spoolnaround
1/2 ton status
sunnyc123abc said:
OOOHH, thats not a good idea. I dont like to go with out at least 3-4 rigs. We have had as many as 5 rigs stuck at the same time. Take a shovel and a winch is your friend in the snow.
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
Snow (camping and driving)
- Thread starter sunnyc123abc
- Start date
OOOHH, thats not a good idea. I dont like to go with out at least 3-4 rigs. We have had as many as 5 rigs stuck at the same time. Take a shovel and a winch is your friend in the snow.
There is snow in big bear right now, just very little. They are planningn on getting more, in fact they keep saying that there suppossed to be a big storm rolling in this weekend so that means more snow in big bear. Where were you planning on camping? Thinking somewhere in holcomb valley area?Its real nice out there, good thing is there is usually quite alot of people that come through the area. In late december and the way the year is going so far there wont be over 4 feet of snow on the ground like you see in spoolnarounds pics. Heed all noted advice above and plan plan plan for worst case scenario. Lots of food, water, plently of clothes, good sleeping bag, gps, maps of the trails (in holcomb valley there are alot of trail signs, good thing), water proof matches, lighter, shovel(s), GOOD snow shoes, lantern, stove, possibly heater, and maybe a couple of MRE's couldnt hurt in case you really got lost. And dont forget to tell someone where you will be, thats so important, how many lives could have been spared had the rescuers knew where to look.
sunnyc123abc
1/2 ton status
K5er4Life said:
I don't really know where im going yet, Im still looking for places. Do you have any links so i can read more about holcomb valley.
I am a scoutmaster and we go camping every month. at least six and sometimes up to 10 months out of the year can see below freezing temps. I have never lost anyone and have not gotten frost bite (sp.). So take what I am going to say however you want.
-As stated, wool is awesome! And dress in layers.
-Properly rated sleeping bag is a must.
-Put hot water in your Nalgene bottle and take it to bed with you, not only will it warm your bag, you will have unfrozen water in the morning.
-A pee-bottle will keep you from having to get up in the middle of the night to do you business (might not be a factor for you younger guys, but us old farts have to deal with it).
-DO NOT USE AN AIR MATRESS like the ones you would use to float on at the lake. A self inflating pad (like a Thermarest) is fine. While an air matress will get you off the groung and is quite comfy, air does not insulate.
-Just prior to going to bed, change your underware. You will be surprised at how much warmer you will be just by removing any clothing which may have moister in it.
I prefer winter camping for a number of reasons. First, you can count on it not raining (but bring rain gear anyway [be prepared for anything]). Secondly, THERE ARE NO BUGS!!!
Good for you for asking questions before you go! Have fun and use your common sense. Oh yah, as mentioned previosly, make a trip plan and leave it with someone back home. Include the latest time you expect to return, that way they know when to send out search and rescue.
-As stated, wool is awesome! And dress in layers.
-Properly rated sleeping bag is a must.
-Put hot water in your Nalgene bottle and take it to bed with you, not only will it warm your bag, you will have unfrozen water in the morning.
-A pee-bottle will keep you from having to get up in the middle of the night to do you business (might not be a factor for you younger guys, but us old farts have to deal with it).
-DO NOT USE AN AIR MATRESS like the ones you would use to float on at the lake. A self inflating pad (like a Thermarest) is fine. While an air matress will get you off the groung and is quite comfy, air does not insulate.
-Just prior to going to bed, change your underware. You will be surprised at how much warmer you will be just by removing any clothing which may have moister in it.
I prefer winter camping for a number of reasons. First, you can count on it not raining (but bring rain gear anyway [be prepared for anything]). Secondly, THERE ARE NO BUGS!!!
Good for you for asking questions before you go! Have fun and use your common sense. Oh yah, as mentioned previosly, make a trip plan and leave it with someone back home. Include the latest time you expect to return, that way they know when to send out search and rescue.
badmix
1/2 ton status
Good post and replies. Im planning two 4x4 camp trips in WV in the next coming weeks. So, dunno what the weather will be like, I wouldnt mind a lil bit of snow. nothing major though. lol. Ill have some pics and write up gear used, etc. when I get back.
AKbigsub said:
That's actually not completely true... air is actually one of the best insulators... BUT to be affective it has to be encapsulated in small cavities... So you are correct in saying that an air mattress wouldn't be good unless you could find one that was divided into small preferably honey comb shaped cavities.
