Solo Winter Camping in a Hot-Tent

I'm a veteran 'cold-camper' who favours snow shelters such as igloos and quinzhees, but I recently purchased a hot-tent, packable wood stove, and a hauling sled, and took it all out to some Crown land for a short winter camping trip. Here's a short video of how it went.

[@littlejimbridger7770]

It's always a pleasure to watch a guy who knows what he's doing. Excellence!!!

[@PineMartyn]

Thanks so much for the kind words. Cheers, - Martin

[@rtwego]

Awesome!! Thanks for sharing this! I'm in awe of the amount of snow and how deep it truly is. We don't see this kind of snow where we are in the states. Definitely need to add this to the old bucket list.

[@PineMartyn]

Snowshoeing in deep loose powder like that is a real leg workout at the best of times, but even more so when hauling a pulk, but it is gratifying at the same time...and so beautiful and out there in that heavy blanket of snow. I hope you get a chance to experience it yourselves. Cheers, - Martin

[@susannewilliams]

YEAH man. That is what I call LIVING!

[@PineMartyn]

It sure is. I am looking forward to winter, even though I don't want summer to end. lol Cheers, - Martin

[@mtnman4766]

Really enjoyed that. My son and I used to winter camp before he left home after he married. We had a permanent camp on the back of our ranch bordering the Ochoco Nat'l Forest in Oregon. He and I used to go in and snow camp over New Years. We took our rifles and set up targets and had a great time. Took our three ranch dogs and had them sleep on either side of us with one in the middle (3 dog night, LOL). He just moved back from several years in the Caribbean and at 70 I'm planning a big winter trip for this next winter. You got me all excited! Thanks.

[@PineMartyn]

Thanks so much for that comment. I'm glad it brought back some memories and gave you that urge to get out there, which is, of course, always part of the point of sharing these videos. Cheers, Martin

[@PeterNordBushcraft]

Looks like fun to me!

[@ericryckman5174]

This was great! Thanks for sharing!

[@PineMartyn]

Thanks Eric. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Cheers, - Martin

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

Excellent video

[@CamperChristina]

Great video with lots of excellent information and tips. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@TheOgieone]

fantastic video!

[@PineMartyn]

Thanks. I'm very glad to know you enjoyed it so much. Cheers, - Martin

[@MrSIXGUNZ]

thanks much for sharing your time sir!!😇😇😇

[@PineMartyn]

You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed watching. Cheers, - Martin

[@randolphpastoriza]

that was lovely to watch...ty

[@PineMartyn]

Thanks. I'm very glad you enjoyed it. Cheers, - Martin

[@yogeshtulani5736]

Extremely motivating Camping video! Wanna do it this winters now👌👌👌

[@PineMartyn]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Cheers, - Martin

[@PumpkinVillage]

Very nice video. Looked like a good set up. Thanks for sharing. Take care, Al.

[@steintanz]

Great camp setup! Thanks very much. now I need a hot tent kit ... and a vacation in the cold north :)

[@PineMartyn]

Why thank you my friend. It's a rare day when I can inspire envy in you and your climate. Cheers, - Martin

[@hotelfive1]

Love the video Martin! Awesome job and i LOVE that tent!!!

[@PineMartyn]

Hi Stephen. Nice to hear from you. On an unrelated note, I'm still loving your old Henessey Hammock. Cheers, - Martin

[@hotelfive1]

Glad to hear it! Hard to go back to sleeping on the ground after sleeping in a hammock eh? There's a fellow around here that built himself a hot tent for his hammock....looks pretty sweet!

[@dsmith8011]

So glad to see a new video Martyn. Your videos is what turned me onto Crown Land camping. I felt the pain as you lugged your sled up that hill. I really enjoy your videos.

[@PineMartyn]

Thanks so much. I can't tell you how gratified I am to know that you've discovered Crown land camping in part because of my videos. Gratefully, - Martin

[@northboundcanadian]

Glad to see another video have enjoyed your other ones

[@PineMartyn]

Thank so much. More to come! Cheers, Martin

[@jasonpaul1510]

Great video PineMartyn. Recently did a hot tent overnighter myself. Very satisfying to know you can go into the bush in any conditions and be comfortable. Thanks for sharing.

