Theoretical question with tent and snow

[calyth]

Snow can insulate heat, and let's say that you found that it's not warm enough inside a tent. It's the 100% waterproof kind. Would the occupants benefit by having the snow cover the tent much like an igloo?
How about this question in practice?

I'm just a bit curious about this.

 

[A Johnson]

You would gain nuthing from the insulation from the snow! You main issue in snow camping is the neccisity to keep the tent well ventilated. No ventilation = rain in tent from the moisture from breath.

 

[diletante]

I'd rather dig a snow cave than cover the tent in snow. The tent won't give you an entrance below the sleeping surface, which IMO is the primary reason why a snow cave is warmer than a tent (The snowcave's walls probably eliminate convective heat loss to the outside air, but you still lose heat to the snow). Also, even mountaineering tents aren't designed to be burried in snow. Finally, think about digging/packing out the wet/frozen tent

 

[TLM]

Snow is apretty good insulator but - practical only below freezing. So you shouldn't try to warm it too much. You gain insulation if you pile it on a tent but it is not very practical because in real life the tent walls freeze to the snow cover. Igloo, quinzee or variants work better.

There is no doubt that you gain in insulative (below freezing) value but its not very practical.

TLM

 

[martin j]

snow cave will also protect from wind chill, which can be significant in colder climates. This assumes you have warm clothing enough to last/ stay comfortable at freezing. But bascially, it should be "last resort".
Martin

 

[V Shrake]

Another way to go about this would be to site your tent in a protected spot in the first place, and then improve on that cover. Say you pitched your tent at the base of a pine that's already covered in snow, but one side is open enough to pitch your tent. You then use snow blocks and wattle work construction to build a wall and overhead cover around your tent. This would keep the wind off of your tent, as well as not allowing snow to set directly on the tent. And you could make the entrance to the tent a "zig-zag" to keep the wind from getting in. Of course, this much work would only be practical if you're going to be there for a while.

 

[coyotlviejo]

The insulative value of snow is relative. If you want protection from temperatures that are colder than the snow then it is a viable idea. However, don't expect the interior of a snow cave or tent covered with snow to be much warmer than the snow itself. You'll still need to wear insulative clothing inside your shelter.

 

[calyth]

Thanks for the info. You just might not know when this info will be handy

 

[Dave B]

Snow does insulate, but the drawbacks are big: ventilation has been mentioned, and the tent will freeze to the ground if you're in one place more than 1-2 days (in severe conditions). I have no wish to chop a tent out of ice with an ice axe.

IMHO, a snow cave/ igloo is much more effective (in keeping you alive) than is a tent if the conditions are bad, or if you're planning to be there longer than overnight. Also, most tents have trouble in high winds while snow caves are much nicer.

BTW, practice building snow structures (in your back yard) before you need them for real...

db

 

[Stryver]

Yes, but. With the notes mentioned previously about ventilation and removeability, I'll add a few from my experience.

Snow shelters are best used when it's _really_ cold. Cold enough that you'll think it's warm inside the shelter if it never gets above freezing _inside_. I've slept in an insulated snow shelter before, like covering a tent with snow. Mine happened to be a makeshift shelter, an A-frame covered with fabric. If it never ices over inside (temp above freezing) ventilation will be adequate.

Insulated shelters are best suited to medium depth snow, where gathering enough to build an honest snow cave or igloo is impractical. Insulated shelters derive some benefit from the insulation of the snow, but the majority of the benefit they derive is radiant heat from the ground. This will be enough to raise the temp inside the shelter by up to 20 degrees F above outside temps _without you inside_, but requires you to scrape the ground clear of snow before erecting your shelter. It is essential to build an insulated door to your insulated shelter, or you lose most of the heat. You can accomplish this with a piece of fabric material in which you gather a load of snow, tie it, and then bounce it vigorously against the ground (like breaking up a bag of ice cubes) and then seating it in your entrance, knotted end down, to harden. It will form itself to the shape of the entrance, and with the knot, you can pull it in place after you.

Stryver, who slept in his snow shelter with his bag mostly unzipped...