Two Nights Camping in the Snow in Freezing Conditions

[@patz9167]

I have no idea why your channel didn’t get recommended earlier.. definitely my new favourite “bushcrafter”. You do it the best my friend. Shelters are awesome… movie quality shots as well.. Pretty excited to go back and watch your older vids.

[@andreza2184]

You'll love em

[@Canuck037]

If yall love this guy, go check out Greg ovens rocky mountain bushcraft, he by far some of the best and most informative bushcraft YT Vids out their, not to mention he's also a funny and really genuine guy.

[@legendofgrimsby3290]

The 12 day one is my personal favourite

[@andreza2184]

@@Canuck037 I've seen other bushcraft/solo camping KZbinr, but i didn't find it as interesting as Xander. Probably cuz he's the first one that I discovered a year ago.

[@kannonpayne2614]

Fr

[@kirkrasmussen9629]

Xander - I’ve been out down to -20F a number of times in wintertime and have found a few tricks that may help you with your sleep system. I am a cold sleeper in general and these have worked for me. Your results may vary as everyone is different, but I love that you are out there trying this - admitting when it doesn’t work right and owning it. Kudos to you for getting out there! So here it goes: 1.) keep a completely different set of sleep clothes. Don’t wear them at all prior to getting into your sleeping bag. You will saturate them with enough moisture to act as a heat sink in your sleeping bag and cool down your extremities. I go with Merino wool like you do as well as a separate knit cap that I have not worn either and separate wool socks I haven’t worn except to sleep. Let it all dry out during the day if you can. 2.) if you can wash off a bit before you go to bed that will help in two ways. I’m not talking about a full on soaking bath, but just a quick sponge bath (pits, abdomen, back between the shoulder blades and lower back and feet). You don’t need soap either, just a wet wash cloth and a way to quickly dry off. When you sweat doing your camp chores it leaves a residue on your skin that attracts cold. Additionally if you do this right before you go to bed, you will freeze your @$$ off for 1 minute until you get dried off (I wash and dry sections at a time so I can get dressed in sleep clothes) the cold water and air will constrict your capillaries especially in your extremities as your body goes into protection mode, then jumping in your sleeping bag you will warm up quicker and stay warm longer as your body acclimates to the warmth of the bag. 3.) You are going about your ground insulation mostly right (in my experience), but I’ve actually gotten away with a much thinner thermarest pad 1.5” R4.5 and sometimes a closed cell pad on top of that. I think your air volume is too large in the pad you are using and even with the higher (6) R-value it’s just too big of a volume of air and it acts like a heat sink. So air on the bottom and closed cell on the top is right, but believe it or not a thinner air pad. 4.) Lastly you need to create a dead air space around your entire sleep system. So get a cheap bivvy sack - doesn’t have to be water proof or anything special, just wind proof. Put the sleeping bag and all your ground insulation inside the bivvy. This will create a dead air space around the whole system and allow your body to slowly heat the areas in your ground insulation immediately around it with minimal impact from the natural air movement around the bag and your air based ground insulation. Best of luck with it and keep up the great work. Really enjoyed watching your content!👍

[@joeyt684]

Awesome advice! A too thick mat will have convection currents sucking the heat out of you like a heat sink unless its really well baffled inside.

[@JuanGarcia-if7np]

The sea to summit he has is stuffed with a layer of down. Would that explain the thickness of the pad?

[@Kat-nl5gh]

Wow 😳

[@katiemarie7750]

@@Kat-nl5gh Yes, WOW !!!

[@katiemarie7750]

Wow... I had no idea...but of course I've never tried to sleep in the cold ! 🤣🤣🤣 Lol

[@robertwedge6431]

I think this might be the first vlog I’ve seen where the challenges of staying warm at night in the winter has been truly discussed. Thank you for being so honest and real about this challenge. You are inspiring Xander.

[@travelvlog3656]

Hy

[@ghensold]

Your videos are the gold standard for this KZbin genre. Great scenery, great pacing, informative, and just the right amount of talking! I can't stand youtubers that blab endlessly at the camera but it's also nice to hear your thoughts about the trip, what worked and what you would change. Also, your tarp shelters seem really effective and practical. Do you prefer the them over a tent or are you still trying out different things to see what works best?

