5 things I wish I knew so I didn’t FREEZE at camp

🔥 BIGGEST SALE on Smokeless East Oak Pan Stove 👉: amzn.to/3tVzNHf
OnX Backcountry App (for snow reports and navigation) bit.ly/3v99kq4
SkyView App (Apple) bit.ly/3AL0a6K
SkyView App (Google) bit.ly/3tVAOiL
Thermarest Neoair Xterm (Warm, High R-Value Sleep Pad) bit.ly/3gs8mSw
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 3400
Big Agnes Lost Ranger 3N1
Flextailgear Tiny Pump X amzn.to/3SS4qIx
Adventure Med Kit .5 amzn.to/3RXlfRa
Toaks 750 Pot amzn.to/3Mxk1eo
Pocket Rocket Deluxe bit.ly/3g52bTM
Pinnacle Foods Backpacking Meals bit.ly/2YHBRXm
Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO Tent amzn.to/3CUJScG
Hilltop Packs Food Bag bit.ly/3f6VeLW
Other Awesome Gear:
Big Agnes Copper Spur Platinum
Big Agnes Fly Creek Carbon
Mountain Hardwear Ozonic Rain Jacket bit.ly/3tQ01vN
Black Diamond Spot Headlamp bit.ly/3HpqzZv
Helinox Chair Zero bit.ly/3HybcOg
Thermarest Compressible Pillow bit.ly/3hGKPsp
Sea to Summit Alto TR2
Jetboil Micromo bit.ly/32JOgfh
MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe bit.ly/3FFMf2e
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest Backpack bit.ly/3ED3jV6
Western Mountaineering Alpinlite bit.ly/3zqFrT5
Kelty Cosmic Down 20 (less expensive alternative) bit.ly/3sUwCOI
Nemo Tensor Insulated Pad
Thermarest Uberlite Pad bit.ly/3mOBrbc
Hyperlite Mountain Gear bit.ly/3mOBkMO
Big Agnes Copper Spur
Cold weather camping tips. How to stay warm camping. Sleeping in a tent in the winter. Winter camping. How to dry gear winter camping.

[@dougwilliams1741]

Hi Dan and crew... I was born and raised in Alaska... One thing we always did to get snow to melt faster was to start off with about a quarter to 1/3 amount of hot water already in the container to which you add the snow. It will melt the snow faster and use less fuel... When you need more than one scoop of snow melt, always leave a little hot water in your container to start the next melt cycle.

[@sethmondschein7829]

nice tip.

[@dougwilliams1741]

Hi Dan... Don't have an iPhone so reached out to you via another avenue. Regards, Doug

[@joelm2713]

Some additional military tips: 1. Hand warmer packs in each boot will help them dry overnight 2. Winter is usually low humidity, more so at altitude. Make an extra effort to hydrate when you stop for the day until you are ready to sleep and urinate before bedtime. 3. Consider wearing a rain poncho over your sleeping bag if it will comfortably fit. This will help keep your sleeping bag dry from condensation (either from breathing on it or from drips inside). A bivy bag works too, but all solutions need to vent also 4. A battery fan in the tent gear loft pointing out thru the vent can significantly reduce condensation. But batteries/battery packs are much less efficient in cold. 5. Don't put your tent in a low lying area. Cold sinks and "slides" downhill. Also always colder near frozen lake, river, etc

[@plaguepandemic5651]

Some extra things I learned in the Army: 1. Empty your bladder. Your body expends heat and energy warming your urine. Emptying your bladder lets your body use that heat to keep your organs warm instead. 2. Eat. Even cold food will warm you up. Digestion is an exothermic chemical reaction; the chemical process of converting food into nutrients will warm you up, and eating hot food is even better. You also burn more calories in the cold, since your body is spending more energy keeping itself warm 3. Tuck Hot Hands (those hand warmer packets you can get at walmart) under your armpits and between your thighs. This will warm up the blood in your major arteries which will warm up your entire body 4. Some people will hate this, but don't drink alcohol. Alcohol makes your body lose its heat faster. This is why you feel warmer when you drink; your body heat comes to the surface. It then evaporates away. You will become hypothermic quicker if you are drunk

[@mhoefler914]

On my NOLS course they had us eat a lot of fat at night which should digest in the middle of the night and warm us better. We put butter in our hot cocoa. The quick digesting food was for the daytime.

[@modestadventurers]

Won’t the alcohol make the hypothermia a more pleasurable experience though 😋

[@plaguepandemic5651]

@@modestadventurers yes, you might freeze to death but you won't give a damn while it happens lol

[@memathews]

A modest warning for people using Hot Hands and other oxidation-process warmers: Don't place the warmer directly on your skin. The oxidation process can achieve a level of heat that will burn your skin, so place the hand warmer in a sock and place the filled sock under your armpits or between your legs or feet. The sock diffuses the heat and is gentler on your skin, a thicker sock will diffuse more heat--you still get the heat, but it is spread over a larger area and is less likely to burn your skin.

[@matthewmc4363]

Inside info right here

[@aaalllen]

I snowboard w/ a camelbak. When it's super fridgid, one of the tricks is to blow air so there's no water in an exposed part of the hose. You can sometimes still get the bite valve to freeze, but you can warm the end up pretty easily. If you're using a bottle, store it upside down as the top freezes first.

[@jonathanscott6234]

You can get bubble reflective insulation at a hardware store to place under your pad. It is relatively inexpensive and adds very little weight to your pack, but it dramatically increases your pads' R-Value.

[@Vivypips]

I use this, it's great! Really inexpensive and you can cut it easily to match the size of your tent.

