Last I knew, there was a guy that rented shanty's equipped for spending the night on the ice in the Alburgh/Swanton area.
Who's lived in their shanty for a weekend? What did you do right? What could you have done better? How cold was it?
Im going to stay on the ice all weekend. Bringing a cot and cold weather bag. Just curious whos done it and how it went!
Thanks guys.
You should read these two threads and buy a good CO detector.
http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=286299.msg2978608#msg2978608 (http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=286299.msg2978608#msg2978608)
http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=301624.msg3166862#msg3166862 (http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=301624.msg3166862#msg3166862)
One thing you are definitely going to want to do that I have not seen mentioned is set up a bunch of reflectors or some lanterns outside the shanty so you don't get run over by snowmobilers.
Drifter you win!!!! Jon have fun and be safe......get on fish.
Based off everyones valuable advice we've procured the CO detectors anyways. I still don't plan on using heat but there are days where I do all day so at least now I'll be safe.
Based off everyones valuable advice we've procured the CO detectors anyways. I still don't plan on using heat but there are days where I do all day so at least now I'll be safe.I think I paid $15 for mine at Home Depot! Pretty cheap insurance I think.
I think I paid $15 for mine at Home Depot! Pretty cheap insurance I think.
Who's lived in their shanty for a weekend? What did you do right? What could you have done better? How cold was it?
I'm going to stay on the ice all weekend. Bringing a cot and cold weather bag. Just curious who's done it and how it went!
Thanks guys.
Great report , thanks for sharing . There is a good video on youtube . Henry's Lake 2015 December 26 .
YMMV. Ammondude might have additional input.
I am pretty sure it was co poisoning, Iowa. At first I thought it may have been the flu. Thank God for the low oxygen shut off. I just don't understand how I got sick before it shut off.
With the cooler..I am assuming you put no ice in..just room temp water and the cold items?
With the cooler..I am assuming you put no ice in..just room temp water and the cold items?
Correct.
I will be going this weekend to Champlain to do this. Will be on the ice Saturday-Sunday. Low of 9 is forecasted. Bringing a cot and 0 degree mummy bag. I have half inch thick interlocking foam mat for the floor. Also bringing the otter to fish with.
Was wondering about the heat and ventilation. I have a buddy heater but my friends have said sleep in the bag no heat. I see some merit to doing that.
Does anyone know the legality of sleeping in a portable shanty overnight? It's legal in NH, right?
Another thing to consider, could having a few guys sleeping in a small pop up huffing O2 all night pose a similar problem? Even with vents?
Using the calculations here:
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/how-long-can-one-live-in-a-sealed-room.685796/ (https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/how-long-can-one-live-in-a-sealed-room.685796/)
I figure two guys in a space roughly the size of my QF6 could last .6 days if it were completely sealed, which it is not. At that point, I determined that it is not significant concern for me.
This is based of the entire area filling with carbon dioxide.
So much concern over CO and CO2.......but I'd be more concerned with the methane production during the night.......if you get my jest?
That's easy to fix!!!
Leave the PBR and pickled eggs @ home!!!!!! :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:
and is it Iowaccord or is it Low Accord? Low Accord makes more since....was confused on this thread for a bit trying to figure out who Iowa is
Methane..............R.I.P.
Anyone have any suggestions as to how I might be able to hang a hammock on the ice? ;D
I've been wanting to camp out on the ice for a couple years now.
Anyone have any suggestions as to how I might be able to hang a hammock on the ice? ;D
For those that put a floor down overnight: is there a problem with the floor freezing to the ice? or is the insulation sufficient despite splashing water and condensation. Thanks.
We didn't cover the entire floor, only a section in front of the bunks where we changed clothes or warmed toes. No freezing problems for us.
we used to winter camp. didnt mess with heaters in the tents though. just get in your bag and remove cloths. put cloths on before you get out of the bag in morning. its not really that bad till it gets in the teens. i wouldnt do it these days though. lol a lot wimpier now than i was in my 20s. fun times fun times
your best buddy at night is an empty 2 liter with a cap. ;D amazing how warm a bottle of used beer is in a sleeping bag.
we used to winter camp. didnt mess with heaters in the tents though. just get in your bag and remove cloths. put cloths on before you get out of the bag in morning. its not really that bad till it gets in the teens. i wouldnt do it these days though. lol a lot wimpier now than i was in my 20s. fun times fun times
your best buddy at night is an empty 2 liter with a cap. ;D amazing how warm a bottle of used beer is in a sleeping bag.
I got a polar bird 3 T with an insulated floor. It makes camping on ice totally comfortable. It also has vents so heater stays on. Add an air mattress and a zero degree bag, and I was totally comfortable.
I got a polar bird 3 T with an insulated floor. It makes camping on ice totally comfortable. It also has vents so heater stays on. Add an air mattress and a zero degree bag, and I was totally comfortable.
My cleats would destroy that floor in a few steps...the interlocking garage mats are a life saver...and I didnt have to buy a new shanty either! Pull up one or two to jig and then back in place when done
...works perfect!
Ill be camping on ice again in 2 weeks or so...
I just got back from an overnight stay out on the ice. I was in my new Polar Bird 4T hub style shanty. 2 guys fishing, plan was to stay up all night and give 'er heck. Well, I couldn't take it any more, and crashed around 2am. I used a thermarest pad, my so-so sleeping bag, some base layers from Cabelas, and a pillow. We had a Mr. Heater in the shack with us, kept it on low. The wind was blowing a good 15-20 mph the whole time we were there, and the temps started at 20° and ended at 7° when the sun came up. The Polar Bird did an amazing job of keeping us warm and out of the wind. The only problem we had was bringing new snow into the tent after checking the tip ups. Next time I will bring a beach towel to keep the floor dry. These were about as bad of conditions I ever want to be in, but it worked out well. I did buy a CO detector as well, and it never went off. Picture of the morning sun.
(http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa429/trophygametags/Polar%20bird%20in%20action_zpsdwnr6w05.jpg) (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/trophygametags/media/Polar%20bird%20in%20action_zpsdwnr6w05.jpg.html)
I stayed on Champlain last weekend as well. Saturday night into Sunday. I made adjustments...and I slept hard! I had trouble getting up Sunday to get more bait. Low of 27 was much easier to handle than -6. So I used no heat which worked fine. I can't wait to get a multi night trip in during last ice. That should be awesome.
