Living in a Yurt Through Cold Maine Winters.

[@ktrix13]

Thank you! I ove the real-life perspectives! and the music too...

[@anyelisilva4831]

Thank you for your video! Your calm demeanor made our morning :)

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Thanks!

[@nilslandis1603]

Thanks for the video, very informative and helpful to me

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@luv-a-lution778]

Luv this video! Right on, thanks for all the info. We are seriously thinking about the yurt route. Thanks again!

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Thanks!

[@BongDonky]

Hello, You think Yurts are fine in cold weather down till around 20 degrees? Using wood stove? Cheers from California@@AllPathsLeadToWater

[@imadruzy8779]

I really enjoy your fireside chats, Mike. Your musings are cool yet instructively warming! Glad to see the addition of a supplemental kerosene heater.

[@Thilosophocl3s]

Just started building a yurt pad in SW WA, for my homemade 20' yurt. Had considered blue board as well; will definitely be skirting the underside, and I have a wood stove

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Nice! That’s awesome that you are making your yurt! Are you making the lattice wall and everything? Skirting is a good idea. How cold does it get in SW WA?

[@Ivanskrakow]

We have a Yurt mid NH. on Cardigan Mountain. Don't believe more insulation in the floor would help.. all of your heat from your wood stove goes up, if you heated water and pumped it through tubing under the floor , so the floor was warm it would work,> as you know if we have the wood stove cranking and it is 10f outside and 75 inside at 3', the dog food water bowl will still be frozen in the morning. Good to find you

[@ilovetheusajp]

I searched the comments to find the song you used, because it's great. What is it? Thanks for sharing your experience. This was a fun video and helps me imagine what it would be like to stay in, or even live inside a yurt, which seems kind of adventurous and cozy! Keep up the good work dude.

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Thanks so much! The song is Cold Outside by Gregory David. I added a link to the track in the description. Glad you got a sense of what it might be like in a yurt. It is definitely an adventure at times!

[@ilovetheusajp]

@@AllPathsLeadToWater Adventures are what life is all about! I found your video at the top of my search for cold conditions as I was just inputting random keywords related to insulation and "how bad does it get in a yurt" haha. Good stuff. Looks like IF I do this, I'll want to create a nice insulated, top & bottom sided/two-sided platform to keep my feet warm! Now just to figure out whether or not I can put the toilet/shower inside... a warm toilet seat is CRUCIAL for me lol. wish me luck! ;p

[@Mongolian.Script]

Beautiful 🥰 It is very worm inside the Yurt with a stove that is how Mongols are survive the long Winter. Thanks for sharing this.

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Thank you

[@sgardner]

Is it possible to retrofit your floor insulation? Glad I found your channel.

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

I think it would be tricky once the yurt is up, but we probably have just enough room under our platform that we could add more insulation from below. We could also put a skirt around the bottom of the platform to block the wind. Alas, I don’t think we are going to add more insulation in the near future. Glad you found our channel!

[@butterflywhispersparanormal]

My husband and I are planning on getting a piece of property in Georgia with unrestricted land. My question to you is during the summer is their anything you need to do with the Yurt material? to keep it from cracking or is there any winterizing you do to keep it from leaking? I hope that makes sense? What size is good for two people and a lab fur baby? I realize that the bigger the yurt the more you have to keep warm. Thank you for the video

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Thanks for watching! We haven’t done anything special with the yurt material in summer or winter. We’ve followed Pacific Yurt’s instructions for cleaning the side wall and roof with a mild soap like dial which we’ve done a few times. I’m guessing the care instructions might differ by manufacturer. I think the size really depends on your personal preference for how much space you want/need to live comfortably. The bigger you go, the more options you will have for creating spaces or rooms within the yurt without loosing the overall open feel. We were surprised by how big our 30 foot yurt felt the first time we walked inside, and our family of 3 plus dog and cat have never felt cramped or crowded. Hope this is helpful!

[@debcothran7564]

Get a yurt from Groovy Yurts. Check them out. They know their stuff

[@jilldezsenyi7361]

I see quite a few that use insulated siding..others 2x4 the outside n cedar shake the roof I'm interested in trying this lol

[@margaretjames4589]

Great video..👍..nicely done'

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Thanks!

