Winter Camping Video Series

RonSC said:
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
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Sorry to hear you can't get out much. But I can tell you have been out. Some very good pointers.
BearKinder said:
Great video!

How do you like that saw vs a Dustrude type packable saw?
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I have never used a Dustrude saw. I had to look it up. It looks very serviceable. I have used a Sven saw for many years. I am swaying towards the Trailblazer so far..
Rick Marchand said:
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.
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Thanks for chiming in Rick. That is a great question. I do not have the answer. I had a pull saw that had a dry wood tooth pattern. But it was a little heavy for my tastes.
 
Great video! I have a Trailblazer that I bought from Lee Valley, and love it. I'd love to see that Wetterlings in action!
 
IMO if you have snow you should add a Machete to the list of Winter tools. I spent most of the day outside and used my Machetes quite a bit. They let you cut ice/snow blocks quickly for moving snow or making shelters. Plus you can use them to cut wood if need be. I started a thread about it, if you'd like to know more, check it out.
 
When I am with a group of people in the winter I prefer to build a long fire. For me, it is a versatile, multi-purpose fire lay. Not only can you warm several people at once, but it makes for a great cooking platform. Hot fluids and food are both important in a cold weather environment. Need to keep the furnace in your body fueled. Here is the vid.

[YOUTUBE]xrUigPJAOJE[/YOUTUBE]

This shows the 4'-5' logs used to contain the bulk of the fire. The arrow on the ground shows the wind direction.

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There is a piece of bark in between the base logs to keep the shavings off of the ground. The split prep is also off of the ground due to frost and snow. Your fire should be totally prepped before ever striking a match.

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The ends of the logs can be flattened. This makes it easier to cook and melt snow.

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When starting the fire use the wind to your advantage.

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The completed long fire with water on for tea.

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Excellent video IA and I love demo's that show different fire lays. Much nicer than looking at Mor's little black and white drawings!

So, on this one you indicate placing the wood parallel to the wind. The only question that comes to mind is if you are using a long fire with shelter (e.g. a tarp), wouldn't this force you to build your tarp also parallel to the wind and hence lose the break aspect of the tarp?

I see the point though about how you are using the wind in this case without a shelter to help start the logs a flame and also produce a smokeless fire. An advantage rarely had in fire + shelter combos.
 
I don't know about you KGD but I always build my shelters parallel to the wind, otherwise you will eat smoke all night.

Great vid Ia! Look forward to the next.
 
skab8541 said:
otherwise you will eat smoke all night.
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Well thats what usually happens when I'm around fire ;) Are smoke and warmth disharmonious attributes then in a tarp/fire combo? Thanks, just trying to learn something....
 
Good video. I prefer to winter camp. Haven't done it much lately (got married). Sleeping bags can make a huge difference. I've camped out down to 6 F below without a fire and without a real tent (tarp stretched on ground and between trees to block wind) without discomfort (if you call sleeping in a mummy style bag comfortable). Sure didn't look forward to getting out of the sleeping bag the next morning though! ;-)
 
Been watching some vids on your You tube channel. Really good common sense stuff and down to earth ; I like it a lot. :thumbup: to the Canadian Jam knot :)
 
you'll want to have your tarp pretty close to parallel to your fire and the wind, you'll want to block off the one end either w/ the end of your tarp (or tree, or log wall, etc)

a short wall behind the fire will go a long way in reflecting more heat back into your shelter as well
 
kgd said:
Excellent video IA and I love demo's that show different fire lays. Much nicer than looking at Mor's little black and white drawings!

So, on this one you indicate placing the wood parallel to the wind. The only question that comes to mind is if you are using a long fire with shelter (e.g. a tarp), wouldn't this force you to build your tarp also parallel to the wind and hence lose the break aspect of the tarp?

I see the point though about how you are using the wind in this case without a shelter to help start the logs a flame and also produce a smokeless fire. An advantage rarely had in fire + shelter combos.
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KGD, having your shelter built parallel to the wind is the best way to go. If the opening to you shelter is facing the wind you eat a lot of smoke. If the opening is opposite the wind direction then an eddy is formed. The eddy rolls the smoke right into your shelter. Either option sucks. Last week I was out and the wind changed directions. My gear smells like jerky!!
hiwa said:
Been watching some vids on your You tube channel. Really good common sense stuff and down to earth ; I like it a lot. :thumbup: to the Canadian Jam knot :)
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Glad you like it.
 
Hey IA,

How many 5' logs do you think you would use for heating a sleeping area at night and how long would they burn?

Thanks,

Geoff
 
g123 said:
Hey IA,

How many 5' logs do you think you would use for heating a sleeping area at night and how long would they burn?

Thanks,

Geoff
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This is a big guess, lots of factors. 10-12 logs should last 6-7 hours. Once again big guess. I depends on the type of wood, moisture content, and weather conditions.
 
Thanks for the vids IA. Fire is at the top of list for winter camping. Having the proper tools for gathering fuel is very important.
Scott
 
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