I just got back from an overnight stay out on the ice. I was in my new Polar Bird 4T hub style shanty. 2 guys fishing, plan was to stay up all night and give 'er heck. Well, I couldn't take it any more, and crashed around 2am. I used a thermarest pad, my so-so sleeping bag, some base layers from Cabelas, and a pillow. We had a Mr. Heater in the shack with us, kept it on low. The wind was blowing a good 15-20 mph the whole time we were there, and the temps started at 20° and ended at 7° when the sun came up. The Polar Bird did an amazing job of keeping us warm and out of the wind. The only problem we had was bringing new snow into the tent after checking the tip ups. Next time I will bring a beach towel to keep the floor dry. These were about as bad of conditions I ever want to be in, but it worked out well. I did buy a CO detector as well, and it never went off. Picture of the morning sun.
(http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa429/trophygametags/Polar%20bird%20in%20action_zpsdwnr6w05.jpg) (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/trophygametags/media/Polar%20bird%20in%20action_zpsdwnr6w05.jpg.html)
I have a buddy that does this every year in January at the derby we go to. He Has a wall tent that doesn't have a floor. He just uses ice screws to anchor it down. Then he whips out the wood stove and lights a fire in it. His wall tent is super warm and by the end of the night he has a nice little stream running out of his tent haha. The ice is about 3-4 feet deep. He gets the cots out and then wraps his fishing line around his finger so if a fish bites he doesn't miss it.
Its always great to hear about people camping on the ice. Especially when the memories and stories come with it!
Best cover the holes ~ muskrats and otter are common in some areas.
Lots of great info on here!
wolves all over the place up here, never had an issue. must not like canadian meat.
anyone have to worry about any other unusual creatures while ice camping?I invite unusual creatures out on the ice with me all the time. Some of them drink too much, but they're not too much of a problem.
I invite unusual creatures out on the ice with me all the time. Some of them drink too much, but they're not too much of a problem.
anyone have to worry about any other unusual creatures while ice camping?
wolves all over the place up here, never had an issue. must not like canadian meat.
I've heard two aggressive wolf stories from northern natives since the big fires of 2015. The reasoning goes that food is scarce over large areas and they are hungry and roaming out of their previous ranges in search of food. One was about wolves harrassing fishermen pulling nets, the other about wolves wrecking a tent camp during moose hunting season. That one was told by a heavy set pair of brothers who with typical Cree humour mentioned the wolves thought they were going to get a big lunch that day.
The chances of animal problems is less in the bush than in the city but it's a good idea out there to have Plan B. Personally, I've not seen evidence of or heard wolves since the fires around Nemeiben Lake.
but we need a winter like 2012 to even consider sleeping overnight here in Northern Indiana.::) I could camp tonight if I didn't have to work till friday ;D
This is so frickin' kewl!!! I'd love to camp on the ice for a weekend, or even a week! (just as long as I had a warm place to shower!)Check out the zodi hot water showers, when I'm out for a week or two it's real nice to be able to take a shower every few days. There's always the baby wipe shower if your only out for like 5 days. Anything less than that it's called maning up and living with the stink.
FG Steve,
Thanks for the post on this years trip. I appreciate the detail an effort you put into the posts.
I received a 9416I for Christmas and cant wait to spend a night or two in it this year.
If you want company I'd take a ride up.
Wow, what an adventure. A lot of thought and effort went into your trip; I can only imagine what I would forget to bring.
Love this thread. Jon, nice work getting it started years ago.
But before then, I have some venison to procure
Quick question - how do daily limits work with spending multiple days on the ice? That’s one of the questions I will ask ECon as the hardwater season approaches.
Who's lived in their shanty for a weekend? What did you do right? What could you have done better? How cold was it?
Im going to stay on the ice all weekend. Bringing a cot and cold weather bag. Just curious whos done it and how it went!
Thanks guys.
I'm kinda suprised by the number of people that do this and chance possible issues with heaters and stuff. Maybe it's different around here.......but we tend to have more then enough guides with nice ice castle or ice castle type wheel houses that a guy can rent for about $50 a night per person. I would think that at those prices a person can't really justify screwing around with the other way when it comes to safety, comfort, and expense.Wow, $50 a night would be a steal! Nothing like that here in Ohio. When the conditions allow on Erie next, I'd love to camp out there and this thread will be invaluable in the preparation for the trip. Thanks everyone for sharing the info, keep it coming!
I'm kinda suprised by the number of people that do this and chance possible issues with heaters and stuff. Maybe it's different around here.......but we tend to have more then enough guides with nice ice castle or ice castle type wheel houses that a guy can rent for about $50 a night per person. I would think that at those prices a person can't really justify screwing around with the other way when it comes to safety, comfort, and expense.
Yup, it's different.
$50/night would be terrific. Nothing like that around here. Moreover, local ice isn't something on which I would drive a car/truck/SUV. Ever. Gotta tow that thing out and back.
I was looking at using an air mattress, but in my research, I've learned that air mattresses suck the heat right out of you, whereas the sleeping pads have insulation to keep the cold off.
The Thermarest Mondoking 3D has an R-value of 11.4. ... I'm thinking cot, then sleeping pad on top. It's kind of bulky, but so is everything else we haul out... ;D
Who's lived in their shanty for a weekend? What did you do right? What could you have done better? How cold was it?
I suggest you update this yearly
Prayers and best wishes to Hawkeye. That elbow stuff can be especially difficult, as my wife can attest.
Probably been mentioned but having a good 5 gallon bucket John cannot be overemphasized. Some 5 gallon construction bag liners, and a privacy curtain are nice. If it’s in the budget, you can grab a small pop up for a ‘rest area’
I'm kinda suprised by the number of people that do this and chance possible issues with heaters and stuff. Maybe it's different around here.......but we tend to have more then enough guides with nice ice castle or ice castle type wheel houses that a guy can rent for about $50 a night per person. I would think that at those prices a person can't really justify screwing around with the other way when it comes to safety, comfort, and expense.
My shack has a wood stove so no worries of CO , spent a few over nighters in it .
As long as you have food and drinks you can come up with the entertainment !
(https://i.postimg.cc/yD3RxgSL/20181208-165106.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yD3RxgSL). To be safe you should have a CO detector as wood stoves give off carbon monoxide which could enter into your shack if the venting isn't good or possibly a small leak in the stove itself.
(https://i.postimg.cc/sBV38by5/9.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sBV38by5)
(https://i.postimg.cc/GB79jbY4/20190119-160509.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GB79jbY4)
(https://i.postimg.cc/mcvW4qWd/2016-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mcvW4qWd)
I haven't gone yet this season. Soon.
