Page 22 - The Tent Handbook 2017

The story of the Keron
OUR FLAGSHIP TENT, the Keron is, arguably, the one most often asso- ciated with the Hilleberg name. When we introduced the Keron in 1981, it had not only that hallmark linked inner and outer for simultaneous pitching, but also an exceptionally strong silicon coated outer tent fabric – one only slightly less strong than the fabric we use today. And that rst Keron was built to the same demanding standards that characterize today’s Kerons and all other Hilleberg tents.
With its spacious interior, two entrance design, and easy-to-pitch construction, the Keron was an immediate success, adopted by backcountry travelers of all kinds. It was followed quite quickly by the single entrance Nammatj, which had the strength and ease of use of the Keron, but in a lighter weight package and with a more compact footprint. During this time, Bo was doing quite a bit of winter trips with dog sleds, and one of his friends had a homemade tent with a longer vestibule to cater to the needs of mushing. Immediately seeing its utility for mushers, Bo created what would become the Keron GT, with one standard and one extended vesti- bule. A Nammatj GT, with a single extended vestibule soon followed. Both did become immediately popular with mushers, who found that they could easily put all their gear into the larger vestibules, but they attracted other users as well: foresters, special military units, and polar expeditions, and anyone else doing gear-intensive trips in all conditions.
By design, the Keron’s appearance has changed very little since its introduction. With its vertical inner tent entrances and near vertical walls, it provides the most useable amount of interior space of any other practi- cal tent design, so we have stayed with it. We have improved its overall strength by taking advantage of the latest fabric and other material
Keron users
Veterans Expedition
Keron models have long been the standard for polar adventures. A Keron GT city is seen here during Walking with the Wounded’s 2013 Allied South Pole Challenge. Photo: Eric Philips (Icetrek.com).
technologies, and we have continuously updated its construction to match those materials. But what we have not done is sacri ce any detail towards making the Keron the highest performing tunnel tent available. The Keron is the foundation for all of our tunnel tents, including, of course, the extended vestibule Black Label Keron GT and the Nammatj models, but also for the Red Label Kaitum and Nallo tents, and for the Yellow Label Anjan models – and even for the Red Label Akto and Yellow Label Enan one-person tents. All have Keron genes – vertical inner tent entrance (or entrances), near vertical side walls, spacious vestibules, and, most impor- tantly, that exceptional space to weight ratio and that ultimate reliability.
Chris Kassar
Veterans Expeditions, or VetEx, is a non-profit group who organize and run trips, adventures, and expeditions for military veterans. Owned, operated and led by veterans, VetEx is committed to involving veterans in the outdoors, for both the health and the fun of it. In May of 2015, VetEx led a successful climb on Denali, 6,190 m (20,310 ft). The team of 8, self-named “8 for 22,” dedicated the climb to the 22 service members who commit suicide every day. As one team member wrote later, “We climb for the chal- lenge, fun and discovery inherent in stepping beyond comfortable limits. We climb because we still can; Each kick, each swing is a tribute to fallen brothers and sisters who gave everything.” The group chose Hilleberg Keron models for their climb. “Definitely the best tents on the mountain,” says Dan Wiwczar, Army veteran, VetEx Northeast Program Director, and one of the Denali Team. “Light enough to take on a backpacking trip and strong enough for a month long climbing expedition. Could not ask for a better shelter!” “If someone were to ask me today what kind of tent I want, it wouldn’t take half a second to reply the Keron series tents from Hilleberg,” says fellow Denali Team member, Daniel Pond, a US Marine Corp veteran and the VetEx Colorado Team Leader. “After testing in the Colorado Rockies, then trusting them on the Expedition to the Summit of Denali, I would conclude simply that these tents are the best in the business.” Nick Watson, Army veteran and VetEx Executive Director, and another Denali Team member agrees: “Very impressive durability in extreme conditions, with an attention to minute design features that make a world of difference. Easy to set up, and solid once they are...We spent 2 weeks straight waiting out the weather on Denali in the Hilleberg Keron tents. We got over 5 feet of snow while on the mountain. We got hammered by winds above 75 miles an hour. We didn’t break a pole, we never put a hole is any of the tents, they came off the mountain in the same shape we started
..22 the expedition in. We did not have one single issue with them. They are now our tent of choice for future expeditions.” (For more information, see vetexpeditions.com)