Winter Tents: A Post for Heartland Mushers Association

I promised to post about winter camping for a Heartland Mushers Association a few weeks ago but as usual it is taking me a while to get around to it.  My first post I will talk about tents in very general terms.

First you should have a frame of reference to my background to see if I’m full of BS or even looking at this the same angle you would be.  I’ve been mushing for about 20 years, very recreationally, I’ve never had more than 3 dogs.  My longest dogsled trip was about ten years ago when I did an Outward Bound Veteran’s trip in the Boundry Waters for a week.  The post on my Blog is not from that trip but a mountaineering trip I did with Outward Bound Veterans.  Where my main camping experience comes from is backcountry winter camping and a little bit of mountaineering, I also worked for an outdoor retailer for 11 years selling gear. 

When I talk about a winter tent I usually look for something that is multi-purpose.  Meaning not just to pull out of my car but one I can carry on my back or in a sled bag, that usually leads to a mountaineering tent.  Any tent I use will have a full coverage rain fly and a separate tent body.  This system allows for the exchange of moisture, in theory the water vapor passes through the tent body and condenses on the fly and then runs down to the outside of the tent, keeping you dry.  In the winter the water vapor hits the tent fly and freezes then if you spend much time in your tent, thaws and drips on you.  For reference you breath out about a pint or one pound of water a night.  

There are several things that make a mountaineering tent different from a standard backpacking tent one of which they are heavier.  The rain fly is also different, it will usually go within 3-4 inches of the ground allowing for less air flow and more heat retention.  A mountaineering tent will also have less mesh fabric, most modern backpacking tents the interior top of the tent is all mesh, which is great for ventilation but sucks for heat retention.  A mountaineering tent will have uncoated fabric instead of mesh, both of the mountaineering tents I have there is a fabric panel that zips in to cover any mesh. A mountaineering tent is usually lower in height, again for heat retention, and the ability to with stand high winds and snow loads they also have more pole crossings for greater strength.  The price is also a huge difference, to say a mountaineering tent is expensive is an understatement but properly taken care of they can last more than 20 years. 

There are also winter tents that are more along the lines of a hunting tent to be set up at a base camp.  These generally are much bigger and roomier but are harder to heat.  Most of these are designed for a Yukon style wood burning stove.  If you’ve ever stayed in one of these with the stove going it is amazing, if you don’t have much experience with them at some point you’ll have all the doors open, no matter how cold it is outside, because it will feel like the Bahamas in July inside the tent.  These tents are not freestanding or very strong in high winds.  Due to their large space they generally need an external heating source to keep them warm.  Because of this need for an external heating source they are not made from nylon.  Nylon melts don’t use any type of external heating source in a nylon tent.  Unless you have a large sled with a big team they are usually confined to the car camping scene.  They also lack a fly so the heating source is important to drive out the moisture, they become a frozen block that is impossible to get to its original size if you don’t have something to dry them out. 

We always slept with dogs in our tents but learned the hard way of things we had to do.  Most important was when camping on snow to put something below them.  A northern breed dog will melt the snow under your tent creating a void, then their claws will puncture the floor of your tent.  We bought a cheap closed cell foam mat at Walmart and cut it to fit the area where our dogs slept.  This was only after we repaired the holes in the floor of our very expensive mountaineering tent with Seam Grip.

When looking to buy I like Sierra Trading Post, their gear is last year's model but who cares, it is usually way cheaper than any place else.  Cabela’s/Bass Pro have great hunting tents and all the accessories plus they carry a few backpacking style tents.  The sales people are generally friendly and knowledgeable they also won't give you the head tilt questioning look when you say you are a musher.  REI has many good backpacking and mountaineering tents, though they probably won’t even know what a musher is and will probably try to push a REI brand product off on you.  If you buy from a Walmart style store you will get what you pay for, at some point you’ll have a blue tarp over the tent because it leaks and it won’t last half as long as a tent that cost twice as much. 

Please feel free to comment or give your opinion, we all have different points of views and experiences.  I am constantly learning.  

