Winter Plans and Shelter Ideas

**snidetripod** · 09-10-2014, 02:17

The cold winter months are upon us here in Alberta, Canada. Parts have received between two and twenty centimeters of snow throughout the last two days. Excited am I to say the least.
I really enjoy the winter months here in Canada, and I have since as long as I can remember. From winter campouts with my family, to actual mock training missions with CF Sartechs, the frigid months have been my playground.
This season I plan to build a backyard hanging grotto, complete with DIY propane tank wood stove, and canvas tarp with stove jack. I plan to bury my hammock stand in snow, then hollow out an area around it. The area will house my hammock, DIY propane tank wood stove, and maybe a television; it will also have all the amenities like heat, power, and a cold air shelf. I plan to wrap the whole shebang in a couple of painters drop cloths from The Home Depot, the least expensive source of canvas that I have found so far. Within the duck, I will fashion a stovejack from an old welding blanket, some mineral spirits, and silicone caulking as per Wawhiker's instructions.

I have positioned my stand so that I can bury it in the snow that falls in my backyard, and then excavate it, producing an area where I can hang my hammock and burn a stove safely whilst wrapped within a canvas cocoon. The walls will be formed of packed snow, which is an excellent insulator, and will house full power capabilities made up of an extension cord and some conduit.

Here you see the beginnings of my propane tank wood stove, of which I am looking forward to finishing in the next few weeks. I have also been busy procuring fire wood, harvested from my parents land outside the city. I hope to have two cords by winters cold grip.

I am extremely excited for the snow, if only it would stick around this early. Alas, there is some good news. The frost has come with the cooler temperatures, and the mosquitoes have died. The little blighters have been a real nuisance this summer, and I am really looking forward to my two thousand fourteen - two thousand fifteen hanging occasion to commence.
Stay tuned for pictorial updates and video status.

**MAD777** · 09-10-2014, 05:15

Wow! You are ready for winter!

**Nodust** · 09-10-2014, 06:02

That's looks cool.

**sr1355** · 09-10-2014, 06:06

Bring on the SNOW!!!! Funny come Feb I'll be ready for some warm weather...

**oldgringo** · 09-10-2014, 07:16

We were taught not to raise the temperature in a snow shelter above freezing; the explanation given was that melting/refreezing/glazing would occur, negating the insulative value of the snow.

I'm curious what purpose will be served by covering a snow shelter with canvas.

**Bstomper** · 09-10-2014, 07:19

Thats awsome can't wait to see this come together. Im with you on the canadian winters.......I love them. But that feeling goes away after about 5 months into it. The anticipation for snow to cover your stand is going to kill you. Good luck from a fellow canadian

**Ratdog** · 09-10-2014, 08:28

I feel you.

Winter is coming...

I'm upgrading for this winter, adding electricity and using a heavier duty sun shade instead of a tarp. Will drop some canvas walls as well. Have a wood stove but not sure if I will use it.

**Firesong** · 09-10-2014, 08:35

I'm coming to visit

**snidetripod** · 09-10-2014, 09:21

Old Gringo, the canvas will serve as my roof. Only the walls of the shelter will be made from snow. I decided it would be a cheaper build than trying to construct a full hot tent. I imagine my plans will change somewhat when mother nature doesn't answer my prayers for ten feet of snow.

**OutandBack** · 09-10-2014, 09:32

This sounds like a fun project.
I hope you will take picts and share the adventure as it develops.
I would really like to read about you progress and lessons learn thru the winter.

Woodstove in the backyard, a little hot chocolate with the snow coming down is wonderful.