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woodsy
12-23-2007, 10:04
Tis the season to brush up on those winter skills if you are so inclined to venture out into the winterwonderland.
Found some good reading/stories here (http://www.hikercentral.com/survival/) from some of those who venture out and share some experiences and skills related to survivial in winter and wilderness.
I liked the story by Chris (http://www.geocities.com/survivalstory/)
whose woodburning backpacking stove may have saved his life. Anyone use one of these? (http://www.trailstove.com/)
Anyhow, comments and discussions on what you read at the link are welcome.
Thanks
woodsy

JAK
12-23-2007, 11:22
The story by Chris seemed like a cheap fabrication to sell a wood stove.
Personally I prefer cheap fabrications intended for selling wool sweaters. :D

JAK
12-23-2007, 11:24
I knew a guy that broke both legs, and survived. He had a Kelly Kettle. :D

Just Jeff
12-23-2007, 11:29
I've never broken my legs while hiking...because I've always had my trusty hammock with me. Y'all should get hammocks and see if it works for you, too!

That's a useful page woodsy posted, though - diagrams for snow trenches and such. Good skills to know for winter in the mountains.

JAK
12-23-2007, 11:32
Yes, some interesting links.
Never thought or heard of suspending a fire with wire before.
http://www.adirondacks.com/wintercamping.html

sparky2000
12-23-2007, 11:43
I've used that wood burner and learned the hard way that one needs to know about little fires and little fire wood. Left it half way through the smookeys as a give away. Now, with experience, I hack up a can for a wood burner. The can is lighter and uses less volume in one's pack. I like a candle for the fire starter. Peck a hole in the bottom of the can for the candle flame - but always use the can on top of rocks assorted for safety and wind protection. I pull the candle away from the bottom after the fire is going (tea candle).

Just Jeff
12-23-2007, 11:44
AF survival instructors have to make a fire IN a river during training, using only what they carry or can reach from where they're standing. Craziness. Same deal, though - floating platform, always have emergency firestarters on your body, etc.

sasquatch2014
12-23-2007, 12:17
Same deal, though - floating platform, always have emergency firestarters on your body, etc.

I saw in a movie that Ear Wax can be used as an emergency candle. Oh wait that was Shrek and it was a cartoon. Don't know might still work should send it to the Myth Busters.:D

Just Jeff
12-23-2007, 12:19
Better start saving your Qtips!

woodsy
12-23-2007, 13:05
The story by Chris seemed like a cheap fabrication to sell a wood stove.
:D
Could be? I wondered that also. Could also be true that just having the ability to make fire in a similar situation could make the difference between life and ......
I guess my idea behind this thread was to make aware the different survival options available. Snow caves are good and snow temps run in the 25-30 deg. range usually. Once you are in one for a short time you would be amazed at how cozy they can be, warmer than a tent in 0 deg. temps.


I've used that wood burner and learned the hard way that one needs to know about little fires and little fire wood. Left it half way through the smookeys as a give away. Now, with experience, I hack up a can for a wood burner. The can is lighter and uses less volume in one's pack. I like a candle for the fire starter. Peck a hole in the bottom of the can for the candle flame - but always use the can on top of rocks assorted for safety and wind protection. I pull the candle away from the bottom after the fire is going (tea candle).
So, what kind of can do you use? I met a guy on the AT who uses a larger type(gal.) coffee can with holes punched around the bottom. The size of the can suggests easier and larger kindling and larger fire great for winter use.

JAK
12-23-2007, 13:31
I've made the mistake of trying to make my hobbo stoves too small. They don't have to be huge, but they shouldn't be too small either. I think some ceramic insulation might allow you to make them smaller, but for winter I would go larger and not worry about insulation except on the bottom, and maybe the far side also.

I would say a quart to a 1/2 gallon to a full gallon size for winter.
I would say no less than a pint sized for rest of year.
I like the quart size because you might make it fit a standand bottle holder.

Dimensions of Paint Cans:
1.0 Gallon = W: 6. 5/8" H: 7 1/2"
0.5 Gallon = W: 5 1/2" H: 5 7/8"
1.0 Quart = W: 4.25" H: 4 5/8
1.0 Pint = W: 3.4375 H: 4"

Information Source:
http://www.yankeecontainers.com/PHP/site_menu.php?madeof=tin&type=can&astyle=paint

Then there are these things:
http://www.yankeecontainers.com/PHP/site_menu.php?madeof=tin&type=can&astyle=slip

Tipi Walter
12-23-2007, 13:38
Check out this:

www.wemjournal.org/wmsonline/?request=get-document&issn=1080-6032&volume=14&issue=04&page=0284 (http://www.wemjournal.org/wmsonline/?request=get-document&issn=1080-6032&volume=14&issue=04&page=0284)

It describes Robert Scott's last South Pole adventure, interesting reading when talking about winter backpacking skills, etc.

