Eureka! K2

I have had the k2 for nearly a year and used it in several different climates from early fall alpine to winter backcountry. this tent rocks. because of the wieght the k2 is my foul weather/winter tent, though i will tend to take it along on shorter treks or when establishing a "base camp." all the interior room has spoiled me.

It is used as a 2 person with room for every piece of gear, and i don't even have the gear loft.

Recently I have had the opportunity to test it in snow and wind. Definitely need snow stakes. Over 2 feet of snow in one night, heavy wet stuff, i had to dig out 2 times that night to maintain some ventilation, but the k2 stood firm and sagged only a bit because i didnt have enough anchors to use the tension lines for the fly. On another occasion we were forced to set up in a fierce wind storm white out. With gloved hands we hooked the stake loops with our fingers and tried not to get blown away as the wind tried to rip the tent and us from the ridge. without the size of the handle like quality of the stake loops we would have lost our tent. We staked it out tight and again thank goodness for the quick snap fly connection, the fly snaps dirrectly to the tent at each stake. With the tent protected we installed the poles in the full length sleeves and she was up. the poles do need a bit of help getting through the sleeves i ussually flex the leading egde while threading to ease it along. Again i did not use but 2 tinsion line mostly due to my rapidly dropping body temp. 8 hours of blasting wind, and ice, a few times the gust pushed the wind ward wall to within a foot or two from the floor, but again she held. no leaking no pole breakage no rips. bomb proof. this tent rocks

I bought this tent and in the first field test I got rain during all night. In the first hours I got only a problem of condensation, and spray effect due a rain the fly. The water run in the nylon inside and spur in the zipper, and the tent got a little wet. After the first hours the seams near the poles, used to reinforced the stakes, failed and the tent was in a flood. So I get up, got a plactic under my term rest and other stuffs and sleep again. In the following morning I realize that in some spots the floor was full of water due a water pressure outside. I was using the optinal plastic ground floor. This ground floor is small for K2, even though is sold to this model. I got some wind during the night, and when I dismount the tents the gold paint in the allumminum poles has gone in some. I don't know how it will resist to snow.

I was looking at this tent for about three months before buying it back in 1996. I got tried of my quick clip type of tent that leaked and built up moisture.

The past eight years of owning the K2, it has been to the backcountry of Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Mt. Shasta a few times. Not once has it let us down, I seam seal it every year with silicone sealer. The K2 has weathered thunderstorms, snow, and 30-40 mph winds. My wife used to hate camping (leaks and moisture inside the old tent), this tent has changed her mind and we go at least once a year now. Still in very good shape, I would not look for anything less in the future.

Same problem, wet inside on the first rain. A lot of condensation and some fly penetration. You have to make sure the extra guy line supports on the sides are staked or the fly will touch the poles and water will easily penetrate. Otherwise in cold it was great but I think I wll have to splurge for a lighter Hilleberg. Also I wished I had seen K2 in green before I bought the yellow. Don't like to advertise my camp.

Great four season tent.

Two vestibules.

Ventilation could be better.