[@not2b8b4u]

Good points. Well presented. Thank you. Respectfully, having effective "skirting" around the yurt's base will help the cold foot problem. A true Mongolian wall and roof insulating cover should be added too..

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Great tip!

[@karuna6376]

What brand of yurt do you have and do you have issues with condensation in the winter/spring? I live in north Idaho where the winters are similar to yours. Our spring is very wet and sometimes mildew builds up if things are under tarps. I'm trying to decide between a yurt that is mostly "plastic" or a traditional yurt made of natural breathable materials.

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

We have a Pacific Yurt (which we got used and I think is close to 20 years old). We do get some condensation/mildew issues but nothing that we can’t clean/take care of. A new Pacific Yurt probably would experience the same issues.

[@Tylerdhamlin]

Looking to build a 30' pacific yurt here in Washington summer 2022. Have you looked into non traditional insulation methods for the walls/roof, beyond the standard reflective insulation? If you were rebuying your wood burning stove at this point, which one would you get?

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

We haven’t delved too much into non traditional insulation. We added some rigid foam insulation on a few walls. If we were rebuying our wood stove, we would get something with a big firebox that would burn through the night, and maybe something with soap stone to help retain as much heat as possible. Thanks for watching & Good luck on your yurt journey!

[@rathernotdisclose8064]

Heated floors are actually really affordable these days and fairly easy to install (if you ever do another yurt).

[@macmc54ify]

I enjoyed your video.

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Thanks! Glad you liked it.

[@apuuvah]

Good stuff.

[@rayray9620]

Hay bails around the base will help. Stck your wood close. stay warm!

[@starcitizenbot]

"Howdy friends, my names Mike. And this is where I live." Mr. Rogers/Bob Ross vibes right off the bat. Instant sub.

[@cawoman1]

If you were going to do it again, would you buy the same yurt? We are considering all the options for a yurt and are wondering about a hard-sided yurt like "Freedom yurts". Would really value your opinion on this.

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

I think if we had had the resources at the time, and weren’t planning on moving the yurt we would’ve considered something more permanent. That being said, our Pacific Yurt has held up well given its age

[@ahk0341]

Nice!

[@robinfielding1108]

Wonder how that would work in Minnesota at - 20 and -30s then theirs the - 60s being the coldest I ever felt here

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Wow! -60! It'd definitely be a full time job to keep a yurt warm in those temps, but with the right heat source and insulation I think it'd be doable in a yurt!

[@eastcoasthomestead5207]

Hello from just across the border in New Brunswick. We are thinking of going off grid with a yurt. How do you make out in those hurricane force winds?force winds

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Thanks for your question! We've experienced wind gusts up to 75 mph in our yurt. During those strong winds, the canvas walls and roof pulsate with the gusts, but everything holds up fine. Our yurt has the snow/wind package from Pacific Yurts, which includes two steel cables woven through the roof rafters and 2x4 supports at the ends of each rafter. Some people also add blocking between roof rafters for extra stability. I've never worried about the yurt holding up; my biggest concern is the big trees nearby. Overall, our yurt has proven to be quite resilient in high winds!

[@SeagullAmIOne]

Distracted by your computer screen, does it move with your head?

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

No, it was just a screen saver

[@OICU2]

I would have liked a tour of the inside.

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

I’ll be making a yurt tour video in the near future!

[@mikeharper8581]

I can say as a real Mainer, you don’t worry about the cold that much, where I live in rangeley it gets to be -30 or -40 degrees for weeks at a time and I still go work outside everyday

[@not2b8b4u]

Correct, respectfully, a well constructed, well located winter camp home yurt, should be warm at -40f and 30 mph winds too. Remember three layers of bear, buffalo, yak, etc..., fur covers the floors.

[@Ser-xk1pu]

Hello, how do you get settled, with respect to the places to the land or plot? Regarding food, electricity, wifi, water and the rest? It is clear that one lives the furthest from the comforts of the city or where one was born. How close do you have a warehouse, a town, do you have transportation, or do you live off nature, hunting? Thanks.

