Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Winter Camping and Activities :: Cold!!!! Yikes!!!
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awbrown |
quote 2old4U: "Were you able to pound stakes or doesn't a snowtrekker require stakes? " Snowtekkers have a "snow skirt" around the base. Leave it outside the tent, shovel a bit of snow on top, tap it down and you're good to go. The snowtrekker has an aluminum A shaped internal frame that slips into pockets sewn into the bottom corners of the tent. Guy lines- use a snow stake, or tie the ropes around a log, toss into the snow, tamp it down a bit and you've got a "deadman". Holds just fine. |
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Soledad |
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Jess |
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George |
That week we know it got below -30 to -35 or better. My wife watched the reports and freaked. It was only one of a couple years we did not do our annual bath on the last day. Shug doing the cold hang is nuts. He has obviously never tried hot tenting, cause it's really hard to go back. We were going to go in UL and cold this year, but we changed our minds :( I will still sleep outside though, always do :) |
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SevenofNine |
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awbrown |
quote Moss Tent: "I'm telling you, there is a step function somewhere around -40, maybe it's -37 or -38...everything changes. I've never been in -40 conditions except one time many years ago. I was staying with my older brother in his cabin in northern Wisconsin. The thermometer at his place read -42F. I only ventured out of the cozy cabin once and noticed the smoke rising from the chimney and rolling down the roof. That is my most vivid memory of that visit. My car wouldn't start until the temperature rose to around 0 a couple of days later. The weather forecast here in N. Illinois/S. Wisconsin is calling for -20F below on Tuesday night. It's gonna be mighty chilly in the BWCA. Be careful if you're camping out this week. Dress accordingly. It is turning out to be one of the coldest winters we have had in awhile here in the Midwest. We've already had several -10F temps around here and it's just starting to slide into the cold part of winter. |
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Minnesotian |
I have camped in -35. It was in a hot tent last February. During the day it got up to -12. I am still getting used to winter camping, but one thing I have learned is that your sleep system is critical. I think any of the cold campers will say the same thing. If you can find a system that keeps you warm the whole night, while letting the fire in the stove die out, then you are golden. If you can sleep through the night without a fire, then that means less wood gathering work the next day. Only take tools that can handle the temperature. Plastics at that temperature become so brittle. I have taken my sled into the tent overnight just to make sure it doesn't crack. Exposed skin can freeze mightily quick. I usually wear two pairs of gloves. The outer pair is the bulkier, warmer glove, usually a mitten. Inside of that I will wear a tighter glove with fingers. Reason being that if I have to do any delicate work, like tying a knot, I can slip off my mitten and tie it while keeping my fingered gloved on but not exposing my skin at all. When it is cold like that, you dehydrate even quicker then during the summer. I always have a water bottle on me when working outside. It is inside of my coat so it doesn't freeze. The best advice I ever received about camping in temperatures to that degree is: Don't think something you bring or do will work, KNOW that it will work. If you are unsure, the cold and remote woods are a bad place to find out. Last, the most amazing, clear, diamond like stars I have ever seen has been at that temperature. It was so clear out that I could see the landscape by starlight. And the satisfaction knowing I could do this at that temperature was very affirming. |
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awbrown |
quote Minnesotian: " 1. I've heard this often. Dehydration can apparently be a big problem in the cold, mostly because it can so easily sneak up on you, you just don't expect it. 2. I have noticed this in cold weather (not that cold of course). I'm an amateur star gazer and have been out many nights at or just below zero and have many times been able to see by reflected star light. I've seen shadows on the ground from the reflected light of the planet Venus. It is indeed awe inspiring. |
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McVacek |
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tonyyarusso |
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Cedarboy |
He too was hot tenting. CB |
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Moss Tent |
Everything becomes serious. For me, anyway. |
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Dennisal |
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awbrown |
Even he commented that this was just about his limit of endurance. The sleds pulled like sand paper and the snow sounded like you were walking on Styrofoam. He had to take frequent breaks to keep from having a heart attack. Yikes, that is cold!! I've never winter camped in those types of temperatures, although I've been in those types of temperatures. I'd like to hear your stories about dealing with that type of cold. |
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awbrown |
quote George: "Three years ago we went in at snowbank. Upon our arrival it was 10am and -17. We decided to wait a bit to see if it would warm up. By 11:30 it was going the wrong direction: -20. Just looking at that photo made certain parts of my anatomy run and hide!!!LOL |
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2old4U |
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2old4U |
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Jess |
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WhiteWolf |
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