[@XanderBudnick]

Thanks I appreciate that. The tarp camping just feels more fun to me most of it is just playing around.

[@maxcolby240]

This channel is free therapy, love living vicariously through you and plan to get out there myself soon! Thank you for all that you do!

[@Kat-nl5gh]

@Bushcraft brothers are you poaching Xander’s subs?!? 🤣🤷‍♀️ Who does that? 👀

[@Mike-we3rb]

I love how he keeps making little mistakes but he’s not hiding them. Good dude

[@filipzugec8346]

You mean not buying zippo??that is big mistake😎

[@travelvlog3656]

Hy.

[@jeanlannes8429]

I've watched a few videos and each time I wonder if he checked where the wind was coming from before pitching his tent 🤣

[@RyanFerreri]

When it's really cold and I camp with an inflatable pad and a Z-rest, I usually put the Z-rest on the ground and the inflatable pad INSIDE my bag. I think if there's any air movement inside the shelter, it strips away any warmth that's being reflected back at you from the insulated pad. Putting it inside the bag lets the warmth stay inside with you. For extreme cold, I've also brought an SOL Escape Bivvy, which is basically a sleeping bag liner made of reflective material, and got inside that, then inside my bag. The clothes you wear to bed do get damp because the liner doesn't really breathe, but you stay VERY warm. Just some ideas. Kudos on sharing your gear challenges with us. So many outdoor videos make these outings seem like everything goes perfect, but those of us who actually get out and do it know you rarely have a perfect outing, especially in the winter. It's refreshing to see some true reality in your videos.

[@XanderBudnick]

Thanks for the Ideas I picked up a SOL bivvy. I think its definitely has something to do with the air circulation on the sleeping pad. picked up a Thermarest Xtherm and a USGI bivy which should help me further :p

[@tomasthomas7407]

i love 🥰 “non-sugar coated” Pearls of Wisdom, gleaned from your first hand ‘shared’ experience. 🔥🔥 Keep it Up 👍🏻👍🏻. and thanks!

[@Giskeoutdoors]

@@XanderBudnick I tried a gore tex bivvy at -20°C. It really helped create a stagnant air bubble around my sleeping bag. Whenever I opened it up, the colder draft would pierce the sleeping bag and steal away the warmth, despite the bag being windproof.

[@matthewkopysh2788]

​@@XanderBudnick it's possible that in addition to the air circulation issue above your pad, there's also ice crystals inside the pad from using your breath to fill the pump-sack. It takes significantly longer, but you can unroll the pump-sack and pump the air that gathers naturally in the bag to fill the mattress. This way your warm breath doesn't condensate into a layer of ice crystals inside the mattress.

[@XanderBudnick]

@@matthewkopysh2788 the directions are to blow air into the pump sack at a 30cm distance to limit the moisture.

[@LordKyleman]

"... But it sure as heck ain't happenin' today." This is why I scramble for a cup of tea and sit in awe to watch your videos. You create such hilarious moments with amazing production value, whilst physically pushing yourself to the point of being an ice cube multiple days in a row. Never stop being you gosh darn it, you're an international treasure.

[@History-Secrets]

I'm glad I found your channel! I love your style of filming and editing, nice and simple! I really enjoy watching your trips, it's relaxing, and informative. You are doing exactly what I like, and what I always dreamed about as a kid! Enjoy the beautiful nature, and keep up the adventures, be safe!

[@KettleCamping]

I totally agree! Thank you 👍

[@marconavaleza6826]

You should do a camping video with him!

[@tommyknockers5492]

But is it Historically Correct?

[@History-Secrets]

@@marconavaleza6826 I love camping, especially like this!

[@History-Secrets]

@@tommyknockers5492 Hahaha! 😂

[@trw4war322]

The Skill and Intestinal Fortitude to even make a shelter in freezing temperatures leaves me awed. People cringe if they have to walk to the corner store on a cold morning. Salute to you Sir!

[@prdn8]

That was really hard core. Thumbs up, it's the difficult things one overcomes that stay with us for longer and the worse it was, the bigger the reward once you're through. Compliments to you Sir, stay strong!