[@01olracman]

Put more layers of rugs in the floors it will be warmer

[@deadheadri5779]

Cool vid! 'Bah-da-Bsssh' ✌🤣

[@heathenwolf4997]

I seen yurt kits on eBay, thinking about getting one.. What would the budget be for an off grid yurt in the mtns? It's a Mongolian one.

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

It really depends on the type and size of the yurt. I would budget at the very minimum, at least $5k.

[@TheKeepersOfStillTown]

Do you have condensation issues? And if you don't, how do you achieve this? I also live in a yurt but I'm having this issue. And I am trying to sort how to deal with it.

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

We have had some minor condensation issues, but in general, when we run our wood stove and kerosene heater it dries everything out.

[@ThisReckless]

I am planning on doing a yurt while I save to build on my land. It’s weird I put winter yurt and it came up with Maine because thats where we live lol. Can we legally live in these or do we need a permit in Maine? We were thinking rocketmass heaters for the heat.

[@ThisReckless]

Also where did you source your parts from? How much was your foundation and is there any local yurt suppliers around us in Maine?

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

It all depends on where you are building the yurt and the local regulations. A rocket mass heater is something we thought a lot about but never ended up doing because we didn’t think of it until after the yurt was up. We were worried about the extra weight. So if you plan for that when you build the platform, it could work well. Anything that increases fuel efficiency and heat retention is good in a yurt. We found our yurt on a local FB group and the platform came with it. I’d estimate that it would cost $2k-5k to build the whole platform ( for a 30ft yurt). The cost will depend on the type of platform, size of yurt and price of wood these days. The only local-ish yurt suppliers that readily come to mind are www.twogirlsfarm.org.

[@orrtannaboy]

Do you have any plumbing?

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

No plumbing. We have a composting toilet and water jugs with a battery powered pump

[@brickdorsi]

Did u have to buy the land to stay there or is there a way to find remote land and just Camp out for a while ?

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

We’ve bought land but also had friends let us live on their land. While a yurt is often considered a temporary structure, I wouldn’t try just camping. I’d definitely make sure you have permission to be there.

[@aislinnwhite6580]

Where did you guys get your yurt from?

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

We found someone selling it locally through and online message board.

[@glorialaviolette7528]

Do you have windows?

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Yes, we have many windows but they are just screens with plastic that attach with Velcro and flaps that cover the outside (pretty much a heavier duty version of what you’d find in a camping tent). Some people build real windows into the yurt but we haven’t done that. When it gets cold, we close all the windows up and add extra insulation.

[@marystachow652]

Maybe we should get a yurt for these freezing New Orleans days!

[@barbaraforgoodness]

You need to adjust the audio balance. The music interferes with my ability to hear what you are saying which is what I'd really LIKE to hear. Thanks!

[@TotheTop1111]

Does You are a yurt have double insulation in the walls and the ceiling?

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

No, we just have one layer of insulation.

[@danielgagne485]

Bro...I live in Brunswick. I been wanting to live in a yurt or teepee since I went to Colorado and got to stay in a teepee for a couple days. I would love to chat and maybe visit if you're not far. I have a friend with land that might lease me a piece for some work.

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Awesome! We are happy to answer any questions you might have about yurt life. If you think you want to live in one, I’d suggest staying a night or two in one (there are a whole bunch in Maine on Air b&b)

[@charlesnaylor4146]

I have a whole bunch of questions for you about living in a yurt ! What is the biggest size that a yurt comes in? Cuz my wife and I are considering about getting one or two !

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

It depends which company you get your yurt from. I believe 30ft is the biggest Pacific Yurts makes (which is what our yurt is). But I have seen bigger ones, but can’t remember what company makes them. I have also seen lots of examples where people get two yurts and connect them, or connect a separate structure to a yurt.

[@imp4356]

So setting up the yurt, were you purchasing property to setup on or how does that work? I'm actually moving up to Maine and would really like to get into a Yurt after grad school somewhere among the trees. Thanks.

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Before we owned land we were lucky to have friends and family let us set it up on their land.