I can totally see how it wouldn't be for some people.
Lowaccord! Good to hear from you. It will be fun to read the report of your 2019 trip when it comes. Thanks for starting this thread!
Yeah, it's not for everyone, but we totally enjoy it, as you can hopefully tell. ;D
I haven't really seen this covered yet reading the whole thread, at least not in depth. But what are some of the things you guys pack and prep for food? Easy and quick, minimal clean up, easy to pack, don't take a lot of room etc. I think we're just going to bring a tiny portable grill. we'll only be out for a weekend
I have an icebox, which helps to easily make an igloo using snow you pack in a form. Always wanted to try spending a night on the ice, I might get may chance this week, supposed to get 2 feet on the ice. Not good for fishing, but should make a nice shelter.
https://grandshelters.com/icebox-igloo-tools/
I have an icebox, which helps to easily make an igloo using snow you pack in a form. Always wanted to try spending a night on the ice, I might get may chance this week, supposed to get 2 feet on the ice. Not good for fishing, but should make a nice shelter.As a kid, we used to build these every winter! We always used a cardboard box to do the building. Great memories!
https://grandshelters.com/icebox-igloo-tools/
I have an icebox, which helps to easily make an igloo using snow you pack in a form. Always wanted to try spending a night on the ice, I might get may chance this week, supposed to get 2 feet on the ice. Not good for fishing, but should make a nice shelter.
https://grandshelters.com/icebox-igloo-tools/
Do you use a heat source on the inside or just rely on the igloo insulating your body heat?
Can I confirm that you guys are laying a tarp on the ice (after clearing a spot for your 9416i), and then putting the foam floor tiles down on top of that? I think it was asked before, but you've had no significant issue with the tarp freezing in?
I still havent done it..ive got the polarbird hub and heat.need a cot.i dont know why i dont have the balls to do it.sometimes im out till almost 2am.might as well stay there..
I'm definitely planning to try it this season. I've learned a lot from this thread and I'll post about my trip on here for others to learn from. I have an Otter XTH Resort and for the trip I've added foam flooring for half the shanty, upgraded to Big Buddy Heater, a cot, an Exped Megamat 10, and a 0 degree sleeping bag. The cot/sleeping pad fit way better than I was expecting when I set it up this weekend in the driveway to check it out. I could definitely fit two cots in there. I'm looking forward to it!
I actually think I accidentally started a group camp out here in Ohio. I posted on another local fishing forum looking for tips/tricks and it turned into a bunch of people saying they would love to do a big outing. We'll see...
(https://i.postimg.cc/KRHC5q3T/IMG-20191215-142434.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KRHC5q3T)
I use a very similar system but I add a blue foam camp mat under my air mattress (Neoair). Idea being that by insulating your air mattress from underneath, it has a better chance of retaining your body heat. May not be necessary with the exped, but might be worth considering.Yeah, I'm hoping the foam flooring that I'm going to have on the ice will help keep cold from coming through. The Megamat 10 also has an R-value of 9.5, so I'm hoping that helps significantly. I also have an extra 0 degree sleeping bag that I may bring.
Our overnight is coming up after Christmas. Been looking forward to it all year.
Who else is planning an overnight trip this season? It would be great to get some new trip reports.
Nosaj?
doctorgee?
lowaccord?
bassin?
ActiveTrapChecker?
Our overnight is coming up after Christmas. Been looking forward to it all year.
Who else is planning an overnight trip this season? It would be great to get some new trip reports.
Nosaj?
doctorgee?
lowaccord?
bassin?
ActiveTrapChecker?
Our overnight is coming up after Christmas. Been looking forward to it all year.
Who else is planning an overnight trip this season? It would be great to get some new trip reports.
Nosaj?
doctorgee?
lowaccord?
bassin?
ActiveTrapChecker?
Who's lived in their shanty for a weekend? What did you do right? What could you have done better? How cold was it?
I suggest you update this yearly
Anyone want to join me for a little camping tonight? :whistle:
(https://i.postimg.cc/kBbDvF7z/Capture1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kBbDvF7z)
I have the fatfish 9416i paired with 2 buddy heaters, doubled up 0 degree sleeping bags and a cot. Comfortably fits and fishs 2. We usually bring totes to store food, sleeping equipment and other necessary items that cannot get wet. ...Cot makes good rod holders....
FC, are you using two Portable Buddy heaters? I assume it's not two Big Buddy heaters. Where do you place them? As we also use a 9416i, I'm interested in how you use the floor space. Here is our basic layout, built onto the diagram from geteskimo.com:(https://i.postimg.cc/YLNFzgQV/2020-01-11-13-21-06.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YLNFzgQV)
(http://stevelarsen.com/ice_shanty/ff9416_diagram.jpg)
A quick cartoon... there isn't nearly that much extra space. We keep food, sleeping bags and anything we can't afford to get wet in totes. The totes actually come in handy as tables and holding electronics.
I like their design if only we had bunks but I see that getting unstable on melting snow/ice.
We bring 2 buddy heaters just in case one fails or whatever. I believe it mainly depends on how good your sleeping bags are on how much heat you need the buddy's pumping out. They were little buddy heaters but I purchased the big buddy and am waiting to use.
for the most part we just head out to have a good time and catch some fish.
I’ve spent several week long trips camping out in a popup at 40 below.
AKH, that is amazing. It would be great to hear as much detail about your setup as you are willing to share.
Years ago I wrote a big list in a thread over in the ice shack tips section, I bumped it to the top so you guys can read it. Before I built my hardside 5 years ago I spent mostly week long trips and a few 2 week long trips staying in a portable fishing in some pretty remote country. A trip might start with good weather but it can change a lot in a weeks time so you have to be prepared for any temp. The biggest piece of advice I can give for a weekend warrior would be to keep it simple and don’t overthink it. Camping on the ice is really no different than camping on land except that your floor will melt and it’s cold out. The more comfortable you want it the more crap you have to drag around so keep that in mind.
Years ago I wrote a big list in a thread over in the ice shack tips section, I bumped it to the top so you guys can read it.
I will have a full report when I get back
ave, Did the images originally on that post get lost in the Photobucket mess?
Thanks for the reply and the map! Yes the space is nice for fishing, cooking, eating, changing, etc. I should probably add the food coolers and clothing bags to the floor plan map, though the bags usually sit on the Action Packers. If we emulated your setup, we could sleep four, but I think it would be too crowded when not sleeping.Yes we had the portable buddies. Thank you for the clarity. As for dripping we didn't have any. I dont know if it was just to cold and we had a frozen shell or what. I dont really see the pop ups as being water proof, it is more of a cloth material. I'm not sure why. I know when camping in a tent if you touch the ceiling and it is really moist, the water will penetrate the material and keep on dripping.
