A Night In The Snow

Rick Marchand

Rick Marchand

Donkey on the Edge
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Over the weekend I was given an opportunity to come out and help a friend (Normark) with his Cub Scout winter camp. I arrived in camp around 630pm and it was already dark. I decided to dig into a nearby snowbank for the night... figuring the kids would get a kick out of a snow cave shelter. The temp dropped to -22 that night. My snow shelter worked out nicely and I spent a comfortable evening with nothing more than an extra wool blanket as a groundpad and a tarp to shut the entrance tunnel.

The next morning I went and gathered some sassafras root to make morning tea. (Tastes like rootbeer)Then we took the kids over to see where "the man in the snow bank" spent the night. I gave a little info on snow shelters to the kids and the Scout Leaders. After that we went for a hike and learned some tree identification, tracking, snow travel, a bit of fire lighting. When we got back I made a 10 min atlatl dart and gave it a few throws before it shattered on the base of a tree.

I had a great time as did the kids and leaders. I hope to get out with them again soon. here are some pics...

Rick
 

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Hey Rick, how did you get the Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) root? It looks like there's a foot of snow on the ground. :confused:

Doc
 
Doc......

I used a Special Forces (Spetsnaz) shovel to get at the roots. The frost is only a few inches this early in the season.
 

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Nicly done Rick. Great way to show the cub scouts about how well a snow shelter can work.
I have done the same as you just put a tarp or my poncho over the entrance to my snow cave. They really work great.

Bryan
 
Very cool! I bet those kids wanted to stay in that shelter also!

Thanks for sharing!
 
They're a great way to get out of the harsh elements.... that wind will take alot out of you in those temperatures!
 
Tony.....

Actually..... the kids wanted to dig a bunch of holes through it to have a fort for snowball fights!!
 
good stuff, looks like you guys had fun, sorry I couldn't make it out I was busy get the chills from the cold beer I was enjoying in a warm studio,

I see you atlat has come along whats the effective range on that bad boy..


cya
jimi
 
This looks like a great time, and I bet the kids will remember it for a long time. Is the atlatl dart made with duct tape fletching. That is awesome. Another great use for the Duck!!!
 
That is great, those kids will have a good memory of this experience for a lifetime, and maybe they will do the same someday with their kids.
 
Hey Jimi,
That atlatl thrower is the one that Abe made for young Eric... I just made a quick dart to try it out... the duct tape fletching worked well. Ya bro, you shoulda came out and brought the beer... that cave would have made a geat cooler!! Besides.. the leaders were there, taking care of the kids.... I was meerly a guest speaker... and they often show up drunk... atleast they did in MY highschool days.:D

Rick
 
Rick... nice job. Sounds like fun, or it would if I hadnt spent the weekend digging out the snow cave we call our house..... :/

Glad to see your still out and about, bro.
 
Nice job Rick, just looking at your pics makes me chilly. What kind of anorak are you wearing...something purchased or custom made?
 
The anorak is my design.... custom made by Sharron Haze. Its a double layered wool blanket construction with a few extra features.

Great piece of winter kit.... my walking shelter!
 
The anorak looks like it would do the trick. How about a break down?

Not much Sassafras around here. In fact the only place I've seen it was the Royal Botanical Gardens (along the trail).

Doc
 
Lots of Sassafras and Spicebush around here.... both mak a great tea and are easy to spot in the winter.... do you have Labrador in your area, Doc?


Here's a sketch of the anorak.... double layered.... wool (US Army Blankets)

(I decided against the kangaroo pouch this time around.)


rickscappote.jpg
 
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