Winter Camping Video Series

I

IA Woodsman

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Sep 21, 2009
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I have been asked many questions about camping in the winter. If you don't have someone teach you it can be an intimidating endeavor. I, with the help of the other winter campers of this forum will hopefully change that. I hope to do a series on what I feel are the important points of braving the cold.

I would also like to add I am not the end all, know all to winter camping. There are a lot of people who live in much harsher environments than I do now(KGD,Rick). With that said if you have questions please ask.

The first thing I wanted to talk a little about is too selection. Fire wood can make or break a trip. Proper tools are needed to process substantial amounts of it.



[YOUTUBE]dNDLoTTi5Ys[/YOUTUBE]
 
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Hi all,

I like your thinking Terry, and the tools your choose:thumbup:.

Terry, since we live in the same type of area and not to far from each other:)

I really think for our area what you chose for winter tools is right on.

I like simple. Knife, axe, saw lol. Here is my winter tools, and for most of the time I am out in the woods lol.

IMG_1315.jpg


Again it comes down to each persons skill level, but for the most part having that combo of tools will get you some wood for a fire pretty darn quick.

Nice vid too, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Bryan
 
Great video Ia.

Real close to what I carry in the winter as well, but prefer a little bigger axe. I carry a 3.5lb full sized axe. And a 20" saw. But then again I'm not backpacking for the most part, maybe a short 4-5 mile hike at most.
 
Thanks for taking the time with the video, I think it will help with a lot of the recent threads that have been posted and hopefully it will turn into a sticky.
I am interested to see where this thread goes, thanks again!
 
Nice video and good to see a plug of the trailblazer takedown saw. I've been using my 18" since 1998. Really interested in that bigger model! Your right, it is a bit finkle putting together, but it sure cuts nice.

Forgot to mention that lovely casualty blanket all your gear was sitting on. I know that puppy comes in handy! Keep up the great advice Terry!
 
Thanks for the vid. I usually take a large knife and no axe, but that is because I am not proficient with an axe.
 
Great idea Terry. I agree about the firewood. Thats job 1 when its cold outside. It always amazes me just how much wood is needed for a full night when its cold. Its also cool how efficiently you can use the heat off of it with the way your shelter is constructed. Another must for me is fresh baselayers and socks to sleep in.

I was all loaded up to hit the woods for a overnight yesterday, and got called in to staff a truck. :grumpy: I am really diggin camping when its cold. :thumbup:
 
Great job! I always learn something from your vids and posts. What do you use to split the big rounds you cut with the big saw?
 
Solid choices in tools Terry! I have a couple of cheap bow saws, that do the job, but I have used a friends Trailblaze take down, and it blows the cheaper bow saws away by far!
 
kgd said:
Nice video and good to see a plug of the trailblazer takedown saw. I've been using my 18" since 1998. Really interested in that bigger model! Your right, it is a bit finkle putting together, but it sure cuts nice.

Forgot to mention that lovely casualty blanket all your gear was sitting on. I know that puppy comes in handy! Keep up the great advice Terry!
Click to expand...
I love that casualty blanket. It is really beat up. I have a new one sitting in the Boars Nest, but I can't seem to let go of the old one.
j williams said:
Great idea Terry. I agree about the firewood. Thats job 1 when its cold outside. It always amazes me just how much wood is needed for a full night when its cold. Its also cool how efficiently you can use the heat off of it with the way your shelter is constructed. Another must for me is fresh baselayers and socks to sleep in.

I was all loaded up to hit the woods for a overnight yesterday, and got called in to staff a truck. :grumpy: I am really diggin camping when its cold. :thumbup:
Click to expand...
I am with you on the socks. I hate sleeping with cold feet.
m said:
Great job! I always learn something from your vids and posts. What do you use to split the big rounds you cut with the big saw?
Click to expand...
I usually cut them 3'-4' long and don't split them. I will be doing a vid on the long fire soon.
 
EXCELLENT vid !

Although I'm no longer able to winter camp (due to physical limitations) but your findings mirror my experiences. Great gear choices. Winter camping is a whole 'nother wrinkle in terms of appropriate gear. Folks tend to not want to pack 'weighty' gear since they will be carrying more initial poundage (extra clothing, food, shelter,etc.) making the trek to the campsite more demanding. BIG mistake! The amount of calories expended on a winter trip increases exponentially when compared to spring/summer and as you suggest, fuel processing accounts for the lions share of this. Gram-counting in fair weather is OK but can result in a miserable (and often dangerous) decision in winter. I especially like your fire-steel/ knife choices, Contrary to popular belief, in winter bigger IS better and you'll need a beefier handle on both items for gloved hands AND they will be easier to manipulate with bare, cold numb fingers. (been there and tried this with a Lilliputian PSK and 1/8" fire steel)...NOT fun! Another thing I've found that can save your "bacon" is replacing any gear lanyards with bright orange para cord. Axes, knives and fire steels have a a way of easily disappearing in a few inches of snow!

Ron
 
sicily02 said:
Hi all,

I like your thinking Terry, and the tools your choose:thumbup:.

Terry, since we live in the same type of area and not to far from each other:)

I really think for our area what you chose for winter tools is right on.

I like simple. Knife, axe, saw lol. Here is my winter tools, and for most of the time I am out in the woods lol.

IMG_1315.jpg


Again it comes down to each persons skill level, but for the most part having that combo of tools will get you some wood for a fire pretty darn quick.

Nice vid too, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Bryan
Click to expand...

Is that a carving knife on the far left?
 
Thanks for the great info and I hope to see more in this thread. I live in a typically warm environment and never seem to be prepared in the winter as it is not the norm. I enjoy camping in the winter I just need to know how to prepare better. Thanks again.
 
Hey IA,

I am not an expert, but I agree with those choices. The axe is a better all around survival tool, but the saw make firewood and life a lot easier.

I look forward to the rest of the video's

Geoff
 
Very nice, Terry... Well thought out... the only thing I would change is the saw blade. Why is it that nobody uses a dry wood blade on their firewood saws? or a better question... Why don't manufacturers make dry wood blades more readily available.

Green wood or "raker" toothed...
11014.jpg


Dry wood or "peg" toothed...
11072.jpg
 
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