[Unswydd]

Originally Posted by kevin

i'd probably say forget hopes of a full fire (sounds like you are talking still above main treeline, not in the forest). either way, get into your tree well, pull out your 9hr candle (you have one right ) and set it up at your feet, sit on some insulation and wrap your space blanket around you and the candle. inside should get toasty warm

Good call Kevin. This is exactly what I would be doing. No sleep that night tho. LOL

[Democracyman]

i'd probably say forget hopes of a full fire (sounds like you are talking still above main treeline, not in the forest). either way, get into your tree well, pull out your 9hr candle (you have one right ) and set it up at your feet, sit on some insulation and wrap your space blanket around you and the candle. inside should get toasty warm

Hello, this intrigues me as one good way to go if your going above tree line
in winter, either skiing or climbing, snowmobiling etc.

I have been told a regular space blanket is not big enough to do this, would
you use a good quality two person space blanket? Also will you really be warm
with such simple shelter and such a small source of heat? Have you done
it or know of someone who did? Should I test it?

cant remember where but I do remember reading once about a fire being made on a snow raft...all I can remember is that the raft was made using layers of green woods with fire built on top.
Also here our Mountain safety council recommend digging into the snow to make a shelter and building fire in it, to the side, with open air ventilation above that section.
I know I'm not explaining this well so you might want to try Mountain Safety Council NZ, Avalanche, Bush, River and Tramping Safety

I couldn't find a write up about this on the site, I really like New Zealand,
I wish I could visit or climb there.

I can't really visualize exactly how to build the shelter? I will think on it.


Thanks
Dan

[swamprat]

I have no experience in building snow caves or trenches, but it seems they would be easier and safer than trying to tunnel down several feet to the bottom of a tree to reach a tree well. A snow trench or cave would not be as deep, thus requiring less effort on your part. I think it would also be easier to get out of if the snow caves in.

[snowshoe67]

GarretHey Thank you for that youtube site on that "Fire Pole" Like The Idea! Thanks again. Here in Maine We build up a area in The treeline"Fir Tree's Work very well for a wind block, and a snow wall.A good fire is key.

[kevin]

Originally Posted by Democracyman

Hello, this intrigues me as one good way to go if your going above tree line
in winter, either skiing or climbing, snowmobiling etc.

I have been told a regular space blanket is not big enough to do this, would
you use a good quality two person space blanket? Also will you really be warm
with such simple shelter and such a small source of heat? Have you done
it or know of someone who did? Should I test it?

yes you should test it. No I've not done it. EVERYTHING i've ever read about small windproof shelters (like snow caves for instance) is that body heat will keep them around freezing; even a small candle can make it a toasty 40 degrees; in side a small little space blanket wrap maybe better? Maybe I'll test on my porch this winter you should buy AM Heetsheets instead of walllymart cheapo "space blanket". size for 1 or two is fine.

[Baldninja]

You may not need a fire. A good ice cave or igloo should keep you fairly warm. Just remember to face the entrance away from where the wind blows from. Snow is an excellent insulator, though, all by its self.

[B52gundog]

Originally Posted by kevin

yes you should test it. No I've not done it. EVERYTHING i've ever read about small windproof shelters (like snow caves for instance) is that body heat will keep them around freezing; even a small candle can make it a toasty 40 degrees; in side a small little space blanket wrap maybe better? Maybe I'll test on my porch this winter you should buy AM Heetsheets instead of walllymart cheapo "space blanket". size for 1 or two is fine.

I used the cheapy space blanket my first night out when all my stuff got wet (including my sleeping bag) on my first trip out in the woods. I didn't know my backpack wasn't waterproof then. Everything but my bag of socks & underwear were wet. I slept in the space blanket in just my dry underwear and socks in my tent in about 55 - 60 F degree weather. I used the space blanket like a sleeping bag (It was like 5ft wide by 8ft long) laying on the wet sleeping pad . I was quite comfortable actually. I slept pretty good despite the setback I just experienced. At first I was on the edge of panic as I'd just hiked 3+ hours in the rain just before dark. Most everything I had was wet. It was still raining so I didn't even try to make a fire or anything. In this case, I kinda considered this a survival experience (as I was also inexperienced) and I genuinely felt that eary feeling when you realize things aren't going as expected. If I didn't have the space blanket I know for sure the night would've just sucked.

I have tested a concept of sitting with my knees to my chest then placing a garbage bag over me then lighting a tealight candle between my feet to stay warm. Seem to work pretty well. I could feel the warmth from the candle. Just make sure you have a breathing hole for fresh air. I just tested it, though for 5 minutes or so in ~60 F degree weather with a slight breeze. I think it would work in a pinch for survival (depending on circumstances). Remember survival usually sucks. So, you may not be comfortable or get a lot of sleep, but it could keep ya alive or at least be more comfortable than having nothing else to work with.

[cowgirlup]

I have a three wick emergency candle in a tin that can be used for heat or cooking over. It's small and not that expensive. It's nice too because you can control the heat output.

[kevin]

Originally Posted by B52gundog

I have tested a concept of sitting with my knees to my chest then placing a garbage bag over me then lighting a tealight candle between my feet to stay warm. Seem to work pretty well. I could feel the warmth from the candle. Just make sure you have a breathing hole for fresh air. I just tested it, though for 5 minutes or so in ~60 F degree weather with a slight breeze.

cool you tested it; I'm gonna some time this winter, using a thermometer to check temp improvemet vs. time!

[Democracyman]

Wildwood Survival - Wilderness Survival - Shelter - Snow Coffin

I found this on the web, not sure how warm you would be with no
sleeping gear. I think I would like making this shelter over making a
snow cave, when digging a snow cave you have a lot of work and you
get really wet.

Originally Posted by B52gundog View Post
I have tested a concept of sitting with my knees to my chest then placing a garbage bag over me then lighting a tealight candle between my feet to stay warm. Seem to work pretty well. I could feel the warmth from the candle. Just make sure you have a breathing hole for fresh air. I just tested it, though for 5 minutes or so in ~60 F degree weather with a slight breeze.
cool you tested it; I'm gonna some time this winter, using a thermometer to check temp improvemet vs. time!

I have tried a small candle in a tent in winter time, I imagined a lot
of warmth from the candle, I found I got zero heat from the candle. I
have seen a show about natives in the far north staying warm with a
small oil lamp in a special tent inside of a tent shelter. My experience though
a candle is not that much of a heat supply.

Dan