Just a GoPro and my phone documenting my walks/wild camps so I can watch them back in the future. Most are of Dartmoor and the beauty it contains. I have lived on the edge of the moor my whole life and while I knew the east moor very well, I had never seen much of the North Moor in particular, so therefore I have been exploring it thoroughly for the last 9 years. Hope you find this helpful or at least entertaining or inspiring.
I am not entirely sure, I belive they increased the diameter of the poles and I have heard various stories of the poles now being different lengths where some people have received poles that are now too long or short for the tent. I wouldn't call it an issue as such, just now I know what conditions it can handle, which won't be the same as some of my other shelters. To me, it still sounds like a work in progress.
Your video reminds me of when I was in training back in 79 to be a royal marine. The weather was just like this during a long march and with sleet and snow. It was about 2am in the morning and we came upon the lights of the infamous Dartmoor prison near Princetown. I never wanted so much to be an inmate as I did at that time lol. Dartmoor can be a cruel mistress indeed.
Sounds rough, I have seen/heard them out training several times. Royal Marines are the best out there however. I bet you did, I've thought similar when out there on either with Ten Tors or just my own walks. I used to carry a water bladder and 1 practice walk I was in shorts all day, then the weather changed so much the water froze in the tube from my bag. Hope you liked it, I have just got back from Scotland and will start putting a video together on it. Rowan.
Nortent sent me an extra set of the original poles afterwards, and want me to test it in the same condditions, however I just haven't had that extreme weather. I did pitch it in the garden with double poles, and it really did not seem to make a huge difference. Obviously better, and real testing will tell. So when I get the chance I will try to test it again. Thanks, Rowan.
I kept seeing you using gear that I use. And every time I was like no way!! The msr lowdown, the soto double walled cup, the coffee brew bags, then you whipped out the kestrel wind meter. Basically like watching myself camp! Anyways fantastic video. That tent took a battering, I hope Nortent sort it out for you.
Ah that's cool to hear. The Soto kit was really good, I got it befoe the prices went mad in covid, and it;s such good value. Yeah it certinly did, now I know what it can take. They sent me an extra set of the original poles, after I had already bought a replacement. They wanted me to test it again with double poles in the same conditions. Thanks for watching, glad you liked it. Rowan.
Thanks. I was tempted by one as well. Got a Nordisk Telemark instead. Suited my needs better. Hilleberg make really good products, hope you like it and get out lots.
Hi Rowan, Great channel. Do you think the new, upgraded poles will make much of a difference to the strength of this tent in strong winds? Have you got the upgraded poles from nortent? Thank you.
Good evening, I wouldn't say so. I was not sent the new poles, but Nortent did send an extra original set. Since then I have set it up with double poles and is still not that stable relative to a Soulo. When the weather turns bad I will test it with double poles. Thanks for watching. Rowan.
@@RowanWildCamps Thank you, and that is disappointing to hear your view on double poling. I really wanted this tent for camping the Brecon Beacons. I guess I will probably save longer for a Hilleberg. You should contact Nortent Re. the upgraded poles, I heard they are sending them out to owners foc. Love your content.
I do have one in fact, and it would have been in my bag, just forgot to use it, and Iits ok when the stove is above the gas. I only really use the mat when I use the MSR Lowdown.
They're great tents, the Hilleberg Nallo 2! Mine is about 25 years old where the 2 poles are the same size. On the newer ones I like the rear inner ventilation panel and on the rear flysheet I like the zipped ventilation option. I quite like the colour too. Do you still pitch it front into the wind?
Oh wow, definitely got good value out of it. I also like the feature on it, and the colour, blends in really well. I do if it is forecast for over 40 mph, but anything lower and especially with the dog I go tail into the wind. Makes things easier. Thanks for watching. Rowan.
I always appreciate the videos, but people need to learn site selection tarp/poncho configurations. Obviously a survival situation (only excuse for the location), but in high winds you build the shelter closer to the ground. Really sucks waking upcold and wet in the middle of the night finding your tarp collapsed, or worse, blew away! To mitigate this possibility. Always use a bivy bag with a tarp, as he did. Doesn't have to be one of those expensive bivy bags, but a breathable inexpensive bag, like the SOL Escape bivy, will keep you dry and warm.
