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I've done it I don't think you'd have any problems. I'm 5'4.

You just install all the poles, ring and pin them, and have them layed out flat on the ground, like a folded up accordion. Then peg back two corners. Stand it up and walk forward unfolding the accordion and have a couple of pegs in your back pocket to temporarily guy out the two front guys. Adjust, square off, and peg everything else.

Quote: Originally posted by floggitt on 10/5/2010

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You were quick off the mark Victoria

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Ah you know...jack of all trades - master of none....

I'd be happy to put this uo solo and I'm a 5'4" middle aged woman with a back problem atm. It's a tunnel tent and there's only three hoops...you can't really get easier for a tent that size!

Suggestions though...have your mallet and pegs placed ready to grab as you get the tent upright, peg the two underneath corners of your stack down before you pull them upright, to give you something to pull against and try to lay it out so that you're not pulling the tent out into any wind, but with the wind behind the stack of poles so that it pushes them up towards you. In practice of course this means working from the rear of the tent forwards when putting in the poles, pegging the back two corners, lifting then walking the tent out to the front. Peg out a couple of guyropes for support then get the two corner base pegs in. Get round the back asap and run out the two rear guylines. Then you can fiddle around to your hearts content getting everything lined up on the footprint.

If it's very windy though and there's someone around, get them to help you stand and walk the poles out. Only takes two minutes of their time and it saves possible damage to the tent.

Quote: Originally posted by chaddys76 on 11/5/2010

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I am so glad you asked this question!

I have been looking for a smaller tent for myself and my 2 girls to use when Hubby is working as I can't put the Monty up on my own!

I quite like the look of the Icarus 500 but did wonder if I could pitch it alone (with a little help for DD's who are 6 and 9).

Will watch this thread with interest.

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I can put up a five pole 8-man tunnel tent with the help of a 7 year old. You really only need that extra pair of hands when walking the poles out, and your 9-year old should be fine helping with that. The younger one can be the peg girl.

Just have a practice first, with another adult around if necessary. And if you are on site and it's windy, don't put your own safety and that of the tent above your pride...if there's someone handy offering help, say yes with a smile!

1 - lay the tent out, peg the four corners with good long pegs make sure any adjustable straps are slack.

2 - open the front door and inner doors.

3 - slide the front pole in and place the pin in the end of the pole then walk around to the other side of the tent and push and lift the pole until you can put the second pin in this end of the pole.

4 - close the inner doors and the main tent door and repeat number 3 for the middle pole then the same again for the rear pole.

5 - adjust all pegs and guy out.

By pegging the front and rear first (doors closed at this point) its like having an extra person at the front and rear holding the tent. Any other way on a day with a bit of wind is asking for trouble on your own.

Gary Cross

Retailer.