ALL SEASON SHELTER

A GOOD FOUR-SEASON ALPINE TENT ISN'T JUST FOR MOUNTAINEERS AND EXPLORERS, IT IS A GREAT ADDITION TO YOUR 4X4 TRAVELS AS WELL. WE TOSSED THE MONT SUPERCELL EX TENT INTO THE BT-50 AND HEADED FOR THE HILLS.

- WORDS MATT RAUDONIKIS PHOTOS ELLEN DEWAR

If you're camping above the snowline or anywhere in Australia's alpine regions, having the right gear is essential. Even in summer, the weather at altitude can shift fast, with rogue snow flurries not unheard of in December or January. You might start your trek or fourby adventure in warm sunny conditions, but at altitude the weather can change quickly with icy winds, plummeting temps and driving rain just hours later. To stay safe and comfortable when the weather turns foul, you need a shelter that's rated for four-seasons use. A four-season tent is designed to withstand strong winds and snowfall, protecting those inside.

Mont Adventure Equipment's Supercell is a tunnel-style tent built for serious conditions. When it comes to lightweight shelters you can carry in a backpack, strap to a bike or stash in the back of the fourby, most fall into two categories: dome or tunnel. Each design has its strengths, but in our experience, dome tents - especially the cheap ones - can collapse when the wind really picks up.

Tunnel tents are typically longer and narrower than domes, which means you can pitch them with a smaller profile into the wind, offering better resistance in blustery conditions. They also tend to offer a bit more internal headroom, making it easier to sit upright inside. The curved, streamlined shape sheds snow more effectively too, helping prevent it from building up on the top.