This video got me shaking my head in disbelief. I live very near Dartmoor and have been up there many times camping in all sorts of weather for over 40 years but! This was really silly even if you acknowledged it or not, you obviously knew the weather conditions and what they were going to be like, solo camping in that is definitely not advisable and especially in a tent obviously not built for those conditions, it was barely semi-geodesic let alone fully, and no seam sealing"come on" Also many tent manufacturers don't exactly advise people to "cook" in their tents especially when it's very windy and you had equipment around that could have easily knocked over the stove and melted the tent and possibly got it on you causing very bad burns and to also stick everything together. No heat shield for the stove as well to protect your belongings and the tent. Imagine a fleece falling onto the stove that was knocked over because of the wind pushing against the fabric 😮 Also the decision to pack up and walk down in pitch black conditions where you can't see two feet in front of you is bad and the ground is absolutely sodden, plus the wind is not great, I would have stayed with the tent because at least you were dry and in relative safety. Did you have a GPS with you with a back track function for black out or white out conditions. Unfortunately you are the kind of "wild camper" the Dartmoor rescue groups love to hate. Just imagine if they had to come out to rescue you and the danger you would put them in because you decided to go out in conditions that were very Obviously too much for you and your equipment. Unfortunately in this case I believe you were not prepared and you really shouldn't have put yourself in this position. It's fully your fault. Sorry to sound off but this is not a review of the tent it's a review of how to not wild camp and how to be totally unprepared.
This is the first time ive ever seen that guyline technique with the poles - having to peg points off to the sides. And i tarp camp all the time! Genius.
It is very handy, gives a lot of extra stabilty, plus works just as well when attaching extra guylines onto tent poles. Glad you found it interesting/helpful. Rowan.
Good effort and well documented. That was quite a lot of snow and shame about your views. Try putting a 50cm cord on your pegs and tying it up the guy rope, makes it a lot easier to pull them out 🥶Nice work 👌
Not a joke, it depends what you want out of a tent, it is not huge but adequate. This is an extremely strong yet versatile tent. For me, it has enough room for my stuff and to cook. Plus, it is designed to be aerodynamic and the vestibule to take the strain/compression instead of the inner. I would suggest a GT model if you require a lot of vestibule space.
Hi Rowan. Jannu is an amazing tent I’ve had one for 5 years. When the weather is particularly bad it’s the one I reach for. People complain about the vestibule but I’ve never found it an issue. It’s designed be sloped and deform in wind as the tent should be pitched into wind when it’s really blowing. The inside is totally unaffected this way even in 60mph. Personally I would get a set on 10.25mm poles. Those gold poles are only 8.65mm. The difference in strength for minimum weight penalty is incredible. Plus you never need to double pole. There is a reason this tent has been rated as one of the strongest and most versatile 4 season 2 person tents for going in 15 years. Enjoy it. Can’t wait to see you out in some proper weather! 👍
Good afternoon, it was you and Tom that really sold it to me, looks amazing. No I can't say I would have issues with it as it will be just me using it at any given time, of which there is loads of room. I thought the same from your usage. I also have the 10mm poles, Hilleberg sent them as well, as part of the exchange and as a good will gesture due to my Soulo BL leaking. I did double pole it for fun in the garden (9mm + 10mm) and the strength was immense. And from the videos/reviews I have seen I would completely agree with your conclusion, can't wait to use it more. Neither can I, looks like it can take a battering. Thanks for watching, how is your Nallo? Does Tom intend to test that sometime? Rowan.
@@RowanWildCamps hi Rowan. Sounds like you got a great deal. The Jannu imo is a much more versatile shelter than the soulo. Nallo is great haven’t used it as much recently in the better weather but it will be the tent I use most over winter tho. Yes Tom will do a review on it more towards autumn / winter. He has often toyed with the idea of getting one and hasn’t actually seen it yet so will be good to get his thoughts on it. Cheers. Gary
@@garynesbitt5078 I certainly did. And it really looks that way, grante the only thing I won't use the Jannu for is when I take my dog with me, the Nallo has a much better vestibule for that. I am excited to see you/Tom using the Nallo and hearing your thoughts on it, I always feel it is overlooked by the Nammatj, yet has so much to offer. I can't wait for that. Thanks for your input. Rowan.
Nice and thanks for sharing 😊 How would you compare Jannu to Soulo? I’m not aware of your reason to swap. To me Jannu seems like a great alternative to Soulo for someone who wants more space for a few more grams.
My Soulo BL had a pretty serious leak in the corner of the zipper, so Hilleberg exchanged the 2 and provided the footprint and extra 10mm poles. As for a comparism they do have very similar applications, and obviously a lot more room inside, but the Soulo is easier to pitch. As for the weather resistance I cannot comment due to only using the Jannu once. But from other videos about it, it looks tremendous. When I experienced 50mph in my Soulo you would think it was 20mph. Looks to be similar strength and performance. Time will tell. But so far I really like it. Thanks for watching, Rowan.
