Mountainsmith Mountain Shelter LT

      Now that I am addicted to elk hunting in Colorado, most of my gear purchases are related directly or indirectly to that passion. One of my recent gear purchases was the Mounstainsmith Mountain Shelter LT. what caught my attention on this tarptent shelter was the weight, the area, and the price.

 Mountain shelter LT weighs in at around 2-pounds including the 15-stakes and guylines. On a recent trip with my wife we got a queen size air mattress in and had room for gear at the foot and in the huge vestibule. The retail price is $129.00
compared to similar products, it is a great value.

Full Weather protection with a huge Vestibule

The mountain shelter LT is a 2-person shelter, or a one person and all your backpack/hunting gear. I am not sure I would want to spend a week in the back country sharing this with another dude. there is enough room, but I wanted something I can put my pack, boots and bow inside each night. I also think that condensation could be problematic in some conditions with 2-people.

I don't carry trekking poles while hunting,But this can be set-up this a ridgeline rope, or there are always sticks in the woods that could be cut to length and the end protected with a patch of duct tape. a small folding saw is probably the route I would take and cut poles on site.

The Mountainsmith Mountain shelter LT compared to Eureka Timberlite3 and Eureka Solitaire

The first official use of this tent was for a family camping trip for trout fishing. my wife and I Used the Mountain Shelter and had lots of room, even with saturated ground and cool damp conditions the tent walls were damp to the touch with condensation, but it was not dripping.

Mountainsmith Mountain Shelter LT with a Kelty Acadia 4-person tent in background.

The next use was on a boy scout camp-out with my son in ground saturated, windy cold conditions. I was the only one sleeping in the tent. The first night was windy with rain sleet and snow. The second night was clear and cold with a temperature of 22 degrees in the morning, and there was light frost on the inside and outside of the tent, however it wasn't excessive, or what I would consider a problem.

There is a lot of room in this tent, But I think condensation may be an issue with 2-men.

I am pleased with this tent, pitching is fast and easy, it is very resistant to the wind
weighs almost nothing and didn't steal too much from my gear funds.
I highly recommend this tent, but I don't think it is for everyone. During the heat of the summer when bugs and spiders are everywhere here in Pennsylvania, I am reluctant to use this tent. high in the mountains of Colorado where bugs are not as numerous I wouldn't hesitate to use it

About Me

I am from Western Pennsylvania, I grew up hunting and fishing with my Dad and brothers. Deer season was one of the most anticipated events of the year, except maybe Christmas when we got hunting related gifts.

When I was in High school in the late '70's, I bought a bow from a kid at school, my brother got one too. we got pretty good shooting the old bear bows. and tried hunting that fall, we didnt get anything, but it started a small fire inside me. After moving to another town graduating high school, going to trade school moving to Virginia and eventually coming back to Pennsylvania I bought another bow. and met a friend who was a hunting freak. We were both on a mission to learn this bowhunting thing. I eventually shot a small buck with my bow. I had mixed emotions since PA only allows 1 buck I wouldn't be rifle hunting this year. Over the course of years the flame of archery hunting has almost become consuming. The bow is my weapon of choice.

In early 2010 I was invited on an Archery elk hunt to Colorado. and a new passion was sparked. In September 2012 I got my first Elk with the bow on my second attempt a mature cow. The process of planning and preparing and eventually harvesting an elk is addictive.

2012 cow elk

married to an awesome woman and we have three kids.

I want to share some of my experiences in the field, with gear and equipment and the animals.


Jimbow