Overnighting in a pop up shelter

[jigapoolza]

So I have a question for those of you that have done some overnighters in your pop ups . Should a person shovel down to the ice and then put a floor down or just set up on the snow , maybe packing it down some ? Probably looking at 6" to a foot of snow. Going to be using 2' by 2' interlocking puzzle mats and maybe a poly tarp for the floor . Thanks

[Wyoming_Ice]

I do shovel to the ice. I then put a blue tarp down and then I put the anti fatigue mats down.
It keeps your floor dry, except for the amount that you bring in on your boots. Have fun.   

 WyoIce

[FG Steve]

We have overnighted three times in pop up shelters.

It depends on the depth of the snow, whether you plan to fish in the shelter, and how much you plan to heat it.  If you plan to fish in the shelter, and the snow load is enough to allow overflow (water coming from the holes onto the ice), then shoveling first will leave you in a puddle.  In that case you are better off packing down the snow, especially around the holes, and letting the area around the holes freeze up a bit before placing the shelter.  In one overload situation, we also successfully made a path for the water to go outside of the shelter until things froze up well.

A final consideration is traction.  A little bit of packed down snow gives more traction until/unless it melts and refreezes.

IMO

[Bigassbassman]

I’m planning to give it a try this year — I have two cots that I want to try out.  I’ll prolly end up fishing all night, anyway.   

[slipperybob]

I use to lazy man lay in a cot, fish all night long, with my 4'6" UL ugly stick rod.   

I leave the snow, drill holes, using the all that ice shavings and water, I level the foot print of shelter.  I place my foam matts.  I make sure that I have my little off the ice milk crates for my flasher and propane tank.  I bring in the extra insulation windshield visor blockers and place them here and there, on the wind side of hub shelter.

[jigapoolza]

Thanks for the replies so far ! I'm mostly wondering how much the snow is going to help us by being an insulating factor.

[russelln114]

Thanks for the replies so far ! I'm mostly wondering how much the snow is going to help us by being an insulating factor.

Sorry. I couldn't resist. LOL

[SLAYERFISH]

No. Just No.

[Sharp Nils]

  Done it many times. If you have a chance of slush coming up pack the snow down, drill it out and let it freeze. I'll do that in a few locations with the snow mobile for options to move to.  I use anti fatigue mats because they don't suck up water. Plactic tarps are slippery and sink when you step on them.
  With a warm sleeping bag, cot with self inflater matress , CO detector, and buddy heater on low, you'll sleep well. Oh yea, wear a hat.
 If you have a problem with peeing in the middle (which I don't) of the night stomp a hole in the snow inside your flipover before the slush freezes and use that.  I use mine for a place to toss fish.

[jigapoolza]

Ok maybe I should refrase my question. If a person is spending the night on the ice in there Igloo should he shovel down to the bare ice or use the snow as insulation ? Lol anyways happy new year everyone.

[slipperybob]

Whatever he wants...

[fieds]

snow will be same temp as the ice. keep the heater off the ground higher than a milk crate, we use a foldable "coffee" table. At some point in your trip the floor will be water,...all you can do is try to delay it. if the floor doesn't become wet or water, your not warm enough. just did this on red lake mn in an eskimo 9416i or something over the Christmas break. lowest temp was only about 5 f. wear a stocking cap, then any sleeping bag cot combo is comfy.


long story short, packing snow down doesn't make it warmer, it does make it less watery if only doing it a couple days.

fieds

[Mizayikaa]

In my experience none of these answers are wrong. Meaning, every trip is different. I have spent the night in my shack many times and depending on how much snow, how much ice, how much heat you use and I think most importantly, the temperature outside, the situation is always different. I have had dry comfy nights with and without snow and I have had my mats floating on four inches of water.

[fieds]

miz nailed it

[Chuck Enwinde]

I just pack it down.  Don't think you'll get much insulation value out of it but it may keep you dry if water starts seeping up.  Like others have mentioned though, I prefer a cot now.