Equipment tests Part One

I spent most of the evening out in HQ. The temp outside was -18 C but I got the temp inside the tent to a balmy -8 C. Unfortunately the tent does not retain the heat for long without someone stoking the stove regularly. It is a 1952 army tent stove rated for a smaller 10 man tent. The new stove I have coming puts out twice the heat, is a newer design and intended for the tent I am using. I am hoping that after loading it up and choking the air down it will heat more efficiently longer.

My main purpose was to test the air mattress and the US army arctic sleeping bag I purchased before ordering 30 of them. The Air mattress was great. 2 1/2 inch foam core inflatable from Cabelas. It was pricey at 180.00 but is well worth the expense. I did not feel the cold from the ground at all. The sleeping bag did well. I had neglected to zip the inner and outer sleeping bags shut and had only zipped the goretex over bag. Initially it was fine and I fell asleep cozy and warm. However I woke up around 3am feeling a draft into the bag.  It functions a little differently than the Canadian model. I didn't actually get to the point of feeling cold but couldn't get back to sleep feeling the draft reemerge each time I moved. Other than not shutting the bag properly it worked well. I am looking forward to trying again next time I go out.

Delayed

I had planned to be out at Ken's Prairie tonight but have delayed. The highway report said conditions were bad and I figured one less vehicle on the road would probably be best. I plan to head out early in the morning. The temp on Sat is supposed to go below -30. I am planning to stay out on the Prairie Sat night to prove some of my equipment.

Anyone out on the trails is more than welcome to come and visit when I am there.

Another great day

After getting the Alpine fired up and hauling in the stove we stoked it up. It warmed things up very quickly, burns great and is surprisingly simple.

I spent the afternoon watching the stove, drinking tea and snowshoeing. It was a beautiful day to be out. Temp was about -15 to -20. It was overcast but the hoar frost in the trees more than made up for the lack of sunshine.

The ski trails were quite busy with lots of people interested in what was going on over in "Ken's Prairie".
Ken was one of the previous land owners, avid outdoorsman and long time friend of my father inlaw. Ken was also a skier who as a teacher spread his love of the sport. I would like to think he would approve of the use his land is now seeing supporting skiing and other outdoor activities.

The next outing will be an overnighter at Ken's Prairie perhaps setting up some smaller tents in the field around HQ.

Stage 1

It's up! After some time we now have the meeting area up and functioning. It took Jamie and me about three hours. The tent is surprisingly bright inside and it feels 10 degrees warmer inside. This is partly from the shelter wind but also because the dark color outside attracts the suns warmth.

Sitting around  in a sweater at -24 C sipping coffee was pretty comfortable.