3. The Greek Elements
Air
The better your photographs, the colder your night will be. When the sun is out, and shadows fall on the snow, be prepared for a chill. This is a pressure high, and is characterized by a dome of cold air. The stars will be magnificent. Be sure to take advantage of the Dark Sky opportunity.
If it is windy, there is a pressure gradient, and things could change. Possibly fast.
If it is cloudy, that is evidence of low pressure and will be warmer. And wetter. Hopefully it will remain snow if there is precipitation, but if it warms up too much sleet and freezing rain arrive; the classic ice-storm. Snow shelter roofs can become sodden and collapse. I'm told getting an igloo dome in the face at 3 AM was quite an experience. Tarps will help the roof shed moisture, if needed, but cold rain is just no fun. And roads become ice rinks.
Give me great photographs and a tapestry of stars any chilly expedition!!!
Here are some good observations from a Scout Leader on coping with a high pressure dome. 30 below!
Fire
To be able to build an emergency fire in winter is a critical skill. Waterproof matches and alcohol-based hand sanitizer can get you on the way. There are many ways to start a fire; be sure you know several.
A Chilling Classic
Full book link below, Lost Face by Jack London
I once had a mini-revolt on my hands by commenting to another Scoutmaster that a fire was more trouble than it was worth.
To get warm by the winter fire, one usually has to get pretty close and personal, or be downwind, which is no place to be. Sparks pop and fly and land on Gor-tex shells. You can't build a fire on snow (for long). Later that evening, I got to smell the burnt boots of that Scoutmaster's son.
A large metal ventilated fire canister, sometimes with legs, can hold a fire fairly well. It is heavy so really only suitable for car camping. We always bring wood in instead of harvesting wood from the local trees. On skiing trips of several days I have almost never lit more than a stove.
I just invested in a massive high-BTU propane single burner, a bit intimidating but perfect for preparing mass amounts of Ookpik Cocoa. That's all the fire I hope I'll need for Okpik 1. If you want to bring a fire pit or pot, have at it.
Chemical hand/foot warmers
Mine are all several years old, which means I should probably replace them. It also means that I reserve them for emergencies. Much like single-use plastic water bottles, I'm not a big fan, but I'm pretty old-school.
Water
As the safety lesson pointed out, hydration is critical, and the main reason to carry a stove. However, water can often be maintained in liquid form even when very cold out.
This link has some good strategies.
A good synopsis. I've heard water bottles can be buried upside down in a foot of snow, probably the fluffier the better.
The warmer cooler
A good "cooler" can also prevent items from freezing when car-camping. Place a thermos or two containing a hot beverage inside to compound the effectiveness.
It is never advisable to rely on snow to stay hydrated, unless melted in a pan. And knowing you can rely on at least fairly fresh snowfalls, unless prepared to start treating the water.
Pans can scorch if snow is heated without some moisture in the bottom. Our Okpik Guru, Keith has frequently set a class assignment for each team to make a quart of water from snow. The lesson; it takes a LONG time and uses a lot of fuel.
Placing water bottles upside down (maybe) inside one's jacket during the day and in a stuff sack in the sleeping bag at night should prevent freezing. Keith has not recommended light hydration bags because the tubes have a tendency to freeze. Here is one strategy that will help keep water cooler in summer and slow freezing in winter.
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| Reflectix sheath for hydration bag |
All that aside, if the snow is very fresh!!! (like I watched it fall) and I am skiing or working on a shelter, I like to scoop some up once in a while and enjoy the ultimate unflavoured snow cone. It stretches my water supply and helps cool me when I'm "at work."
Earth
Ok, maybe what we all must do on Earth; more specifically solid waste. When crossing Antarctica, Rudd and O'Brady were required to dig a six inch hole for waste. Only O'Brady carried toilet paper. As the New York Times put it, Rudd was "old school."
Just read news of a dog sled racer who was down to the essentials. She said she used dog booties for the last part of the race.
Many books try to finesse this debate by saying dig a six-inch cat hole in soil, the same advice they give the summer camper. However, when the snow is multiple feet thick and the soil like granite, that can be pretty challenging. No matter what,
never leave the TP behind!
Here is the lowdown from the Okpik Manual:
At Kit Carson Lodge, there is a big new outhouse, but it is bolted shut. This replaced two that were open in winter. Progress? One memorable winter we could only make out the top few inches of these structures!
I have fortunately seen portable toilets at all of the
Sno-Parks recently, which is fabulous. Park Rangers will ticket you for camping at the Yosemite ski area parking lot, saying it is because there is no toilet.
Know the rules for the area you are visiting.
