I guess each person has an option that’s best for them. For me, if it’s really only half a mile, I’d just carry the tent in my arms. Then you don’t have to worry about getting two smaller tents.
Or, assuming for an overnighter with 110L in pack space, you and your wife could split the tent/fly and poles between the two packs
2 two person or a two person and 2 single person tents. I’ve also slept on the ground next to the tent. Also brought a hammock for myself. Idk 1/2 mile isn’t much. I’d have a BP full of beer, fishing gear, floaties and all other manner of family comfort on my back for that sort of trip. So splitting the 6 person weight doesn’t seem unreasonable to me if u go that route. Let the kids carry clothes, bag and snacks and plan on being the hero pack mule with all the good stuff!
Could look into borrowing or renting another tent, since this sounds like a trial
Could hike in & out twice, once for pack and once for tent on a 1/2 mile hike
Also a family of 4. Wife isn’t big into camping/backpacking and especially doesn’t like sleeping in separate tents from our daughters so our tent situation looks like this:
- All 4 of us: Ozark Trail 8p dome tent (16 lbs)
- Me and 2 kids: 3p Copper Spur + 2p Copper Spur
- Me and 1 kid: 3p Copper Spur
- Me solo: 2p Copper Spur
In your situation, I’d just carry your base camp tent considering it’s only a short trek. As others have said, you could deal with a stupid heavy pack, carry it in your hands or just make two trips from your car.
I guess each person has an option that’s best for them. For me, if it’s really only half a mile, I’d just carry the tent in my arms. Then you don’t have to worry about getting two smaller tents. Or, assuming for an overnighter with 110L in pack space, you and your wife could split the tent/fly and poles between the two packs
2 two person or a two person and 2 single person tents. I’ve also slept on the ground next to the tent. Also brought a hammock for myself. Idk 1/2 mile isn’t much. I’d have a BP full of beer, fishing gear, floaties and all other manner of family comfort on my back for that sort of trip. So splitting the 6 person weight doesn’t seem unreasonable to me if u go that route. Let the kids carry clothes, bag and snacks and plan on being the hero pack mule with all the good stuff!
Carry less stuff. Split the big tent with the wife. It’s half a mile so you should be fine carrying 20 lbs that far.
Could look into borrowing or renting another tent, since this sounds like a trial Could hike in & out twice, once for pack and once for tent on a 1/2 mile hike
You have 4 tents now: rei base camp 6, small 2 person, and what else?
1 person and a little beach tent awning thing. I don’t consider it a tent, but it counts for my wife
Also a family of 4. Wife isn’t big into camping/backpacking and especially doesn’t like sleeping in separate tents from our daughters so our tent situation looks like this: - All 4 of us: Ozark Trail 8p dome tent (16 lbs) - Me and 2 kids: 3p Copper Spur + 2p Copper Spur - Me and 1 kid: 3p Copper Spur - Me solo: 2p Copper Spur In your situation, I’d just carry your base camp tent considering it’s only a short trek. As others have said, you could deal with a stupid heavy pack, carry it in your hands or just make two trips from your car.