[@PineMartyn]

It really is good to know that, with such equipment and food, one could stay out indefinitely. Glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers, - Martin

[@journeyman7189]

Wonderful trip Martin. Thanks for bringing us along.Nate

[@DaD-zl2hr]

Great to see You Back :)

[@PineMartyn]

Thanks, Da D. Cheers, - Martin

[@linneapaaso4512]

Great looking set-up Martin! I know very well how much work a solo hot tent trip can be! Having hardwoods is a real advantage. The places I have been camping is mainly hemlock.. always a treat to find some dead standing hardwood. The snowtrekker looks great, well laid out set up. Thanks for sharing! -Zak

[@PineMartyn]

Glad you enjoyed the video Linea Paaso. I'm fortunate in that the region I inhabit is just south of true boreal forest, so while confers such as pine, spruce and fir predominate, hardwoods such as oak and maple are common. There is, of course, nothing wrong with burning resinous softwoods. In fact, those burn very fast and hot (producing less creosote in the pipe) and warming the tent that much faster, but the beauty of hardwoods is one needn't feed the firebox quite so frequently and, when one wants to cook at more moderate temperatures, hardwood coals allow for more controlled cooking. Cheers, - Martin

[@snapperpetta9145]

Good to see you back after a long absence!

[@PineMartyn]

It's great to be back. Thanks so much. - Martin

[@TexasUrbanHunter]

Nice setup there Martin and the stove looks cozy!

[@PineMartyn]

Thanks. I'm very pleased with the way the whole setup works together. And the stove worked beautifully. Heats up fast, is easy to feed and control the temperature, no back blowing smoke into the tent, and is easy to assemble, disassemble and pack up. Thanks for your comment. Cheers, Martin

[@RandomButtonPusher]

First, love the traditional red/black plaid hat and coat. Second, a good straight-forward look at this type of camping, from the notes on how to park your car to the honest view of the effort involved to earn the benefits displayed. Subbed.

[@PineMartyn]

Thanks so much for the kind words and for subscribing. Cheers, - Martin

[@nicktuskan7772]

Nice to see some of ontario actually had snow this year....

[@PineMartyn]

We sure got a generous amount of snow this year. I'm just delighted. Regrettably, right after this trip, we've had unseasonable daytime highs and rain, so we're losing a lot of snow. Cheers, - Martin

[@MrFysherman]

Thanks for the great video! Welcome back!

[@PineMartyn]

Thanks so much. There's more to come. - Martin

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Great video Martin. I have not had the opportunity to hot tent yet. I think for me cost is a barrier at this point, but that may change... I may also DIY a tent and stove to try it out before buying. Martin, I could not find a video on your site that details your pulk. I winder if you could show us a bit more on how it was made, etc. Thanks for sharing

[@PineMartyn]

Mark: I know just what you mean about the cost of such a setup. I have wanted to purchase my own hot-tenting setup for many years now, but frankly, I could not afford the cost of such a tent and stove if purchased new. The shipping costs are very high for such bulky items and there are no local vendors of that brand of tent. I was extremely fortunate in finding an ad on kijiji by someone who was selling the entire setup: tent, stove, two sleds, 2 hauling harnesses, and 2 large duffel bags as complete set. I was even luckier when, as it turned out, the gentleman selling it was a long-time subscriber to my channel, and for that reason, he very generously sold it to me at an unbeatable price. What's more, he held it for me until I could make the 10-hour round-trip drive to go pick it up, and he even gave me detailed instruction on the setup. You can imagine my gratitude. There is just so much generosity of spirit among fellow lovers of the outdoors, but this was really beyond what one might hope to expect. So, my advice to you is, check out the online ads. There's a site called wintertrekking dot com which has a great forum and a buy/sell area wherein you might purchase some gently used gear. With respect to the pulk, I might do a video on that. The fellow who sold me the whole setup customized the sleds for hauling, including putting together a really clever and effective hauling system with poles and harness. Glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers, - Martin

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for replying Martin. I do watch sites like Kijiji and have found some great buys there. I will take a look at wintertrekking.com...

[@PineMartyn]

I'm sure you'll find the WinterTrekking site to be a fount of information where winter camping is concerned. I'd also like to thank you for tagging me in your most recent video. I'm very honoured and you can expect a video to be forthcoming from me in response to it. I'm going to have to give some thought to whom I want to tag in turn. Does it need to be three channels? Cheers, Martin

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

From what I gather, the original 'tag" stated three, but I would think you can change it to anything you want...don't think the KZbin police will come after you :)

[@JohnP58]

I've experience in a igloo with the ICEBOX mold maker but you made me wanna try this concept, I love the simplicity and confort. Great video I felt your passion.

[@PineMartyn]

I'm big fan of the ICEBOX igloo tool. It's long been my preferred winter camping shelter system, but I will definitely be enjoying both sorts of shelters (hot-tenting and iglooing) in the future. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and I appreciate those kind words. Cheers, - Martin

[@2fast65]

great video thanks.

[@eatemraw]

Glad to see you back Martin. I look forward to some new Spring camping videos.