2High4U
1/2 ton status
Do not think that it won't happen to you, because I used to think that all the time when I was 16-17 years old.
I wasnt in the middle of nowhere civilazation was only about 1-2 miles away, but never the less. The weather was blizzard conditions and me and a friend went off to the woods.
I succesfully managed to cross a decently sized stream several times to a place where there was large craters in the ground that frozen over only about around 2 feet deep. I was on my way back to finish up for the day the snow was up to my knees and crossed the stream for the last time. When I did that I somehow got pulled over to the left and got stuck between two trees.
I ran over the small tree in front of me and couldnt continue after that because of my wheels getting caught up on some tree roots somehow.
I ended up walking like 2 miles for a cell signal and five miles trying to meet the person I called to pick me up.
my pants were rock hard and I was freezing my arse off.
It took 2 1/2 days to get my truck out with a come along there was another truck pulling at the beggining too but it was only pulling him closer to the edge so he stopped
The truck was locked front and back.
sorry this post just brought back some memories ill shut up now
I wasnt in the middle of nowhere civilazation was only about 1-2 miles away, but never the less. The weather was blizzard conditions and me and a friend went off to the woods.
I succesfully managed to cross a decently sized stream several times to a place where there was large craters in the ground that frozen over only about around 2 feet deep. I was on my way back to finish up for the day the snow was up to my knees and crossed the stream for the last time. When I did that I somehow got pulled over to the left and got stuck between two trees.
I ran over the small tree in front of me and couldnt continue after that because of my wheels getting caught up on some tree roots somehow.
I ended up walking like 2 miles for a cell signal and five miles trying to meet the person I called to pick me up.
my pants were rock hard and I was freezing my arse off.
It took 2 1/2 days to get my truck out with a come along there was another truck pulling at the beggining too but it was only pulling him closer to the edge so he stopped
The truck was locked front and back.
sorry this post just brought back some memories ill shut up now
stevos67k20
1/2 ton status
i dont know if this was mentioned before, but putting all your clothes in zip lock bags works great for separating wet and dry clothes. when i used to play soccer it was nice to seperate the "wet" from the clean if you know what i mean, way nice. plus if something happens where your stuff gets all wet, you know youll still have dry clothes. it's just a suggestion, i never camped using that move...but why not
sunnyc123abc
1/2 ton status
Wow, these are some really good replys. thanks 
.
.
thedrip
1/2 ton status
Best improvement in my cold camping life I ever made was buying a fleece sleeping bag. rated for 75 degrees or something ridiculously warm. Put it in any of my other bags, now the inside of the sleeping bag never feels cold when I get it. Totally eliminated the 15 minutes of shivering and cursing I used to do everytime I crawled into my bag. Also as mentioned by a number of guys above, sleep with your clothes in the bag. Keeps them warm. Makes dawn a whole lot cozier when you get out, get dreshed, and your clothes are warm!
badmix
1/2 ton status
2High4U said:Do not think that it won't happen to you, because I used to think that all the time when I was 16-17 years old.
I wasnt in the middle of nowhere civilazation was only about 1-2 miles away, but never the less. The weather was blizzard conditions and me and a friend went off to the woods.
I succesfully managed to cross a decently sized stream several times to a place where there was large craters in the ground that frozen over only about around 2 feet deep. I was on my way back to finish up for the day the snow was up to my knees and crossed the stream for the last time. When I did that I somehow got pulled over to the left and got stuck between two trees.
I ran over the small tree in front of me and couldnt continue after that because of my wheels getting caught up on some tree roots somehow.
I ended up walking like 2 miles for a cell signal and five miles trying to meet the person I called to pick me up.
my pants were rock hard and I was freezing my arse off.
It took 2 1/2 days to get my truck out with a come along there was another truck pulling at the beggining too but it was only pulling him closer to the edge so he stopped
The truck was locked front and back.
sorry this post just brought back some memories ill shut up now
Nope by all means, tell your stories. this is the only way ppl will learn without it being the hardway. Everyone (esp. in the 4wheeling community) should never underestimate weather and terrain when off roading. Even in the best of times it can be ruff.
Just plan ahead
Tell someone where your goin
Carry more than you need for gear (camping and recovery)
Make sure your rig is capable and safe
Drive smart.