[@adamstewart7465]

Should add R-2. You need a gap to get the radiant benefits. R-2 it's still better than most fold up mats and a lot higher than 1/8" foam. I use this at work and always thought about making a tent footprint with it

[@lifeontheriver]

It’s called Reflectix

[@elr05]

I bought a car windshield screen for this. It is already folded up nice and it fits in my pack or on the outside. I can use it as a sit pad during the hike. I trimmed the width to just wider than my sleeping pad. It weighs 7 ounces. $20 well spent :)

[@LuckyTown77]

That too

[@sherrycook7043]

Thank you for always being upfront about the things that are sent to you as you review them. I'm not a hiker but I do camp off my motorcycle (motocamp) and I learn so much from you. I have ben doing it for 50 years and I love that I'm still learning. Keep up the great work!!

[@brycetheshredder]

Just for clarification a double wall doesn’t actually “reduce” the condensation it just gives you a barrier in between yourself and condensation so you aren’t touching it or having it drip onto you and it will hit the mesh instead.

[@erics9214]

Dan doesn't mention that there are 4 season tents, designed for cold weather camping. Yes, they are heavier, because the "double walls" are nylon or tent fabric, not mesh. I've spent a few very cold nights in double wall tents where the mesh inner wall let the wind come straight in. These tents really are designed for warmer weather where ventilation is the primary goal. Also, most winter campers don't use propane/butane stoves. The compressed gas stoves can be hard to light when the canister gets cold and they may also burn poorly. You'll find that a lot of winter campers and mountaineers use something like the MSR Whisperlite, because the fuel can be pressurized with a pump. Also, because, as Dan mentions, if you are melting snow for water, it is going to take a lot of fuel, so you might as well be carrying liquid gasoline.

[@IdahoDroneMom]

For the first three years of winter camping I used white gas stoves. I had so many issues with them in the winter. The seals on the canisters break and leak. Fuel in the line of the stove can freeze and cause the metal to crack which can lead to more troubles. So to prevent that, you have to keep your bottles and stove warmed all the time. I’ve had better luck using my jetboil during the winter or I dig down into the snow with a shovel and make a fire pit to cook over. It’s a good way to cook elk steaks 🥩! As for tents, I agree 4 season tents are better. When I hammock camp in the winter, I hang a guyline over top, then I hang a reflective blanket over it and then my tarp. If I do a tent, I like to make a snow berm around it in a U shape to help reduce wind blowing the heat away. Or I build a snow shelter. Igloo’s are a lot of work but fun and super warm!

[@erics9214]

@@IdahoDroneMom Hmm, be interested to know what white gas stoves you were using. I've never had any of those problems. I've owned a couple of Optimus stoves and camped with lots of people using the MSR stoves. The Jetboil's are nice little stoves. Most of my winter camping experience was with older model propane/butane stoves.

[@thecatchtoday1056]

Recently got my truck stuck in the mountains on my way out of a hunting trip and spent a few unexpected extra nights. Having the tent set up in the first available sunlight was a huge difference, also, packing down the snow and keeping things dry was vital. Lastly, I will never take a chair for granted ever again! Hope your video helps as many people as possible, great tips here.

[@MrWipex]

Great advice Dan. I 100% agree to all of it. Here in winter , it is -30˚C (-25F) , and I switch to white gas stove already in late fall. Normal Gas canister stoves just loose too much power below zero. Great video Dan! Keep them coming! 👏👏👍🏻

[@QImpact]

Agreed. You also need to be very careful not to spill the white gas on your bare skin. If you spill water it will only be freezing temperature, but white gas will take on the air temperature and then get even colder as it quickly evaporates.

[@Kosahdus]

Yeah and white gas stoves are hikers stoves whit pre heating

[@jctedsap]

Same at high altitude. White gas produces more reliable heat.

[@VincensoAndolini]

Absolutely, @MrWipex. Go liquid stove for low temps.

[@Olyphoto7]

UCO Candle Lanterns are your best friend in cold or cool wet conditions. They add warmth, provide light, and reduce humidity and condensation. I burn one hanging in my tent all night. Regular UCO candles burn 9 hours, beeswax burns for 12. Also their warmth will help dry your socks and gloves.

[@memathews]

Candles are great in a snow cave, quinzee, or igloo, the light is very bright and warms up the shelter a bit. Just be sure to add a small ventilation hole.

[@VincensoAndolini]

There's a lady on Etsy that sells silicone molds for the candles. Now I make my own for this purpose for pennies, and I get to recycle old candle bottoms in the process. But be careful, wax can go from liquid to ignition, it's a very fine temperature line.

[@Olyphoto7]

@@VincensoAndolini I got one of those last year and now I have over 50 candles made.

[@liveinthewild7646]

Hey Dan! You mentioned using a Nalgene with hot water in to dry socks, but you also mentioned putting it in your sleeping bag with your wet clothes to dry them out. This will result in your sleeping bag becoming damp, and will cool you down, possibly compromising the insulation. Ideally, put on dry clothes before you get into your sleeping bag; this will help you maintain warmth. Love your vids though Dan, keep up the good work!

[@erics9214]

Yes, there can be an issue with damping out your sleeping bag, but you have to trade that off against drying your clothes, because you will need to wear them the next day. If your base layers and socks are all wool and synthetic blends, they should dry pretty quickly. I've never really had a problem with this wetting my bag. It may, however, cause you to sleep colder.

[@deKampeerwijzer]

Hence the “you can not trust the EN-rating” blabla. 😂

[@toby16custom]

Came here to say this, sleeping bag can be a real survival situation saver. Never introduce moisture if at all possible please.

[@liveinthewild7646]

@@toby16custom I always put dry clothes on for the night, then wear them the next day. But if it's multi-day, I'd wear damp clothes from the previous day over letting my sleeping bag get damp! Absolutely agree that keeping sleeping bag dry (especially if it's down) is a priority!