[@PineMartyn]

Thanks so much for the encouragement. Cheers, - Martin

[@wawhiker]

A pleasant surprise to see your video on my playlist, and to see you with a hot tent. Very nicely done. Looking forward to more of your adventures. You mentioned your Snowtrekker is a hybrid - what makes it so?

[@PineMartyn]

Hello wawhiker! I'm not entirely sure why it's called a hybrid. I think it's because the size falls between their small and medium sized shortwalled tents. Their small wall-sized tent is 8' x 10' and the medium is 9' x 11.5'. This short-walled tent is 8' x 11', so as wide as the small, but as long as the medium. That's the only reason I can think of. It's not listed in their current catalog, so I think they made only a small number of these. I'm happy with the size though. It felt palatial using it by myself, but it would be ideal for 2 or 3 people. Thanks for watching and you comment. Cheers, - Martin

[@wawhiker]

Thanks for the reply Martin. You've matched your palatial quarters with a mighty fine stove - it will be ideal for you indeed. Enjoy it out there!

[@wotchermuggle]

A lot of work for one day! Looked fantastic though!

[@PineMartyn]

It was quite a lot of work for a day, but well worth it. I would have liked to have stayed out longer, but this was intended as a shake-out trip to test out my new gear and since I was going alone and had no one to share the hauling load with, I didn't want to bring several days worth of food. I will next time though. Cheers, - Martin

[@danybarceloux7950]

Hot tenting is always alot of works. But worthed

[@edwardmcbain5730]

Hi.Martin.when pulling a sliegh up hill.Drop it and pack the trail with your snow shoes.Makes live much more bearable.Luck Mcbain.

[@PineMartyn]

Yes, that's undoubtedly what I'll do next time. I've hauled pulks before, but never such a heavy load as my prior cold-camping trips involved much less and lighter gear. Hot-tenting means greater comfort at camp, but a lot more setup and hard work getting to camp. Cheers, - Martin

[@Woodswalker1965]

Quite the adventure I would have given up halfway in lol! Thanks for sharing!

[@scottengh1175]

First I have seen with the drop hole. Expect that's from being an experienced snow camper. With shoveling parking space and all, lot of work.

[@PineMartyn]

The cold pit just inside the door is a real bonus when the snow is deep enough for one to dig one out. It makes a nice seating place from which to tend the stove and breakup twigs and other kindling without littering your sleeping shelf. And of course, that pit serves as a cold sink, where colder air will puddle and thus make for a warmer sleeping shelf at night. Thanks for commenting, - Martin

[@TheWildYam]

Wow! I was thrilled to get notified that you had a new video up. Great night in the bush Martin. I love that little tent and stove. I felt your pain as you navigated the hill. That deep powder snow would make travel uphill very difficult. I just got back from spending the night in the bush in a hammock again! I was toasty but definitely not as cozy as you were in your tent. Keep the great vids coming! All the best, Jen.

[@PineMartyn]

Thanks Jen, that was very nice to read. More vids coming, for sure. All the best, right back at ya. - Martin

[@EdgewoodOutdoors]

That looked great out there, and awesome tent!

[@PineMartyn]

Thanks. Those SnowTrekker tents are really luxurious.

[@RaindanceBushcraft]

Jeez, how long did it take to carve out that parking spot? It's nuts how even a really steep hill can look like nothing on KZbin, eh? It looked like you were working hard on that last stretch of hill. How much weigh were you pulling, all told?

[@PineMartyn]

On this occasion, it took about 90 minutes, but at times it's taken as long two hours. If you have a friend with you, you can clear a space like that in about 45 minutes. It's important to note that when I clear a spot for a vehicle, I work slowly and methodically so as not to work up a sweat and not to tire myself out before having to begin the sled haul. I'm not sure how much my pulk weighed on that trip. I'm thinking about 60-70lbs, not including the weight of the pulk and harness itself. This is not a heavy load however. What made it so difficult was the amount of freshly fallen powder, so that I was sinking deeply even with large traditional snowshoes and the pulk was plowing through the powder rather than riding high as happens when the snow has had time to compact with time. So, these were particularly difficult hauling conditions: hilly and deep, loose powder. Cheers! - Martin

[@PineMartyn]

Addendum: I thought I should mention that if one is not hot-tenting, but instead cold-tenting in a regular 4-season tent or building a snow shelter, one's sled is MUCH lighter. If you watch the first few minutes of my first video on solo-igloo camping, you will see how much smaller and lighter my pulk is. It's comparatively effortless. Hot-tenting is luxurious once you've made camp, but the gear is heavy, bulky and one must bring additional heavy gear for harvesting and processing firewood for the stove. Cold-camping, by comparison, makes for easier, faster travel, easier setup and tear-down of the camp, etc. Cheers, - Martin

[@MeetMeOutside]

Fabulous ! I have been waiting for a video from you folks ! Very well worth it ! Peace

[@PineMartyn]

That's so nice of you to say, Cragdwella. Cheers! - Martin

[@DrsharpRothstein]

I followed you over from tonight's discussion at Rain Dance Bushcraft. What was the temperature? Any rule on how thick your sleeping pad has to be versus the temperature of the ground? Something that I heard and have discovered is not to work so hard to sweat heavy in the winter bush.