Stay away from what will be a brook or stream in the Spring. When in doubt, check your topo map.
The following is from the Yosemite Backcountry Permit:
As a last desperate resort, if you cannot get down to soil, tree "snow wells" can get that solid waste closer to the soil, anyway. Fill in with snow. Be a bear.
Yellow snow is unsightly, especially in areas with a lot of use. Minimize if you can.
When in doubt, pack it out. A large ziplock (with an opaque outer bag to eliminate the "ick" factor) can work, as can buckets and a few boards for a seat if you have a crowd. Line the bucket with a plastic bag or two that can be sealed up as used. Kitty litter will help to reduce the odor with ziplock or buckets
You can even get creative and make a snow "throne" to hold the bucket and toilet seat in place. Snow can be a great construction material.
The guy with the pickup gets to bring this bucket down the mountain.
The first time I encountered portable toilet systems was when rafting the Colorado River. They were pretty strict, but then - you were supposed to pee into the stream.
The best idea is to rid yourself of solid waste before heading up the mountain at a roadside restroom. I also find that cold weather constipation is a very real way my body (shiver) tries to avoid this need altogether, if possible, on an overnight.
The Fifth Element - Scouts!
They still amaze me.
We were headed up the hill. A young man came with his dad, and mom had prepared the son with a luxurious and thick, plush, warm white wool sweater. It was a bit warm down in the Central Valley, but he refused to remove it. Soon we drove up past grimy snow blobs to the fresh powder. It was gorgeous! The driver cranked the heat in the cab.
We made it to the parking lot, and as the motor just settled into stillness, he and the sweater were gone. Radiating heat, they plunged into a snow bank and started hurling snowballs. That lovely warm (hot) wooly sweater soaked up so much snow it became a wet wooly dishrag in moments. His dad helped dry him off and adjust his layers, but later that afternoon he developed the "umbles." Mumble, grumble, stumble - he was my first case of mild hypothermia. Scary.
Another scout told me his partner was unable to leave the tent the next morning. I went over to discuss the problem. He showed me his boot; frozen stiff. Not unheard of. It would warm.
Then he placed his cotton socks next to it. They were equally stiff, and ice rimed. A more unpleasant prospect I could not imagine. We eventually got him rolling, but it wasn't easy. Cotton hides in curious ways.
Scouts abound with exuberance, rational or otherwise. Some may have never seen snow before. Sledding, snow ball fights, snow angels, and hyperactivity go with the territory. I do try to focus those activities to the time slot just before leaving, but that's not always possible. Try to prevent them from profuse sweating. When they want to romp, play in the snow, hurl snowballs and create angels, it is probable that the perfect attire is a shell and the base layer underneath. When car camping I bring along a massive duffel of extra gloves, hats, socks, and warm layers just in case. My standard speech is " You are not allowed to be cold! If you are, come see me."
One way to channel all of that energy is by hiking or snowshoe/skiing. Especially in the evening before tucking them in, a bit of exercise and star-gazing helps them take some warmth into the sleeping bag and prepare for the long winter night.
One of the more challenging tasks for any Scout leader is to keep Scouts organized. One key is the buddy system. It is even more important when wandering about in winter. Icy streams can hide under the snow and ponds can resemble meadows. Trees, laden with snow and ice, can drop branches (or more) unexpectedly. A buddy can help monitor heat and exhaustion as well, but they are a key to safety. Wandering alone is dangerous!
Snow can make things disappear quickly, even when it is not falling. It is important to put tools back in a pack, lean skis, snowshoes and poles against a tree or stuck vertically in the snow, and stay organized. I advise them to establish their own personal tree "closet" and hang or organize gear around that tree.
One challenge for everyone is a plethora of pockets. Pockets in pants, jackets, more jackets; one seems to spend a lot of time searching. The best advice I can offer is to figure out key items (headlamp, knife, liner gloves) and designate pockets where they reside. Consistently return them there. Make sure when you pull something out, three more items don't hop out into a snow bank. Try not to use outer layers that you may be taking on and off for the important things. Dropping something in the snow may mean it does not reappear until spring.
One suggestion I have heard to track Scouts who may or may not be popping in and out of snow shelters and caves is luminous glowsticks. If one wanders off to find relief or chase a rabbit, he should take along the glow stick. Theoretically, instead of counting noses, the Scoutmaster can count the sticks. If Scouts were more consistent in performing such tasks, and glow sticks were reusable, I would find this a better system.
Scouts add a substantial responsibility to your camping trip, but that's why we're there. Enjoy their irrational exuberance; maybe some of it will rub off!
The Greek elements, more or less.
Credit for Images: Four Elements. Thomas Vogel / Getty Images
