Big Sur. Site #2 Limekiln State Park
Olympic National Park. 30mph winds. 4 inches of rain in 24 hours. #REI BaseCamp#sleptlikeababy
Preparing for the wind and rain #olympicnationalpark#protectingafire#knotsaresexy
I have had the BaseCamp6 as my Base camp for the past 4 months.
During the fall and winter, I have been to the rain forests of Olympic National forest, to the coasts of Big Sur and the beaches of Southern California. The BaseCamp has proven to a.) keep me dry. b.) hold up to BIG winds (30 MPH) and c.) crazy down pours.
Pros:
1. Easy set up with 2 people. Even if you are by yourself, in the wind, you can do this. Try to set up the base tent behind a tree or some natural defense against the coastal winds, or the northern winds.
2. Fairly aero-dynamic (so you don't hear the whistling of wind all night.)
3. I am 5'11 and I stand up and do yoga inside the tent when it rains day after day. You might go a little crazy, but it is far better than stooping around.
4. Very little to no condensation. So long as you set up the rain fly to be taut, you will be dry as a dry person.
5. Tough as nails. My dog walked in and out of this tent for 4 months. No rips yet. I never wipe it down. I never sweep it out. When it gets wet, I dry it out in the sun and pack it right back up.
6. Backed by REIs awesome guarantee. Please note, the dome design is 100% necessary if you are going into weather. The accordian shaped tents or the box tents will NOT hold up in big winds. My original base camping tent was the Hobitat6, which is discontinued. The Hobitat was very comfortable until the wind blew it over. Again, and again. REI was awesome and gave me some store credit to upgrade to the base camp.
Inside of the BaseCamp6. I have my dogs bed, my cot, luggage, spearfishing gear, surfing gear, and back packing/ascent gear. And my dogs stuffed animal.
Cons:
1. It isn't cheap. But given the warranty they offer, and the locations of REI (everywhere there is a significant mountain), it is worth it.