Veteran’s Outward Bound Mountaineering, September, 2013

Introduction

For a while now I've thought about posting journal entries from some of our trips.  These next few entries will be from my Veteran’s Outward Bound mountaineering trip to Oregon this past September.  These will be posted in sequence like they happened.  Try not to be too critical I’m not that great of a writer.  I hope you enjoy.

Veteran's Outward Bound, Day One

September 23^rd, 2013

This will be the longest of my journal entries.  The first day of an Outward Bound trip is very long and packed full from sunrise to well after sunset.  Both of the trips I've been on have started the same, dealing with the mass of humanity that airports bring to ending the day sleeping in the backcountry.

Nothing like an “alpine start” to a mountaineering trip, I was up at 0330 for a buddy to pick me up and drive me to the airport for my early morning flight.  He dropped me off at the terminal about an hour before my flight and with my early departure I moved through security quickly and easily.  With time to spare before my flight the waiting game and people watching is about to begin.

            I started to reread Ed Viesters Will to Climb on the flight.  I find this book very enjoyable and inspirational.  Ed has made some amazing accomplishments while balancing it with his family life.  It really helps to read about how someone as accomplished as he is in the world of mountaineering still struggles with the guilt of leaving his family to do adventures.

            Even though these Outward Bound Veterans trips are very important to me I still feel guilty leaving Amy to take care of things while I’m gone.  Over the past 20 years between the military and adventures she’s had to take care of the home front over and over again, she’s pretty amazing.  McKinley hasn't made this one any easier on me, when we put her to bed last night she was crying.  While I was in Detroit I called Amy, I guess McKinley was crying on the way to school.  I’m sure she’ll pay me back someday when I’m taking her to the airport to head out on adventures of her own.  Elias is sick with a seal bark cough. Boy this doesn't get any easier on my guilt; I've dumped a lot on Amy for this week.  While in Bend I did get to Facetime with McKinley, which I think did make both of us feel better.

            The flights were pretty good other than the kid in his twenties I had to sit by on the flight from Portland to Bend.  It is amazing how some people don’t realize if you’re going to be in the close confines of an aircraft you need to shower!  Pepe le Pew would have been better to sit by.

            Once on the ground in the Bend terminal it is pretty obvious who all is in our group.  Tony our coordinator, who I've spoken to on the phone, is carrying a clipboard and wearing an Outward Bound sweatshirt.  All the other guys standing around with short hair and military bearing are obviously on our trip.  Even Sammi, the lone female, stands out; her military bearing is unlike the college students milling about.  John, an amputee (right arm below the elbow), and Scott were roommates overseas but didn’t know each other were on the trip and hadn't seen each other since the day John was hit.  Tony (different from our coordinator) and Fred deployed together but the rest of us don’t know each other, yet.

            After quick introductions we loaded the van make a stop at a grocery store for any last minute needed items and we were off for the Three Sisters Wilderness area.  One thing is for sure I don’t care what branch of the service you were in get a bunch of military guys in a van and everyone quickly makes friends.  It was about an hour and a half drive to the trailhead with another stop at a coffee shop of course.

            At the trailhead we met our guides Drew and Justin both really nice guys.  Justin wears an Emler Fudd hat and is really down to earth and laid back.  Drew is “Joe Cool”, but without any type of attitude.  We quickly move right into the shake down of our gear and packing.  On these Veteran’s trips you’re treated very much like adults.  During OB’s regular trips they dictate what you can and can’t bring, they have to.  On our trip most everything is a suggestion and we make the final decision.  After packing the gear we will be taking with us and dinner we load the remaining gear and the shelter we are under for Tony to take it back to OB’s base camp.  As it starts to cold rain we turn in to our tents for the night.  I am sharing a tent with Sammi, a USN nurse and Mark, a USMC Reserve Command Sergeant Major.  Both I will come to find out are really great people and excellent tent mates.

