6th annual Mt Roger's winter Hangout

**Doctari** · 09-11-2011, 09:10

I have neither the skills or the tools to do this, but I did design (in my head, cause there is lots & lots of room

) a water tank to sit on the stone wall & melt snow &/or keep the water from freezing. A metal tank, maybe like a "Jerry Can" with a spigot on the side away from the fire. If a Jerry Can, maybe put the spigot on the end with the lid, this would serve multiple uses: it would put the opening away from the fire so the gasket wouldn't melt & allow for easier filling, and would allow ease of drawing water out.
MY design is more like one of those 8 gallon "coolers" like used at construction sites, only metal. With a large lid for ease of filling, but close-able so ash & smoke won't get in. In either case, I think, the spigot should be a bit longer to allow it to hang away from the wall, & still have the "Can" heated by the fire.

A point in favor of the Jerry can, it is narrow AND wide, depending on how we position it. Narrow will allow more heat past to warm those gathered, but if turned wide side towards the fire, will allow more heat to affect the snow/ water inside. It would also require less work as the "tank" is pre-made, just drill a hole & put in a faucet.

I will try to make one of these in the next few months, but as I said, I do lack the skills & more importantly, the tools. But I do have access to a army surplus store & a Lowes.

WV · 09-11-2011, 13:57

I was surprised by how quickly water in my steel eco-canteen boiled. Better allow for some pressure relief - i.e. don't have a sealed lid.

**Doctari** · 09-11-2011, 15:16

Originally Posted by WV

I was surprised by how quickly water in my steel eco-canteen boiled. Better allow for some pressure relief - i.e. don't have a sealed lid.

OOOH! Good point! And I remember all of the bottles that melted Saturday Night. Mine both were full, melted anyway. Yea, that was a seriously HOT fire.

**slowhike** · 09-11-2011, 15:26

If you do the Jerry Can the point WV made about pressure relief would be important, but at the same time, I remember how quick ash was to get in the water pot we had sitting in the edge of the fire.
So a good cover that also allows pressure to escape would be important.

Another possibility would be a large Igloo type cooler sitting high for easy access to the spigot.
Just add a pot of boiling water every 3 or 4 hours to keep it warm.
It may help further to insulate it w/ a giant ccf pad cozy made just for it, covering sides, top & bottom.
This would both to keep the water warm longer & also protect the spigot inside an easy open ccf door access.

We'll perfect this winter camping thing yet

**Doctari** · 09-15-2011, 17:29

Raul Perez posted a nice write up on his web site on winter camping with a Hammock & hiking. Well worth viewing, can be viewed here.

LINK FIXED! So you can clike here, or below.

**Raul Perez** · 09-15-2011, 17:31

Thanks for the link drop!

Link seems broken:

http://watermonkey.net/2011/09/14/wi...ng-hammocking/

That should do it. Hope it helps some people out!

**sir_n0thing** · 09-15-2011, 19:41

This is one of those events that I try to get to every year, but work always interferes. :P
If I were to be able to go this year, I could bring along some extra winter tent stuff as emergency option for people...

**SilvrSurfr** · 09-15-2011, 21:58

My birthday is Jan 22nd, and this trip could be my present to myself. I hope to make this trip, since I've only hung in my hammock down to the low 20s (synthetic zero degree bag, blue foam pad and space blanket). By the time January rolls around I will probably have logged several nights in the backyard experimenting. Santa may have even brought me an UQ by then!

**slowhike** · 09-15-2011, 22:23

Originally Posted by fubba28

My birthday is Jan 22nd, and this trip could be my present to myself. I hope to make this trip, since I've only hung in my hammock down to the low 20s (synthetic zero degree bag, blue foam pad and space blanket). By the time January rolls around I will probably have logged several nights in the backyard experimenting. Santa may have even brought me an UQ by then!

You'll probably be ready to roll by then.

**Doctari** · 09-20-2011, 09:34

AAARRG! I cant believe I left this out: Some in the past years have had Down Boots (booties?) for around camp & "calls of nature" & all spoke highly of the warmth & comfort. Be sure to get the ones with a durable sole so you can walk around camp. Waterproof (Goretex? Similar?) may also be a good idea.

Thank you for your patience.