What are your totes? We really like and use Rubbermaid Action Packers, but some of our stay-dry stuff is not in them--sometimes we bag that stuff, and after our slush fun this year we'll probably do more of that.
Our cots are Disc-O-Bed size L, with extensions and foot pads.
(http://stevelarsen.com/ice_shanty/HL16H.jpg)
http://www.discobed.com/cots/disc-o-bed-l-with-organizers/ (http://www.discobed.com/cots/disc-o-bed-l-with-organizers/)
Size L is more narrow at 28" but we find that to be plenty of sleeping room.
To be clear, these are unquestionably inconvenient to set up and take down. But once assembled, they are totally solid. We have never had any inkling of instability at all. I think the foot pads make a big difference there. We are totally sold on the cots despite the inconvenient set up and take down.
Sorry to be a pain--this is the Portable Buddy:
(https://www.mrheater.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/m/h/mh9bx-clipped-700x700-2019.jpg)
And this is the Little Buddy:
(https://www.mrheater.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/m/h/mh4b-web-images-700x700.jpg)
(see https://www.mrheater.com/product/heaters/buddy-series.html (https://www.mrheater.com/product/heaters/buddy-series.html))
Are you using two Portable Buddy or two Little Buddy heaters? I am trying to compare BTU/output. Two Portables on high = one Big on high.
I hope your Big Buddy is the older model with the fan. I really like the fan.
We have never done any overnight sleeping with the heater running, so far.
I totally agree. And I love sleeping comfortably in the cold.
Have you ever run into the water dripping problem in your FF9416i on a snowy day, like we did this time?
Yes we had the portable buddies. Thank you for the clarity. As for dripping we didn't have any. I dont know if it was just to cold and we had a frozen shell or what. I dont really see the pop ups as being water proof, it is more of a cloth material. I'm not sure why. I know when camping in a tent if you touch the ceiling and it is really moist, the water will penetrate the material and keep on dripping.When I used to camp on ice often I took a tarp out to go over all but the door on my hub and that took away the moisture/frost on everything but the door area
When I used to camp on ice often I took a tarp out to go over all but the door on my hub and that took away the moisture/frost on everything but the door area
Was your hub insulated? Wondering if that would make a difference
Was your hub insulated? Wondering if that would make a difference
Both my Clam hub and my flip are that real heavy, super insulated fabric and they don't drip much at all.
My uninsulated QF6 will get frozen condensation inside, then that condensation will melt and drip inside if you warm up the hut.
My insulated FF9416i normally does not drip at all, but on the recent trip, around mid-day, we had a combination of warm tent, steady snowfall, lots of propane heat hours inside, and somewhat warm outside temps (20s) that teamed up to soak the insulated fabric clear through. Then, the water flowed downhill to drip from the pockets that hold the rod ends, in the ceiling. There was also a little dripping from the seam, but that was very minor in comparison.
I'll figure out how to deal with these problems for now, rather than graduate to a canvas wall tent for one-night trips. However, wall tent or alkanak, and wood stove, seem to be the best for extended trips, a la Drifter.
My uninsulated QF6 will get frozen condensation inside, then that condensation will melt and drip inside if you warm up the hut.
My insulated FF9416i normally does not drip at all, but on the recent trip, around mid-day, we had a combination of warm tent, steady snowfall, lots of propane heat hours inside, and somewhat warm outside temps (20s) that teamed up to soak the insulated fabric clear through. Then, the water flowed downhill to drip from the pockets that hold the rod ends, in the ceiling. There was also a little dripping from the seam, but that was very minor in comparison.
I'll figure out how to deal with these problems for now, rather than graduate to a canvas wall tent for one-night trips. However, wall tent or alkanak, and wood stove, seem to be the best for extended trips, a la Drifter.
Oh yeah, I can see that being an issue in the perfect combination of events. So far I am super impressed by the way the Clam insulates but I know there will be that time!
Steve, any suggestions on a boot dryer or method to dry boots? It's probably my biggest issue. I sweat like crazy, I can't seem to do anything about my feet getting wet. They are NEVER cold, so it's just dealing with putting on damp boots in the morning, then once I take 10 steps they are at sweat level again... At home I use a boot dryer, it's like my favorite thing. Even my work shoes go on it when I come home.
I take out my boot liners and put them in the attic mesh storage to hopefully dry every night but the boots themselves are damp.
A little off topic from boot dryers but, my feet sweat a lot and the best thing I have found is Baffin Titans. I will wear them all day and the liners stay dry on the inside however if you pull them out or put you hand between the rubber boot and the out side surface of the liner it will be soaking wet. The liner does an incredible job wicking the moisture away from your feet. The only down side is that they are little like wearing a slipper ice fishing in that they do not have a lot of support.
Steve, any suggestions on a boot dryer or method to dry boots? It's probably my biggest issue.
Wanna have some fun, fill your sled with 2" of water and step into that first thing in the morning.
Ok I said I would give a report when I got back from my fishing/ice camping trip so here it is.
Steve, any suggestions on a boot dryer or method to dry boots? It's probably my biggest issue. I sweat like crazy, I can't seem to do anything about my feet getting wet. They are NEVER cold, so it's just dealing with putting on damp boots in the morning, then once I take 10 steps they are at sweat level again... At home I use a boot dryer, it's like my favorite thing. Even my work shoes go on it when I come home.Peet makes a propane boot dryer.
I take out my boot liners and put them in the attic mesh storage to hopefully dry every night but the boots themselves are damp.
Peet makes a propane boot dryer.
Peet makes a propane boot dryer.
Well what do you know, so they do!! Amazon, $99. I very well may have to try it. I have two 3 day trips planned this season.
Thanks!! I was focused on battery power.
What do you guys do for meals on the ice that can be cooked on your heater or small stove? I thought I'd pick up some dehydrated camping meals, but gawked at the $8-9 price tag for most.
I imagine a can of soup would heat up well, and theres always good ol' hot dogs. Any other ideas?
