Winter Skills this weekend and a partial gear list

k_estela

k_estela

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Friday, I'm heading up to the WLC for a weekend of cold woodsbumming and camping. We'll be on the school property not far from the Canadian border. Over the weekend, I'm going to practice some winter skills and try out some knew ones in preparation for the February Winter Survival Course we're teaching. I know Jerry (Hayseedw45) is planning on working on his fire by friction. I'm going to work on some primitive camp cooking and camp crafts. I'll also be, weather permitting, doing some crafts with shovel and snow.

As far as my gear, I'll have at least the following.

Pack:
Kifaru Zulu with XL Pod and E&E Pouch
Kifaru Tailgunner for daytripping

Shelter:
Sil Poncho from Integral Designs
AMK Heat sheat as ground "cloth"
Thermarest XL ridge rest closed foam pad
Wiggy's Ultralight with Overbag doubled up

Light: You have to love long winter nights
Surefire G2 LED
Petzl Tikka

Clothing:
Mostly wool pants and sweater but I'll also have with me the DAS Parka from Patagonia and th Puff pants that are the Military M.A.R.S. overrun and on sale.

Food:
We're all bringing components and the menu is predetermined. I'll have my winter trail mix and some other goodies to munch on in between. 4000 calories a day and I still don't gain weight.
Klean Kanteen 18 oz in my Kifaru Tailgunner II
Guyot Std. in my pack

Tools:
Voile telescoping shovel
Bahco Laplander
WLC Fox River
Fehrman First Strike
Koster Bushcraft
GB Small Forest Axe

Misc.
Extra socks
Down Mittens
Foam stadium seat from Dick's
1/2" ferro rod and Corona sharpener for primary firestarting tool
Lots of paracord and 2mm cord
Contents of daypack

If you guys are interested in seeing a particular skill demonstrated in pictures or explained in a write up, let me know. I plan on showing some more basics and in 2009 will try to highlight essential skills overlooked.
 
Well, this is probably not a super useful comment...but still if it were me I would be taking binoculars as any time you get out in the winter there is always the chance for great astronomical viewing.

But I guess that's not particularly survival related, unless you are using the stars to navigate. Still you might get great views if that interests you!
 
I would like to see some indept photos and thoughts on the G2, they have been calling to me in my dreams, kinda weird now that I think of it. :D
 
Better have something to protect your lips.
I dont know what to say it, something like a colourless lipstick.
 
Hey Kev - Be safe and have fun. I'm interested to see how useful a shovel can really be while used in the wilderness. Aside from the obvious snow movement it would help with I'd love to see the other uses.
 
Have you tried an Exped Downmat 9 dlx? 26 inch wide, 3.5 inch thick cold killer. I use it with the same ridge rest and wiggys fortress and sleep like a baby.

For light, I like the candle lantern we're all familiar with, but use bees wax candles instead of the normal ones. The beeswax also has multiple uses, as you can well understand. These long-burning candles enable you tyo save you batteries, and will even add a little heat to a shelter.
 
I have a tutorial on Quincee construction that will appear on woodsmonkey soon. It is a step by step guide.

As for the sleeping pad, I have a dual core insulated Big Agnes that I use but I want to go lighter this time.

Don't worry, I have plenty of facial protection in wool scarves, neck gaiters, etc. As for the binoculars, I don't need them for celestial navigation. The G2 will have some pictures taken as well.

Any other requests?
 
Sure, how about food you're packing and how you are cooking it. Also, what will you be doing after camp is set up? Procuring more firewood? Woodsbumming? Tweaking the shelter? Maybe a rundown of what tasks you perform in winter that make camping more enjoyable in cold weather.
 
fujita yuji said:
Better have something to protect your lips.
I dont know what to say it, something like a colourless lipstick.
Click to expand...

The word you are looking for is "chap stick" or "lip balm". Just trying to help out, I know how hard it is for me when I try to speak or write in French.
 
k_estela said:
I have a tutorial on Quincee construction that will appear on woodsmonkey soon. It is a step by step guide.

As for the sleeping pad, I have a dual core insulated Big Agnes that I use but I want to go lighter this time.

Don't worry, I have plenty of facial protection in wool scarves, neck gaiters, etc. As for the binoculars, I don't need them for celestial navigation. The G2 will have some pictures taken as well.

Any other requests?
Click to expand...


Definitely not...I was just looking for an excuse to throw some astronomy into your trip!
 
Output is about 80 or 85 lumens. Much brighter in my opinon than the standard p60 lamp. What I like about it is the ruggedness as there is little chance of it breaking, the long lasting nature of the lamp, the cold weather resistance of the lithium CR123's, the comfort the flashlight's body gives in the hand (very filling) and its use as an impact weapon if need be (great for Panuntukan drills!)
 
Awsome Kev,
Its dropping to -37 here tonight and I'm heading out to run some more tests on my homemade "Walking Shelter" clothing. Mid to late Feb I'm going up North for a week in -55deg weather.... so I have to take advantage of these days when I can.

Gear looks good.... that heatsheet ground cloth is a great idea.... works well if you can create the space needed for reflection... like your thermarest XL or natural insulation in a pinch.

Let us know how it goes...

One thing I would like to see is "methods for heat a shelter"... from the "hot rocks" to "properly venting an inside heatsource"..... just a thought.
 
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