[@greenbeastpb3677]

I've learned a lot here. thanks for sharing it with us Dan!

[@guysherman]

Careful with putting boiling water in the nalgene… make sure there is no air in it when you put on the lid. I had the lid explode off from the pressure (heat from the water makes the air want to expand) as I was about to put it in my sleeping bag. Literally missed getting boiling water all over me by seconds

[@vpal23]

I’ve never had this happen and I’ve done a fair bit of winter camping. What altitude were you at?

[@vdoppenberg]

tip: first screw down the lid loosely to allow the remaining air to heat up and release the overpressure. After a while you can screw down the lid properly without it trying to burn you with spraying boiling water :) also: don't gorilla grip the lid as you will have a hard time releasing the lid again when it cools down (vacuum).....

[@MrVidare]

The more air you leave in the bottle, the more prone you are to this happening. If you fill the bottle all the way up, with little air left, you have a lot lower risk. And, as mentioned, release the cap to let excess air out when it has warmed up.

[@chirhodes1]

Been doing two three day weekends backpacking on the AT in January and February since 1985. Not dead yet, so have learned a few things. Instead of potentially leaky bottle in bag, I just put my day socks, two woolies, in the bottom of the bag. Always dry and ready to go in the morning. Recently got a new down zero bag which has less toe box than previous model. New sock drying solution is to put socks in a cloth bag and use as a pillow. Thanks for your channel. I enjoy your patter.

[@jctedsap]

As long as the socks aren’t smelly. That would make a bad pillow.

[@HartPhotoAndVideo]

This is a very good video! Your sound/voice is high quality. Keep up the good work.

[@mtadams2009]

If you can afford it purchase a Western Mountaineering sleeping bag and yes the temperature rating will be accurate. Second tip forget the canister stove and go with something like a MSR burning white gas. It’s the tool for the job. I am an UL backpacker but not so much come winter. Staying warm is my number one priority. Nice video Dan and some good tips, thanks

[@VincensoAndolini]

Correct on the liquid stove in low temps, Scott. 👍

[@chrisyoung9653]

cheers for this man. im planning to go up some mountains this winter and i stay in scotland so this is very helpful

[@Zanderthelab]

I subscribed a few videos ago. I haven’t been winter camping in about 10 years and my body has changed in so many ways so I’m literally starting from scratch.

[@elr05]

Good stuff, Dan. I’m originally from WI, moved to the Eastern Sierra awhile ago. Many reasons to know the tips and tricks to keep warm in the cold ;)

[@gregoryfarris4801]

Lots of good trails west of 395.

[@fmixthings]

Don't just fill your pot with snow and try to melt it. You can get a layer of boiling bubbling vapor between the pot and snow, this can heat the metal and warp it. Put a little at a time so it can melt then put more in until you've reached your desired amount of water. Don't put your stove can straight on the snow. It can get too cold and freeze up the gas causing the burner to fail. Have it up on something else to keep it away from the freezing cold snow.

[@memathews]

Yes, snow will also burn and that stinks a bit. Add a cup or so of water to the pot first and getting that to boil before feeding in more snow gradually will melt the snow faster (steam leaving the boiling surface has more energy to transfer than the boiling water) without burning or destroying the pot.

[@michaelhiggins2956]

Hi Dan, something I use frequently in cold weather is an electric vest. Mine is very lightweight and uses the same charging brick I use for my phone. When I first get in my sleeping bag I turn it on for about 15 minutes then turn it off. It works very well.

[@backpacker3421]

For sleeping bags/quilts, a good rule of thumb is to take the coldest temperature (nightly low) you expect to ever encounter, and subtract 20 degrees. That, combined with a decent thermal base layer/sleeping socks, and maybe a wool beanie, and you'll be cozy through the night as long as your pad is properly insulated. So if you think you might be out in zero degree weather, have a -20 degree bag or better (bring a liner, and have your down jacket handy to put on inside the sleeping bag if it gets chilly).

[@midlifetravelers6151]

Good point, Dan, about using that heavier Nalgene as opposed to the water bladders in cold weather. Never thought about that before. Thanks for putting it on my radar.

[@lifeontheriver]

On cold weather climbs and hikes I bring 5 Nalgene’s. 2 0.5L small ones and 3 1.5L big ones. One of the big ones I use as a pee bottle for night time. Once you pee in it make sure to reach out into your vestibule and pour it out in a pre selected area. The other two I use to fill with boiling water, then please make sure to put it in a waterproof bag and then into your footbox. The two small bottles I use to dry out my boots as they are able to fit down into my boots.

[@vpal23]

I’m sure someone has already mentioned it, but if you can melt ice instead of snow or combo ice, bit of water as a primer, and snow, you’ll use less fuel. Snow is mostly air and so melting ice is better if you can get it. Nice to have an ice axe with you for chipping away ice block from a shallow stream.

[@maxcollins5717]

Hi, Hardly anyone tells people not to breath in their sleeping bags. This only adds the moisture problems and can be as much as one quart per night wetting the insulation and needing to pass through the sleeping bag. Use your raincoat over your face as it gets colder and the moisture passes through the jacket. I also use a SOL Breath Bivy to insure that the inside tent moisture stays away from my sleeping bag. This system always me to use a lighter bag because it gives a good 10 degrees of warmth to the bag. The 1/4 inch mylar coated pads can be cut for a four ounce pad that is amazingly warm.

