Shyness or fear? Snow camping ?

[Area54]

Love snow camping. Can I bring a bike?

[Moondog55]

Bike may not be such a good idea

[andrewa]

Why? There should be no issue bringing a bike.....just big issues trying to use it! Maybe it has fat tyres.....

A

[Strider]

Why? There should be no issue bringing a bike.....just big issues trying to use it! Maybe it has fat tyres.....

A

http://fatbikes.com/

[ULWalkingPhil]

Why? There should be no issue bringing a bike.....just big issues trying to use it! Maybe it has fat tyres.....

A

http://fatbikes.com/

they are popular on Fraser Island.

[Moondog55]

I was just wondering where you would get the spiked ice tyres from, I have never seen them here. Maybe you could get a set airmailed from Canada in time.
Put a set of short skis on either side of the tyres and best of both worlds

[quicky]

Same same.....love snow camping.

Let me know if you still want to head out this winter Phillipsart (or anyone)...I generally jump at any opportunity (when available etc.) to get to the snow for some snowshoeing/hiking/camping. I have a couple of pairs of snow shoes etc.

[Moondog55]

Could be partly fear of course, fear of freezing to death or more pertinently fear of being cold and uncomfortable.
When I think of the level of efficiency and lightweight of modern gear I have trouble remembering how hard my first few times camping in the snow were and how well I slept because I was so tired after carrying my heavy pack up windy hills and though deep snow; Ahhh ! Scotland in winter.
Never walked in snow or climbed snow and ice until then.
I blame my Scots workmate who gave me a copy of Blackshaws Mountaineering.
While personally I recommend using winter tent above the snowline almost anything else could be considered for use in the snow [ with judicious choice of course] and a pack big enough to carry it.

I have just been tidying up the shed and I realise that I could provide gear for 1 or 2 people for a few nites if buying the gear was what is holding people back.
Spare CCF mat, spare 25mm self inflating foam pad, 2 spare summer sleeping bags that could be used as boosters for other bags.
I an trying to decide on my own touring tent ( choice between two bombproof units Fairydown Plateau or Megamid) and I'm leaning towards the lighter of course

[Area54]

Why? There should be no issue bringing a bike.....just big issues trying to use it! Maybe it has fat tyres.....

A

http://fatbikes.com/

Yup. Here is my bike I built for Iditarod and Oregon tour this winter:



To be honest groomed trails yeild the best riding, virgin snow or alpine regions will see a bit of pushing. Studded tyres really only help with ice and overflow, general snow riding no real advantage.

More on the blog if you're interested. Fatbiking in snow and on sand.

Back on topic, love snow camping - it would be my favourite format. As a QLD'er any form of snow is a novelty. In AK and Oregon I bedded down straight on the snow, just a z-lite and synmat 7UL, didn't use my OR bivvy. 25F below, Mont helium 450, Montbell spiral down hugger, primaloft pants and jacket - toasty!

[andrewa]

Impressive. Wasn't expecting a full on response like that. Where's your packraft?

A

[Area54]

Alpaca is on the list, but will wait until I've closed the planning loop on a future expedition.

[ryantmalone]

With so many asking the questions why is it that so few have inquired about joining me at Falls Creek this winter??

I want nothing more at the moment than to be able to open up the entire winter for bush exploration. Always have wanted to do it, never had the chance.

That said... I've nearly gone hypothermic in Summer, and as much as that was 99% due to lack of prep and not having the right gear/mindset, so the idea of willingly going into areas that can potentially be so cold that they can kill me, it's something that I need to work towards rather than jump in "gung ho".

That includes mindset and having the right gear.

If I'm able to get the right gear in time for this year, that may be this year, but at this stage, not looking too good though. Very keen to give it a try though, looks like a whole lot of fun.

[Hallu]

Yep that must be the main reason : snow camping means a 4 season tent, a winter sleeping bag, some warm clothes and it's already about 1 grand worth of gear...

[andrewa]

Just get yourself a "wuggy" . It's an easy transition.

A

[Onestepmore]

Just get yourself a "wuggy" . It's an easy transition.

A

What on earth is a Wuggy? (It sounds like it should be the name of one of my patients - a small furry creature that lives in it's owners bosom and has smelly ears and neglected teeth!)

I'd love to be able to come down and spend a week snow camping, but distance from Sydney and the logistics of driving to Falls Creek from the southern direction, and trying to have the appropriate time off work are the problem. I could get the appropriate gear together - I've accumulated most of it already, bar skis. Lol, why can't you be in the NSW Snowies??
If you're in Vic - go for it!!

[andrewbish]

Yep that must be the main reason : snow camping means a 4 season tent, a winter sleeping bag, some warm clothes and it's already about 1 grand worth of gear...

Well, it's not for everyone, but I got started in winter hiking while keeping costs down by making a synthetic quilt, tent (single skin 'mid) and snow pegs, as well as repurposing a ski jacket and buying cheap polypropylene thermals and second hand snow shoes. I am gradually improving on each of these but they have sufficed to get me started.

[Moondog55]

Yep that must be the main reason : snow camping means a 4 season tent, a winter sleeping bag, some warm clothes and it's already about 1 grand worth of gear...