Thanks for all the tips, spent our first night out last weekend and it was awesome. It was warm, just below 0c though quite windy. Worked well in my 6 sided shelter (it’s a insulated HT 10.5’ diameter). Used 6 40” square by 3/4” takwando mats for the floor which worked great. Ice to be able to take the muck boots off at night and not be sliding around on the ice.
https://youtu.be/BbHs_oPq5LA (https://youtu.be/BbHs_oPq5LA)
The only thing I would add is make sure you have your shanty or shelter marked with reflective tape . Ya don’t want some one running into u in the middle of the night
https://youtu.be/BbHs_oPq5LA (https://youtu.be/BbHs_oPq5LA)Yo, Joe. Nice demo of your camping setup! My favorite was brushing your teeth with root beer! :P :woot: :clap:
The only thing I would add is make sure you have your shanty or shelter marked with reflective tape . Ya don’t want some one running into u in the middle of the night
https://youtu.be/BbHs_oPq5LA (https://youtu.be/BbHs_oPq5LA)
I hope we can get some good overnighter reports this year! Anyone planning on it?
I will be rolling out in the morning from Wy. Planning on staying until Sunday or Monday.
Nice camping prep video from musky here:
https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=379148.msg4107040#msg4107040 (https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=379148.msg4107040#msg4107040)
I hope we can get some good overnighter reports this year! Anyone planning on it?
I’m using the whole “mid life crisis” excuse to justify the expense but in reality I’ve been planning this trip for a long time. My wife just never heard about it till now and she’s actually totally supportive. Hopefully this will be one of many trips.
I primarily target lake trout and burbot with more emphasis on trophy burbot, I’m still trying break the 20 pound mark. This trip will be no different except I will have access to pike and hopefully sheefish. I haven’t caught a laker over 30 pounds so obviously I’m going to have to try and do that. Anyone know where I can get a 12” auger?
Camping on the ice once again on my “bucket” list for the tummies straight season. Fingers crossed that I make it happen this year.
General question - do you leave your tip up out overnight? I have a bag of those bell and neon lights to put on the tip ups. But would they be considered “unattended” in NY if you rest your eyes for a few hours in the shanty?
I slept out in a 6 by 6 hub Friday night. Soccer mom chair worked out just ok. Buddy heater failed to catch tried all three tanks two were partial tanks. Buddy worked first time I used it an couple hours later would not. Buddy would Prime but not catch. It works today.So far I haven't had issues with the flex heater. I have had issue in the past with tank top ones with it being too cold to hold the valve open.
What cots are you guys running? I'm 6'0 230lbs. Was looking at cots on amazon. Reviews are all over the place. I'm a buy once cry once kind of personI'm a bit taller at 6'2 but weigh the same and bought the simple one from Cabelas, Cabelas Camp Cot. Not sure on the weight limits but it seems sturdy enough and my feet don't hang over. I definitely prefer the buy once method too but thought I'd try the cheaper option first since it was only $60 on sale I think. Next year I may look at something better. Also having an extra cheaper one is not always the worst. Makes it easier for friends or family to tag along.
I use the foam floor pads from Harbor Freight. $9 per pack. Last time I was there they were out of the interlocking mats but had the 6' rolled mats, so I picked up two of those. They're a little thinner than the interlocking mats I think, but should work similarly.Hmm USB sounds like a better option. I have found some on newegg that come with a cord, switch and speed control for a 120mm fan. Yup, this is what im going with now. Thanks.
I picked up a small desk fan that will run off a USB power source, and I was thinking of hanging it from the ceiling. But now I'm considering keeping it at a lower level pointed up. Kinda the same idea as reversing your fans in the winter so you're pulling air up rather than pushing warm air down. Up on the ceiling its more out of the way, maybe turn it over so its blowing up towards the ceiling and circulating air that way? Anybody try reversing their fan to blow up instead of down?
Those cabela's ones look well made. I might have to snag that mattress too. I camp in my 4runner in the warmer months. I have a cheap roll up yoga mat that I use as a sleep pad. That mattress looks awesome
Just wondering if anyone has any experience using an insulated vs non-insulated sleeping pad on a cot? Are they worth the extra $$. My set up would include a cot, foam pads on the ice, -15 sleeping bag along with extra blankets, flex heater with a smaller kicker heater if needed. I would go with a heavier sleeping bag if it means one less items I need to take. Conditions wise, it can easily drop to -25C at night without wind.
What cots are you guys running? I'm 6'0 230lbs. Was looking at cots on amazon. Reviews are all over the place. I'm a buy once cry once kind of person
I know it’s probably been asked and answered before but any recommendations on a good zero degree bag?
Yep, no heat. I'm an old mounteering guy and have bivouacked at -17F on top of a mountain. We carried everything in a backpack and no heat. Easy things to help you and this is from a NOLS course I took (National Outdoor Leadership School):
1: A closed cell air mattress like a Thermorest is lifesaving. Way better than a cot. We just slept on the snow using a quality closed cell foam air matress. Not a Coleman mattress- closed cell foam core.
2. Have a complete separate set of long underwear to sleep in. In my NOLS course they taught me to sleep in nothing more than long underwear, no matter how cold it is, and they are right. People make the mistake of putting on a bunch of clothes inside the bag and they either wake up drenched in sweat or the clothes take up all the air space in the bag and you can't heat it up. Insulation is all based on the same principle- trapped air. If you pack your sleeping bag with too much clothes you reduce the effectiveness of the insulation in your bag.
3. Change into EVERYTHING new right before bed. No matter how dry you think your clothes are, they aren't. Do everything strenuous you need to do for the night then change everything including socks. Again, sleep in nothing more than good, ploy/synthetic long underwear (I know, people don't understand this until you do it). Wear a warm hat to bed.
4. If you need to pee while in your sleeping bag, just get up and do it. Do not sit there resisting the need to get up. Having a bladder full of liquid reduces your core temp drastically and can actually make you sweat due to physical stress. Get it over with and get back to sleep.
5. Don't let anyone tell you to sleep with a big jug of hot water in your sleeping bag. I'm not even going to tear this one apart, JUST DON'T DO THAT. EVER.
I could go on, but I won't, those are the basics! Have fun!
FG Steve what are these write ups you speak of?
Who's lived in their shanty for a weekend? What did you do right? What could you have done better? How cold was it?
Im going to stay on the ice all weekend. Bringing a cot and cold weather bag. Just curious who's done it and how it went!
FG Steve great trip and awesome addition the thread. I suggest you update this yearly. I haven't camped yet but I am going to as soon as possible. I will certainly post then...Thanks again for the post...that's a lot of work to write that up. Benefits many, nice job!
I don’t understand why some of you don’t keep your heater on all night. I’ve read several posts now with guys saying they don’t run heat while they sleep and I’m just curious as to their reasoning.