[@DiabloOutdoors]

Great video! - single wall...double wall...good! - you will always have condensation...good! - pack down the snow...good! - dry gear with the water bottle...hmmm you're being optimistic - sleeping bag rating...good! - sleeping pad...good! - canister....so so ALSO: - a UCO lantern. It adds heat, light and reduces condensation - add a tarp under the tent. Most of the condensation will be under the tent instead of between the sleeping pad and the floor. -put the hot water bottle inside a wool sock to keep the warmth for much longer and avoid burning your feet in the first minutes. - canister stoves in winter are a bad idea! The principle of physics says that cold=less pressure. This, EVEN with their so-called "winter enhancement". The best is a stove like the MSR Whisperlite or the amazing Optimus Polaris that can use either canisters or the bottle with manual compression. And if you're really stuck using a canister stove.THE trick of all time is to use one of those toe warmers since you can stick it under the canister to warm up the fuel and get a much better performance. Happy winter camping!

[@sanchtodd4203]

Thanks for the info. Planning on heading out next week for a couple days of winter camping in the whisker wilderness area of Northern Wisconsin. Ill keep your info in mind.

[@ThousandHobbies]

in Sweden we use kitchen foil made of aluminum under the tent, this helps raise the temperature dramatically during the cold weather 😉 have a happy hiking!

[@lanecountybigfooters5716]

Some excellent advice here! Thanks!

[@49Roadmaster]

Great information and food for thought. Thanks

[@manuelilic9195]

Thanks, for sharing your knowledge to us! 1.) I bought a Samaya tent (Assault2 8K second hand) and the special fabric from the single wall avoids most of the condensation. For freezing water in the tube, I just blow the water back and have also an insulation bag. About the sleeping mat, It depends on your individual sensitivity about the cold; the Klymate Insulated V Lux (which is rated for R 6) was way to cold for me (in reality it is about R 2 - altough many people had positive experiences with it!) so you have to test some other brands and ended up with the Exped Dura 8 and a Exped flex mat to have enough insulation from the ground. For the sleeping bag, I have some long underpants and a down pant to add, if it is really getting to cold and of course an inlet. The stool might be an extra comfortable option but it is an additional weight, so maybe the folded sleeping cell mat could be the "2 in 1" solution. What about multifuel cooking systems in winter; would it be more efficient (also to avoid wasting a lot of gas canisters) ?

[@Kenbur]

The counter says someone else has commented. Don't see their comment so let me be the first to say - good tips. I too wish I had known a couple of these when I started. Being cold, I can handle. Being wet, I can handle. Being cold AND wet in a tent in the morning can be and has been a deal breaker way too often. Thanks for sharing. Best tip I would ever give is to bring someone along who will get up early and get a fire going and some coffee on the fire. Then make sure they get up before you and tip them if you have to. 😁

[@edgit69]

You're definitely the Billy Mays of camping gear 🌟

[@IdahoDroneMom]

So many great comments on here. I’ve been a search and rescue member for over 13 years and my bachelors degree is in recreation management, and I love to backcountry snowshoe and winter camp all the time! Just like to add a few things. 1. Keep your fuel cans warm. Yes isobutane canisters work better in cold weather than butane canisters, but if your crazy like me and winter camp in below freezing and negative temperatures, it’s best to keep them warm. At 11ºF the Isobutane in the canister will no longer vaporize and the stove stops running unless it can be warmed. - Carrying extra matches is always a good thing! I’ve had times when my striker on my jet boil fails, and using a lighter or matches is the only way to light it. I also have a wind screen because the wind blowing reduces the amount of heat that’s supposed to be produced when you are trying to boil water. This uses up more fuel too, so carry extra fuel cans. It’s better to have it and not need it. 2. The body looses heat 4 different ways and learning about them will help reduce heat loss and keep you warm. (1)Evaporation of water from your skin if it is wet (sweating). If your clothing is wet, you will also lose some body heat through evaporation and through respiration (breathing) when the body temperature is higher than 37°C (99°F). During intense exercise, the body loses 85% of its heat through sweating. - Wear warm clothes that also wick away moisture.Sweating will make you freeze faster. Stay away from cotton clothes! - Wear clean dry clothes to bed. Once you have sweated in clothing, it eventually stops working properly and you can freeze. (2)Radiation (similar to heat leaving a wood stove). This normal process of heat moving away from the body usually occurs in air temperatures lower than 20°C (68°F). The body loses 65% of its heat through radiation. - Layering is key for both clothing and sleeping set ups. Always make sure you can vent so you don’t over heat. (3)Conduction (such as heat loss from sleeping on the cold ground). Heat is lost in air temperatures lower than 20°C (68°F). The body loses about 2% of its heat through air conduction. However, water causes more heat loss from the body than air does, so heat can be lost from the body very quickly when it is placed in cold water. - Science has proven that a minimum of 4 inches of compressed material between you and the ground will stop conduction. Now not everyone wants to carry that much padding with them into the backcountry, so things like reflective pads, reflective blankets, hot water bottles, and bag liners are good alternatives. I love my Sea to Summit bag liners, and my bestie blankets as they make a big difference wether I’m tent camping, hammock camping, or decide to build a snow shelter. (4)Convection (similar to sitting in front of a fan or having the wind blow on you). The body loses 10% to 15% of its heat through convection. - If there is wind blowing, I like to built some kind of wall around part of the tent if I can. Snow can be a great insulator if used correctly. You can make a two to three foot high wall out of snow in a u shape around the tent to help prevent convection issues. 3. The hot water bottle trick works wonders but you need to know that it only works with a double walled vacuum sealed container like Nalgene bottles. Other bottles can warp and leak or lead to burns when they come in contact with your skin. So be careful with that and make sure your lids are on tightly. 4. Pack on the calories! Eating foods that are protein rich and a little fatty. Snacks like cheeses, butter, nuts, nut butters, and granola for snacks. These foods help to generate body heat throughout a chilly day. Meals should be hot, well-rounded, and chock full of fat and calories - like hash, chili, and casseroles. Also, bring ingredients for hot drinks, like tea bags, cocoa mix, or coffee beans. And stay hydrated! People don’t think about it much but dehydration can happen in winter too. Also bring your water bottles/bladders in the tent to keep them from freezing. I have an insulated cover for my water bladder and if it’s super cold, I’ll throw a couple activated hand warmers in with it to keep it from freezing. 5. Go to bed warm! Do some jumping jacks, go for a short fast ski/snowshoe around camp or something like that to keep you warm. Have a pair of thick wool blend socks that are just for sleeping in. I put my socks in my pocket about an hour before bed so when I switch out my socks, that are nice and warm. If you go to bed cold, it takes twice as long to get warm enough for you to get warm enough to fall asleep. If you are shivering in your cavers when you first lay down, then your body is already experiencing the first stages of hypothermia and it can only go down hill from there unless you take measures to get warm and stay warm. 6. Lastly, know the stages of hypothermia and the symptoms associated with each stage. As long as you can stay warm and keep you and your gear dry, you will enjoy winter camping. If you can’t get your gear to dry out, it’s time to bug out. Not knowing when to call it quits can create a life or death situation. - I strongly suggest you learn as much as you can before attempting cold weather camping and then trying out your setup in your backyard several times before setting out on your adventures. Get your gear and routines dialed in! -Find experienced people to help teach you or go with you. I can be hard to people to go on these adventures with me sometimes so I’m happy to teach people. - I use pack sleds and a backpacking bag with all of my gear for longer trips. It’s so much easier once you learn the art of pack sledding.

