setup, bombproof in wind, small footprint. I started out looking at some pretty wide options - from double-walls like the MSR fury to Biblers and MHW. In the end, the Alpinist satisfied all my criteria and beat the other single walls on price - sold!
I have the newer model with pole clips. Setup is very quick and easy - the metal loops/pole sleeve combo that Brad Marshall refers to are no longer a problem. Setup in 40mph winds is a relative cinch - stake, clip, done...easy - what you would expect from a single wall.
The conditions I've used this tent in have been generally warmer thus far - from very humid/rainy and warm (Oregon spring conditions) to dry desert down to around 30 degrees. I have had no problems with condensation. In fact, it has performed as well as my 3 season doublewall. I do make a conscious effort to ventilate as much as possible whenever I can - i.e. interior door fully open with vestibule closed, top vents both open.
I am 6' and have shared the tent with a 6'5" friend - a bit cramped of course, but luxurious for a lightweight 4-season tent. The steep sidewalls definitely help 'sit up room' and general comfort in extended stays.
As with any tent, you need to guy it out properly to handle serious wind. But I've sat through significant breezes with no guy-outs with no problem. The tight structure keeps flutter and sway to a minimum as long as you aren't completely broadside to the wind.
The integrated vestibule is small if you like to stow your pack there but big enough for cooking or boots. Opening it up in the rain sometimes dumps a puddle of water into the tent but this can be mostly avoided if you are careful.
Will update this when I am able to test in full conditions.
5/5 so far. | | Posted May 31, 2007 1:12 pm |
| rickford | Alpnist 2P | | 
Voted 5/5 | I have the newer version the tent (the one with pole-clips instead of sleeves).
I used this tent throughout Patagonia (Torres del Paine and around El Chalten) as well as on Aconcagua (up to 17,500 ft). In Patagonia, I experienced frequent downpours and strong winds. The tent performed very well.
While camping in El Chalten, I awoke to about 40-50 mph wind one morning. Many other tents were destroyed- but the Alpinist hardly budged (and didn't make much noise either!). I even left the tent and walked in to town to have lunch. The wind was so powerful that, while in the resturant, one could easily see the roof seperating from the inner-support beams by about an inch or two. I remember thinking... "If the wind tears the roof off of this place, I can always go back to my tent..."
Condensation was never a problem and the tent never leaked from outside precipitation.
Over all, the tent benefits from a very simple but effective design. This allows for a super-quick set up and striking. The craftmanship is impressive as well. The points of attachment for the guylines are so well constructed that they look like gun-ports in an armored car.
The tent is much cheaper than the competition as well. I bought mine brand new for $420.00 USD. I don't think one can find a better value for a single-wall mountaineering tent.
I strongly recommend this tent. 5/5!
| | Posted Mar 22, 2008 12:42 pm |
| freespirit | Alpinist | | Hasn't voted | I have the older model with sleeves and it is a pain in the butt to get the poles in and out the sleeves because of the clips. I am going to cut the clips and the metal loops. I dont know how that will affect strength. The tent is bomber. I wish I had the newer version with pole clips. I would buy the new design. I dont think their is a 2 person single wall moutain tent that is as good as this one. | | Posted Apr 23, 2008 12:36 pm |
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