[@PineMartyn]

Good questions. The temperatures ranged from a high of about -5 to an overnight low of -15 or so, as I recall. The inflatable sleeping pad I use is the Winterlite DownMat by Expad. It's an inflatable down-filled pad with an R-value (insulating value) of 8, which is very good, but it's an extremely costly pad. It's about 4" thick when inflated. I also bring a closed-cell foam pad which I also place beneath my sleeping bag as extra insurance. When possible, I cut spruce or balsam fir boughs and imbed the tips of the branches to create a bough floor...when on Crown land, of course, and provided there's an ample supply to be had. And yes, it's important not to get overworked and sweaty. You will note that at the start of my sled haul, I was moving very slowly, very steadily, so as not to overheat. On the hills, there's not much one can do however, as the exertion requires ensures one will get very warm. All one can do about that is shed some layers and take a good recovery break afterward to let one's body temperature drop, instead of proceeding with an elevated temperature which will lead to a lot of sweating. An important factor in keeping cool, as you no doubt already know, is layering your clothing, but what one must remember is you have to have a place to store the layers you shed, so leave room in your packs for those layers and make sure that it's easy to stow and retrieve them. People often wear layers, but don't think about where they will keep the layers they remove, and with no place to put them, end up wearing all their layers anyway, which defeats the purpose. Thanks for coming over and the good questions. Cheers, - Martin

[@MySelfReliance]

Great trip Martin. I like the sinkhole idea. Well, are you sold on hot tenting?

[@PineMartyn]

The sinkhole idea works as a cold sink, as you know, but the real advantage is having a good comfy place to sit so one can tend the fire and cook without having to crouch or bend. I didn't come up with the sink hole idea though - that was recommened in the bible of hot-tenting, _The Snowwalker's Companion_ by Connover and Connover. And yes, I am absolutely sold on hot-tenting. I will definitely be doing more, though I can't see myself forsaking cold-camping in snow shelters. Cold-camping with snow shelters is no more, nor less work when it comes to camp setup, but there's way less heavy gear and arduous sled-hauling involved. But for a lengthy stay outdoors, nothings going to beat the advantage of a hot-tent where one can not only relax in just one's base layer, but also dry out all one's damp gear. That is such a luxury and so ensures one can camp out indefinitely so long as one has an accessible supply of wood to burn. Thanks for your comment. I hope you enjoyed the Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show this weekend. I must make my way down there next year. Cheers, - Martin

[@brianspencer4220]

Hey Martin: You've been missed. Your understated efforts are impressive. Looks like a great camp & a beautiful trip Thanks Brian 76

[@PineMartyn]

Thanks for those very kind words, Brian. It was a very beautiful and encouraging first experience at hot-tenting. I can't wait to go back. Cheers, - Martin

[@telegraph_hill]

Hi Martin. Very nice video. Can you do a short video on how you load, stoke and set the stove so it gives long run times at night? I personally would dread waking up to a totally dead stove in the morning.

[@PineMartyn]

Hi Joel, I do plan on making a few instructional videos of exactly that sort - really simple things which would seem obvious to an experienced hot-tenter, but are anything but to a novice. I should mention that it was freezing cold in the tent when I awoke because, in a hot-tent, you sleep cold...with no heat. You rely upon your sleep system at night, otherwise you'll be up every 30 minutes kindling your fire. In the morning (it went down to -20C), my water was all frozen (something I never experienced in an igloo), and there was frost on everything, but starting the fire was quick and easy and the tent was warm and then hot in very short order. It's really a matter of preparing things well the night before to make fire lighting easy. It's so easy, you don't even need to leave the warmth of your sleeping bag. I hope to show that in a forthcoming video. Thanks for the suggestion. Cheers, Martin

[@bwillan]

Joel. Running your woostove at a low temperature creates creosote in the stove pipes. Which if not tended to can cause you nest stove pipes to glue themselves together when packing up. As Martin mentioned, it is recommended to let your stove burn out and have a proper sleep system to keep yourself warm when sleeping.

[@mudtoa]

Looks like u had a fun overnighter

[@pirouzpourdowlat7200]

Martin; Is it not a bit risky (in terms of attracting predators) to cook and camp in the tent? Is it fairly safe to rely on the fact that bears hibernate? How about other predators?