[@ericschwartz9982]

All great points. I cowboy camp a lot when backpacking when there is no snow or rain predicted. I stay warm. When I'm out and the forecast is for rain and/or snow, I take a single wall tent. Flash Air 2 or 1. I know there's a lot of knocks against the tent, but I have found that when it is pitched correctly (allowing for plenty of ventilation) condensation is not a problem. REI has discontinued selling them and what they do have is dirt cheap. I saved $450 to $500 off of a high tech dyneema tent and the weight difference is only a few ounces, depending on if I use the FA 1 or FA 2.

[@LuckyTown77]

My down jacket gets zipped and I put it around the foot box of my sleeping bag. Old people circulation ;)

[@Kosahdus]

At winter only good stove is white gas stoves. Others will fail or you have to try keep fuel warm. At -40 you need 0.5 l per day per person white gas. Normal winter temperatures maybe 0.25-0.35 per day per person. Less fuel yeah if you can get running water.

[@pgads3004]

Here's my pro tips condensation remediation. good air flow is key... have at least a couple inch gap on one end opposite to the roof vent.. I made a tent exhaust fan using a PC fan and a 9V battery and rigged it to the roof vent... and I use a fleece or smartwool turtle over my nose and mouth that collects a lot of moisture... I also use a cot to get off the ground.. but you still need a pad (or thick blanket) to keep the heat in.. and a gross tip for older guys - i use a 20oz gatorade bottle for dirty water - when it's really cold in the AM and I have to go pee I'll pee in that gatorade bottle and go back to sleep... just make sure the lid seals properly..

[@PaulBeiser]

Great tips as always, Dan! And I’ve found you need to keep those canisters warm so they work with stoves. Also both Jetboil and MSR make stoves that allow you to invert the canisters for easier starting and to use all the fuel. Thanks again! Best, Paul

[@mhoefler914]

I always put the cannisters in my sleeping bag, at least for a couple of hours before morning. If I forgot, I put it on my warm chest for a while.

[@lifeontheriver]

Jetboil no longer makes an inverted canister stove as far as I know. The Jetboil Joule is the last one I know of that they made, but admittedly I haven’t checked out their website I’m going off of memory.

[@PaulBeiser]

@@lifeontheriver Thanks - you are correct just looked on their website!

[@cestmoi7368]

If you have snow drag a pack sled behind you. And carry a fishing hut with a collapsible wood stove. Works wonders for me. Warm and cozy in minus 40. Weight means little in a sled that exploits to e low friction snow :)

[@JustinOutdoors]

When are you booking your flight up to Canada for some -40 winter camping with me!?

[@QImpact]

Instead of a stool or chair, I always bring my least expensive camping investment. I get one of those foam kneeling pads for gardening from the dollar store. I can sit on it, kneel on it (crawling out of the tent, when packing up, or tying your bootlaces), and even stand on it (when in sock or bare feet, like when changing socks). They are very light, and I keep it under the top flap of my backpack along with tarp(s).

[@horustwohawks]

And fashion a way to tie it around your waist =have it readily available as you move around camp, and wherever. Good tip.

[@bilibiliism]

I just sit on beae can

[@MAXCOBRALAZERFACE]

My tips are bring a foam butt pad. Use a byvi if you’re worried about condensation & lastly pick up a zippo hand warmer. They burn for 12 hours and are better than those disposable hand warmers.

[@loudowning3393]

I tried the zippo hand warmers but they stink up the sleeping bag and tent. Now I use the rechargeable hand warmers that also last about 15 hours on low and don't require lighting them or have any smell. The zippo was a waste of money in my experience.

[@NickandRachel]

Definitely had to learn the sleeping bag temperature rating the hard way 🤣 lots of good tips here!

[@brianconnors8964]

Love the channel !! I live in northern Illinois just south of lake Geneva.. any good spots in the area ?!? Hard to find places to really backpack ??

[@kainoskid7042]

Backcountry has the "Xeros" by Mountain Equipment on sale for $299.00 (50% off) on paper it seems to be on pointt with the alpinelite. Also Kaviso has the Sierra Designs High Route 1 for $159.00 (45% off.) They also have the Nemo Hornet 2 for $259. GREAT DEALS!