Veteran's Outward Bound, Day Two

September 24^th, 2013

This morning we woke up to cold rain which made packing up and breaking camp pretty miserable.  Shortly after breakfast we hit trail for about a 5 mile hike to our first destination.  The trail turned upward and as we gained altitude the rain turned to snow, which I was happy for.    Justin and Drew kept the pace slow so that everyone would stay together and to gauge fitness levels.  The pace made for a good way to wake the body up from the previous long day of travel.

Our camp is in a little valley, the low cloud ceiling is hiding the mountains from our view.  With it being late September in the mountains most of us are not used to the cold, it has been below freezing most of the day.  My nice and warm down sleeping bag is calling my name.

Veteran's Outward Bound Mountaineering, Day Three

September 25^th, 2013

This morning we woke up with about a 1” of snow on the ground and clear skies.  Today is to be our climbing skills day and then travel to our camp for our shot at summiting Mt. Broken Top. 

We got started a little late on climbing training to let the rock warm up.  We hiked a short distance to a small crag and practiced traveling by fixed rope, which I had never done before, and vertical climbing.  The vertical climbing was probably only 5.8 or so but with numb hands it made for a tough time.  John did really well with his artificial hand, I know he wanted to do better but I thought he did well.  I think the climbing would have been more fun if it wasn't just so cold out.  It’s hard to enjoy rock climbing when you can’t feel your hands.

           We got back to camp about 2 hours later than we planned but we still had plenty of daylight to make it to our next destination.  The hiking was a lot of up and down but I felt really good.  Our camp is by a small pond under our objective for tomorrow, the summit of Mt. Broken Top and views of the Three Sisters (a group of three mountains).  We have to break ice to get water but it’s not too bad.

          Everyone in our group seems to be working together, helping out and getting along.  This is turning out to be an enjoyable group of veterans.  It has been some long cold days but at least I’m sleeping well.

Veteran's Outward Bound Mountaineering, Day Four

September 26^th, 2013

         

Today was going to be our summit day but Mother Nature had other plans.  When started on our slow slog up the mountain we had clear skies but that quickly changed.  The clouds closed in around us and the temps began to drop.  As we slogged along the snow fields gaining altitude toward the technical section it became quite apparent that the summit wasn't going to happen for us.

            We stopped for lunch just below the technical portion and about 1,000 feet below the summit to discuss our options.  We all knew what the only real option was so we turned around and headed back down to camp.

            Everyone kept up good spirits on the ascent and descent.  I think that is due to the general good attitude of this group and the amazing views we would see in the breaks in the clouds. I honestly can’t say that anyone lagged behind or had any real problems.

            After the failed attempt we had an Outward Bound tradition of quality alone time.  On other trips like my dog sledding trip it was a night solo, but on this trip it was an hour by ourselves.  I chose a spot over looking the small pond and the valley.  I had a great view of the North Sister with an Everest like plume blowing off her summit.

Veteran's Outward Bound Mountaineering, Day Six

September 28^th, 2013

I didn't write yesterday due to the weather.  It was shitty.  We had stayed at the same camp after our failed attempt on Broken Top.  When we got up in the morning it was cold and clear.  After several days on the trail pack up was smooth and quick as we are all getting it pretty good at it.

The trail was nice and easy with some good views of the Three Sisters and plenty of good conversation.  We stopped for lunch at Green Lakes and the wind started to pick up.  We had found out the previous evening that Sammi had two career choices, one Navy Nurse, the other was an opera singer!  So through lots of prodding we got her to sing for us during lunch.  There is nothing like a punch military guys with five days of trail smell on them being serenaded while sitting on the edge of a mountain lake eating lunch.

After lunch we dropped down towards the trailhead and it started to rain.  It rained the rest of the evening and into the next morning.  Our tent was on its last leg and leaked.  I had to cut open a large plastic bag we had been given to waterproof our gear and tape it to the outside of the tent.  I’m glad I made the decision to bring my own down sleeping bag, which is covered with Gore Dry Loft (a waterproof fabric that was made for sleeping bags).  We built a fire and everyone stood around it for the usual evening talking.  I had no real desire to do that since my 20 year old Marmot jacket was now soaked through and not giving me much water protection.  Jake, a former Marine and now a cop, slept under our dinning tarp which ripped with the weight of water on it and soaked him in his sleeping bag.  Most of use had little sleep that night.