Great tent. Ive been wild camping Dartmoor for over 30 years. The North of the moor is my favourite part. I was down there for a week at the beginning of the month around Belstone and Okehampton. Looks like you had a good camp 👍
Most excellent filming and editing, changing my Fallraven Abisko lite 1 for the KUIU Storm Star 2p for Winter Mountain Wild Camps (a lot of research when into my decision). Hillebergs are great, though over priced me thinks. Your Jannu looks like a smashing tent. Doing a Dartmoor Wild Camp at end of September 2024. By the way, life can throw a curveball at you sometimes, it is not always a nice experience, but unfortunately it is part and parcel of our existence. Me time is very important, to allow ourselves time to evaluate our options in such circumstances. Looking forward to seeing many more of your adventures.
Thank you very much. They are indeed expensive, but worth it if you use your kit alot. So far so good with it. It is lovely down on Dartmoor at the moment, hopefully you have a good trip. Certainly does, I just try to keep moving forward and remember to spend time outside. Thank you, should be lots more come. Rowan.
No, it is of course not the correct spot to pitch, but done for testing and to challenge myself. I would also say it needs sealing, even though Nortent says it does not, only advisable.
Hilliberg brilliant tents I've got 4 nallo allac acto soulo but I don't like the vestibule on that one almost useless in bad weather but u bought it so nowt do wi me happy camping mate
Good to see you back out Rowan. The weather was far too gentle for you. I always find the vestibule really odd on the Jannu and almost useless if the wind is hitting it. Hope all’s well done there. ATB Jiffy 👍🏻
It is nice to back at it. I am sure the weather will make itself know soon enough. Agreed, however I will just be using it for myself so it is perfect for that. Thanks for watching. Rowan.
I was wondering where you were. Glad to see you're back out, and with a new tent no less. I reckon this video will garner a whole lot less controversy compared to your last one with the Vern. :)
Ah apologies. Only my 2nd time out since my previous video, work/life have gotten so busy recently. I hope so, still cannot beleive all the chaos that went around that. Hope you enjoy the video, I plan to be out again in the week with my dog. Rowan.
For these conditions, yes. My first was the Nallo 2. I have always liked the look of the Tarra, but the weight puts me off a bit and I don't require dual vestibules. I like to think of it as a big brother to the Jannu, being BL and an extra pole and vestibule. I had several Wild Countries and Vangos before I made that purchase. They make such a difference. Thanks for watching.
I’m curious, why would you set up the tent with the entrance facing into the wind? Awesome video btw, the most comprehensive endurance test I’ve seen for a tent. High Willhays is a brutal place to be and is the perfect place to test kit like this. Given the picturesque nature of Devon, it’s easy to forget people still die on Dartmoor. You have balls of steel.
Good afternoon, if it looks like it in the video then I apologise, however the doors are not into the wind, the narrowest part of the tent is facing the wind so I am opening the door on the leeside of the tent. I pitched it with the same logic you would with a Soulo, having one of the narrow vent ends into the wind. It certainly is, can be worse than people realise as you say. A week or so back a team got taken of the moor with hypothermia and that was in July (I don't know the details). Thanks for watching. Rowan.
Brilliant and honest review of a tent that you would have to depend on ! The tent stood up amazingly well being so exposed were normally you wouldn't pitch, but every tent has its limits, looks a pretty bomb proof tent all the same but you have shown the week points thank you,❤
Thanks for watching. Yes, it did pretty well, especially as you say, in a less-than-ideal spot. I won't be going out in it if the forecast is for more than 40mph.
Thank you. No, I'm afraid not. The tail of the tent was facing the wind (the end vent on the opposite side to the door with the hood) so I kept the windward side shut and used the door on the leeside.
One reviewer claimed that the Nortent 1 was a Hillebrg Soulo beater. When asked about his claim, he meant that it is weaker but competitive as alot chaeper. He reconned that it may be as strong as a Soulo Red Label. You experience makes me dount this. I have the Soulo BL.Your tent seems to be more spacious as wider, but that will be a weakness as not as aerodynamic, the soulo not only is narrower, but shaped like a coffin, the narrow foot pitched into the wind. I am surprised that your tent was getting flattened at under 60mph, the soulo in contrast has been filmed in 80mph winds which are almost double the power. Have had 2 tents fail including a hilleberg Akto. which got ripped out of the ground as was getting in , resulting in a bent pole. Never had any issues with soulo BL though, such as flattening, all that happens is the inner flaps a bit. My Soulo BL had only 1 leak , a top vent zipleak, cured with seam sealer. For bad weather, I double pole the short pole eliminating its weak point, which I believe makes it bombproof as no weaknesses. I bring along a PhD sleeping bag cover due to condensation issues in the Soulo which solves the problem of a wet sleeping bag.
A hilleberg BL Soulo beater is the Kuiu Storm star 2p tent, much more spacious, equal as bombproof, with four added advantages 1. Does not flap in wind 2. More inner space. 3. Little condensation issues, as ventilation is great. 4. Nearly half the price!