That’s interesting, are you able to keep your holes open all night or do you have to wake up periodically to chip them out?
I figured you guys were just trying to cut down on condensation that's why you didn’t run heat at night.
Kudos to you for going without heat I couldn’t do it for fear of my propane lines freezing at night and not being able to restart.
I don’t understand why some of you don’t keep your heater on all night. I’ve read several posts now with guys saying they don’t run heat while they sleep and I’m just curious as to their reasoning.
Anyone run this or have any insight if this is a decent bag?
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/slumberjack-ronin-20-mummy-sleeping-bag-100807342?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Shop%7CGeneric%7CAllProducts%7CHigh%7CSSCCatchAll&gclid=CjwKCAiAxp-ABhALEiwAXm6Iyf69KZz1B55pr7Ifhbnky9KI-LxTytRgdHwDccmWsMRcYKzMcK-b8RoCm98QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
I don’t understand why some of you don’t keep your heater on all night. I’ve read several posts now with guys saying they don’t run heat while they sleep and I’m just curious as to their reasoning.I don't run Any heat at night, because I did it once during an ice fishing tournament. I camped out on the ice in a sleeping bag on a cot in a Quick Fish 6. Similar to Fg Steve, except mine wasn't a double bunk. I had a buddy heater, so I figured I was safe with the low oxygen shut-off. Around 2am, I woke with a severe headache, weak, dizzy and about to throw up. I grabbed my bag, Thermarest and pillow, hiked 300 yards to shore and slept in the back of the SUV. I had to start it up a couple of times for heat. I woke up the next morning sicker than a dog. I left everything on the lake and drove home. I know it was CO poisoning. Now, I camp like jethro, on shore in a three man backpacking tent. The hub is set up on the ice with the buddy heater ready to go first thing in the morning.
Who's lived in their shanty for a weekend? What did you do right? What could you have done better? How cold was it?
I suggest you update this yearly
If you're looking for wool pants I really like all my Firstlite wool. I wear it hunting, hiking, fishing and snowboarding. Pretty much anytime I'm outdoors.
Like this? https://www.firstlite.com/products/obsidian-merino-pants (https://www.firstlite.com/products/obsidian-merino-pants)
Has anyone seen those diesel heaters people put inside vehicles and RVs? Those have the combustion outside, and forced air comes into the inhabited space. They do need 12V, but I saw a YouTube of a guy that hangs one on the side of his pickup topper and truck camps while ice fishing. Once they are going, they use little current, and produce a lot of heat.
(https://i.postimg.cc/LhPvq5qj/Screen-Shot-2021-01-21-at-1-49-49-PM.png) (https://postimg.cc/LhPvq5qj)
The bunks do seem a bit labor intensive but I imagine re-packing the bunks is worse!
Are you allowed to use tip ups in your state? If so, I'm guessing you're not a fan.
Do I shovel it all out or leave a thin layer? My worry is if I shovel it out, I might get a big puddle. If I don’t shovel, foam pads won’t lay flat?
I'm with you Geoff. My foam floor peices froze in pretty good and were a mega pain. Next time I'd just leave snow.I also hated the foam pads...in the past i have picked an area, drilled a couple holes got it all nice and slushy and then let that freeze up a bit.pop up shanty on that frozen patch and then less puddles early on, and better footing in the shanty
ive camped twice on the ice overnight this season in a uninsulated hut, mr.buddy heater and a cot with no blanket. couldve used a blanket for more comfort but I managed. I fished all night with tip ups but would check flags every 1 to 2 hours so that I could clean holes. First time I went out I didnt clean holes and 3 inches of hard ice formed in just 6 hours and made it a pain. I use the Rio Gear smart cot xl and it fits perfectly at one end of my hut. Only thing i will do differently next time is keep my beer in the hut so it doesnt freeze and become undrinkable. haha
Around here you can leave tip ups unattended for 24 hours and marked with your AIS# and I see alot of guys bring their ice bar out to chip away for tip ups, but i think you miss alot of fish checking only once every 24 hours.
Akhardwater
Curious as to how you prefastened the tarps to your shacks. Would it be possible to get a pic? What of tarp did you use?
SmilingBob
Pictures aren’t the best because I actually took videos and then realized I can’t post videos on ice shanty! Whoops. The only thing I’ll do different next time is maybe get some reflectix or a tarp for the inner roof/ceiling.
Well after 5 years talking about spending the night on the ice on this thread Hawkeye and I finally did it last weekend!
Like this? https://www.firstlite.com/products/obsidian-merino-pants (https://www.firstlite.com/products/obsidian-merino-pants)
It is feasible, but what is it for? Since you are talking about an inverter, I assume you are running 110V- what would that be for? If there is more than a slight draw it will not last the night. For sure you can not run a heater for more than a few minutes.
If the power draw is more than a battery will support, a generator is about the same $ as a battery and a large inverter, and will provide 1000 or 2000 W, or even more. That is why you see them running outside fish houses all over.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/sportsman-1000w-inverter-portable-gasoline-generator-gen1000i
(https://i.postimg.cc/bdnkr7hC/Screen-Shot-2021-09-20-at-2-30-22-PM.png) (https://postimg.cc/bdnkr7hC)
If you are thinking on using the battery to charge phones or lights, I would just get a couple of the power banks. They are small/slim and plenty light. These would operate your LED lights and keep your phone charged. If you want to have a backup battery for your Helix you could look into a lithium battery.
Not sure when you are heading to Mille Lacs, but cold can be an issue on your propane tank regulators, so you may want a backup and store in the truck. Or, just put it inside your hut to keep it from frosting up.
If you are thinking on using the battery to charge phones or lights, I would just get a couple of the power banks. They are small/slim and plenty light. These would operate your LED lights and keep your phone charged. If you want to have a backup battery for your Helix you could look into a lithium battery.
Not sure when you are heading to Mille Lacs, but cold can be an issue on your propane tank regulators, so you may want a backup and store in the truck. Or, just put it inside your hut to keep it from frosting up.
Anker makes some nice power banks. Depending on how much capacity you want to have you should be able to do all of your charging on one or two. Here is a link of one:
https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Ultra-Compact-High-Speed-VoltageBoost-Technology/dp/B07QXV6N1B/ref=pd_ybh_a_171?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=K0R28NS96TC8TFK3WBBT
You Tubers use these for video cameras, lights, phone charging.
You may want a spare battery for your Helix - I can't comment on this, as I don't run that platform. A spare should be much easier to carry than the generator.