[@PineMartyn]

Only in winter to I store and cook in my shelter, and that is because there are no predators to be concerned about, save black bears, which are still hibernating at this time of year. In other season, I make it a point to have no food of any kind in my shelter or on my person, and I keep a clean camp and store my food well away from camp, except when cooking, plus I carry bear spray and bear bangers. But winter is that time of year (in these parts), where one can put aside concerns about bugs and bears. :-) Cheers, - Martin

[@Nortekj]

I would have tied a long rope to the sled and walked up the hill to the end of rope length then pulled the sled to me, and repeated if necessary until I had it to top of hill, I believe it would have been a lot easier than trying to walk up the hill while pulling the sled.

[@PineMartyn]

I'm sure you're quite correct. I actually brought a length of rope for that purpose in case I came across any very steep inclines, but I had judge this one to be manageable. In hindsight, I should have use a long hauling rope. I'll know for next time. Cheers, - Martin

[@karenrinzler9741]

Wow you have quite a following Martin! I enjoy your posts. Was in Ontario near the Crown Lands two summers ago on a 10 day canoe trip. Did not know how to contact you. Would have loved to see you again old friend.

[@PineMartyn]

Karen! :-) I recall when you were going to be in our neck of the woods. I'll be in touch with you. Thanks so much for the comment. Cheers, - Martin

[@timboehlke1227]

enjoyed your vid, maybe having a partner would lighten the load between the stove and tent

[@PineMartyn]

Tim: Yes, having a camping partner would allow one to divide the heaviest items (tent and stove and food and tools) over two sleds. Also, when sled hauling with a partner, even if there's only one sled, one person can break and tamp down the trail while the other hauls the sled over the trail. They can switch roles whenever they wish. What made my sled-haul taxing was that, being alone, I had to both break trail and haul a heavy load. That being said, I wore a lot of breathable layers (wool from head to toe), which I shed along the way, so as never to break into a sweat, and I took my sweet time, so as not to over-extend myself. I knew that once I found a suitable site, I'd have plenty of work left to do and I didn't to be sweaty and exhausted. So, pacing myself made the sled haul completely pleasant, except for that one steep hill. Cheers, - Martin

[@IntenseAngler]

Good times there without a doubt my friend. Thanks for taking the time to bring us along on your trip. Happy Trails.... -John

[@PineMartyn]

Thanks John. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. It's always a privilege to see your comments. Cheers, - Martin

[@lpowelltrip]

Hi Martin, it looked like you really enjoyed your night in the bush. I was wondering what the aproximate weight of the entire setup on the pulk might be? Also was that an exped mat your were sleeping on ? What model was the sleeping bag? I recently picked up a silky gomboy folding saw like the one you used and i'm really impressed with it. Cheers and keep up the good work!

[@PineMartyn]

lpoweltrip: I had a fantastic could of days and night out there. I enjoyed every minute of it, and I am rather pleased that I was able to fit and then haul the whole setup solo and set it up solo. It will be so much easier and an even greater pleasure to do so with a partner next time. To answer your questions: The Kni-Co Packer stove is advertised ay just under 20 lbs, which includes the nesting stove pipes, but in addition to that I have the optional shelf, pipe damper, spark arrester, and a home-made aluminum false bottom. All these fit inside the stove itself. Additionally, I have an elbow joint (which unfortunately does not fit in the stove). I carry the whole stove and it's accessories in a light sack which together weigh between 22 and 23 lbs. The SnowTrekker tent weighs about 15lbs (with poles). I can only hazard a guess at how much the entire loaded pulk weighed. I'm going to say 55lbs, but I plan to weigh it the next time I do a solo trip. My sleeping pad was - you guessed it - an Exped. Specifically, it's the Exped Winterlite - a tapered, down-filled pad with an R-value of 7. It's very lightweight and takes up very little space when packed up (only a bit thicker than a 1-litre Nalgene bottle). The sleeping bag I used is my wife's winter bag. It's the Never Summer bag by Marmot, with a - 17C comfort rating (for men) and a survival rating of -35C. The overnight temperature dropped to around -20C, so I was in fact a little chilly at one point and so put on a small jacket and I was fine after that. About the saw: I was very torn about whether to bring my trusty Silky Gomboy or my somewhat larger Saw-Vivor saw. I opted for the Silky saw because it was smaller and could be easily stowed in my cargo pocket between uses in camp. It proved to be the better choice and that saw cuts so beautifully and never binds. Thanks for your questions. Cheers, - Martin

[@lpowelltrip]

Thanks Martin for generously sharing your info and knowledge !

