Re: using tarp under tent in winter necessary?

As always, you make a lot of sense and while I seldom set up on a glacier here, as I can always get down to timberline and prefer that, I certainly would use the "footprint" just as you do.

I tried making GCs from polyplastic tarps, painters plastic dropcloths and just found them too slippery and crackly in cold weather. So, I just pay for the foot print and use it whenever I think there may be danger to my tent's floor.

I am like you in that I buy the finest gear available and keep and use it for as long as it will last, and I do look after it. So, what I am thinking now is to get some white silnylon and use this as a "cover"for my Hilleberg and ID tents, due to the cost of these. The extra weight, at age 61, tends to hold me back on this, but, the $$$$$ I have spent on gear lately makes it a good option.

Kifaru tipis are VERY good for SOME situations, especially longer term stays in forested areas and they DO what Patrick says they will, but, in typical BC wet snow or on the wet side of the Cascades,, into the Mazamas or Sierras, I MUCH prefer a GOOD dome tent and the Hilleberg Saivo is THE one, it is absolutely the BOMB.

BTW, did you ever set up one of those North Face Pole Sleeve Oval tents????? Now, THERE was an exercise in self-torture!