[@luciusgarvous]

One thing I’ve learned is that a great sleeping bag is worth the money. My haglöfs sleeping bag is rated at comfort -5°Celsius. But it has kept me warm and cozy at -10° as well. My friend on the other hand just bought a random sleeping bag rated at comfort 0° and he freezes and shakes if it’s below 10° Celsius.

[@bihlygoat]

Double-wall tents will also get condensation on the outer tent wall, but you can’t access it to wipe it off. If your inner tent is mostly solid instead of mesh, it will keep you warmer though. (Solid inners are more common on European tents like Terra Nova and Hilleberg than US tents).

[@mhoefler914]

IMO no real need to wipe it off until you break it down, shake it out, then wipe it if needed and hang in wind or sun if possible for 10 minutes. The main point is that the inside of a tent is DRY....a concept people with single walls seem to not care about, in sacrifice for some ounces.

[@memathews]

Thanks for mentioning this, I looked to see if someone brought up the real value of a double-wall tent and that the outside wall will still freeze condensation on the inside surface. btw a tent candle will help tremendously with removing condensation during the night and slightly warms a tent or igloo/quinzee/tree-pit snow shelters (only drawback in the snow shelters is a candle reflects in the white walls like daylight).

[@bihlygoat]

The inside of double-wall tents are wet, too. It’s just that the inner tent keeps you from touching them (in most designs - the BA Fly Creek is not one of them). A tent candle? Never heard of that! Any danger of it starting a fire while you sleep?

[@ecoheliguy]

No matter what gear your buying, test by rubbing it between your hands. More insulation, warmer your will feel in the friction with the material between your hands.

[@alaskaraftconnection-alask3397]

I must admit I get some good chuckles watching some of your videos. Have you considered comedy stand up? Not a put down at all... I mean this in a respectful and cheerful way. Here are a few of my thoughts: A.) Throughout full-on 'Winter' (ie. snow/ice/wind/cold to severe temps demanding exposure conditions) as well as for wintery mix shoulder seasons conditions... best to go w/ actual 4-season gear. Lots of folks 'make due' with 1,2-3 season and 3+ season gear selections. However, this is not the strategy for truly venturing being fully prepared. It tends to be adaption-based, maybe cost effective, lighter-weight, have what you have, etc. and concession-based selections will eventually reveal shortcomings to whatever extent. GO 4-SEASON in 4th-season. B.) When addressing single-wall vs. actual functional double wall designs... I see so many youtubers (that should know better) exhibit tents with high-% to nearly total mesh inners; calling them double walled. That is not a fully accurate demonstration or functional description of double-walled. '4-season double wall designs' features inner tent fabrication. While there can be mesh windows/doors/vents... mesh areas will have zipper open/close fabrication coverage. Well-designed 4-season tents will almost always have designs that prevent cold and wind driven snows from entering the inner tent. This may include extended fly-coverage, snow-skirting, higher bathtub floors, different high/low venting, and combos of these features. I further adapt my 4-season tents with longer hi-viz zip-pull extensions (working the mitts), longer staking loops, adaptive guy-lines, etc. C.) Good insulation from the ground is game-changing. While the latest/greatest most expensive mattresses may be the ticket for somebody... that somebody had better learn, prepare, and know how to repair it correctly in the field. The reality is most do not, and will go unprepared. Most that think they know; again beyond rough, bad looking, poorly performing field expedience will not have the know-how for a comprehensive, lasting, good looking repair. Skill-set, materials, and comfort zone apply for the cold ground game. D.) Increased Hydration and Calories (higher consumption, what kind, etc.), are of much greater consideration when camping the 4th season. This should be paramount to cold camping discussion. Preparation an important side note to this. E.) Pacing what you do: Making the mileage is one thing... the getting there (and back) another . Freezing cold, overheating/sweating, exposure, overextending, paying extra attention to extremities, balance/footing, dexterity (mitts/gloves on vs. off) is very different from 1,2,&3-season. F.) Using the restroom... 'nough said... like urine bottle G.) Frozen footwear mitigation... rather than ice-block boots and laces. H.) Short days!!! Longer Nights!!! Stuff that goes along with it like good headlamps/lighting/batteries. I.) Transportation... packs, sleds, skis, snowshoes, snow-bikes, power applications, having animals, etc. Education... try to learn stuff before, during, and after. Likely #1 on list. Hope this lends some relevant content for folks to reflect on.

[@SpaceCaptnFace]

i get a ton of extra hothands from working for the post office. i use those in some socks then place those around my bladder and hose to keep it from freezing. occasionally have issues with the nozzle but thats only when i neglect to hydrate. even around 0, as long as i keep drinking theres not much issue unless the wind is bonkers. also why i keep spare nozzles

[@obiwanjacobi]

@1:39 I don't think the amount of condensation differs between double and single wall tent. It's only you're less likely to touch the moisture in a double wall tent.

[@mhoefler914]

Tremendous difference, not in the amount but in the result. I have this strange idea that the inside of a tent should be dry. 32 years with double wall (nylon on both walls ) and zero condensation issue because I never touched it. Tried a tent that had single wall on the front part and ruined a camera that was sitting on the floor by it. It leaked, made a puddle from condensation in high mountain camp in MT. Holding more heat in with nylon surrounding your body may also reduce the actual water amount.

[@obiwanjacobi]

@@mhoefler914 Agree. But he said that a double wall tent magically reduced condensation. I don't think that is logical.

[@anthonyremotecollaboration7332]

An insulated bottle will keep a good volume of drinks warm and act as a hot-water bottle in a sleeping bag if it has a plastic stopper that allows a little heat to escape. It's better to melt a larger volume of snow once and make hot drinks, rather than making many smaller batches. Being able to pour a hot drink anytime is a real comfort. Hot cocoa has food value and shaking it up in a hot bottle makes it even better.

[@dustinkittel2830]

Thanks Dan. I ordered up one of those fire pits.