[@Midgaardsormen]

So true, went canoeing with some friends in Sweden. It rained for a week, so much that there was flooding. That sucked. At least there was no mosquitoes

[@prdn8]

@@Midgaardsormen if you asked me - I would always choose rain over mosquitoes (and I grew up in a swampy area and am used to mosquitoes and rain)

[@trudiswanson9855]

You've won me! Phhrrt.... and surprised eyes. Whatever way you can up your techniques to warm your core, get it. Because you are a true adventurer to bring vids of bushcraft, win or fail. Take every care in freezing campouts, we want you here for every season, all treks everywhere you love best. Thanks for another 2 "crack 'em up" humour edits. All the very best. Trudes. Cheers. Qld Australia 🐞🇦🇺

[@timbo135790]

Once you have your sleep system dialled in, add a light weight ice auger, 2 tip ups and some tackle to your sled so you can fish the lake you set up camp on. We need a Xander winter survival catch and cook. Great video!!

[@Pyrochase]

Issue you are having with the cold from your mattress is due to the air cooling in it. By putting the pad between you and the mattress you created a temperature insulator, the pad reflected the heat back at your body. I would recommend a Wool blanket, your pad, and maybe even a reflective Mylar tarp with the reflective material facing towards your body. Cold ground can be a fast ending to all good cold weather camping. I use a cot since I am getting older, but I still add quite a few barriers and cushioning to reduce back pain and keep a body warmth barrier.

[@ayeoh47]

it seems like xanders sleep issue can be solved by this comment, sequence: tarp, mattress, wool blanket, pad, the reflective mylar facing up. this should retain heat well

[@thecampfiredram7493]

Exactly my answer. It will also make your air mattress deflate because of the difference in temperature. I can only agree with the multiple layers practice: both on you and under you.

[@InvertedFreeSolo]

Mylar blanket is so clutch. Saved me so much hassle multiple times

[@InvertedFreeSolo]

Mylar blanket is so clutch. Saved me so much hassle multiple times

[@WesSavage]

Great job Gustavo: remarkable camera work even with that cold. He definitely needs a raise.

[@larryhutchinson4271]

I could give you all kinds of advice on how to make your system sleep warmer, but honestly I know nothing about it, so instead I will ask you to keep us informed on what you did to tweak it and make it more comfortable. I just love the honesty and realness of your videos, this is how you teach people the right way, by trial and error. Thank you for taking the time and energy (and cold) to give us entertainment.

[@arthurosch]

Just want you to know that you inspired me to go camping alone someday, and i just did it yesterday! Really peaceful for being far from human for a while and just with myself in the woods. Thanks xander 🔥👌

[@XanderBudnick]

amazing my friend!

[@RafaelUnplugged]

I love the positivity the bushcraft audience provides but after three videos this guy is one small accident away from a big incident. Hope you learn a lot and fast Xander. Be safe out there.

[@marcusaetius9309]

Great to see you piling the snow around the back of the tarp. It makes a difference but for some reason I see a lot of channels where they don’t bother. We also use the sled and whatever else is handy to make side walls to the tarp and that seems to help also. Excellent post as usual!

[@teresalongacre4363]

I just found your channel and it’s great!!! I lost my mom in February and I enjoy watching your videos. You make me laugh! And I also learn a lot about camping/hiking/cooking. You are a Canadian treasure!!😊

[@yuuzyerbrejn9603]

I became a fan of yours when you went on a long trip with Jon of Lost Lakes, and you guys didn't end up hating each other. Being a loner camper myself, it's hard to imagine a stranger becoming a friend under those circumstances, so I knew you were a cool dude. I appreciate your mistakes too, I've made every one. 😄The wind thing is the hardest to deal with. I am near the Continental Divide and that's what I deal with, so I felt your pain there. Sometimes, no fire is possible.

[@bmmmm27]

There is literally nothing better than your winter camping. The steam from your food is incredible. Back of your tent pov view was cool too

[@irishachilles]

I found your channel around 2 weeks ago and have watched every episode (while at work but don't tell my boss). What you're doing is something I've wanted to do for a few years now - get outside to explore, camp and live in the outdoors a bit. And you have encouraged me to do that! I have taken my kayak out to more than ever these past few weeks just to explore what is around my countryside house and have found a few gems, all thanks to your encouraging videos! Your filming style is so immersive and the comedy sides are epic - the "not today" part got me laughing good. Looking forward to the next video. If you're ever in Ireland hmu dude!

