Big Agnes Gore Pass 3

[Blues Traveler]

After 3-4 years I finally got me a new tent. For a year now i've been eyeing the Big Agnes Gore Pass 3. Well.......I finally went and did it. Got a hold of Greg at Full Throttle Camping and he cut me a GREAT! deal. First I set it up in the front yard.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/newtent10-22-09002.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/newtent10-22-09004.jpg

This was just to familiarize with how it setup. It has all the latest hardware my good ol' Mountain Hardware doesn't have.

What I like about this tent is the dual entries and vestibuels. For sometime now I've wanted the cross through ventilation. Has the same 44 square feet of floor space inside but has vertical walls on bothsides ( front and rear) of the tent. This really opens everything up making it fell like I have about twice the amount of room.

Two days after getting my new tent I packed the bike and headed for the desert. Seemed the right thing to do. New tent, have to go and try it out. Because of the new hardware it sets up fast and easy. The pole system has a dual hub feature I will take pictures and post them later on.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/AguaCalienteweekend1-24-09012.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/AguaCalienteweekend1-24-09017.jpg

First impression is I feel its going to be an excelent tent. Very sturdy when setup and breaths really well when the courner vents are open as I did on it first trip to the desert, it was a very warm night.

As soon as I use it a few more times i'll give a better updated review of this nice addition to my camping gear.

Salton Sea, next weekend!

[Ironheadziggy76]

Good looking new tent Keith! P^ Were you having any problems with the Mountain Hardware, or did you just want the newer features?

[VFR]

See ya there Keith. I'll have my new tent as well.

[bigTom]

I'll look at it in person, too.

You'll be able to recognize me, I'll have the same old stuff:)

[Blues Traveler]

Good looking new tent Keith! P^ Were you having any problems with the Mountain Hardware, or did you just want the newer features?

No, nothing wrong with the old tent. In fact its been a really GREAT! tent that I would still recommend to everyone. I really wanted the 2nd door for a little more ventilation during spring and summer. Also liked the more vertical walls. Makes for so much more room.

Have a few friends who were bugging me as to what I was going to do with the old tent. Some actually saying they had dibs. Told them the wife had already claimed it.

[Sharpie]

Sweet tent.
Really like the hubs and vertical walls. Very nice. P^

[canmaker56]

nice tent i will see it when we go camping in jan, the last chance , joanne

[Blues Traveler]

nice tent i will see it when we go camping in jan, the last chance , joanne

Thanks Joanne, looking forword to camping with the both you and Jim, alway's a GREAT! time. You won't believe what they've done with the group area.

[Trailace]

Nice Tent Keith!

[Blues Traveler]

Time for an update on my BA Gore Pass 3.

I,ve had a chance to use it twice now. Two weeks ago the the ST-owners out at Salton Sea. and just last weekend once again at Salton Sea, Bashford's Mineral Springs to be exsact.

Im still getting use to setting it up and think I have it pretty much down. Once you have the corners staked down you let the poles and bungee do there thing and you insert them in the gromets at each corner. Its a little different with this tent as it has this dual hub system.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/newtent002.jpg

This system makes for one big section that all snaps together. which you lay out on top and then do the corner thing.

Yep, thats all one section that folds down to one small bundle.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/newtent003.jpg

Here's a close up of one hub.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/newtent001.jpg

There are two more short poles that make up the top, Can't believe I didn't take a picture, :o next time. Yea, next time I'll show the rainfly install, it too just clips to those missing pole pictures :o.

The tents rainfly has to different doors. Ones D shaped with a single zipper while the otherside has 2 and with the use of 2 treking poles you are suppose to be able to make shade over the entrance.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/newtent006.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/newtent007.jpg

So far this tent has been GREAT! The weather with the ST-Owners group was perfect. Had both sides rolled open and enjoyed a very calm somewhat warm night.

Bashfords on the other had became quit a test because of the wind. Saturday night was perfect. But Sunday morning at around 2:30 P.M. I awoke to about 50 mph winds :eek:. Big Agnes stood fast and steady. My friends weren't so lucky. Peeking out side I saw two tents that looked to be upside down and almost flat to the ground. You could actually make out the person in there sleeping bag. Just out side my tent on the ground was someones rainfly with a pole attached. I know I should'nt but I chuckled to myself as I remember one of them asking, why I would spend so much on a tent? :rolleyes:

Will take a few more picture next time and add them to my review after my next trip.

Until then, HAPPY CAMPING!!!

[bigTom]

I'm glad you got to have a good test, Keith. And I'm really glad you didn't get your test when I was camped across the way:) I have one of those cheap, flying rain flies, I think:)

Glad you are liking it...

[Blues Traveler]

I've now had the Gore Pass 3 for a little over a year now and its been a really GREAT tent. With the addition of my trailer I have much more room and able to keep my riding suit, boots, and helmet locked up in the trailer. Still haven't experienced rain with the tent, not complaining, just lucky I guess. I can say that it is a warm tent and fairs well in high winds.

The tent has to vestibules and each has a different zippered flap. I prefer the D shaped one and use it most of the time. The other zips on each side. In pictures I've seen where the use of a set of treking poles can be used as supports for the corners to hold it open for better ventilation and shade. I liked this idea and made up a set of my own poles from an old set of aluminum tent poles a neighbor was throwing out. Made each section 11", 4 of them for each side with some shock cord permanently attached and wrapped around each one when stowed away. Ready to go next time I feel the need for them.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_1048.jpg

Put the whole tent in the shade, add a nice cool afternoon breeze and everything starts working pretty good for you.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/ownst1100/IMG_1038-1.jpg

[Blues Traveler]

Those poles I bought at REI. They are made by Kelty and called a "Kelty Adjustable Tarp Pole" Folded the are 26" and open up to 80" with a push button adjustment at the bottom for a total of 99". GREAT pole, shock corded and seem to be pretty much indestructible. Not cheap at $40 a pop but IMO worth every penny.P^