[@unbdld42]

Nice video. Would you say this tent is large enough for a big guy(me) and my two dogs (Weimaraner and Vizsla)? I have never hot tented as I live in Southern California. I know there is plenty of snow in the Sierra Mountains to try hot tenting but i'm kind of concerned that I do it right.The elements are unforgiving. From what i've gathered the Snowtrekker tent is the best way to go but expensive and there are several stoves to choose from. Thanks for any advice/input. Blessings to you!

[@PineMartyn]

That tent is definitely big enough for a large man and two dogs. It can sleep three comfortably. Two people can sleep in there in luxury. By myself, it felt palatial. My only concern for what you're describing is steep ascents with such gear. That tent and stove cannot (should not) be carried in a pack while on snowshoes (too bulky), and hauling such a setup on a sled up steep, long inclines is really quite exhausting. Now, if you were to do so with a small party of people (say 3), the load could be distributed, the burden of hauling taken in turns, the trail/route packed down by the people ahead of the person hauling. And you're correct that the Snowtrekker is among the more expensive models. For it's size, it's light, very easy to setup, and of excellent workmanship, but that quality comes at a premium price. As for stoves, there are many to choose from. The Kni-co stoves have a good reputation. I didn't choose the stove, actually. I purchased the tent, stove, sleds, hauling system and duffel bags secondhand from from a very generous subscriber at a bargain price; so it all came as a set. Cheers, - Martin

[@unbdld42]

Thanks PineMartyn…..since i'm a newbie my style at this time (to keep my risk low) is pretty much car camping and on flat terrain near a trail head. I know of a few campsites in the Sierra's that are open year round (even with snow on the ground). Essentially, I would park my truck in the parking lot and walk about 50'ish feet to the site that is level, if I find myself in a bind I will just trek back to the vehicle less than a minute away. I would still pull a sled to get gear to right location and def. not backpack'er in. In the future I may try something more adventurous but only after I feel confident that I understand all safety issues. Summer backpacking is my usual and i'm pretty comfortable doing that (hauling a 45'ish pound pack with a hammock etc.). I have a lot of respect for the extreme weather we have in the Sierra's but have interest in trying snow camping. Looks like a ton of fun! I'm sure snow trekking tents are hard to come by used (if at all) so i may post a "looking for snow trekker" on the forum just in case someone is retiring or has extra gear.

[@PineMartyn]

unbdld42: You are absolutely correct to take things in stages when it comes to winter camping. Winter camping is not especially hard, and one doesn't have to be tough or hardy (I'm certainly not), but it does require some know-how and experience because, in cold conditions, the stakes are higher. When things go wrong (getting wet, gear failure, injury, getting lost, etc) the consequences are severe. So the way to acquire experience with winter camping is as you described, in more controlled conditions where one can extricate oneself quickly and easily. And I certainly don't encourage people to winter camp solo unless they are quite experienced. You've got the right idea. Cheers, - Martin

[@cliffordwright1603]

Another great video. I love hot tenting. Thanx for sharing

[@PineMartyn]

Glad you enjoyed the video Clifford. I'm definitely sold on hot-tenting will be certainly adding this style of camping to my existing repertoire. Cheers, - Martin

[@MrSIXGUNZ]

well done sir but...... I kept thinking ooooh my he forgot his walking stick!!

[@anthonydemarco5642]

what country are you in? I live in a tent in Massachusetts year round and love it

[@PineMartyn]

I live in Ontario, Canada.

[@LarryHyett]

Great to see you back Martin. Thanks for sharing.

[@birdcanoe3084]

Happy to see you back at it, your videos helped me a lot with winter camping!

[@PineMartyn]

That's very gratifying to know, Bird Canoe. Thanks, - Martin

[@packhorsetriumph5319]

it was foretold long ago that one day Martin would return. that day has now come! He camps for all humanity

[@PineMartyn]

LOL. That really made me smile. Cheers to you, - Martin

[@neildbarker]

Great to see you're back, Martin. I always enjoy your videos. Unbelievably heavy snowfall up there eh? I've done some hiking as far as Apsley/Kawartha Highlands PP, but haven't tried the Muskokas yet. Looks like a great place!

[@PineMartyn]

Yes, Neil, we've been blessed up here with plenty of snow. And I'm glad for it, because, much as I love spring and summer, I like the snow to hold out, and the more snow falls during the winter, the longer the snow remains. Cheers, - Martin

[@smokehousehammock4481]

nice video,,I love camping in the winter with a wood stove... try a hammock sometime...

[@PineMartyn]

I have a Hennessy hammock which I use in summer sometimes, but I have not tried using it winter because I haven't wanted to invest in or make an underquilt, top quilt, etc. I also prefer to camp with my wife and I don't know how to string to two hammocks within the confines of a hot-tent...but it is something to consider when soloing. I certainly sleep well in my hammock. :-) Cheers, - Martin

[@Ostsol]

Do you get a lot of condensation on the tent interior, as with unheated tenting?

