User Review: Bibler Ahwahnee

Bibler Ahwahnee
Above: The current Ahwahnee, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed August 14, 1999 by Jeff

Rating:
Design: Three Season
Sleeps: 2/3
Ease of Setup: Carefully quick
Weight: 6 lbs, 12 oz - everything
Price Paid: $1036.66 everything OTD

After reading many such reviews, surfing the web, and trekking to a store that even carried them, I took the plunge. My friend even ran into Todd Bibler backpacking out in Colorado one summer. His story of weathering a fierce thunderstorm one night in his Bibler bivy impressed Todd. He didn't even know who he was talking to, until Todd introduced himself. I was impressed with how Todd quizzed my friend and listened to his comments BEFORE introducing himself. I think that is how all of his products have been developed.

There is an odd feeling when you plunk down so much money for a little shelter that could just as easily be purchased for as little as $100 or as much as $400 for a fairly good shelter. I guess there is comfort in knowing I have purchased a) superior materials and workmanship, b)functional design c) a unique tent d) admired by most all that know of them e) and that the tent will last.

I chose this Bibler tent for its door size/ventilation, vestibule size, and its peak height. While it claims to be a three-person tent, it would be a squeeze, even with three smaller people. Two is just right with room to spare. You can even be sloppy with the vestibule on. After a weekend in this tent, others with lower peaks will seem downright claustraphobic.

Setting the tent up fast takes some practice and I always worry about missing one of the corner reinforcing patches and shoving one of the poles through the side of the tent. But it hasn't happened. Practicing set up is worth it too. I once jumped in the tent, zipped it up and set the whole thing up from inside, dry and toasty, while a rain storm enveloped the rest of the group struggling with their conventional tents. That was fun.

All tents (not just Biblers) tend to weigh more than reported. Using a digital postal meter I recorded the following: Tent only (sealed) (with mesh door) - 4lb 6oz, Poles only - 1lb 3oz, Stakes (supplied) with guy lines and bag - 7 oz, Bibler ground cloth w/tension and attaching lines - 11 oz, Vestibule w/ pole 1lb 9 oz = 6lb 12.9 ozs all up. Heavier than light but lighter and larger than most tents that will take you where this one will.

Drawbacks of the design is that the tent narrows quickly at the top and seems awkward and confining at first. You get used to it. Also, the tent loses some of its tension when the back window and mesh panel is unzipped (the mesh panels keep out more breeze than you think) and the whole back wall sags annoyingly. Even zipped, the tent gets a little flappy in breeze on conditions (25+ mph) unless oriented correctly and guyed with all the points and tensioned hard. Then it will stand tall and firm. I also wish it had a second door, but the large window can be used as one in a pinch.

Overall, a wonderful tent that I look forward to using at every opportunity. So far I have used it in warm conditons (80+ degrees) and cold conditions (snow camping and 15+ degrees). Haven't seen one drop of condensation. Would buy another one without hesitation.