I mention this quite a bit, so figured I'd actually post up something on what it is. First, this was not my invention, but I have been using one ever since I first saw the write up on one on the Alpha Rubicon site, about 13 years ago. This shelter tends to be my go-to field shelter, and is cheap, easy to make, lightweight, stores small, fast to set up, and tough. The only downside to the shelter is it is small, so it may not work for some of the tall folks out there.
Original writeup on the Rubicon: http://www.alpharubicon.com/prepinfo/ponchotent.htm
As I said, I have been using this tent for 13 years or so. I have used it in all seasons in my AO, so in temps that varied from -20ish to +120ish. I am 5'8, and I sleep diagonally in the shelter, if I have it completely flat, and "closed." The shelter shape is such that it tends to hug the ground naturally, when in the wind. I have yet to be in conditions where I needed to stake it down, but I do carry some long nails on my 2nd line to act as stakes should they ever be needed.
Uses of this tent:
1. Obviously, as shelter - it will comfortably fit me in my sleeping bag, on my sleeping pad. It will not hold my pack too, but my second line fits underneath with me.
2. As a gear raft - I was skeptical when I saw the Rubicon guys tout this as a function, however, during my group's last 5 day ftx, we spent a lot of time practicing water crossings. During the ftx we decided to test the Alpha tents in this role for ourselves. They worked. They floated "deep", but one Alpha tent held two packs, 2 2nd lines, and 2 rifles. We pack our packs with WP (waterproof) bags as liners, and then have individual modules inside the packs in individual waterproof bags, which are color coded and marked. This means our packs will float on their own, so I don't know how much that played into the Alpha Tent rafts working.
3. As a gear cache - we use our Alpha tents all the time as field expedient cache sites. For example, we may pre-position training aids for our ftx's under a staked down Alpha tent, then heap branches over it. This also works at the ORP, to hide packs, before approaching a final target. Between the camo of the poncho, and the branches/leaves/etc over the top, these things can be very hard to find again, so mark the location well. Seriously. I once spent over an hour trying to find my pack, and walked right by it at least 8-10 times.
4. As a hunting blind / sniper hide. Prop one end up with forked sticks, and use the raised side to shoot from. See above for the camo.
Now for some pics. Yes, it is shown on my perfectly level deck :P
How everything packs up, with a standard Swiss Army knife in the pic for scale:
Notice the Ranger Bands around the poles, and the poncho. I use these to seal up the hood when the tent is set up, to keep water out of the hole.
Set up:
The sides naturally arch upward. You can pile leaves and dirt around the outside, or leave it as is, for some ventilation in the Summer.
I ordered my tent poles by calling Easton Tent Poles, and trying to order. They referred me to one of their recommended vendors (they do not sell direct). I can't remember which one they referred me to, but as soon as I talked to the guy, and started to describe what I wanted, he knew exactly what it was for. His quote was along the lines of, "I get a lot of people ordering these."
This is not a true 4 season tent, even though I have used it in all seasons. It is a bare bones shelter; one that is so simple, small, and light that it pretty much squashes any excuse to not have shelter. This is single person. If I had to bug out with my family, I would seriously look at a tipi with a stove in it. As a matter of fact, a tipi and stove are going to be my next high dollar purchases, for just that occasion.
Original writeup on the Rubicon: http://www.alpharubicon.com/prepinfo/ponchotent.htm
As I said, I have been using this tent for 13 years or so. I have used it in all seasons in my AO, so in temps that varied from -20ish to +120ish. I am 5'8, and I sleep diagonally in the shelter, if I have it completely flat, and "closed." The shelter shape is such that it tends to hug the ground naturally, when in the wind. I have yet to be in conditions where I needed to stake it down, but I do carry some long nails on my 2nd line to act as stakes should they ever be needed.
Uses of this tent:
1. Obviously, as shelter - it will comfortably fit me in my sleeping bag, on my sleeping pad. It will not hold my pack too, but my second line fits underneath with me.
2. As a gear raft - I was skeptical when I saw the Rubicon guys tout this as a function, however, during my group's last 5 day ftx, we spent a lot of time practicing water crossings. During the ftx we decided to test the Alpha tents in this role for ourselves. They worked. They floated "deep", but one Alpha tent held two packs, 2 2nd lines, and 2 rifles. We pack our packs with WP (waterproof) bags as liners, and then have individual modules inside the packs in individual waterproof bags, which are color coded and marked. This means our packs will float on their own, so I don't know how much that played into the Alpha Tent rafts working.
3. As a gear cache - we use our Alpha tents all the time as field expedient cache sites. For example, we may pre-position training aids for our ftx's under a staked down Alpha tent, then heap branches over it. This also works at the ORP, to hide packs, before approaching a final target. Between the camo of the poncho, and the branches/leaves/etc over the top, these things can be very hard to find again, so mark the location well. Seriously. I once spent over an hour trying to find my pack, and walked right by it at least 8-10 times.
4. As a hunting blind / sniper hide. Prop one end up with forked sticks, and use the raised side to shoot from. See above for the camo.
Now for some pics. Yes, it is shown on my perfectly level deck :P
How everything packs up, with a standard Swiss Army knife in the pic for scale:
Notice the Ranger Bands around the poles, and the poncho. I use these to seal up the hood when the tent is set up, to keep water out of the hole.
Set up:
The sides naturally arch upward. You can pile leaves and dirt around the outside, or leave it as is, for some ventilation in the Summer.
I ordered my tent poles by calling Easton Tent Poles, and trying to order. They referred me to one of their recommended vendors (they do not sell direct). I can't remember which one they referred me to, but as soon as I talked to the guy, and started to describe what I wanted, he knew exactly what it was for. His quote was along the lines of, "I get a lot of people ordering these."
This is not a true 4 season tent, even though I have used it in all seasons. It is a bare bones shelter; one that is so simple, small, and light that it pretty much squashes any excuse to not have shelter. This is single person. If I had to bug out with my family, I would seriously look at a tipi with a stove in it. As a matter of fact, a tipi and stove are going to be my next high dollar purchases, for just that occasion.
