Winter TC Camping

[hedgehopper]

A few minutes ago, I checked the outdoor temperature: 8 degrees F. Earlier this evening, with snow still falling outside our home as we played games at the kitchen table, DW and I agreed that we had no desire to be out in the TC this evening. Yet I know that some of you enjoy winter camping. What do you do for outdoor enjoyment when the weather is cold and snowy?

[Putney]

jefe 4x4 and others,

To those of you bringing portable water jugs, where are you washing dishes and dumping water? Into your grey water tanks, or draining into pans that you then dump outdoors, or ??

[Kidoo]

25 below in a soft side camper! Wow, this is winter camping!

[RWDIII]

hedgehopper wrote:
A few minutes ago, I checked the outdoor temperature: 8 degrees F. Earlier this evening, with snow still falling outside our home as we played games at the kitchen table, DW and I agreed that we had no desire to be out in the TC this evening. Yet I know that some of you enjoy winter camping. What do you do for outdoor enjoyment when the weather is cold and snowy?

Winter in Ariz. Summer in Co

[billtex]

Ski!

[_DJ_1]

Ride quads, ice fishing and when the snow gets too deep, snowmobiling.



This weekend was 25° BELOW ZERO!!

[Kidoo]

I camp most of the time to go at family parties in winter, so I do not have to drive after a few beer, just jump in the bed and go for a nice sleep. I use an electric mat and it does just fine in any wheather if I keep the heather at 50. I have a heated basement so I can use the water system anytime.

Other than that, I would like to go ice fishing but my wife does not like the idea of camping on the bay with the TC. I also plan to go on a snowsled trip, we could park at the ski hills and after the tour, go for a nice warm spa, but this is only a dream for now.

[the_tc_life]

we dress warmer and go outside. we are skiers and love the winter time just as much as summer. the key for us is to NOT SKIMP on good quality winter clothes. we also have extra outdoor gear in case one set gets damp. good warm clothes makes things enjoyable. heck, we still eat outside most of the time. we do some of the cooking inside unlike the warmer times of the year. a bonus...my beer stays cold on those days. what do we do? we sit around the fire or go on hikes and even go geocaching. of course when at the ski resorts we ski.

[FreeLanceing]

I no longer camp in the winter. It would be no hookup situation. I, in my youth would tent camp in the winter. I do remain active as I camp in my house. I have a high energy bird dog that needs to run 4-8 miles a day. In the 3 seasons I walk. In the winter I snowshoe or my favorite CCski. we go every day 2-3 miles for me 4-6 on his GPS tracker. Its forcast for 3 degree's at 4pm we will be out there. Might cut it short if the ice builds up between his toes. We have not missed a day since we got back from our Dec SD bird hunt. If I get home late he is sitting at the door with my boot or glove or something I wear when we go. Sometimes we go in the dark. With the GPS and a loud bell I can keep track of him. I always take a cell phone and a handgun in case. 2 years ago tween christmas and new years I fell through the ice up to my waist 1/2 mile from the truck. I managed to crawl off the ice and get back. I stay off the the ice anymore.

[bobndot]

We ride every year from Northern N.H. to Maine and VT.
Being we now have more family that ride with us, we now rent a cabin for 4 weeks. Been going here since 2002, we have a lot of friends that live up there that we ride with.
I only use the camper in the winter when I go alone. I stay at a winter heated CG, so I don't have the need for water in my camper at -25F .

We have to watch for Moose. I figure if one runs out in front of us, we'll ride under it. :E
















Heading up next week for a month of riding, hope you enjoyed the pics of our past trips. Bye for now , ye-ha:)

[Buzzcut1]

yeah it is all in the preparation. I used closed cell foam on all the windows and skylights, put batts of R13 fiberglass behind every outside hatch. drained the water system and used jugs, antifreeze in the black tanks, gourmet food and drink and most of all proper high tech clothing materials in layers to stay warm and dry.

A must have for us is nice flannel sheets and down comforters on the bed. We were nice and toasty inside even when it was close to zero outside.

[jefe_4x4]

Buzz is the reigning King of snow in a TC. But, there have been others. Over Christmas 2005 a guy named Snow Foot on here camped at Cisco Grove Campground, open all year at about the 5500 foot level and about 20 minutes from our home. He was there six days. He did lots of snow mobiling and tubing with the kids...for a while. It just kept snowing. Sixteen feet in six days! I tried to find his story but it's too long ago even for the archive. He said the proprietor ran his huge Hyster bucket non-stop and tractor with a 6 foot wide rotary broom. It worked until there was no where to put the snow. Then everyone was on their own. Snow Foot claims it was the best TC winter camp he'd ever been on.
As we age, the thought of camping in very colde weather and lots of white stuff has less appeal. Nonetheless, jeanie and I love to winter camp. What makes it work, you ask?
1. Lot's of board games to be played inside.
2. My ex-washing machine tub fire barrel on 3 legs, and a LOT of firewood. When burning oak or Manzanita, the thing really puts out the BTU's and makes it tolerable to sit in our director's chairs around the fire.
3. Snow shoeing. We still like the foot rackets.
4. Deep winter preparation of the camper. We keep the tanks dry, except for the black which we use minus 40F degree anti-freeze to flush. Bottled water. Generator.
Mostly it boils down to attitude. This is not Baja beach camping. There is something cozy about watching the snow come down and you're inside.
jefe

[Buzzcut1]

we go camping and snowshoeing