Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Winter Camping and Activities :: Second thoughts...
|
Author | Message Text | ||
MNLindsey80 |
(first weekend)... cold tenting at a state park along the north shore... we plan about the same time frame again - but this time into the BWCA and in a hot tent. For some reason we are way more nervous for a hot tent experience, like, how much work is it going to take to chop enough wood to keep us warm.... I went on a run tonight and was thankful that we've already been on a winter camping trip - cold tenting... Why are we so nervous? We've got this right? |
||
MNLindsey80 |
One of our new friends husbands wins the Arrowhead 135 each year, so they have LOADS of winter camping experience... and our other friend has been on 8 winter trips as well. We have all been cold tenting - so our sleep systems are robust. We're also in the process of upgrading our winter boots, or other key items. With more hands on deck, camaraderie, and experience, we're feeling a TON better! |
||
flopnfolds |
quote DanCooke: "Knowing species of trees and their burning / woodstove / heat properties as well as the difficulty in cutting and splitting takes some of the sting of wood gathering out. I prefer Cedar or Spruce (black or white) as they burn fairly evenly although quicker than birch or ash, but they cut and split easy. I never try to keep a fire going through the night. Often the stove is cool enough to touch before my eyes shut. Interesting idea on the heat wrap. I could see it being a nice luxury. |
||
SevenofNine |
As I'm sure you're aware everything freezes. And I mean everything, even minor things like unscrewing a lid can mean a broken lid or being unable to get in a jar. So plan your food, eating utensils and gear accordingly. It's the reason people bring wooden bowls, utensils, and metal cups (so you can warm your drink on the stove) instead of plastic versions. Chemical body and hand warmers should be in everyone's supply kit when they winter camp. They help warm up your hands quickly when you've had to take your mittens off and so many other reasons as well. Have a great trip. |
||
WhiteWolf |
When you gather wood, remember to look "up" and not down especially if the snowpack is quite deep. Your driest wood (and therefore more BTUs compared to the same being damp or wet from on the ground) is caught in trees in the "Y"s and lying on another tree etc. and if you lucky is rather snow/ice free. -- also less sparks/smoke to worry about. The drier wood the better especially in the smaller stoves,, better then most think. Enjoy |
||
bigmitch1 |
Thank you for the saw recommendation! I picked one up at Lowes. It looks plenty beefy and inspires confidence. |
||
Soledad |
Once the wood is cut, sit back with a glass of Cabernet and enjoy the instant payment for your hard work. . Irwin CoarseCut Saw is another to consider |
||
DanCooke |
For folks checking out sleep systems a good back up is the thermo care back heat wraps, if you wake up cold put one on to make the night more pleasant and then go back to the drawing board to adjust your sleeping system. |
||
MNLindsey80 |
|
||
DanCooke |
|
||
Minnesotian |
quote DanCooke: " If you can cold camp and bring equipment to cold camp you will survive. " Truth right there. Bring stuff for cold camping and you won't have to worry about how much wood you got. Plus, you don't want to have the stove going overnight while you are sleeping. |
||
bigmitch1 |
|
||
Gadfly |
|
||
Jaywalker |
|