[@dangaspar1707]

I find a silk liner and double pad (inflatable + lightweight foam) really helps with warmth.

[@kevinfoster4862]

This. Thin foam liner, or reflective bubble wrap, then insulated pad, then bag with silk liner.

[@lifeontheriver]

In colder weather you want to make sure to sleep with the insulated pad UNDER the foam pad. Cold soaking will make your night horrible and foam deals with cold soaking a lot better than an air filled chamber.

[@IsaacandKathee]

Like that old video cutaway with the Forest Springs mug product placement.

[@exploringMundos]

Following some tips. If I'm hating myself tomorrow at night I'll be thinking of you, Dan! 😂😂😂

[@20Hikecdt23]

Also hot water in a Nalgene is good to dry out boots n shoes. Place the hot water Nalgene in the shoe/boot. (I carry a 14 oz Nalgene for this. And of course I use it for beverages.

[@hoot999]

Hi, thanks for the tips. What is the grey tent covered with another layer in 4:05? I am not sure I could find it in your links? Do you get much condensation in it?

[@danielfegley2735]

Thanks for the information I'm not a winter camper, I just have a low tolerance for cold

[@mhoefler914]

The mesh on the inside of double walled tents is useless in cold....use an old-fashioned tent with a nylon wall inside. It keeps a bit more heat and you do not have to worry about condensation. 32 years backpacking and zero condensation and warm with a 5 degree down bag (Marmot gortex, Gopher I think)

[@Wordsmyth8]

Totally agree on the tent. A little heavier but MUCH warmer.

[@mhoefler914]

@@Wordsmyth8 Heavyness is a state of mind IMO. What you need for safety and COMFORT are the most important factors in decisions about gear. Sure, weigh everything and pay attention but lightweight does not automatically translate to comfort. Looking at gear lists of those trying for the-lightest-pack-in-the-world would leave me dead from hypothermia. Beginners need to understand that.

[@readyalready4697]

Go with a four season tent and plug in a space heater. Works every time.

[@erict5878]

GREAT addition to say it will take 2-3X longer to boil snow to water in freezing conditions! ALWAYS in winter , plan on 4X the fuel you may need!

[@NikonF5user]

You don't have any issue using the canister stoves in winter? I always figured a liquid stove like the Whisperlite is the way to go when it is down near freezing...

[@brianmccormack84]

A hot water bottles are the most important winter camping knowledge that you need vapor barrier and knowing how to use it also pulling it up and down during the night so you don't overheat a 0° mummy bag that fits inside of a 20° rectangular bag and you will never be cold of course a good ground pad tell the truth about stoves once you're below 20 degrees white gas only have tried only a couple of bottled gas and none of them work for me but you always see him using them on Everest can't figure this out I stick with the white gas Coleman fuel whatever you want to call it love your videos you do a great job

[@555underdown555]

Thanks!

[@cjsmithfl]

I live in Fl so I have that going for me. Still cold at times with poorly chosen gear though. My summer gear has no place in my pack this time of year. Bag liner isn’t going to suffice 😂

[@MrTrentteegarden]

Dan you need to review the Hyperlite unbound 40!!!!!!!

[@valdius85]

Take a small tent so it is easy to heat up. Make sure to ventilate the tend to avoid condensation. These two are contradicting each other :) Ventilation is important but it makes the inside cold. Still, I really enjoy watching your channel.

[@ski4life9]

Dan love the nalgene drying tip. I use 2 500ml water bottles that way one can be used between my legs to keep me warm and the other sits at the foot of my bag drying out wet socks, boot liners o gloves etc.

[@OurDee]

Before I knew about sleeping pads (decades ago) I used Owens/Corning Pink Panther fiberglass insulation between the snow and my tent for winter camping.

[@dobrofool]

Been in the building trades almost 40 years. Fiberglass insulation permanently LOOSES its ability to insulate when it gets wet... plus, just as the bottom of a sleeping bag is useless for warming, so too, crushing batts insulation destroys any ability to insulate (which is why many prefer to use quilts). Have to say. You kinda lost me on this one.. 🤔

[@garyaaron8425]

Great info! So, you're an experienced backpacker?!? Just teasing. Great info and stay warm out there. Also, would've been a great shot to have you and Eric sit next to each other stargazing in your respective seating. 😉🤪

[@fjellbams1]

Can u make a camp vid in snow with ur xmid solid?

[@ziicutie]

I am curious to know what your opinion is on the exped megamat 15 if you were to completely ignore the volume and weight it has to it rolled up. This is a product I have and use at home that I can take camping with me and comfort with sleeping for me is something I just cannot sacrifice even a tiny bit on so this mat is very important to me.

[@ziicutie]

Only time I am worried about being cold is usually when I sleep because I have very poor tolerance to heat and very high tolerance to cold. My tolerance to heat is so bad that I at times feel icky just thinking about being in a warm environment without at least some chilliness. I prefer to feel at least slightly cold most of the time until I go to sleep, but even when I am sleeping I cannot get too warm or there is going to be problems at might as well. There is good and bad to this issue I have with being in warm environments. It would be nice if I could at least not sweat and be comfortable in a 75 F environment, however I will sweat really bad and feel icky in that temperature even when I am just sitting down doing nothing. My comfort temperature is somewhere around 68-64 F which is pretty cold for most people, but when I am moving and working I need it to be below 60 F and preferably around 40 F depending on how hard I am working. Once I start doing things I work pretty hard though usually. When I am at work cleaning hotel rooms I am in the room at work with the windows wide open in the winter with it around 30-35 F in the room wearing a dress usually and my boss will come in and complain that I am freezing the hallways out for the guests and him. I am pretty close to possibly talking to my doctor about this and if there is anything I should or could do to deal with this.