[@alstahl8574]

Thank you! Enjoyed outside my whole life. I live in the south now. Still cold sometimes, but no snow. Thanks again for reminding me! Dry layers, keep moving. Sleep in the daytime sun!

[@archangel5627]

It’s a true breath of fresh air to hear an outdoorsman tell his viewers the issues he’s having with his sleep system and shelter. A lot of these Bushcraft KZbin content creators are too arrogant to fess up to the fact that what they’re doing isn’t perfect. No one has a perfect night especially on their first night camping in the wilderness. This is even more true when you’re camping in the middle of winter. There’s always room for improvement when you’re sheltering in the great outdoors.

[@Sh4rpN]

Oh man oh xander... Just happened to find your "coming clean about solo camping" video and your sense of humor is just what i was hoping to find. I love your videos, I can't stop watching them or just listening to them while working. Please keep it up!

[@stuartbrookes7785]

Kudos for sticking it out another night! Also, thanks for making this video 20 mins long. Some guys do 1 night with an hour+ video, this was awesome!

[@paultanewilliams1121]

Yo Xander Whats up man ? I am so addicted to ur channel you become my sweet addiction in KZbin😂. Perhaps because you make people happy, free and love the nature…It’s incredible. I write this comment in the 20th of December 2023, so I would like to wish you a merry Christmas and I am waiting with impatience ur next videos. Big hugs😊🎉❤

[@lucklassen]

I have been watching your videos for a few weeks now and I can't stop watching! You are very inspiring and you are making me want to try solo camping big time! Thank you for sharing your camping adventures with us.

[@jerrybaker8525]

Hey Xander, when I winter camp I basically don't wear anything but my underwear in the sleeping bag, my understanding is that then your body heat can better circulate throughout the bag, and if the bag is a good one it should insulate the heat from escaping. I'm a Canadian as well living in Romania, also struggled with substance abuse, so it is great to watch the vids and relate to things. Thanks for the content!

[@Numberoneiosgameplay]

I just had covid pretty bad and am struggling with some myocarditis at the moment and your videos are the best bro. They really help to manage my panic attacks and calm me down. Cheers from Montana!

[@Conan3145]

I’m never likely to sleep in the snow living in Australia but I appreciate the effort you put in. I like the discussion on mishaps, technical issues as so many KZbin channels present a perfect camp in each video. An after dinner 5 minute chat on a piece of gear in the video would be interesting to me. Thank you.

[@marconavaleza6826]

When you're stressed out in life then you see the notification that Xander uploaded a video, a reminder to us that life's not so bad.

[@Zappa870]

The thing I enjoy about your videos, is, that you are not afraid to show the issues that many people experience. A lot of us have experienced these challenges

[@SlyDionysus]

I went camping on an island at my local lake after being inspired by your videos! The lowest it hit was 27 degrees and I've never been out overnight in that kind of weather. Can't get enough of your videos bud keep it up 👍

[@Splin7er_the_ninja]

Today I was doing the groceries and came face to face with a huge pallet full of Dino Eggs instant oatmeal’s. Made me smile, bought two boxes. Arrive home, see you put out a new video! I have been following your channel for about a year now and I do enjoy all of what you put out there. Thank you for sharing your adventures!!!

[@laffitteoutdoors]

Watching you set up that tarp reminds me of building forts with sheets and blankets as a kid. I guess that’s where it all starts right 😁

[@XanderBudnick]

hehe same here :D

[@BlackbeanCatVC15]

I've wanted to do this since I was a little kid. I'm old now and never did it, but I can live through your videos sometimes. Thanks, you're the real deal. ☺

[@waltb7943]

I am freezing just watching this. The second night looked brutal with the wind. Your a real trooper Xander.

[@2spoons]

Very calming to watch - great to see a bush crafter at work

[@mikesargent6989]

Hi Xander. In Duel Survival they lined the inside of the tarp with an emergency reflective solar blanket (dollar store) and apparently it trapped a lot of heat. You should try it to stay warm during the night. Thanks for the video.

