Suspending in the winter. What works and what won’t?

**heyduff** · 10-10-2018, 20:27

I just use a simple piece of mule tape and a becket hitch...easy peasy, cheap, and works well for me!

**SilvrSurfr** · 10-10-2018, 22:06

When it's really cold, I can't work whoopie slings or beetle buckles with gloves on, so I have to take the gloves off. And getting your guylines tied out to tarp stakes can take a while (take gloves off, put gloves back on to warm up). Hand warmers are a life saver for tarp setup.

And don't forget, when the ground is frozen you may need a hammer to get tarp stakes in the ground. I remember the first time I went out in freezing weather, I had the bright idea to sweep the snow away so I could stake out my tarp. Bad idea - the snow was keeping the ground insulated. It froze instantly when I swept the snow away. Luckily, a more prepared hanger in my group had brought a hammer.

**TxAggie** · 10-10-2018, 22:55

Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

When it's really cold, I can't work whoopie slings or beetle buckles with gloves on, so I have to take the gloves off. And getting your guylines tied out to tarp stakes can take a while (take gloves off, put gloves back on to warm up). Hand warmers are a life saver for tarp setup.

And don't forget, when the ground is frozen you may need a hammer to get tarp stakes in the ground. I remember the first time I went out in freezing weather, I had the bright idea to sweep the snow away so I could stake out my tarp. Bad idea - the snow was keeping the ground insulated. It froze instantly when I swept the snow away. Luckily, a more prepared hanger in my group had brought a hammer.

I carry a large gauge spike in my stake bag in winter to break thru the frozen earth using a rock. Yeah, it’s a little heavier than an aluminum or titanium spike, but it doesn’t bend.

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**SilvrSurfr** · 10-10-2018, 22:57

Originally Posted by TxAggie

I carry a large gauge spike in my stake bag in winter to break thru the frozen earth using a rock. Yeah, it’s a little heavier than an aluminum or titanium spike, but it doesn’t bend.

You should come camping in the NJ Pine Barrens in winter. You'll quickly learn there are no rocks in the Pine Barrens!

Strange but true. Plenty of sand, but no rocks.

**TxAggie** · 10-11-2018, 07:47

Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

You should come camping in the NJ Pine Barrens in winter. You'll quickly learn there are no rocks in the Pine Barrens!

Strange but true. Plenty of sand, but no rocks.

Is that an invitation?

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**OneClick** · 10-11-2018, 08:21

Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

When it's really cold, I can't work whoopie slings or beetle buckles with gloves on, so I have to take the gloves off. And getting your guylines tied out to tarp stakes can take a while (take gloves off, put gloves back on to warm up). Hand warmers are a life saver for tarp setup.

I agree. I never plan on keeping gloves on 100% of the time for anything really. There's always something requiring the dexterity of bare fingers - working with small cord, putting in contacts, tearing open a candy bar, picking knots, picking my nose...

But the straps/buckles don't require much so gloves can stay on.

**Grumpy Squatch** · 10-11-2018, 09:39

Originally Posted by Watertooner

-15* with whoopies on a cold, but dry weekend - no issues. I'm hoping to see info from those who hang in freezing rain or lots of wet, soggy snowfall.

This FTW.

I've used several varieties of buckles and whoopies down to -15° F with no issues. The problem is when you have warm wet days and freezing nights. While I've never had a whoopie become unusable, melting snow and foggy drizzle during the day followed by a clearing night dropping into the low 20s made them really hard to adjust the next morning. It was no big deal since I was moving sites anyway, but it's the freeze - thaw - freeze that makes things harder. These days I've given up on whoopies and use straps exclusively - lately with Beetle Buckles. Haven't has any issues in the cold.

**Shug** · 10-11-2018, 09:53

Originally Posted by Watertooner

-15* with whoopies on a cold, but dry weekend - no issues. I'm hoping to see info from those who hang in freezing rain or lots of wet, soggy snowfall.

I've used my whoopies in freezing rain a few times. There was ice on them but just taking your hand and making a closed fist and rubbing up and down the whoopie constrictor for about 30 seconds caused enough friction heat to loosened it right up.
When it gets to -10º or so I switch to cinch buckles for ease and not having to take off my thin gloves.
Shug