Veteran's Outward Bound Mountaineering, Day Seven

September 29^th

            The trip home has begun.  Yesterday morning, with it still raining, Tony the Vet coordinator picked us up at the trailhead and brought coffee and doughnuts.  I think all of us appreciated it as we were all soaked to the bone.

            Once we got out of the field and back to OB basecamp we quickly de-issued our gear and were treated to an excellent lunch and closing activities.  The presentation of our pins, an Outward Bound tradition, was done around a table; we each said something nice about the person we presented the pin to.  We were presented our Outward Bound Veteran’s patch and Northwest Outward Bound t-shirt over looking the river that was next to basecamp.

            The day ended with goodbyes to Justin and Drew at a local pub and then a shuttle to the hotel.  Mark, Sammi, Brock, Scott and I had dinner at a place called the Timbers.  It was nice to end the trip having dinner with a group of us.  They are great people and truly enjoyable to spend time with in the mountains.  Though on the flight home my gut and bowels were telling me that the Timbers was not that great of food.

          I am ready to get back home to my family after such a great trip.  Seeing my family at the airport will be a welcome sight.

Veteran's Outward Bound Mountaineering, Final Thoughts

No Hippie Kumbaya Bullshit

          Justin had told me he was organizing a trip for a military unit that had a bad deployment.  The senior NCO he was coordinating with told Justin he didn't want “any hippie Kumbaya bullshit” on the trip.  While Outward Bound is known for self discovery they have learned that the traditional “expose your feelings” exercises they use are not needed in the Veterans program.  Veteran’s get down to task and generally work together easily due to our military training and discipline.  Justin also told me they don’t try and get the Veterans to open up about our experiences.  Outward Bound has found that due to our shared experiences we tend to open up in a group of our peers, when we want too and it is never forced.

          As I've gotten older and further beyond retirement I have less contact with fellow Veterans and more important the Paratroopers I spent most of my life with.  These trips allow me time with fellow Veterans in a setting, the great outdoors, which I love.  If you've never signed up for a course and you’re an OEF/OIF Vet you owe it to yourself to do so.  I just hope you don’t bump me off the trip I’m on stand-bye for next year!

Play With Your Toys

As we get older and more responsibility our time in the great outdoors starts to diminish and our big trips become more precious.  That’s where planning and playing with your toys becomes important.

 It is important to start your planning early, the earlier the better.  This helps your trip in two ways.

First the more you think about what you are taking and read about the problems others have had on similar trips the more you can work out those gear problems ahead of time.  I like to read others’ trip reports not just for the information about a new, cool place but also for what went wrong.  While I was still in a reconnaissance unit I would read narratives about other units like Bravo Two Zero, not only as a good story but to also find out what they did wrong so hopefully my team wouldn’t repeat their mistakes.  The same holds true for adventures both far and near.  Reading books like More Deep Trouble, and Will to Live are great resources for what went wrong, if you’re willing to listen.

Second playing with your toys keeps you familiar with them and motivated.  Recently I was worried how we were going to waterproof our Therm-a-Rest for a summer paddling trip.  I got out a Therm-a-Rest, and a couple of dry bags and tested several different configurations to find out what is going to work.  It keeps the trip in my mind and keeps me motivated to stay in shape for it.  A bonus is we won’t be stressing over that portion of the trip while we are worrying about getting kid and dog stuff ready for grandparents since this will be a kid free adventure.  During spring break we will have a little down time at our house and we plan on packing our boats to see if we have enough dry bags and such.  This will give us a couple of months to buy any needed items, again to reduce the last minute stress and money spending.

Trips are a vital part of my life, with some ‘fore thought and planning you can make them go as smoothly as possible so they don’t turn out to be like a saying I once heard.  “It’s only an adventure when you’re done, because it sucked while we were doing it!”