[@marycarter6186]

I always line my tent with a mylar blanket; it helps a lot!

[@elund408]

Mors kochanski taught survival to the canadian troops for years. He developed what is known as a super shelter. which involves a reflective blanket and a sheet of plastic to make a reflective green house. (what they used on dual survival) There are many videos he is worth watching.

[@lexatrice2600]

7:22 And that was your third best part of the day. Great video pal.

[@nolliemongo]

7:23 legendary 😂🤙🏼 great content brotha!

[@milire2668]

haha hes the best edit: 16:10

[@alfredojunior1991]

kkkkk

[@jaketaylor2211]

Dude your legit the real thing! Thank you for your videos. I send them to all of my family and friends!

[@LostLakes]

That post-fart little zoom in on the reaction 👌 Really interesting how you felt warmer with the CCF pad on top...there's some debate about that online but no clear answer if one way is scientifically better. At the risk of being one of a thousand people to suggest something, I added a sheet of Reflectix (at any hardware store) after many recommended it and I like it. Pretty cheap, weighs nothing.

[@XanderBudnick]

I went and bought a xtherm pad that might do the trick. Thanks, brother Ill pick one of those up too! Can we do a 2 week canoe trip this summer?

[@LostLakes]

@Xander Budnick yes, yes, a thousand times yes! 🤠

[@XanderBudnick]

@@LostLakes

[@bonpecheur4565]

Geez ! Did I just read Xander asking Jon on a date for a futur trip ?💋💘

[@lukedrive2869]

Just discovered this channel and I’m so glad I did. Funny, truthful and honest. Great video all the best Luke.

[@CMNCHE]

Dude, your content makes me feel like I am in another world. Keep up the ASTONISHING work brother.

[@dealspeed6756]

When I was younger, I was in Boy Scouts (Your Southern cousins). We used to do winter camp survival trips. We would camp on the backside of our local Ski resort at about 4500ft. My tent was not rated for below 0 temperatures but my mummy bag was (-10f) my best friend that always shared my tent with me had not so nice equipment. His sleeping bag was pretty standard. We used to bring a heavy blanket that once folded in 2 it fit the bottom of my tent perfectly. We would also dig down into the snow about 6-8 inches and set the tent in the cleared area. With all that in mind despite -5-15 F we always stayed warm. I did a lot of this style of camping as a teen, and I always used this method with great success. Something else that might work as well. Memory Foam sleeping pad on top of your current thinner pad. Memory Foam absorbs heat like nothing else.

[@davidmichael3160]

I so enjoy your videos and am constantly amazed at your seeming confidence and fearlessness in exploring and camping in these natural settings. Also, you have a great sense of humor, which is why so many people like you! You might enjoy reading "A Year in the Woods: Twelve Small Journeys into Nature" by Torbjørn Ekelund.

[@vitaliymukhaylov2370]

Hey Xander, Another great video, many lessons learned. Few tips from my 10 years of winter overnight trips. Down booties, weigh around 2 oz for a pair vs 5.6 oz for my heavy wool socks (I usually bring both), can help keep your toes warm overnight. A reflective emergency blanket can radiate the heat from the fire towards your sleep system and block wind during camp, can reflect your body heat during the night if used as a ground cloth. Stay safe and stay warm.

[@TheForgottenXXVII]

I wonder how much of your cold back is from the Sea to Summit pad. I've seen several gear review channels mention that the Ether Light XT felt much colder than other pads with similar R-value ratings. One hypothesis was that the insulation inside the pad shifts around too much and creates cold spots. I own a Thermarest XTherm, and cannot speak highly enough of it's cold weather performance.

[@XanderBudnick]

Yah I'm pretty positive it was the pad I purchased a xtherm so that should do the trick

[@WHJeffB]

@@XanderBudnick Lots of helpful tips from all the comments, I'm not a winter camper, but I've watched a ton of you guys that do and have picked up a few things. There's another survival/outdoorsman on KZbin that recommends putting your (air inflated) sleep pad inside your sleeping bag. There's also another Canadian that camps out in temps like the ones you experienced on this trip and uses nothing but a sleeping pad and a dual layer of wool blankets (including the clothes he's in of course). The difference is that he always builds long fires about 30 - 40cm from where he's sleeping, so the air temp in his shelter is always well above 0° while the fire is burning. He may not always be very warm, but it seems like he's never "cold". Might be worth giving it a shot. Love your videos... You're a chill young man, with a good disposition and likeable personality. Keep on doing what you're doing.

