Deep Snow Camping Mistakes in a Blizzard W/ Limited Heat

[@droppedonce7502]

I found out the hard way like you on a road trip when my 4runner alternator was going...having a tough time with my fridge erroring out. Made it home, but had to shutdown unnecessary power loads...minimal electronics, no fog lights or high beams...but I made it. Good video, always good to learn from your mistakes to prevent future ones. Big take away...this is why traveling alone can be dangerous.

[@Xp200dr-gj8lz]

That checklist is mandatory especially for extreme weather. It has saved me and the people that I backpack with many times. Especially when you run different backpacks.

[@alanhamilton1927]

I thuroughly appreciate the honesty. It helps all of us relate more. Grwat job.

[@noprefixamerican4743]

Anytime I load up for a back country trip, I load my gear in this order, 1.survival 2. Repair 3. Recovery 4. Necessity 5. Convenience 6. This way, critical items don't get left behind

[@OutdoorAuto]

I like it

[@SkylinersYeti]

My cabin is the first house people come to when they are stuck in the snow. Most do not have shovels, tire chains, warm blankets, extra water, or extra food. Sunday afternoon I drive up the hill and towed out two rigs that were stuck and beyond self rescue. Like you i have multiple rigs and find myself without something that is in the other rig. I like the list idea, to remind me what I have in the other rig that I should have in my current rig. Well done video.

[@OutdoorAuto]

Man, sounds like a lot of people would be in trouble without you… good work 👍

[@SkylinersYeti]

@@OutdoorAuto Not really, I rarely drive the USFS road behind my cabin. In the pas month Xmas tree cutters have been zooming past our cabin. Most of them are clueless on how to drive USFS roads in the snow.

[@sallythescorpion]

Hey mate, could you please tell me where you got the tool roll at the start? It looks great

[@tomandhistruck]

I love your videos! This was super informative and helpful. I showed this to my buddy who has always been interested in snow camping but was never really willing to learn. He now has the confidence that we can go and not die haha Thanks!

[@nirfz]

It is always important to remember that mountains do not flatten and weather doesn't calm down for people just because they would need them to. It is important to know when to turn around and try another day. It's the same with hiking. There's a nice quote from one of the top mountain climbers of his generation (i don't remember if it was Reinhold Messner or Peter Habeler) "there is no shame in turning around and going back to try another time. It's way better to have wastes time and money than to die and never get the chance to try again" (or at least that's the translated wording i remember). And that ability and humbleness is what seems lacking a lot in recent years, no matter what kind of nature adventure people try to get themselves into. We see that a lot here in the alps with hikers who either overestimate their stamina or abilities, or greatly underestimate the conditions. Thinner air, more wind, fast changing weather, and the need for proper footwear and equipment in general.

[@MSchumacherfan]

Great honesty, I’m thinking of going all electric too

[@OutdoorAuto]

I’m still excited, just need to replace my alternator… it is tough to beat the convenience.

[@Venture2Roam]

really good info here.

[@OutdoorAuto]

Thanks 🙏

[@CrippleCreekStudios]

Love the walk through of the mistakes, learn from the masters. Also love checklists. Then you need to check the checklists!

[@daniel.s.stefanov]

Oh, a TSTN style video, awesome!

[@OutdoorAuto]

Oh man I can’t touch his level of cinematography… mine are still pretty much “how to’s”…

[@richardmoore7381]

We have all forgotten to pack something essential - thanks for sharing - I'm just in the process of fitting a diesel heater (Eberspacher) in my truck as permanent feature

[@Scoobienorth]

The small folding shovel or personal avalanche shovels for snowmobiles are nice. That being said as a hardcore snow wheeler I learned to pack a shovel that you’d use to shovel your driveway if you had 3-4 feet of snow pack on it. Like an aluminum scoop shovel. Yes it’s big, might have to strap it to the roof. That being said at times you can be in for a lot of shovelling and you can diff yourself out of a lot or dig in for shelter in worst case scenario

[@OutdoorAuto]

I like this… I may just strap one on the roof rack for the winter…

[@Scoobienorth]

@ to be fair, this as well as a lot of other stuff as well, we all didn’t pack one. But in our group we always had one. A lot of our snow wheeling gear was like this, spread amongst the 3 of us that wheeled all the time

[@timking2194]

Great video good information

[@msmitzijaneable]

Snow trips are the best

[@dhrracer]

After watching both Toyota World Runners and Dirt Lifestyle there are two main concerns I had. I will try not to be too critical, but the concerns are very serious. First: When you stated you checked the weather. What did you check? Did you check potential avalanche conditions? Do any of the individuals on the trip have any training in avalanche awareness? When you guys decided to turn around especially considering the weather conditions there was nothing mentioned regarding the changing snowpack conditions and the risk level with the snowpack other than the difficulty it created for driving. Second: Everything any of you discussed was all vehicle and comfort related. Do any of the individuals have any human powered overnight backcountry winter travel experience. Was anyone of you equipped/prepared for non-vehicle self-extraction? Calling for outside help is something that needs to be requested sooner than later but the last thing to count on. All of you should get training in and practice overnight winter travel with just what you can carry on your back. Relying on your vehicle for survival could very well be the path to no return.

[@yamahaguil]

When your really relying on your 12v setup, it's great to have at least 2 source of power to recharge. A solar panel, even a small one permanently mounted on the roof will save you. Even if the motor dosen't run anymore.

