David M.

I've used this tent several times for winter camping in the Sierras and Yosemite National Park. I've gone out once in a major blizzard and gotten completely dumped on with about 2-feet of snow. The tent held up well; however, I was a bit nervous with the lightweight fabric holding up to the weight of the snow. I did have to purchased some after market snow stakes for the tent corner and the guy-lines, which will add about 6oz of weight. I've also used this tent for some California 14k pursuits and I have been pleased with its performance holding up to 40-mile an hour winds. It is a great tent for high altitude environments, which is what it was designed for. I've never had any condensation problem. Typical temperature I've encountered is 20-30 degrees. Sometimes as warm as 40 degrees. Just keep it well vented and do not use it in extremely wet or humid climates. I purchased this tent back in 07, but sadly I had to return because wanted something lighter for summer and something more stormproof for winter. My new setup is an MSR Hubba HP solo (2 Ibs 10oz) for 3-season, which will also hold up well to early snow. And my winter tent is a Black Diamond Eldorado (4 Ibs, 8oz) , which is a little heavier than the Lighthouse, but is bombproof. However, now that this tent is being sold on close-out, the lower price may justify your purchase. I do recommend this tent, but give it a 4-star because of it's limitations.

I purchased this backpack in 2007 and I have taken it on a dozen or so trips in-and-around the California Sierras. I've used it in various environments from climb Mt. Whitney in the summer to snowshoeing in blizzard conditions in Yosemite during the winter and everything in-between. I find that the 70 liter pack is the perfect all-around size. I love using the straps on the outside when I need to carry extra equipment (snowshoes, crampons, foam pad, etc.). I have even used it as a day pack to climb Mt. Shasta and it held all of my essential gear effortlessly (including my ice axe, crampons, and poles). I use the outside straps to compress the pack as much as possible, which is really great in the summer when I carry much less - especially, if I am rock scrambling. This pack is very comfortable and well made and it is still in great condition after 3-years of repeated use. I'm 225 Ib and 6' 5" tall and the L size fits me well. I highly recommend this pack!!