[@ramzezespinoza4910]

Hell yeah! Great video Xander! I've watched all your videos and watched them over again! After work, I got a routine of un-winding by watching one of your videos and packing some leaf of my own. Looking forward for the next one!!!

[@TheBl3ndz]

Love the videos and what your doing on the channel Xander! Would be awesome to see a dedicated shelter tutorial/in-depth set up video for a couple different tarp options so I can improve my own tarp game! Much love from Newfoundland.

[@XanderBudnick]

i have a knot video but most of the configurations I just figure out in the moment

[@ride-paddle-repeat]

Totally agree! Really benefited from Xander's knot video but seeing one for the tarp setups would be awesome too!

[@karolisjurgilas5215]

I love your videos, not long ago I lost my dad and watching your videos it makes me relax and enjoy nature. Thank you

[@alexhunt6677]

Xander buddy i think i’ve watched every one of your videos now. You’re amazing, through all the hardships and struggles always keep on going we love you. Thanks for capturing what life’s really about and inspiring tons.

[@DottieStanley]

Thanks again for sharing your adventures! Everyone can learn from your mistakes and I so appreciate that you explain your process of learning.

[@taylorg8509]

Dude u are wild for these freezing cold overnights !! Idk if i could manage this lol Keep it up man !!

[@filippyknow]

There's a Xander in you, believe in yourself. Start with the fridge in the kitchen

[@LolPepperGate]

Another awesome vid Xander. My favorite way to get a fire close to a open shelter like that(if I got a shovel)...I build fire out way like you did...then once a bed of coals is formed. I split two or three logs into planks..put them closer to bedding then shovel coals onto it. Then I toss 1 log on coals as needed. I don't have to deal with as cold as climate as you so a bed of coals with one log on it goes a long way without flaring up huge flames as you shown in your clip. Thanks for another adventure bud!

[@MHarenArt]

Wow, I hate being cold at ANY time! So I guess I admire your tenacity in that you keep trying to get it right, and you will! You got quite a few good suggestions in the comments. Also, on a much more serious note: Your reaction to and subsequent ignoring of that fart was exactly as it should have been, short of editing it out. Hey, we're all human and humans toot. But I was relieved that it didn't turn into an "juvenile" comedy routine as I've seen on some other channels. Ok, That's enough of the serious talk. When I saw the opening drone shot of you walking in with your sled, I had vision of you having a small dog sled team to ride in and drag your gear. LOL! Thanks for sharing your frigid adventure and excellent film. Stay safe and warm Xander!

[@JWhite8709]

The more layers you wear inside a sleeping bag, the less effective the sleeping bag is. The sleeping bag is designed to trap your body heat around you, but the more layers you wear, less of your body heat escapes to warm the inside of the bag. Minimal layers is a good thing. Also, you can put your clothes under the sleeping bag to help keep them warm for the morning. Couple of things I learned sleeping in the cold in the Marines. Enjoyed the vid, man!

[@aepage3165]

Wowza! That is a colder night than I have ever stayed out in. I stay out in -10C pretty regularly, and I've been quite warm with a less impressive sleep system than yours. It seems like you're trying all the right things, and working it out, but that's a tough cold to stay out in. One thing I do that seems to help, I take two steel hot water bottles to bed, not just one. I put one in the crotch area of my snow pants, and I stuff the other one down the leg of the pants. The upper one I hug / keep next to me, and the one in the pant leg goes between my legs. (I don't wear the snow pants to bed). the bottle between the legs is usually still quite warm, if not hot in the morning. Sometimes it's the little stuff. I'm sure you've learned that even better than myself.

[@lilesmw]

My first bush camp channel and one of the best!

[@josephnoonan5255]

Xander: Beautiful opening scene!! BTW, what winter gloves do you recommend. I am going for a two-nighter in a couple of weeks (thanks for the inspiration) and I noticed in one video you seemed to have some nice flexible gloves. I didn't see it in your list.