[@AdventureBraten01]

One of my favorite collaborations ever it’s so cool to see different KZbinrs that you watch separately all combined and make a very similar video

[@zephgage3694]

damn that xj in the background when you where talking is sick af

[@fscottgray9784]

I use a Pecron DC to DC charger and it allows you 3 setting of voltage to determine when it sends power to your power bank. I would think that Bluetti would also have this feature. By lowering acceptance voltage you could get the DC charger to work. I carry a couple of magnetic rechargeable high out put lights that I can stick anywhere on my rig so I can have light exactly where needed in a pinch. Cheap Harbor freight version last a long time and are pretty powerful. I bought several small 600 watt small electric griddles from a Australian company that recently decided to stop selling in the USA. I would like to send you one free as a way of supporting your great You tube channel if you want one.

[@fscottgray9784]

The Stokes Kettle heats water fast and uses a bit less power.

[@g1mpster]

I just bought the LF Bros N3. It’s been great so far.

[@OutdoorAuto]

I just ordered 2 more for friends… they just work exactly the way they are supposed to…

[@Xp200dr-gj8lz]

To save yourself some internal room in the vehicle you can consider a down quilt from a company like Enlightened Equipment or Zpacks. I have no affiliation with either but they make outstanding sleep systems and a 0 degree bag packs down to about the size of a football and is 23oz.

[@BHaskins]

If they give you a chance to demo, get the Eco Flow Alternator and the Ecoflow Pro Max 2 battery. You are able to adjust through the app a what voltage to start charging the Eco Flow Battery. I have mine set at 12.5 Volts. Works well even when the alternator is not producing a ton. This would have helped you to charge while driving where you could have adjusted it down to 12 V or so. Working great so far. Let me know if you want to check mine out. I live in Meridian, ID. :)

[@timludwig2974]

Nice Video! EcoFlow has an similar booster for their delta Power stations. Loading peak 800W. Perhaps it works better with your Batterie🤷🏼‍♂️

[@OutdoorAuto]

I would like to test theirs as well someday… my alternator problem is that it is actually going bad… I’ll replace it this weekend.

[@FlatPlaneCranky]

When we went logging, the truck breaking trail would use tire chains. Worked like a champ.

[@OutdoorAuto]

I have chains for my rig… but it all depends on the snow… some it works like paddles… some it digs and you hang up on your diff…

[@Scoobienorth]

In deep snow chains don’t work. Reality with 37-39” tires they are running, at 2-4psi where you’d be stuck with chains, they are barely even needing 4wd. With no offence to anyone on that trip, aside from Nate everyone else was familiar with snow driving but somewhat lacking experience in those conditions. You only get experience from doing it with guys like Nate. You also need to get comfortable being uncomfortable with extreme low tire pressures and even resetting beads if you pop one off. It’s not a big deal. You also need to be able to read terrain and adjust your driving style moment by moment. Seat time in your rig is paramount

[@OverlandAdobo]

Hey there! I've also got the method wheels beadgrip. Bought it after your other vid featuring the wheels. What PSI do you think is the limit for the beadgrip wheels, in a general sense? I know it might be difficult to give a hard limit.

[@steepenough]

1st, Really enjoy your reviews and pro analysis. QUESTION: Why recommend to Chase C. Falken Wildpeak AT Trails and not Yokohama Geolandar AT G015?

[@sirstevo]

Very cool starlink setup. Does it work while the car is in motion? Could a passenger stream video, for example?

[@OutdoorAuto]

Yes it does

[@qfan8852]

I noticed that my Jeep's alternator doesn't always work: If the car's computer determines that the battery is "fully charged" then the alternator is somehow turned off and the electrical system will stay at 12.8 or 12.9v. Only when downhill or braking, the electrical system will momentarily see something like 13.4 ~ 14.0v. Then periodically it will go to 14.8 or 14.9v constantly when the computer thinks the battery's too low, after a few days of short in city trips.

[@austin5303]

In the beginning of the video yet, but brings importance to the "PACE" plan. Primary Auxiliary Contingency Emergency plan for most aspects.

[@Clockwork0nions]

if I did a lot of snow camping I think i'd just bring a propane heater/generator with me. Seems like it would save a lot of prep effort and space.

[@Meanderthal-Adventures]

Nathan, a lot of good points made, and to think about. I know you’re a tire geek, so my question to you is; do you think Mud Terrains would have been better on the shelf road, or would tire chains be the preferred and keep the AT’s in that particular situation?

[@OutdoorAuto]

Tire chains tend to dig instead of float so in snow multiple feet deep they perform pretty bad… we actually tested this last winter. Mud tires have thicker sidewalls and have softer rubber that hardens in cold temps so they don’t tend to balloon out as well and give as big of a contact patch… so for me the 39” AT’s are the best I have found.

[@Meanderthal-Adventures]

@ got it. Snow was too deep for chains.

[@Alex_S89]

How big is your shop?

[@FlatPlaneCranky]

When we went logging the guy breaking trail used tire chains.

[@VnazT]

Cool video but what are y’all doing going with a Land Rover in your group? That was perhaps the biggest mistake!

[@OutdoorAuto]

That is no ordinary Land Rover… that thing is on 1 Tons and built all out by @dirtlifestyle

[@underabigsky]

It’s when u go alone….

[@OutdoorAuto]

Yeah… very dangerous to do deep snow alone…

[@dasfahrer8187]

The The alternator charging issue may also not be because of a bad alternator. Newer vehicles' "smart alternators" regulator is often handled by the ECU/PCM instead of a traditional regulator. Even the diode function is often monitored by the ECU/PCM now. So it may be completely mucking with the ability of the your external chargers to function properly. In short, you REALLY have to plan these things out very, very well now to ensure proper functionality.

[@wesleybrehm9386]

first!