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  1. #1
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    George Crosby Manitou SP - a winter camping learning experience

    After years of wanting to get out and try winter camping, I finally got a chance this past weekend.

    First off, this was the gear I had along:
    - Warbonnet Blackbird XLC
    - WB Winter Cover
    - WB Wookie 20 degree UQ
    - WB Yeti 40 degree UQ (in reserve)
    - WB Diamondback 10 degree TQ

    Weather was supposed to be in the mid 20's on Saturday with a low in the late evening of 18-20 and then temps would rise by morning. 38-40 degrees for highs on Sunday and lows that night of 28. The area just had 16 inches of snow a week earlier and was cold all week, so I knew there would be plenty of snow.

    After receiving a foot of snow at home Friday and Friday night, I had to work just to get out of the driveway to make the 4+ hour drive to GCMSP. After snowplowing the driveway and luckily having the snowplow come by and clear the street, I was on the road by 7:30am.

    Arrived to the winter park lot just before noon and was packed up and snowshoes laced up by 12:15. I had 2 or 2.5 miles to get to the campsite, at #8 along the Manitou River. I was able to make pretty good time on the recently broken trails and got to camp around 1:40pm. I got my hammock area and paths to firepit, food bag tree, and latrine all packed down. Then started on the hammock and got that all setup before sundown, which comes at 4:15 this time of year.

    By the time I got done setting up, my feet were already feeling cold. So, I stripped down and jumped into the hammock to get them warm. By the time I got out of the hammock at 5pm, it was already 17 degrees at camp. I started a small twig fire and tried to get some larger pieces to burn, but the wood that was left in camp from the fall was very wet. So, I quit trying to keep a larger fire going and got started boiling more water for dinner. Dinner was was Peak Refuel Chicken Alfredo Pasta, which was pretty good.

    Then headed to the hammock and added my 40 degree Yeti bag under the Wookie since it was already down to 15 and still dropping. Decided to jump in to start reading Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage. Ended up reading until about 10pm since the book was so dang good.

    Woke up chilled at 3:30 and couldn't figure out why. It was only my upper back and shoulders. I finally realizing that my legs (without the added Yeti down) were toasty warm and that I had just gotten too far towards the head end of the hammock and was not over my Wookie anymore. Readjusted and instantly felt warm and went back to sleep until 8:30am.

    All night when I woke up to pee, the temps kept dropping (even though the forecast called for 25 degrees by 9am). Instead, I woke up to 10 degrees and the low overnight was 7 degrees. Put warmest socks on and got out to boil water and start another twig fire to heat my precooked sausage patties over the fire grate. Also had some Kodak oatmeal. Within an hour, my feet were already starting to get cold again and temps were still only 11 degrees by 9:30am.

    So, back to the hammock for another hour to thaw the feet. Decided to pull the plug on the trip since I wasn't going to be able to do anything with constant cold feet. Was packed up and on the trail again by 12:40 and got to the car by 2pm.

    Overall, it was a good trip, but definitely disappointed with my choice of boots. I was definitely surprised by the major temp differences at the bottom of that river canyon. It beautiful and will definitely try again in March when there is more light.

    Things I learned:
    - always wear the warmest boots you have, regardless of forecast. I'd rather have slightly less comfortable boots for snowshoeing than cold feet.
    - wear plenty of layers and go slow and don't sweat. I did a pretty good job of this and kept the sweat down.
    - my choice of vapor barrier for my feet was already poor. I had tried Target bags the week before with great success and was sold on the idea. I had extras to pack and used crappy grocery store bags which ended up tearing on the hike in. And of course I forgot to pack the other bags.
    - never did figure out how to not use stakes and need to practice that in the backyard. I was able to use stakes and got 3 of the 4 out of the ground.
    - bring a bigger pot next time. I brought a 2 liter aluminum pot thought it was a bit small for melting snow. Also used up 13-14 ounces of fuel in less than a full day, so would have been through my 20 ounces of fuel before the next morning at that rate. Maybe my 20+ year old MSR Simmerlite is not efficient anymore.
    - I should have left my camp chair as it's 2 pounds and I didn't use it once. Site #8 has very nice benches close to the fire pit.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    Senior Member
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    I want to start winter camping again. It seems more peaceful when it is cold, and the snow muffles everything.
    Starting again with hammocks, and slowly getting gear together. Thanks for the pictures.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Crazytown3's Avatar
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    That's a great AAR on that trip. Sounds like the hammock is dialed in, just need to tweak footwear and a couple things and you are good to go.

    I need to get out this winter. I had hip replacement surgery in August, and although I healed up super quick, I am still nervous about overdoing it in a winter camping environment.

    Your trip inspired me to get it figured out and get out there.

  4. #4
    Senior Member cmoulder's Avatar
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    I've also tried various plastic bags for VB socks and there's no replacement for something like the Rab or Black Diamond ones.

    Also, if you don't have down pants, they're just the ticket for really cold weather camps. I like Montbell TEC down pants with their full side zips... easy-on/easy-off without removing snowshoes, etc.
    Five Basic Principles of Going Lighter (not me... the great Cam Honan of OZ)
    “If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.” ~ Gen. George S Patton

  5. #5
    Senior Member OneClick's Avatar
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    I love my Rab VB socks.

    Always a funny sight when taking them off!


  6. #6
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    Thanks everyone. Anyone have comparisons between the Rab VB socks and Warmlite ones? Rab are out of stock, but the Warmlite ones are available for $4 more?

  7. #7
    all secure in sector 7 Shug's Avatar
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    Good site there in Crosby! At least always know the lot will be plowed.
    Winter camping is always a good learning experience.
    Shug
    Whooooo Buddy)))) All Secure in Sector Seven

  8. #8
    Senior Member cmoulder's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jmontagu13 View Post
    Thanks everyone. Anyone have comparisons between the Rab VB socks and Warmlite ones? Rab are out of stock, but the Warmlite ones are available for $4 more?
    I haven't used the Warmlite VB socks. Review here.
    Five Basic Principles of Going Lighter (not me... the great Cam Honan of OZ)
    “If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.” ~ Gen. George S Patton

  9. #9
    Senior Member OneClick's Avatar
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    I've only used the Rab. I like the thinner material, low profile, flat seams. That's important when jamming a bunch of junk into a boot around your foot. Ouch. You want winter boots slightly oversized for warmth anyway, but the Rab socks don't take up so much that you have to size up AGAIN. The material also slides in and out easily.

    It's personal preference, but I like to go barefoot>Rab>wool sock>boot. Lots of talk about people using a liner or dress sock under the VB. I tried that and it's just more to mess with, slippage, unnecessary. It might sound gross to have skin against that VB but it's not. It kind of "molds" around your skin and there's no sweat to "soak up" with a liner sock. You would think, but there isn't. VB is a weird thing in general; I'm a big fan.

    I bought a second pair of the Rab since I liked them so much. Just to future-proof things since noone really makes them. I have a TON of material at home so I think I will use theirs as a template and make my own just for fun.

  10. #10
    Senior Member cmoulder's Avatar
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    I also bought 2 pair of the Rabs for the same reason.

    I do like to wear a thin liner sock with them, however.
    Five Basic Principles of Going Lighter (not me... the great Cam Honan of OZ)
    “If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.” ~ Gen. George S Patton

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