[@PineMartyn]

Yes, there is condensation that forms on the inside walls and poles overnight. This is because, at night, you sleep cold, letting the stove go out, so the temperature inside drops to about that of the outside temperature. But in the morning, within minutes of lighting the stove, the high pressure hot air generated by the stove drives out and dries up the moisture in the tent, removing any feeling of damp clamminess as you would have to put up with in a regular four-season cold tent. That's the real advantage of a hot-tent - not just that it's warm and comfy while you're in it, but it permits you to dry out all your gear - completely dry - and in a very short time. Cheers, Martin

[@nicolasall3857]

Hi, Martyn, will U please give me the website exactly were I can find Ontario map with Crown land? thanks

[@PineMartyn]

If you go to my video on 'How to Locate Crown Land', you'll see the link included in the video description. Cheers, - Martin

[@t.w.milburn8264]

What a welcome surprise to see you, Martin; Been awhile & It's a pleasure we got to set with you for a spell, Hoping there's more to come. STay-Frosty Friend. ATB Terry God Bless

[@PineMartyn]

Thanks Terry. There are, indeed, more videos forthcoming. Cheers, - Martin

[@borghed3841]

did you have Any ventilation in your tent?

[@PineMartyn]

Great question. Yes, all Snowtrekker tents are ventilated. First, the fabric, though made of a tight weave, is of breathable cotton, so moisture is expressed through the very fabric by the high pressure of the stove-heated air in the tent. But, more significantly, there are two vent sleeves at opposite ends of the tent, near the front and rear peak. These can tied shut if desired to trap some heat, but one ordinarily leaves them open so that hot air and moisture can escape, and it ensures that there's a cross-current of fresh air that can cycle in. I had no smokey back-venting, but that can happen at times, and those vent sleeves will help that smoke escape. The door also open easily (completely or partially), so that one can let heat and moisture and smoke escape, and there's large square velcro window on the back wall of the tent which can be opened as well. So, the tent is designed with plenty of ventilation. Thanks for the question. Cheers, - Martin

[@PREPFORIT]

I did Not Laugh at that part . ( I've been there.) I like that. Tent !

[@PineMartyn]

I'm very pleased with the tent. I"m happy to say I bought it from a very generous-hearted fellow who is a subscriber to my channel and he sold me the whole setup (stove, tent, pulks, hauling harness and poles, and duffel bags) at a price I could afford. I could not have afforded to buy all this gear new (especially with the shipping costs), but I have to say, if you can afford it, the SnowTrekker tent is every bit as good as it's advertised to be. It was luxurious winter camping and I genuinely felt I could live in there all winter, if necessary. Cheers, - Martin

[@hermit6208]

PREPFORIT , anyone who laughed has never struggled through deep snow through the woods.

[@troutwhisperer3042]

next time you go up a hill leave the sled at the bottom... hike up and then back down.. the you hike up on a packed trail...

[@PineMartyn]

Yep...good advice. This was one of those cases where I deliberated between which would be more effort, hauling through deep powder with the sled in tow, or going up and down just with the snowshoes and going up a second time with the sled. In this instance - given the steepness and length of the hill and the depth of the snow, your suggestion would have been the less strenuous course to take. Thanks for the comment. - Martin

[@wellsgb1957]

Great set up, thanks for taking us along!

[@PineMartyn]

The pleasure was all mine. :-) Cheers, - Martin

[@dystapia]

Nice video I just subscribed as I realized I have seen a few of your posts. I live in southern Ontario and am considering making the investment of a hot tent set up. Where did you get your tent and stove?

[@PineMartyn]

Jeff: I had the good fortune of buying my hot-tent, stove, sleds and poles secondhand from a gentleman who was no longer making use of his setup and was selling it on Kijiji. The tent I use is a SnowTrekker - the cadillac of hot-tents these days, so quite costly to purchase new, but worth every penny if you can afford it. The stove is the Packer by Kni Co and it too is very good quality. Both companies are located in the USA, so shipping really adds to the costs, since they are not small items to ship. Good luck in finding what you're looking for. Cheers, - Martin

[@mustang774]

Nice winter adventure. That is a dandy setup you have there. Glad to see a new video from you, it has been a while.....Take care, Bluefin.

[@thealternativeaudio]

Quick Question... How deep would you be post holeing with out snow shoes? I've winter camped but never in depth of more than a foot...

