User Review: Bibler Ahwahnee

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

Reviewed April 21, 2005 by Scott

Rating:
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: 4 out of 5 stars
Weight: 6 lbs.
Price Paid: $520

I have been looking at the tent for awhile. I owned a North Face Slickrock for years, and it was an awesome tent. Then, somebody stole it from my campsite (can you believe some people). So I was hunting for a replacement. I liked the two big doors on the Slickrock, and when I saw Bibler now making the Ahwahnee with two doors now, that got my attention. I waited and waited, and an online dealer put them on sale, sweet!!!

I have only used the tent under a few different conditions, but none of them would be what people would consider ideal single-wall tent environment. I currently live in Florida, and that is where it has gotten most of its use. YES, FLORIDA, can you spell hot and humidity, this place is the king of it. And the two-door Ahwahnee has done a fabulous job. Opening just the tops of the doors to vent while it is raining; rolling the doors completely down and using only the side mesh doors if I want to see stars; or zipping it up completely when it is windy. This tent does the job. Sure there is some condensation on the poles in the morning, but it isn't dripping like people would make you think.

Plenty of room for two people with some gear in the tent. All the inside seams are taped at the factory, but I took the few hours to seal the outside seams, and I am sure I am enjoying the benefits of that work because I don't have any leaks from rain.

Setting the tent up is somewhat interesting. Takes some practice and getting use to. I don't understand how someone could set this tent up strictly from the inside as people always talk about when they talk about single wall tents like Bibler's.

The vestibule design is a bit crummy. I think the guys at Bibler made the vestibule an afterthought instead of thinking about it in the beginning of the tent design. They can (and I hear they are) design a new vestibule for the Ahwahnee. If they are listening, the vestibule should clip on OVER the awning not under because for one thing it sags under its own weight. The awning would help support the weight and keep tension across the vestibule.

Probably some other minor points, but nothing truly to complain about.