[@WHEREVER-I-ROAM]

@@keinarhya7709 *🍌🐒reported*

[@Unpopable_Bubble]

Always love your videos. Such beautiful videography, and I love how real you are. I’d be so interested in just a compilation of you walking back to pick up your cameras after all those trekking shots.

[@SchubiDE]

Hello Xander, I always love to see yout new Videos and I hope you wont stop making them 😁 greeting from Germany and stay yourself

[@markduncan6690]

No Messing Around here! Straight to the setup- and fire making! Great Model!

[@tonym4136]

That fart lol

[@paul9858]

Hi Xander, love the channel! Thanks for posting all of these videos and displaying your experiences for us to sit at home and dream about our own trips! I was trying to figure out your sleep system along with you as I watched. My Uncle who was an avid camper in the Sierras spoke of using a cowboy bedroll and wool blankets under themselves to stay insulated. At -20 to -30 C, your air mat will only conduct cold under you and the R-value is lost (insert complicated R-value math/science equation here...) basically laying directly on the snow would keep you warmer then the air mat which is actually the issue in those temps! You'd need a "thermal break"! Good luck! You're a braver man than I !!! Some more of my Uncle's advice, watch Jeremiah Johnson (1972) for mountain man tips in cold weather sleeping!! ("Didn't put enough dirt down, Saw it right off." --Bear Claw Chris Lapp)

[@kristofferreid]

Great as always! I can't get enough of watching campfires and tarp-setups. I couple of my own experiences for staying warm at night; the silver side on the thermarest towards you (its supposed to reflect your heat), add more and thicker wool/down clothes (some people say that you shouldn't have more than a baselayer inside the sleeping bag but as long as you don't compress the insulation it helps a lot) and some insulation around the nalgene helps extend the time it gives off heat. Hope this helps!

[@Antonydeguise]

little tips, boil the sausage and then roast them on the fire with a stick for texture , nice video as always ! thank you

[@cliffordwright1603]

I love your style Xander very hard core. You have advanced so much since you first started. I love that they are short and not one to two hours long. Keep up the good work. When I go winter camping I’ll put a couple of foot warmers in the foot box of my bag and a couple further up

[@harrygreen6935]

I love it. Xander warts & all, good & bad. Cool to watch you learn & thanks for sharing. I did cold weather training in the US Marine Corps. The gear & eating before getting in the bag was key to staying warm. It took me 5k calories a day to stay warm. Drinking plenty of fluids water, tea, cider were great break from water. Love the videos & thanks for sharing.

[@gracerev1]

As always, impressed with you knot tying and you willingness to tough it out though your “sleep system” wasn’t working for you. I’m also glad to watch this from Florida😎 Great video.

[@bradlafferty]

You could try using a reflector wall by your campfire to capture more heat. Good luck! Good vid, hard core! Respect!

[@freyaede8395]

I’m not sure if you’ll read this but I recently found your channel and as someone going through a levels and that has anxiety your videos really help me calm down and help me sleep. thank you.

[@xlavalonlx2349]

Nothing better than to come home a relax watching this, Great work out there Xander!

[@JonUchaczOutdoors]

Man. Another banger. That wind/smoke problem is something I’ve never seen before. Kind of mind boggling. Great video, man!

[@MiFilipinas]

I love snow, just simply heavenly beautiful. I was once in NY many years ago, I love the winter there. I wish we have snow in our country. Love following your videos Xander, very relaxing. Keep it up!

[@logiconabstractions6596]

For snowmelt: leaving ±1/4 of water at the bottom of the pot makes things melt much faster (because more water helps with thermal conductivity), but also makes it possible pack fluffy snow denser, closer to sort of a slushy.

[@BeholdTheLeviathan]

Love winter camping vids! Especially when you get to make the joke that the best thing about it is no mosquitos. I've only gone as cold as -18C, but the thing that helped a ton was foot warmers. Tight sports socks, stick on foot warmers, dry thick woolen socks over top. That made the second and further trips significantly nicer for sleeping.