[@PineMartyn]

It depends entirely on how deep the snow is and how much freshly fallen snow there is and whether deeper layers of snow below the fresh fallen snow has consolidated into a dense supportive 'base' for what's just fallen. On this trip, there'd been a lot of recently fallen powder snow, so without snowshoes I'd have been sinking up to my crotch. Weeks later though, after some milder temperatures to melt and consolidate the snow a bit, I would not have post-holed half as much. Cheers, - Martin

[@bwillan]

So, Martin, are you every going back to cold camping again? LOL Once you've experienced hot tenting it is hard to consider winter camping any other way. I'll bet you had firewood left over when you left the next morning.

[@PineMartyn]

Hi there! Oh, I fully intend to cold-camp again. It's way easier to travel with a tiny, light pulk, but for longer trips or when going with my better half, hot-tenting is going to be the way to go from now on, I can tell. And yes, I did have plenty of wood leftover, which I cached under a big ol' pine tree. I wasn't sure how much I'd need, and because I didn't have a proper, deep cold sleeping bag (never needed one in an igloo), I cut enough wood in case I'd need to keep the fire going in the night. It was a great learning experience. Cheers, - Martin

[@nicolasall3857]

I could not find it, Thanks

[@SmellThePines]

Looks like you found a lovely spot to camp! Where are you located? My wife and I just started winter camping this year and have been enjoying getting outside in the midst of a Canadian winter. Because we are rookies we made a few mistakes but we look forward to learning from pros such as yourself.

[@PineMartyn]

I live in Muskoka, and that's where this video was recorded. I hope you have a terrific winter camping season ahead of you. I'm not any sort of "pro" at this. I have a lot of experience winter camping - especially cold-camping style - using snow shelters, but I'm still a novice at hot-tenting, but I learn something new with every camping trip. More winter camping videos to come this winter! Thanks for the comment. Cheers, - Martin

[@explorermike19]

Nice Vid. Looks comfortable and enjoyable. It is amazing how much a sled can haul, isn't it. You look at camp with everything set up and think, "Man, I hauled all this in by myself!' Martin, where is this? What state (USA) or province (Canada)?

[@PineMartyn]

Thanks Mike. Hot-tenting is, indeed, very enjoyable because it's positively luxurious to have a hot , spacious dwelling to return to and where one can dry out anything that's wet or damp and where one can lounge around in underwear, no matter how cold it is outside. I'm located in Muskoka, Ontario, in Canada. Cheers, - Martin

[@filmic1]

Yikes!! thinking Radisson and Grosseliers (courrieurs de bois) and all those strangulated hernias....

[@PineMartyn]

It can be pretty strenuous, to be sure. I actually have to take care because I herniated a disk a long while back and still have lingering sciatica pain from it. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, - Martin

[@tmerrick24]

Great vid!

[@TraceyTruly]

Wooooo a new vid!! Sweet tent, I have watched a few people's vids where they are using hot tents, they look like work but fun! The meal must have tasted soooooooooooooooo good by the time you got it. For snowy hills would it be possible to leave the polk with a cord attached at the bottom and go up hill and put the cord around a tree to help pull it up? The woods were beautiful!

[@PineMartyn]

Tracey, you're absolutely right...much like a after a day spent paddling and portaging on a canoe trip, a day spent hauling the pulk and then setting up camp leaves one with a proper hunger, and a good hot meal in a warm tent tastes so much better than any costly meal in a fine restaurant. As for your suggestion about hauling the pulk uphilll, you're absolutely right. That was the longest steep incline I encountered that day, and what I should have done and will do in future, is snowshoe up and down to pack down a track and then haul the sled up using a long rope. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, - Martin

[@eliza29]

Set-up looks great! Did you wish for your Atlas crampons while hauling up that hill .... lol

[@ericb.4358]

Thanks for showing this hot tent video. True winter camping comfort. If you learned a few cross country skiing skills you would find it is MUCH easier to use a pulk. Climbing skins can be used on uphills. Friends who do not ski should follow in your tracks. That's far easier for everyone than letting the snow shoers go first. Your use of X'd fiberglass or poly water pipe tubing attached to your pulk and a belt is also much easier and more controllable than using rope. Good choice. Check out the "Winter Trekking" website for more help. And buy the little paperback "Allen & Mikes Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book". It's THE best book on winter travel and camping I have ever seen. 70% is on camping. Great illustrations. (I've been both a Nordic and Alpine ski patroller and winter survival instructor if you need my creds.) Also you can use your pulk as a windbreak if you need to cook outside.

[@PineMartyn]

Thanks for the suggestions Eric. I'm actually very familiar with the WinterTrekking site since it's inception. With respect to the use of skis, I live in an area were cross-country skis are very hard to use, owing to the dense bush, though some people manage in slightly less congested forests using backcountry skis. Because the terrain where I tend to camp is so hilly, so densely forested, and flat lake travel is limited to mostly small lakes, snow shoes tend to be the preferred way. Thanks for the comments and suggestions. Cheers, - Martin