[@suebuddha8849]

Hello and thank you for the video! What size yurt do you have ? Thank you :)

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Thank you! We have a 30ft Pacific Yurt.

[@thomashindle3570]

Tom from Quebec Heat your yurt with compost will go up to 140f put some pipes together and a fan and you will have heat

[@FF-ub7bn]

Could you explain more?

[@c11p]

Great video.... super interested in yurt living, but concerned about any code or zoning limitations. Have you found it a smooth process in Maine? Is it the only structure on the property? SO many questions, lol

[@r.d.9399]

Fuck the codes. Live as a free person.

[@anamariacamposguevara7423]

Never showed the yurt ⛺️

[@costeawood]

I'm buying some coastal property near Harrington and have always wanted to live in a yurt. I can't afford a regular house so this seems like a good option. Just curious how far up the coast you are?

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

We are around the Rockland, Camden, Rockport area.

[@costeawood]

@@AllPathsLeadToWater Thanks

[@wainber1]

I think of living in yurts common among nomadic Turkic peoples of Central Asia.

[@b-chris8555]

Hey! Thanks for the content man! Just curious; what town are you in? Also, i know this is an impossible question to answer for all places since state & town codes very (I know its different everywhere), but how much of a nightmare was it as far as acquiring permits & meeting building codes etc.? I'm looking into purchasing a yurt from Blue Ridge Yurts in VA and building it in Sedgwick ME. Thanks again for the great content!

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

The yurt has been located in three towns in its life time. Each one has come with a variety of experiences. One time the town was supportive and sent an inspector and that was it. Another time the yurt was tucked away and we tried to not bother anyone and it was all very secretive and another time it was an absolute nightmare and battle with the town that was emotionally and financially draining. Things we have learned are: emphasize that a yurt is not permanent and the more off grid the better. It isn’t super specific but we have had three vastly different experiences. Thanks for watching, glad you’ve enjoyed our channel!

[@b-chris8555]

@@AllPathsLeadToWater Thank you!

[@kimberlycockram1894]

Let me know how you like it. I live in VA and would like to have one here. I don’t know what the codes are like here, so it’s iffy

[@vallovesnature8449]

I went to Unity College & definitely remember the winters. I’m live NJ where people think 30F is cold. I tell them that it’s balmy😂

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Yeah, I used to tell people “it isn’t cold if it doesn’t hurt to just be outside”

[@ReverendNillerz]

that's a roundabout way to say, "It's shitty in the winter"

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

It isn’t that bad

[@chadmcclure2972]

Just a heads up chief. You got the lowest grade insulation for Yurt.

[@johnpont1831]

Please turn the music down while you're speaking, it distracts from the good information you are giving to us. Thx

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@3269888]

Thanks, now I don't have to post the same thing.

[@jakot5777]

the music is very distracting .. :(

[@mounttaineer]

the music is kind of distracting to be honest.

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

appreciate your honesty

[@mounttaineer]

@@AllPathsLeadToWater no offense intended. I like the videos because I am trying to decide if I want a yurt in Maine for a full time home, and there is not a lot of good information out there for living in a colder climate not necessarily off grid.

[@catlinhollow]

The music is distracting

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Thanks for the feedback. I will definitely be taking this into consideration on future videos

[@terrytytula]

Another potentially interesting video I had to stop watching, ruined by shitty music, when will people learn?

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Thanks for watching Terry!

[@virginiadurant9954]

Do you want people to listen music or to you? Want more subscribers get rid of the music. I can always listen to Spotify. Goodbye!

[@AllPathsLeadToWater]

Virginia, thanks so much for taking the time to watch and comment. I appreciate your feedback. To answer your question, I’d like people to be able to listen to what I’m saying, and also hear the music in the background. While I didn’t find the music distracting when I made this video, it appears that to many it was, and I will definitely work on a better dialogue/music balance in future videos. I probably won’t ‘get rid of the music’ entirely, because I like using music in my videos and if people chose not to subscribe because of that, then that’s ok. You can’t win ‘‘em all right? Anyhoo, thanks again, and I hope you enjoy some sweet tunes on Spotify!

[@karmaxxl7945]

You don't sound sure or very convincing 😂