[@davegaskill8310]

Is that a Sea to Summit tent? What model? I like the size and shape.

[@99Stutz]

Can someone explain how a mesh inner counts as a "wall" in terms of condensation? It lets air pass completely through it, how would that reduce condensation on the outer wall at all? Seems to me that all a mesh "wall" does is prevent you from touching the outer wall.

[@hectorsotomayor8096]

Just curious, did you just tell people to put wet gear in their sleeping bags to be warmed up by the hot Nalgene bottle. Because wont the sleeping bag get wet anyway? I believe that's the one place you need to stay dry during winter?

[@glenndorsey9068]

I was about to post the same comment. Putting wet clothing and a hot water bottle in my sleeping bag to create an oven effect sounds like a recipe for a wet, cold disaster.

[@chrishamilton2527]

Have you looked at Crux tents which use a breathable single skin membrane?

[@aidenevans5248]

I've been a supporter for a long time now, and i was wondering if you could do a giveaway of the zenbivy light bed

[@magicworldbyjorg]

...cool video keep up the great content.. Thank you…

[@dmsmikhail]

how do you fit that stove in your backpack?

[@TG_Wyers]

The coldest time of day/night is right after the sun comes up, not 3-4am.

[@MrVidare]

Wet clothes: Don't dry them in your sleeping bag. It'll get wet and if it is of down, it will eventually collapse and not warm you anymore. I put on dry clothes after setting up camp and sleep dry. Sleeping in even slightly damp clothes makes you cold. I'll put on the wet or damp ones when I start hiking the next day and dry them on my body. Socks and smaller items can be dried at your warmest place while walking: The groin. Always keep a set of clothes dry. That's a life saver. Gas: If you don't switch to liquid fuel in the cold, at least get a gas burner with a hose, so you can place the cannister upside down. That way you get more effect/power out of it. Sleeping: Keep an empty bottle of at least one liter to pee in during the night. That way you won't have to get out of your nice warm sleeping bag when you have to pee. Peeing gives you better sleep quality. You will also drink more and be more hydrated doing it this way. And don't bring a huge stove like the featured one while backpacking. Don't trust electrical stuff - go with the basics.

[@fukenbroken1]

I want to know how you fit all that extra cold weather gear in a 45 liter backpack? So far I have not been able to.

[@deKampeerwijzer]

Especially that camp fire pot.

[@deKampeerwijzer]

More tips: blow the hose of your water bottle so no water stays in there. That way the hose doesn’t freeze. Use a rescue blanket with the silver side up under your sleeping mat. Keep bottles at night upside down. Water freezes from the top down. Use a vapor barrier liner to keep your moist out of your sleeping bag. Keep boots in the inner tent, otherwise they freeze up. You might think they are not wet but they are if you wore them. Gas cannisters should contain propane gas instead of butane and there are special winter cannister you can buy.

[@lemmings2218]

My experience is that i try to get the tent exposed to some wind, seems to help a lot with condensation... In real 4 season tents i feel the draft inside the tent is easy to control with the vents.

[@P373RV2]

Wet gear in the down sleeping bag?? Wtf man??

[@miketorre16]

i saw you had a Rab jacket, how do you like it? how do you like it compared to the the red mont bell?

[@DanBecker]

Rad is a little less expensive but it has less down fill power. It’s also warmer. But also weighs quite a bit more. Both are great. Depends on what time of year you want to go. Watch this video I made a couple weeks ago 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5q4mK13hM6GbpI

[@miketorre16]

@Dan Becker yes. That mont bell is a 1000 fill. Rab does make a 1000 fill as well.. I'm really liking the Rab Gear. I have the Rab Positron. Seems beefy. Hasn't been cold enough yet. I just got it. Kool. I'll check that video out.

[@thefuture986]

Doesn't a double wall tent get the exact same amount of condensation on the outer wall? The only difference is that it has that mesh that's keeping you from touching the outer wall...? The more important thing is to ensure sufficient ventilation (while not getting too much of a chilling draft)

[@JOKKMOKKGUIDERNA]

Hahahaa... We are working on a video with more or less the same theme... / Matti and Stina in the arctic Sweden

[@brentkelly5445]

fuel and batteries. winter short days, WAY MORE flashlight usage. cold tears through my lithium(expensive) batteries. might go back to gas lantern for winter.

[@Joshwaa_s]

Interesting thing about the Nalgenes.. The lab tech versions of them are rated for the boiling temps and more but there's almost no info about the commercial ones. So I emailed them asking if the same hot temp liquids thing applied to the normal bottles... no response at all. If anyone has better luck getting the info I was after i'd love to see it 😂

[@vdoppenberg]

been using the normal wide mouth ones for 10+ years now with boiling water and so far no signs of imminent failure visible. Cheaper knock-offs shrunk when filled with boiling water 😂

[@marvegner2272]

note : once reflectix gets used a bit or many months old the finish can come off and its time to replace it

[@kmin3434]

When it's below freezing, blow air into your water bladder bite valve and clear the drinking tube of water. Do this before you go to bed and it won't freeze up.

[@VincensoAndolini]

You're talking about fuel consumption in winter camping, but canisters are the wrong setup for winter. Go with a liquid fuel stove (dragonfly or similar) and fuel bottle... It solves the pressure issue, volume issue, and efficiency issue. You're not climbing mountains so it'll be alright.

[@mercedesaponte6201]

ISO and EN are likely the same since ISO means International Standards Organization, and is the standard in Europe and much of the western world. Some wind does keep the condensation down but a WY Wind Festival type of wind is horrific. No chair!

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Drying socks on a hot Nalgene will change my life. Thanks Dan!

[@ulperformance4087]

Perhaps due to the apparent lack of a controllable vent on the tent excess moisture built-up.