Guard Station 8

Four season, freestanding, mountaineering shelter

Our Guard Station 8 is a dome-style mountaineering expedition dream shelter burly enough to withstand extreme high-altitude, high-alpine conditions. The Guard Station 8 features an external pole design which means it can be set up as a free-standing group shelter, or clip in the tent body to create a double-wall tent. The DAC exoskeleton pole system is incredibly strong and offers generous living space, with polyester rip-stop material developed to provide high UV resistance and stability in the most extreme environments.

Features Specs Materials Reviews Care

Tent and Footprint Cleaning and Care Instructions:

Storage:

Always make sure your tent is dry and free of debris before storing. Fold and roll your tent a different way each time to avoid permanent creases. Store in a cool, dry place. Never leave your tent in hot temperatures (such as a car trunk or attic space) for long periods of time, as it will damage the material coatings. Storing your tent damp can result in mildew growth, which may cause your tent to smell, leak, or delaminate. Mildew damage is not covered under warranty.

Cleaning:

For light cleaning, sponge the product with warm water (not hot).

For more thorough cleaning you will need:
-Wash basin (or bath tub)-Warm water (not hot)
-Waterproof Gear Cleaner (we recommend products like Nikwax Tech Wash)
-Sponge

1. Submerge your gear in warm, clean water. Gently agitate with hands. Empty dirty water. Repeat until most of the excess dirt/grime is removed and water is mostly clear.
2. Apply waterproof gear specific wash and gently work into fabric with sponge.
3. Rinse gear thoroughly.
4. Hang it up to dry.
5. Triple check that your gear is completely dry before storage or use.

*Do not dry clean or machine-wash. Detergents and dry cleaning solvents will damage the fabric and ruin waterproofing.
*Never use hot water, bleach, liquid detergents, or dishwashing liquids.
*Allow to dry COMPLETELY before storage or use.
*Avoid prolonged direct sunlight as UV exposure can compromise waterproofing.

Seam Sealing:

Big Agnes tents are seam sealed as part of our manufacturing process! This seam tape alone is durable enough to prevent water leakage. Any seams that have been taped do not need to be seam sealed with a liquid sealer unless you want extra protection. Make sure the seam-sealer is completely dry before re-packing your tent. Damage caused by misapplication may void warranty.

Zippers:

Keeping your zippers clean will help keep the coils and sliders from wearing out. If filled with dirt, vacuum or brush zippers before storing tent. We recommend Gear Aid Zipper Cleaner and Lubricant.

Repairs and Warranty:

All Big Agnes tents are guaranteed against manufacturing or material defect. We do not warranty products damaged from normal wear and tear, alteration made by owner, misuse, accidents or damages caused by uses other than intended. Damage due to misuse, normal wear and tear, or improper care may be repaired, at the discretion of Big Agnes, at a reasonable charge. Tents returned for repair must be clean and free of debris.

Questions? Call us or open a support case:
877.554.8975 | support.bigagnes.com

Setup

GUARD STATION FLY SET UP INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Remove contents from stuff sack. Spread out the fly.
2. Assemble 6 poles; two long silver poles, two long red poles, one short black pole, and one short silver pole.
3. To ensure each pole section is fully seated, insert each pole section into the next by hand instead of allowing the shock cord to snap them together.
4. Locate one of the gray pole sleeves with silver binding on the end. Insert a long silver pole into the sleeve.
5. Insert one end of the long silver pole into the grommet on the silver webbing along the perimeter of the fly, then move to the opposite side of the fly and repeat with the opposite end of the pole.
6. Repeat steps 4 & 5 for the second long silver pole.
7. Locate one of the red pole sleeves with red binding on the end. Insert a long red pole over the top of the silver pole and through the sleeve.
8. Insert one end of the long red pole into the grommet on the red webbing along the perimeter of the fly, then move to the opposite side of the fly and repeat with the opposite end of the pole.
9. Repeat steps 7 & 8 for the other long red pole.
10. Attach the 16 tent clips to the poles.
11. Locate the gray pole sleeve at the top of the fly with the silver binding on the ends. Insert the short silver pole making sure that the end of the pole with the cylindrical pole tip is inserted into the grommet on the pole sleeve above the front vestibule. Clip the opposite ball end of the pole into the plastic “Ball Cap” connector attached to the fly.
12. Locate the gray pole sleeve at the top of the fly with the black binding on the ends. Insert the short black pole into the sleeve and clip the ball on each end of the pole into the plastic “Ball Cap” connectors attached to the fly.
13. Evenly stake out the 8 perimeter webbing loops.
14. Stake out the front vestibule.
15. Stake our four equalized guylines and use cord tensioner to adjust tension.

GUARD STATION FOOTPRINT SET UP INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Remove footprint from stuff sack and lay inside the fly with the PU side (shiny side) up.
2. Clip the black male buckle with red webbing on the footprint to the BOTTOM black female buckle with red webbing located at the front corner of the fly.
3. Clip the remaining male buckles on the footprint to the BOTTOM set of female buckles located around the perimeter of the fly.

Separate 6” length pole segment included for emergency field repair. Slide repair pole over the break to act as a splint. Secure splint in place with tape.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR TENT SET UP

Our tents are easy to set up, but we suggest you practice once at home before using them for the first time to avoid late night bickering with tent mates while fumbling around in the dark.
Before pitching tent, clear campsite of debris that may pierce tent floor.
We recommend staking out all corners, vestibules and guylines to increase space and ventilation. Securely staking out your tent and all guylines is crucial to maintaining the structural integrity of your tent.
Hang onto your stuff sacks or they’ll blow away and create backcountry litter.
Pull on the pole sleeve fabric when inserting poles to avoid any bunching in the material.
Push rather than pull poles through pole sleeves.

Thanks for choosing a Big Agnes tent!
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments.
support.bigagnes.com | 877.554.8975

Download Setup Instructions

What's in a Name?

In the 1920s and 1930s, Forest Service employees often traveled many miles from local ranger stations to forest work sites. To facilitate work at remote sites, the Forest Service built guard stations at strategic locations throughout the forest to house fire patrols and project crews. The Seedhouse Guard Station in North Routt County serves as a great Company Campout location for Big Agnes and Honey Stinger.