Canoe with a View : : Canadian Open Canoe forum

ok guys
anyone got any good ways of pitching a tent on snow?
usually i would use a camp bed in these conditions if i was carrying things in the canoe,
to keep me off the ground,

but if i was to carry everything in a rucksack, the bed would be too heavy/bulky
i was thinking that just a thermarest would be too cold...

any ideas... ?

Hi Keith I have pitched my tent on icy ground/snow in both the lakes and in Snowdonia, both times I have used my Thermarest no probs, even when playing / practising ice axe arrests on a frozen stream (ended up with loads of bruises but hey it was fun and I was young).

So I can recommend a Thermarest and a nice warm sleeping bag.

Cheers
Tim

Hi, BB.

You planning for the 'Frostbite' ..... ?

Biff

(03-01-10 04:57 PM)Tim Wrote: [ -> ]Hi Keith I have pitched my tent on icy ground/snow in both the lakes and in Snowdonia, both times I have used my Thermarest no probs,
So I can recommend a Thermarest and a nice warm sleeping bag.
Cheers
Tim

nice one mate,
i might just give it a go...

(03-01-10 05:28 PM)Biff Wrote: [ -> ]Hi, BB.
You planning for the 'Frostbite' ..... ?
Biff

Hiya Biff,
no mate, im just thinking of going camping/backpacking
ive not got any transport anymore, so i will have to carry everything in a rucksack,(so no canoe)
also, im thinking of taking up cycling again when it gets a bit warmer...

i will only be able to go canoeing when i can get a lift in future...

Now's the time to practice, plenty of snow about

Another option would be to dig a snow hole first and then pitch, protection from the elements and warmer

Keith what tent will you be using and which snow bound wilderness will you be using it?

Cheers
Tim

Hi keith, Really deep snow, as Graeme suggests dig a snow hole, compact snow left, but better still Hammock.
Regards Bill

(07-01-10 06:38 AM)Tim Wrote: [ -> ]Keith what tent will you be using and which snow bound wilderness will you be using it?

Cheers
Tim

hi Tim
im not sure which tent, i was thinking maybe my 1 man backpacking tent, single skin job...

(07-01-10 07:30 AM)Canalvoyageur Wrote: [ -> ]Hi keith, Really deep snow, as Graeme suggests dig a snow hole, compact snow left, but better still Hammock.
Regards Bill

would love to hammock Bill, but im still waiting for my cocoon...

snow hole...
how about this?

[evid]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8cd8EQYKTo[/evid]

Hi Keith, regarding the Cocoon is the group buy still on then ? Tell you what mate would be good to try out down in Froghall wood especially now as the Temperature is well low now, Trouble is mate the Canal is frozen now though.
Talking of Canals and Canoeing and your lack of transport which has been my situation for a few years now, brings me to say can you not do the same as me and moor your canoe on the canal,that is similar to mine at a Farm on the canal side. The thing is once on the Canal you can go almost anywhere given the time.
Anyway I do hope you can sought something out soon mate as was looking forward to you Graeme and Grizz for another session in Froghall Wood and at Meadowford lock.
In the meantime take care mate, give my love to smiler, Warmest Regards Bill.

(07-01-10 12:35 PM)Canalvoyageur Wrote: [ -> ]Hi Keith, regarding the Cocoon is the group buy still on then ? Tell you what mate would be good to try out down in Froghall wood especially now as the Temperature is well low now, Trouble is mate the Canal is frozen now though.
Talking of Canals and Canoeing and your lack of transport which has been my situation for a few years now, brings me to say can you not do the same as me and moor your canoe on the canal,that is similar to mine at a Farm on the canal side. The thing is once on the Canal you can go almost anywhere given the time.
Anyway I do hope you can sought something out soon mate as was looking forward to you Graeme and Grizz for another session in Froghall Wood and at Meadowford lock.
In the meantime take care mate, give my love to smiler, Warmest Regards Bill.

hi Bill
yes the group buy for the cocoons is on...
they were ordered before xmas, but not heard anything yet ...
i would love to do a hammock again in the woods, it was great fun...

nowhere to moor my canoe near me im afraid,
maybe i can think up somewhere thats just a bus ride away???
shame i dont live near you.

see you soon mate

Hi Keith, I asked about the tent 'cause if you intend to camp out in the snow the tent needs to be able to shed snow. For instance a tent with a flat roof can accumulate enough snow for it to collapse :( not good when in the wilds, but in a tent with a "peak" (4 season) the snow should shed away. Also poles, high grade Alu ones are a damn site better than fibre glass as fibreglass poles get brittle in cold temperature and mix that with a strong gust of wind "SNAPPY SNAP SNAP".

I have always maintained that a good tent is paramount when camping especially in the wilds and in bad weather, cheap sleeping bags can keep you warm in a nice tent, a top of the range sleeping bag will be useless when you are wrapped up in the soggy remains of the destroyed catalogue cheapy tent.

Mand and I slept in our newly purchased Jack Wolfskin Starlight tent one Easter, a single hooped tent with a mesh inner.....Never again worst nights camping ever, the tent although put together well was totally out it's depth.

Not trying to implying that your tents are crap Keith just trying to get my point forward.

hope this helps
cheers
Tim

hey Tim
no offence taken mate
glad for your input

the tent i was going to use is a Vango ultralight backpacking tent, but im not sure it would be up to it,
i was thinking of just using my tarp, or the snow hole and bivvy bag but im not sure im brave enough

Don't half look light, how heavy/light is it Keith?
I think your right in thinking that it isn't up to four season camping.

My criteria for a mountain 3-4 season tent is;-
at least a semi geodesic tent (near enough self supporting) my Wild country Trisar + is a three pole semi Geodesic it is only the porch that needs pegging out so while it still needs pegging out the position of the pegs is not so crucial for the correct tension in the tent. the crossed poles help the tent to maintain its shape in a side wind.
A "dome" profile so to shed snow/rain etc.
Room enough inside to sit up, somewhere to cook in foul weather.
A fly sheet this is a must in this country for cold weather as condensation can be a real pain in a single skin.
I know that some mountain tents are single skin and made of gore tex but these are for high altitude where these tents work.
Yeah I know, I am waffleing on but I get often get carried away when talking about tents.
just one more thing to discuss..
Is camping loitering within tent?

Cheers
Tim

(07-01-10 05:38 PM)Tim Wrote: [ -> ]just one more thing to discuss..
Is camping loitering within tent?

Cheers
Tim

your surely a mad man

the Vango weighs 1KG

i was thinking of using my ohvee maybe, the one i used in Norfolk last year



i could also put my tarp up over it...

i do have a Vango tunnel tent but i think its too heavy to carry?

There I go harping on about my preference and my tents forgot to mention that I carried the tent for two, so we shared the weight of gear.
So the weight wasn't so much of an issue, it's a stand off I suppose weight verses performance and comfort.
Is the Vango stable in winds? if so a bivi bag would counter the condensation problem, maybe a trekking pole on the door to make a makeshift porch/cooking area.
Enjoy yer campin Keith
Cheers
Tim