That is exactly why I suggest joining some-one who has a spare 4 season tent.
I am tired of having all this gear not being used [ now that my kids have grown up and moved away I use a much lighter tent] and the tent is the major cost in all this gear.

@area54:::- I love that bike

Andrew did you mean a "Woobie" the US poncho liner? That is a good idea except they are a bugger to keep over the important parts and don't fit well inside a bivvy sack

[andrewa]

Sorry. My kids used to call ruggies "wuggies", and it just slipped out!.

A

[andrewbish]

How about a snuggie? It's Multipurpose!

Or a onesie?! Warm and hip! Not sure if Icebreaker have any plans for merino versions

[Moondog55]

Perhaps also winter camping above the snowline is not exactly "Ultra light" camping and while every effort is made to lighten the load as much as possible you usually do need a large rucksack and 20 kilo loads are not uncommon; at least for me. Fuel alone can add 300 grams or more per day if you drink a lot of cocoa/tea/coffee and cannot find running water and need to melt snow.
Fuel needs are one of the major reasons for making a dump. you can stash as much fuel as you can afford and retrieve what you don't use when the snow disappears.
Andrew I think a decent down jacket or parka would be warmer than a sssnugglie

[Moondog55]

I want nothing more at the moment than to be able to open up the entire winter for bush exploration. Always have wanted to do it, never had the chance.

That said... I've nearly gone hypothermic in Summer, and as much as that was 99% due to lack of prep and not having the right gear/mindset, so the idea of willingly going into areas that can potentially be so cold that they can kill me, it's something that I need to work towards rather than jump in "gung ho".

That includes mindset and having the right gear.

If I'm able to get the right gear in time for this year, that may be this year, but at this stage, not looking too good though. Very keen to give it a try though, looks like a whole lot of fun.

Mindset is very important as is a modicum of the right gear combined with knowledge and experience. What are you missing? Members here can help with gear lists and advice and as I said in an earlier post since my kids got their own lives I have a 4/'5 season tent here not being used. Long johns sets are cheap and when I started I got all my gear at second hand sales and CCF pads at K-Mart are very good value (main downside is the bulk) The greatest change I made in my gear and mindset was going to the use of the belay parka as my outer layer and learning to tolerate being just a little bit cold when dressing for the days activity knowing I had the ability to sleep warm at night.

[Hallu]

Aren't there any car campgrounds where you can park on maintained roads and camp on the snow ? It would probably be possible around May when the roads are still open but snow starts to get everywhere.

[Moondog55]

Nope; although you may camp up on Mt Buffalo during the winter I believe. At Falls Creek they close the road when it is covered with snow, usually late May to early October, once the road is open most of the snow is gone.

[ryantmalone]

I want nothing more at the moment than to be able to open up the entire winter for bush exploration. Always have wanted to do it, never had the chance.

That said... I've nearly gone hypothermic in Summer, and as much as that was 99% due to lack of prep and not having the right gear/mindset, so the idea of willingly going into areas that can potentially be so cold that they can kill me, it's something that I need to work towards rather than jump in "gung ho".

That includes mindset and having the right gear.

If I'm able to get the right gear in time for this year, that may be this year, but at this stage, not looking too good though. Very keen to give it a try though, looks like a whole lot of fun.

Mindset is very important as is a modicum of the right gear combined with knowledge and experience. What are you missing? Members here can help with gear lists and advice and as I said in an earlier post since my kids got their own lives I have a 4/'5 season tent here not being used. Long johns sets are cheap and when I started I got all my gear at second hand sales and CCF pads at K-Mart are very good value (main downside is the bulk) The greatest change I made in my gear and mindset was going to the use of the belay parka as my outer layer and learning to tolerate being just a little bit cold when dressing for the days activity knowing I had the ability to sleep warm at night.

I'm missing a good 4 season tent (looking at a Hilleburg this year) and a slightly better bag, preferably a water resistant one.

Was up at the Walls of Jerusalem last week, got a few degrees south, and by bag got drenched in the morning just from the moisture in my breath freezing up.

Could probably do with a good down jacket as well, but apart from that, I've got the usual thermals, fleece, etc.

[photonaturally]

Aren't there any car campgrounds where you can park on maintained roads and camp on the snow ? It would probably be possible around May when the roads are still open but snow starts to get everywhere.

I was thinking of JB Plains between Hotham Heights and Dinner Plains as a place for intro to snow camping. It is right by a carpark. There are some walking trains from there and cross country skiing tracks too.

[Moondog55]

I'd forgotten that carpark was open during the winter, better check as it may be day parking only and by permit. Permit equals expensive usually

[photonaturally]

I'd forgotten that carpark was open during the winter, better check as it may be day parking only and by permit. Permit equals expensive usually

Comes winter it, there is a snow tax on everything. I better look into that. You can have a fire at JB Plains

[north-north-west]

I'm just not a joiner. Much as I would love to get into XC skiing.

[andrewbish]

I'm just not a joiner. Much as I would love to get into XC skiing.

No problem, NNW - you can pitch your Nallo 200 metres away

[north-north-west]

I could camp anywhere, but there would still be people around all day. It's hard to learn how to do something like skiing without having to spend time around people.