Tarptent - Scarp 1 Ultra

Scarp 1? Terra Nova southern cross 1? these two are directly comparable, but the southern cross fly meets the ground so is a true 4 season tent. Nordisk Telemark 2.2. All 3 are similar to the akto in design/wind worthiness but lighter. If you consider non-freestanding then a pyramid shelter would work well in those conditions and be much lighter.

I love my Scarp 1 but it’d argue it is for the more experienced. Ultimately, a tent will only provide some of the warmth. As long as you get something 4 season rated, a solid inner but with a fly all the way down to the floor you’ll have the slight temperature boost. Realistically you’re only looking to increase the temperature by 3-5°c but some people claim more. I’ve never measured a difference bigger than that no matter what shelter I use though. The most important thing to boost your temperature is clothing and sleeping equipment. I use a -1°c down quilt with a synthetic top quilt which controls moisture very very well. Combined they give me a comfort of -9°c but I’ve used the combo down to -12°c. If it’s colder than that, I use a -12°c down quilt and the same synthetic top quilt which has seen me warm and toasty down to -18°C. To summarise, you’re looking to solidify more than just a 4 season shelter but an appropriate sleep system in combination to get the warmth you want.

I’ve not used my X-mid since getting the Scarp 1 as without the extra poles it’s only 1.3-1.4kg depending on my peg config. I don’t think there is a more versatile tent on earth but I’d love to be proven wrong!

My Xmid 1p Solid took damage to some stitching in 40-45mph gusts sadly so I’ve lost confidence in anything over 30mph. If I do anything long distance outside of rough weather it will still be my choice but I am more picky now as to when it gets used. The Scarp just breaths confidence, even if things turn nasty unexpectedly, it’s just flat out reliable.

For solo use, I take my Scarp 1 but if the weather looks really bad I just don’t go nowadays. If you’re really going out in gnarly winter weather, I’ve had an Ultra Quasar by Terra Nova for 30 years, it’s seen some horrific weather in that time from 80mph dust storms in the desert, rain, wind, snow and resolutely refused to fail on me and has never collapsed. It’s the most bomb proof bit of life support equipment I’ve ever owned.

If you're open to non - freestanding shelters I'd recommend the MLD Trailstar for that particular trip as it's bomb proof in the wind for such a light shelter. For something a little more well rounded a small mid is great - the MLD Solomid XL or Duomid, the HMG Ultamid 2, or Locus Gear. I've got a Duomid and have used it twice in Alaska - once above the Artic Circle and in all sorts of exposed campsites. Typically I use an X-Mid 1P now, but it wouldn't be my first choice for Patagonia winds, I'd rather use my Duomid in those conditions. If you want something heavier, the Tarptent Scarp is very popular choice in the UK where they get similar type winds.

I have no issues in UK neither with Dipole LI as a summer tent, nor with Tarptent Scarp (solid) as a winter tent. First is like 650g, second is 1300.

Tarptent scarp with crossing poles is a great tent for exposed camping!

I thought about the xmid and the Tarptent Dipole. Ended up with the Dipole because I'm tall and I didnt like the large footprint required to set up the Tarptent. I got the 1p and it's huge in the inside (for a ul tent).