Wind Chills and Snow outside the Canvas

[[o]TTeR]

We completed a DIY Canvas Hot-Tent project over the holidays; the game plan was to get it out for a local trip on New Year’s but a series of unfortunate events kept us waiting for a month. Early January brought a volley of Snow & Ice Storms making for hazardous conditions in Southern Ontario. As the forecast started looking good for trip, I suffered a shoulder injury that kept me grounded for a couple more weeks. Still not 100% but I had to get out; staring at the bundle of canvas and wondering if the DIY tent would work was killing me.



This past weekend, we managed to get the new gear out to Valens Conservation Area for a proper field test. Friday’s weather forecast included a high wind warning with 50+ km/h gusts and a low of -20c. Setting up for the first time was challenging with the wind and blowing snow but stepping into the tent for the first time was a triumphant moment. Taking a break before setting up the stove, we sat on the poly floor, removed headgear and listened to Jack Frost rage against the canvas to no avail.



Friday night through Saturday afternoon brought a foot of Snow and whiteout conditions, The wind chill reached -28c but the average low was about -18c. The temperature inside the tent hovered around 24c, it managed to rise as high as 30c at times. As warm as the tent was, we’re “Winter Hammockers” at heart and sleep outside comfortably as always. Hot tenting is an exciting new learning curve; I’m looking forward to a few more adventures before the spring arrives.

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Part one of the Otter Spa Project - DIY Video can be found Here!

[PatT]

Nice project !

Did you notice any freezing around the stove area on your canvas? I've had that issue a couple times with low-end prospector tents.

Also, did the wind break through the canvas?

[doogie]

SO COOL. Is the hot tent coming down to MAHHA as a sweat lodge? Nice job.

[Shewie]

Great job on the hot tent, I've had the same interest for the last couple of winters.

Gotta love the Packer stove

[oldgringo]

Great stuff! The cheer of a canvas hot tent on a cold night has to be experienced to be appreciated.

[TZBrown]

Great project

Hope to see that at MAHHA

[[o]TTeR]

Nice project !

Did you notice any freezing around the stove area on your canvas? I've had that issue a couple times with low-end prospector tents.

Also, did the wind break through the canvas?

Yes we had a build up with icicles, but it was easily removed when we packed up.


Even with the high wind gusts on Friday (50 to 60 km/h) the wind didn't make it through. The poles really helped combat the gusts, there was little/no collapsing and very little draft to be felt.

Great job on the hot tent, I've had the same interest for the last couple of winters.

Gotta love the Packer stove

Thanks, the Packer is the perfect size for this tent, its a great stove.

Great stuff! The cheer of a canvas hot tent on a cold night has to be experienced to be appreciated.

After the DIY investment and weeks of anticipation, I'm proud to be one who can and will appreciate it, this has been a great adventure so far

SO COOL. Is the hot tent coming down to MAHHA as a sweat lodge? Nice job.

Great project

Hope to see that at MAHHA

Thanks! I will do my best to get it down to Pine Grove, after all, ambassadors need an embassy??

[nothermark]

Great setup, worked even better than I expected. Thanks for the post!

[mbiraman]

Good stuff Otter. I agree with OG that stepping into a hot tent from the windy cold is a thing of beauty. There's a quiet as well that can be nice, depending. What allot of folks don't realize is how quickly a hot tent heats up and if you have a morning tinder bundle ready you can be back in the hammock before you wake up. Your really going to appreciate this warm space in the winter.

bill

[MAD777]

Wow, Otter! This made me feel warm, just reading about your setup.
Oh wait, I'm in Florida. I AM warm!
Nice hot tent, anyway