OAUSA Net - March 9. 2017 - Cold Weather Camping

[cgkades]

Can you check me in, kz8bay

Thanks

[KK6DYO]

Staying warm while outdoors. One of my favorite topics!

I'm usually prepared for cold with the proper clothing and bedding, so I don't have any interesting stories, though have camped a number of times when the weather ended up 10 to 20 degrees F below what the weather forecast indicated.

Please check me in, though I have noticed that Keller has been down this week. Thanks.

Updated 3/9/2017: Please check me in for the net tonight. Thank you.

[toms]

Cooking
Nothing like a good hot hearty meal in the evening when you have been out in the cold all day. And you need plenty of hot coffee and hot chocolate at breakfast as well as all day long. Instruct your cook to keep a kettle of hot water going over the fire all day!

Plan your menu around such things as stews, soups, chowders, one pot meals. Dutch oven and pressure cookers are great for serving up hot steaming one pot meals that stay hot long enough for that second helping. Use non-metallic plates and cups (especially for coffee) to maintain food temp as long as possible.

There are 2 main options for your heat source for cooking – a camp fire (includes briquettes) or a camp stove.

In selecting a camp stove for cold weather camping, the main issue is what fuel works best for you – propane or white gas.

Propane has potential of “not flowing” well at cold temperatures. (Really what is happening is the liquid in the tank is not vaporizing fast enough at the cold temperature and not generating as much pressure.)
Some mitigation ideas are to use a larger tank, keep the tank topped up, and in the sun.

The other option is to use a white gas (or similar) stove. These stoves rely on you to pump up the pressure so they are not affected by the cold or altitude. Actually, they are affected but you just pump them up more to off-set it. The white gas stoves put out more BTU too.

I don’t recommend cooking inside the tent. However, a shelter of some sort can make cooking much more pleasant. This can range from a few tarps tied to the vehicles or trees to an easy-up with 2 or more side tarps. Since most cold weather camping is in the winter, we are dealing with short days and will likely be cooking after dark. A lantern is a great aid at such times.

[kevinhum55]

W6RIP

Check me in. Keller is down. Ill try to get in on Echolink.

Ill be sad if I cant get in on this one as this is right down my alley.
I have my bag packed for a night in the winter chill.

Kevin

Reason Keller Peak is down. Picture from the Keller Peak facebook page.

[DaveK]

Well, it looks like the "cold weather" did a number on us!!! The good news is that the drought is mostly over here in California. The bad news is that the snow fall was so heavy, in the mountains where our repeater is located, that it knocked out all power. The problem only got worse. There was so much snow that the roads were closed which are used by the power company to repair things. The final insult was that the snow was so heavy on our solar panels that it blocked out the light needed to help power the repeater. So, we are postponing this net to another date. Check back later to get more details

[DennisDawg]

184330_10150423996785643_6334391_n.jpg (8.43 KiB) Viewed 1111 times

I do not think Siera Designs makes tents with the same quality as they did in the past but both my old Alpha and Omega have done fine in the snow. With the Thermarest pad and Northface snowshoe, I have been warm and dry in all conditions.

May years ago I was up on Hunter Mountain and it got very very cold. I had a plan, to use a Zodi tent heater. They sit outside the tent, and blow warm air in via ducts. They run off propane canisters. So, it was really cold, down near 0, and I was in my tent, like 60 or 70, warm air blowing in! Wow it felt nice and I was laying on top of my bag, barely dressed living in luxury as I fell asleep.

3 AM I woke, very cold, the duct pointing right at my half naked self was blowing very cold air at me and I was cold, very cold. The Zodi had run out of propane.

So, what did I learn? To never reply on gadgets, like tent heaters and all that, because when they fail you will be screwed. Get a good bag and a good tent and wear your hat to bed. If you are still cold, you brought the wrong gear.

[kevinhum55]

Glad this topic is coming back this week.
Kevin
Early check in
W6RIP

My Backpacking cold weather gear.
Silk or synthetic thermal base layer. 2 sets. Keep a dry set in a small waterproof stuff sack to sleep in. I have and enjoyed both types of fabric.
Geertop 4 season tent. ($105).
Tent Footprint tarp ($20)
Klymit 20 degree down sleeping bag. ($160) Stuffed in waterproof stuff sack.($30)
Army gore-tex bivy ($76) (Great for also protecting from in tent condensation contacting your down bag.)
Klymit static v sleeping pad. ($55) (fits inside bivy so you don't slip off it)
All weather blanket to insulate from ground and reflect heat back up. ($20) (Packs small and light)
Jungle Blanket ($20) (Packs small and is very warm)

[Jeff-OAUSA]

Early Check In.

Thanks.

WD6USA - Jeff

[N7AJJ]

Hello Dave & crew, requesting early checkin please....thank you!

[lrsrngr]

KK6CTT for the on-line check-in please.