Planning on camping Mille lacs in Minnesota this winter. Good walleye bite over night. Gonna go when I can drive out on ice with my truck on roads through a resort. I’m wondering about bringing a deep cell marine battery for power. I work at an auto parts store so can get one and a power inverter for cheap. Don’t gotta worry about weight of it. Just wondering if that was feasible.
Anker makes some nice power banks. Depending on how much capacity you want to have you should be able to do all of your charging on one or two. Here is a link of one:
https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Ultra-Compact-High-Speed-VoltageBoost-Technology/dp/B07QXV6N1B/ref=pd_ybh_a_171?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=K0R28NS96TC8TFK3WBBT
You Tubers use these for video cameras, lights, phone charging.
You may want a spare battery for your Helix - I can't comment on this, as I don't run that platform. A spare should be much easier to carry than the generator.
So this battery pack being 10,000 maH, does that work out to 10 AH? Or is those not equivalent?
Would there be a way to convert from USB to 12v to use something like this as a back up for a flasher?
We have these in all the vehicles. It is light weight and will start a 6 L gas engine. I have used them on boats as well plus they will charge phones.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B015TKUPIC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Pumped for another season of sleeping in a popup catching fish. Some great posts last season, looking forward to reading some great stuff in here this season. Anyone slept on the ice yet?
Not yet, but I plan on doing more of it. Ideally would like to find a good cusk spot and or crappie spot to give me something to “chase” at night. Maybe I’ll try my luck over in Vermont for my first ever walleye if I’m feeling adventurous
Technically in NH we can’t target trout at night.
I went out New Year’s Eve with the plan of staying for two nights but I left early so as to beat one of if not the most horrific wind storms in south central Alaska history. They were clocking wind speeds in Palmer over 100mph and with single digit temps it got real ugly. I haven’t done a 2 night popup trip in over ten years, all my popup trips are usually a week long minimum so I left the floor at home and just roughed it a little. The whole purpose of this trip was to test some new gear so fishing wasn’t really a priority. I built a new run and gun setup for my snow machine, which I detailed in another thread, and I wanted to test it on a rough bumpy trail. I picked a lake 20+ miles from the lodge and headed out in temps a little warmer than I would have preferred but when you get single digits you just have to deal with the heat. I made it about 5 miles down the trail before I bumped into a momma lynx trying to kill and eat her kitten so I promptly dispatched the both of them.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y4DGFtBy/0394501-A-2-EA8-4-D23-AD6-C-60-C27-E939-DE9.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Y4DGFtBy)
(https://i.postimg.cc/sG7vbSQt/404-E5926-A066-4393-8231-AEBBAD3-B38-B8.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sG7vbSQt)
The kitten was limping towards me down the trail and I dispatched her at about 75 yards with a 22.250. I put her in the bag and made it about 50 yards down the trail before momma stepped out and sat down in the trail 20 yards from me. I took a short video and promptly dispatched her with a 22 instead of the big rifle. Needless to say I was feeling a little good so the next 15 miles we’re rather enjoyable. I new there was a potential wind storm on the way so I didn’t want to get to far from the trail so only went out onto the lake about a mile and setup. Something new I was testing this trip was an adjustable pole holding up the ceiling hub to help keep the roof from collapsing from wind or to much weight from hanging stuff off the poles. Little did I know that pole would save my butt. I started playing with my new livescope and am throughly addicted, I caught one small laker and that was it. Right about midnight the wind started and even with a guy lines and a packed down skirt the shack still wanted to collapse in the sustained 40 knot winds. The center pole held everything together perfectly until I decided to pack it in at about 7:30am. I’m certain without that center pole the roof would have collapsed and all hell would have broke loose, I’ve had shacks collapse in heavy winds before but not in negative single digits. I probably could have stayed another night but it was supposed to drop to -20 that night and didn’t feel like dealing with those wind chills. I had a blustery ride back to the lodge and had no issues.
(https://i.postimg.cc/m1ByXbhN/CC6-A3-D70-197-D-4290-A577-94-E70-BA789-CF.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/m1ByXbhN)
(https://i.postimg.cc/m1jNK0Hx/F242-C4-DC-8441-48-A9-920-D-9-D497-AB01388.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/m1jNK0Hx)
My new setup performed better than I expected and I could not be happier. I made the 3 hour drive home just in time for the full brunt of the storm to get started. The wind blew in the valley with sustained winds over 70mph for 5 days with gusts well over 100. There was massive amounts of damage including whole buildings being ripped apart. Some people were with out power and heat for 4 days. The wind is still blowing out there just no where near as bad as it was last week. Luckily us Alaskans are a hearty bunch and we all pitched in to help those in need just like we do in any of our natural disasters. I will be heading up this weekend for one more test run to go over my setup and gear before my month long trip in March. I’ll be taking my floor and big shack and making sure everything is in proper working order. I was hoping for some good cold to really test my stuff but it looks like I’ll have to deal with more single digits. I’ve done a bunch trips at -40 so I kind of know how things should go I’ll just have to pretend it’s that cold. I’ll try to take some pics of my setup and some action photos of my boxes actually fishing instead of just hanging out in the lodge parking lot. I need to test my overflow rescue kit so I’ll defiantly take some pics of that in action and maybe even a fish if I actually get time to fish. Hope you all have a good season and enjoy your time camping on the ice.
I went out New Year’s Eve with the plan of staying for two nights but I left early so as to beat one of if not the most horrific wind storms in south central Alaska history. They were clocking wind speeds in Palmer over 100mph and with single digit temps it got real ugly. I haven’t done a 2 night popup trip in over ten years, all my popup trips are usually a week long minimum so I left the floor at home and just roughed it a little. The whole purpose of this trip was to test some new gear so fishing wasn’t really a priority. I built a new run and gun setup for my snow machine, which I detailed in another thread, and I wanted to test it on a rough bumpy trail. I picked a lake 20+ miles from the lodge and headed out in temps a little warmer than I would have preferred but when you get single digits you just have to deal with the heat. I made it about 5 miles down the trail before I bumped into a momma lynx trying to kill and eat her kitten so I promptly dispatched the both of them.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y4DGFtBy/0394501-A-2-EA8-4-D23-AD6-C-60-C27-E939-DE9.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Y4DGFtBy)
(https://i.postimg.cc/sG7vbSQt/404-E5926-A066-4393-8231-AEBBAD3-B38-B8.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sG7vbSQt)
The kitten was limping towards me down the trail and I dispatched her at about 75 yards with a 22.250. I put her in the bag and made it about 50 yards down the trail before momma stepped out and sat down in the trail 20 yards from me. I took a short video and promptly dispatched her with a 22 instead of the big rifle. Needless to say I was feeling a little good so the next 15 miles we’re rather enjoyable. I new there was a potential wind storm on the way so I didn’t want to get to far from the trail so only went out onto the lake about a mile and setup. Something new I was testing this trip was an adjustable pole holding up the ceiling hub to help keep the roof from collapsing from wind or to much weight from hanging stuff off the poles. Little did I know that pole would save my butt. I started playing with my new livescope and am throughly addicted, I caught one small laker and that was it. Right about midnight the wind started and even with a guy lines and a packed down skirt the shack still wanted to collapse in the sustained 40 knot winds. The center pole held everything together perfectly until I decided to pack it in at about 7:30am. I’m certain without that center pole the roof would have collapsed and all hell would have broke loose, I’ve had shacks collapse in heavy winds before but not in negative single digits. I probably could have stayed another night but it was supposed to drop to -20 that night and didn’t feel like dealing with those wind chills. I had a blustery ride back to the lodge and had no issues.