JAK
12-23-2007, 13:42
Very interesting about the effect of extreme cold on sled runner friction.

jzakhar
12-23-2007, 13:56
AF survival instructors have to make a fire IN a river during training, using only what they carry or can reach from where they're standing. Craziness. Same deal, though - floating platform, always have emergency firestarters on your body, etc.

Damn lol that is pretty hardcore.

I have always been able to start a fire in just about any situtation. Sometimes it can take awhile in the pouring rain when all the wood on teh ground is soaked. Good old birchbark usually gets you past wet wood.

But on a floating platform in the water? I might have to say uncle on that one. I dont think id be able to pull it off w/o seeing it done a few times first.

rafe
12-23-2007, 14:11
Back in the bad old days the Cuyahoga (sp?) River used to burn all on its own. ;)

JAK
12-23-2007, 14:12
Those were the good old days.
Back in the 1970s before all those crazy environmentalists ruined for us. :)

Lellers
12-23-2007, 14:14
When I started solo hiking as a teenager, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, I only knew about hobo stoves. That's all I ever used before I became a gear hog and started buying gadgets like crazy. Every now and then, I go back to my roots. I like to use what I call a "big tomato can", like the kind you get crushed tomatoes in for making Italian "gravy". It's easy enough, and I like to play with fire.

Tin Man
12-23-2007, 14:20
Those were the good old days.
Back in the 1970s before all those crazy environmentalists ruined for us. :)

Crazy environmentalists still ruin things around here. We cannot build new highways because the roadway may require a small area of wetlands to be filled in. I guess the environmentalists prefer the extra emissions created by bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Terry7
12-23-2007, 14:24
I have been reserching Wood gas stoves. Its where the stove is made like a Pepsi can stove but the jet holes are on the inside rim so the wood gas is burned twice. Its suposed to be better than a zip stove because it burns clean with no soot on your cooking pots. I am going to try making one after new years.

woodsy
12-23-2007, 14:33
Check out this:

www.wemjournal.org/wmsonline/?request=get-document&issn=1080-6032&volume=14&issue=04&page=0284 (http://www.wemjournal.org/wmsonline/?request=get-document&issn=1080-6032&volume=14&issue=04&page=0284)

It describes Robert Scott's last South Pole adventure, interesting reading when talking about winter backpacking skills, etc.

I think the problem ? with me is I've read too many of those early exploration books, and too many high mountain adventures , hence my fascination with extreme climate and terrain.
Although i haven't been on the world stage of hiking and exploring, I can get into plenty of ordeals locally if not carefully prepared this time of year.

ed bell
12-23-2007, 14:47
I think the problem ? with me is I've read too many of those early exploration books, and too many high mountain adventures , hence my fascination with extreme climate and terrain.
Although i haven't been on the world stage of hiking and exploring, I can get into plenty of ordeals locally if not carefully prepared this time of year.woodsy, ever read about any of Mike Horn's exploits? Around the globe at or above the Arctic Circle, or his recent North Pole trek in winter:http://www.mikehornnorthpole.com/
I love the stories about extreme conditions.

woodsy
12-23-2007, 15:10
woodsy, ever read about any of Mike Horn's exploits? Around the globe at or above the Arctic Circle, or his recent North Pole trek in winter:http://www.mikehornnorthpole.com/
I love the stories about extreme conditions.
Have not read about Mike Horn's trips, thanks for the link, looks like good reading.;)

Marta
12-23-2007, 16:36
Check out this:

www.wemjournal.org/wmsonline/?request=get-document&issn=1080-6032&volume=14&issue=04&page=0284 (http://www.wemjournal.org/wmsonline/?request=get-document&issn=1080-6032&volume=14&issue=04&page=0284)

It describes Robert Scott's last South Pole adventure, interesting reading when talking about winter backpacking skills, etc.

Thanks for the link. I'll have to read that one.

I really liked:

http://www.amazon.com/Worst-Journey-World-Apsley-Cherry-Garrard/dp/B0009PP2IQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198442053&sr=8-1

It's good for a shiver on a hot summer day.