Alpha Tent

[nyarlotep]

I just saw this online and wanted to share it. Search showed it mentioned a in a couple threads a few years ago but not recently. Has anyone here tried this? How'd it work out?
http://www.alpharubicon.com/prepinfo/ponchotent.htm

[Amator]

Yeah, I saw that featured on Lifehacker on Saturday.

[Action.Jackson]

Looks pretty cool. It mentions you can get tent poles from eaton but couldn't find it on there website. (it might be there im on a tablet without flash so maybe I just didn't see it.

Anyone know where I could pick up tent poles? I would probably go for value over weight, but if I could get both I would be pretty happy.

[Amator]

You can either cut down existing tent poles or call Easton and ask for a referral to a local retailer.

Here's the info from their "Contact Us" page:

Contact Us

Easton Poles
5040 Harold Gatty Dr.
Salt Lake City, UT 84116-2897

Phone: 801.539.1400
Toll Free Phone: 1-800-800-6686
Contact us directly by email at tubeinfo@eastontp.com

[nyarlotep]

So, no one has tried this? Interesting. I may get some poles myself and give it a shot.

[AKFTW]

I was going to make this until the local gear shop wanted $60 for the poles... Plus the $30+ poncho and shipping, might as well get something else at that point.

[IANMCDEVITT]

Made it, got it . It works and it's pretty low key.

[ROCK6]

I too made one and it does work. I actually like it better for a boat to swim your gear across the lake with.

It’s not too big, so if you’re over six foot, it may not cover up completely, but the nice thing is that you can use it like a modified lean to where it gives you a little more coverage and decent head room.

I bought a bunch of poles a long time ago; picked up some shock cord from REI and the washers or whatever I used for the grommet holes at a hardware store. It’s worth looking into if you’re just running a poncho.

ROCK6

[scurvy]

I like the 'wire nut' grommet stopper.. that's clever, I will try it, I'll post it, and give credit.

good post, thanks,

[bltjr1951]

No one has ever bought replacement poles from Walmart or Campmor?

[seraosha]

I'm a dedicated USGI poncho-whore so I can't resist this really cool idea...just got all the required materials (sans poncho of which I have many) for under $14 bucks.
Got the replacement poles at Academy, 2 packs at $4.99 a pop and the endcaps for $3.25 at Lowes (25 of them, talk about spares).

Good weekend project...the instructions list some pretty short lengths for the poles, so I'll probably ignore that as I'll just roll the poles into my sleeping mat/pusspad.
If anything, it's a great idea for covering any gear/dry patch for when I get out of my usual sleep hammock.

*edit forgot to add I have some lengths from a prior tent, so modify the cost accordingly.

[Baltagh]

I think I'm the last guy on here to NOT have a poncho. Anyone have a good link? All the ones that I've found have been quite a bit smaller than the Alpha tent poncho.

[Skummdogg]

This is the first time I've seen this idea, and I like it! I've been looking for an excuse to buy a new poncho, I think this may be the motivation I have been searching for.

[jamoni]

Went and got the stuff, put it together, but have not field tested. Apparently my life is over and I will never be able to camp again because MY FUCKING TIME IS NOT MY OWN EVER AGAIN!
Ahem.
I mean, hopefully I'll be able to get some time away from family and school to test it out. I'm planning an ultralight cycling trip, and this will be a perfect shelter for that.

[Gb1]

I loved this the first time I seen it back in 2000 my gunnery sgt showed it to me. It's such a great and simple idea. It cut down almost 6lbs out of my ruck sack. I dropped my single man tent and started using this instead. Haven't used it in some time now but may again some day.

[jamoni]

Not a real field test, but it's something.

[crypto]

How do you deal with a lack of a floor in a downpour, though? It seems like you're still going to get wet.

[Action.Jackson]

How do you deal with a lack of a floor in a downpour, though? It seems like you're still going to get wet.

I think a bivy or waterproof sleeping bag.

[Logans Run]

How do you deal with a lack of a floor in a downpour, though? It seems like you're still going to get wet.

that was my first thought as well ... I still think I will make one up and see how I like it.... I think its a cool idea.

[jamoni]

First, High ground.
Second, dig drainage ditches/berms. Works with Shelter halves, it'll work with this.
Third, build up a leaf litter or pine bough bed.

EDIT: Now that you mention it, though, probably the best way would be to situate it over two logs on the side. This'll give you a couple inches more headroom, and some drainage protection on the sides. Then fill the center with pine boughs, and fill the ends with shorter logs.

[ghost792]

Wouldn't it be possible to rig a second poncho as a floor? Along with trenching, of course.

[jamoni]

Wouldn't it be possible to rig a second poncho as a floor? Along with trenching, of course.

At that point, why wouldn't you just bring a tent?

[Logans Run]

Wouldn't it be possible to rig a second poncho as a floor? Along with trenching, of course.

At that point, why wouldn't you just bring a tent?

Kind of what I was thinking

[duodecima]

Wouldn't it be possible to rig a second poncho as a floor? Along with trenching, of course.

At that point, why wouldn't you just bring a tent?

Kind of what I was thinking

Because you can't wear your tent as rain gear? Actually, I was thinking because in a pinch you could shoehorn 2 people under it, so one puts their poncho up and the other puts it under. I realize it'd be tight as hell, and jamoni's idea about the logs has been duly noted! We don't have a tent light enough for a walking bugout (nor the budget for one at the moment). But this is all theoretical for me, please critique away...