(https://i.postimg.cc/m1ByXbhN/CC6-A3-D70-197-D-4290-A577-94-E70-BA789-CF.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/m1ByXbhN)
(https://i.postimg.cc/m1jNK0Hx/F242-C4-DC-8441-48-A9-920-D-9-D497-AB01388.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/m1jNK0Hx)
My new setup performed better than I expected and I could not be happier. I made the 3 hour drive home just in time for the full brunt of the storm to get started. The wind blew in the valley with sustained winds over 70mph for 5 days with gusts well over 100. There was massive amounts of damage including whole buildings being ripped apart. Some people were with out power and heat for 4 days. The wind is still blowing out there just no where near as bad as it was last week. Luckily us Alaskans are a hearty bunch and we all pitched in to help those in need just like we do in any of our natural disasters. I will be heading up this weekend for one more test run to go over my setup and gear before my month long trip in March. I’ll be taking my floor and big shack and making sure everything is in proper working order. I was hoping for some good cold to really test my stuff but it looks like I’ll have to deal with more single digits. I’ve done a bunch trips at -40 so I kind of know how things should go I’ll just have to pretend it’s that cold. I’ll try to take some pics of my setup and some action photos of my boxes actually fishing instead of just hanging out in the lodge parking lot. I need to test my overflow rescue kit so I’ll defiantly take some pics of that in action and maybe even a fish if I actually get time to fish. Hope you all have a good season and enjoy your time camping on the ice.
Cool thanks I just finished my last vaccine shot and have to check in with arrive Canada app. I will have to have a negative test within 72 hours of crossing the border. I’ll look into the web site, it’s going to be hard to email when I’m 130 miles from cell service.Hope they don't mind that you're isolating on the land.
"I went out New Year’s Eve with the plan of staying for two nights but I left early so as to beat one of if not the most horrific wind storms in south central Alaska history. They were clocking wind speeds in Palmer over 100mph and with single digit temps it got real ugly. I haven’t done a 2 night popup trip in over ten years, all my popup trips are usually a week long minimum so I left the floor at home and just roughed it a little. The whole purpose of this trip was to test some new gear so fishing wasn’t really a priority. I built a new run and gun setup for my snow machine, which I detailed in another thread, and I wanted to test it on a rough bumpy trail. I picked a lake 20+ miles from the lodge and headed out in temps a little warmer than I would have preferred but when you get single digits you just have to deal with the heat."
holy smokes, i will never complain on how cold or windy it is icefishing here in Ct. this is the Bahamas here for you guys. absolutely amazing trip and adventure you did. the whole trip blew my mind lol. plus the bonus of some nice fur on top of it. i dont even know if we should could call it icefishing here lol. best of luck icefishing and surviving making a mistake is trully a live or death situation
this is awesome, thank you! One day i'll build out a floor. I'm debating something like you have there, blocked into sections but I'd definitely need a bigger utility sled. Or i've though about building a floor and basically folding it in half and use the support blocks as ski's. that way it is dual purpose as a floor and a sled.
Sick floor. Amazed by the inginuity in this thread.
Akhardwater thank you for sharing the photos and report from your recent trip.
Steve
Id like to camp champlain again this year maybe later season, swanton/alburg area if you want to get down!
If you guys are up for some company Hawkeye and I have been talking about a Champlain trip for a while.
Company is best for these missions. Ive gone solo and its fun but company helps. Thinking alburg area. Eyes at night.
I'd be down for this but I guess I'd have to reg my snowmobile in VT. I can't drag my setup by hand at all, it's just a beast.
thank you bassin212, all good tips especially the anchor one. Other questions you or others might help me with. Can you store the popup in the bag not completely dry. It's been a day and a half and I've flipped it once, but it's still wet in spots. And what about walking on foam mats with your ice spikes. Thanks in advance anyone.
And thanks lowaccord66 for your tips and offers of help. I've already thought of a few things to lighten the load.
Great report!
Any more info on the stove?
Weight?
CTBob, thank you for sharing a report and photos from your trip.
Bern73 nice looking set-up, couple of suggestions look into some type of heat shield to protect shelter from the stoveand if the stove pipe does not have a spark arrestor purchase and install one on the pipe. You do not need any stray sparks going up the pipe and at minmum landing on the shelter and burning holes worst case igniting the shelter on fire.
Steve
ctbob
Very cool. your a better man than me.. what was the temperature at night. I guess after a day of work on the ice, in the wind and cold you slept well anyway. Good for you !!
Bern73 nice looking set-up, couple of suggestions look into some type of heat shield to protect shelter from the stove and if the stove pipe does not have a spark arrestor purchase and install one on the pipe. You do not need any stray sparks going up the pipe and at minmum landing on the shelter and burning holes worst case igniting the shelter on fire.
Steve
Its almost time for some ice camping.
Who's lived in their shanty for a weekend? What did you do right? What could you have done better? How cold was it?I have done it lots of times in a insulated hub used a wood stove and bunk style cots and foam mats in halve of floor we used charcoal in the stove at night . The wood stove don't make all that condensation like propane. We cooked on a Coleman grill / stove that was propane. The wood stove is the way to go.
Im going to stay on the ice all weekend. Bringing a cot and cold weather bag. Just curious whos done it and how it went!
Thanks guys.
Its almost time for some ice camping.
Ok! Lets do it this year for sure. We need to plan a weekend!