Some, none, or all?

Thomas Linton

Thomas Linton

Joined
Jun 16, 2003
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You are ready to set up your tent. There is 24" of snow on the ground.

Remove some, none, or all of the snow before setting up the tent. What's your pleasure?

Does it make a difference to you if it's too cold to pack down the snow?
 
I wouldn't remove any, in fact if possible I would pile snow up around the tent once it was set up.

David
 
Echo4v said:
I wouldn't remove any, in fact if possible I would pile snow up around the tent once it was set up.

David
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Digging out a hole all the way to the ground is not inconsistent with piling a snow berm around the tent. In fact, the hole creates "walls" to the depth of the snow removed.
 
Thomas Linton said:
Digging out a hole all the way to the ground is not inconsistent with piling a snow berm around the tent. In fact, the hole creates "walls" to the depth of the snow removed.
Click to expand...

In fact it is very inconsistant, although it may not seem to be at first, the snow left under the tent will actually keep the tent warmer and will make your night more comfortable.

Snow acts as insulation from the cold ground and as cushioning. Think of it this way, would you insulate a house everywhere except under the floor? No because that would cause you to lose heat. Sleeping directly on the ground ( even in a tent) will cause you to lose heat also. Plus who knows what that snow is cushioning you from. This works on the same principle as building a leaf bed, you want to lay on leaves and cover yourself with leaves to get the full effect of heat retention.

Packing the snow then piling it up around the tent is the best option (but you say it's too cold to pack the snow), short of that just put it up on the snow then pile snow on the tent. This will give you the most insulation.

Well, now you've got my opinion...and trust it is worth exactly what you paid for it

David
 
Echo4v said:
In fact it is very inconsistant, although it may not seem to be at first, the snow left under the tent will actually keep the tent warmer and will make your night more comfortable.

Snow acts as insulation from the cold ground and as cushioning. Think of it this way, would you insulate a house everywhere except under the floor? No because that would cause you to lose heat. Sleeping directly on the ground ( even in a tent) will cause you to lose heat also. Plus who knows what that snow is cushioning you from. This works on the same principle as building a leaf bed, you want to lay on leaves and cover yourself with leaves to get the full effect of heat retention.

Packing the snow then piling it up around the tent is the best option (but you say it's too cold to pack the snow), short of that just put it up on the snow then pile snow on the tent. This will give you the most insulation.

Well, now you've got my opinion...and trust it is worth exactly what you paid for it

David
Click to expand...
This thread is to get folk's opinions and reasoning. Gathering collective wisdom is typically informative.

Digging a hole many be less desireable than leaving snow in place for the values having snow under the tent may offer, but it is not inconsistent with wanting a berm or wall around the tent. Indeed, the snow dug out provides more material for a berm and the depth of the hole is that much wall already created. 24" deep hole = 24" high wall of great thickness.

Digging a hole is inconsistent with having as much snow under the tent as there was before you started digging.

The ground under the snow may or may not be warmer than 32F, depending on conditions. The ground may be unfrozen due to the insulation of the snow. Here, it's been an average of 15 F below average for most of the last 10-14 days, but the ground is only frozen about 1" down under the deep, light snow.
 
Forgive this Texas boy, but if there was that much snow around me I would say screw the tent and build a snow cave with a snow man guard at the front.
 
Personally, I would leave the snow there, and place pine boughs on top of it, followed by the tent. This is also assuming the bottom of the tent is polypropeline. Some tents have nylon bottoms (or none at all) in which case I would prefer to move the snow, then lay down pine boughs. And just in case anyone is wondering, the answer is yes, I have done it many many times and found this method to work very well. :D
 
The only reason I said it was inconsistent is because removing the snow puts the bottom of the tent on the ground. I do agree that digging a hole gives you more material to build up the sides with. The pine boughs are a good idea but if it's too cold to pack the snow I'm not cutting pine boughs. The real commander makes a good point about the bottom of the tent, the material will make a big difference in how wet the inside of the tent gets.

That being said, the snow will be warmer than the cold ground. In fact if you can't do anything else you can always bury yourself in the snow to keep warm, that's why igloos and snow caves are good emergency shelters.

David
 
During the Air Force winter survival course I attended, the instructors said it's warmer to dig down to bare ground. I can't remember why and I've tried it both ways and didn't notice a difference. But I was on a ground pad. So basically I'm just throwing that out there as they're the experts? :-)
 
My own reason for not clearing snow is time. I don't want to piss around working up a sweat clearing snow. Since I'd be out getting firewood anyway, I just grab a few pine boughs for my bed. Also, if you realize later on that you have set up in a bad spot, or the wind shifts (whatever the case) you can quickly grab the pine boughs and move. The boughs make an air pocket between you and the ground/snow, which serves as a great insulator (dead air). As a bonus, on your last day at that spot before moving on, the boughs can serve as a final dose of firewood for your morning eat n' heat.
 
I just set up the tent on top of the snow. If you have a decent tent and decent winter gear there is no need to go to all of the extra work.
 
+1 for Pack.
I'll pack the snow until I can step on it firmly.
In my field, it's the only way to setup tent.

In case of strong wind and much snow,
digging a snow cave isn't a bad idea.
 
I've tried some, none, and all. This weekend, it was too cold for the snow to pack -- umtil we were ready to leave. I removed some. And yes, despite peeling and zipping, I got sweaty some. Thankfully, my own body heat dried the layers when I stopped workin'.

I don't use live branches off trees 'cause I don't camp on my own property.
 
We've always just walked around the spot where we'll pitch the tent in our snowshoes. It takes no time at all and keeps you from making deep divots under the tent when you first get in to get your sleeping stuff ready.

It sure beats sleeping on tree roots and rocks.
 
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