[@Giskeoutdoors]

The adventures of Captain Xander Bander! Getting a warm nights sleep is an eternal challenge, at least as long as you try to not bring everything but the kitchen sink. Just gotta keep at it I guess, and enjoy the ride despite the numbing cold. Last trip I spent 14hrs inside my bag, as I couldn't keep my fire lit. I would be lying if I said I enjoyed myself😅

[@josephflynn8158]

Once again, pure joy and excellence! Thank you!

[@waynehiron2941]

Love everything about your channel and this video proves how hardcore and adaptable you are. Love watching your vids. Also really enjoy it when you convey what knots you're using to set up camp. Would love to know some timestamps of how long it takes to set up a shelter, to collect wood, to cook your meal, etc. Keep doing what you're doing, mate.

[@XanderBudnick]

Thanks, friend! Ill keep that in mind

[@MustafaAndroid]

My son (5 yo) and I are huge fans watching your videos as they are released and we have gone camping being inspired by your videos as well. Hoping to go for a snow camping soon. I love your videos

[@imDanola]

Opening with the overheads of you trekking through is awesome. Love the vids ~! Keep it up, it's great content

[@rusticlivingbushcraft]

Xander thanks for your honesty and not editing out the ‘not so perfect’ scenes. I’m new to bushcraft and would love to do a winter overnighter. This really gives me some things to think about. Curious to learn how to minimize the smoke in the tarp. Will go through your comments and see if anyone had any recommendations. Or, if you figured it out, help a lady out and share your trick!! Thanks for great content!

[@wilbobagins]

8:40 I liked the bit where you got up to set up the camera, and then went back to the sleeping bag to purposefully knock the tent down for 'authenticity'

[@kimkimba1131]

Felt so bad when the wind was sending the smoke into your shelter. The wind seemed quite strong. Then hearing the toot and thinking of an elephant running out from underneath you. Then the second night the wind seemed stronger and felt for you as you stayed cold. Our landlady turns the heat down at night and I tend to stay up late. So I sit and feel cold. Then I see your videos and stop complaining. My guess is you got nice and warm when you got back home, slept soundly in your warm bed, and enjoyed a hot cup of coffee not made with snow. Thanks for another beautiful video. Stay safe and looking forward to the next one.

[@bendollie306]

I'm a young guy who rly hates the idea of camping in general but u inspire me to get back into it , love ur stuff man

[@samlewis3047]

Addicted to your channel, my family all watch your videos! Am always itching for the next video!!!

[@marktaylor8263]

Hot tent, 2 person size, no more freezing. Great video.

[@michaelmonnat7765]

Your experiences are much more real than most Yoiutubers. The smoke, etc. I also like how you eat real food. Not a bunch of non meat and soy bean crap.

[@cindykieffer7296]

Love your videos. Have been binge watching them. I love my cozy bed. Stay safe out there and God bless you.

[@TheBrewCrew420]

Thanks for making me proud to be Canadian Xander! I find myself in the woods doing this with my friends! I cant imagine doing it alone! Cheers brotha and thank you :)

[@marclawson7552]

What does this have to do with being Canadian?

[@TheBrewCrew420]

@@marclawson7552 Xander is Canadian. It's nice to see other Canadians doing well.

[@simonbrown1486]

I love the way you make a fire my friend. It’s a thing of beauty.

[@KalpeshPatel78]

Use leaves and branches to make a bed before you put your thermarest or bivvy on the ground. The air pockets in the leaves and branches help in insulation. Also, if you have one of those emergency blankets, Put it in a way that the shiny side is facing down. That reflects the cold back to the ground. I have slept like this in -18 to -20 degrees, but I've found the leaves method works the best. (the more leaves there are the better. You may not have time to make a log bed (logs cut into small pieces and laid in a bed format.)

[@alansmith3959]

Great video showing that it's not all perfect when winter camping. I am watching this at near +30 while you are at -30 brrrr. Thanks.

[@robertinebuckley4245]

I am a firm believer in my z-lite. It is the only sleeping pad I use. I sleep with the silver side up in cold weather and yellow side up in warm weather. The silver side reflects my body heat back to me and works wonders. Thanks for sharing your videos. I am enjoying them!

[@athenarodriguez303]

i’ve really been using your videos as an escape. they’re so beautifully shot! i spend my work days just wishing i was out in the woods somewhere

[@puls3fusions]

You’re honestly so wholesome man, I truly wish you the best !