31
Dec
2015
jloomis

Setting up snow camp for the New Year

I had the last day of 2015 off today, so I took advantage and went up to the mountain to set up snow camp for tomorrow. I found a nice snow camping spot along Clear Creek not far from Skyline SnoPark a couple weeks ago, so Katie, Julian, and I plan to snow camp for one night on New Years Day 2016.

It was 18°F when I arrived at Skyline snopark with cloudy skies and wind. I made three trips with my snowmobile hauling gear to our snow camping spot. I spent quite a bit of time trampling the snow down as all the powder has still not had a chance to consolidate.

Snow camping gear hauled in by snowmobile     Still tons of powder for snowmobiling

We are trying a new tent this trip, an Eskimo FatFish 6120I pop up shelter. The windows are attached with Velcro, so I removed one and had my mother-in-law sew up a stove jack in the same shape out of silicone impregnated welding cloth. The FatFish should work really well for snow camping. It is designed as an ice fishing shelter, but I think there is a market for using it as a heated snow camping tent.

Eskimo FatFish 6120I pop up shelter setup for snow camping

By the time I left the temperature had dropped to 14°F. I may have to cut some more firewood tomorrow to be sure Katie and Julian stay warm all day and night.

2015/16 Mileage

Trip: 5 miles
Season: 225 miles
Total Days: 6

Gear List

2014 Polaris 800 Pro RMK Snowmobile
2013 Polaris 800 Switchback Assault Snowmobile
Up North Technologies PRO SERIES Snowmobile Cargo Rack
P-700-B Low Profile Powder Keg
Pelican Snow Trek Sport 75 Utility Sled
Echo CS-271T chainsaw
Fiskars 28 in. Splitting Axe
Kel-Tec P-3AT .380 Auto
Four Dog STove Co. Two Dog DX Camp Stove
Eskimo FatFish 6120I Pop-UP Shelter
Marmot Lithium MemBrain 0F Sleeping Bag
Alpinizmo by High Peak USA Latitude -5 Sleeping Bag
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Mattress
Therm-A-rest Explorer Self-Inflating Mattress
Disc-O-Bed Cam-O-Bunk XL Portable Bunk Bed Cots
GCI Outdoor Quik-E-Seats
Century Mighty Lite Single Mantle Lantern
HMK Summit V16 Pack
GMAX GM76X Helmet
Smith Phenom Turbo Fan Goggles
Columbia Men’s Bugaboot Plus III Titanium Omni-Heat Boots
HMK Hustler 2 Snowmobile Pants
Columbia Titanium Hightail II Softshell Jacket
HMK Cascade Snowmobile Jacket
Columbia Powerfly Down Puff Jacket
Head Digital Sport Liner Gloves
Outdoor Research Ambit Gloves
Columbia Men's Fast Trek Fleece Hat
Balaclava
HighGear ATF8 Altimeter
Petzl TIKKA XP 2 Headlamp
Olympus Tough TG-1 Camera
Sony HDR-AS200V ActionCam
Lifeline Aluminum Sport Utility Snow Shovel
Fiskars POWER TOOTH Softgrip 10" Folding Saw
First Aid Kit
SPOT Gen3
Samsung Galaxy S6 Active w/BackCountry Navigator
Suunto A-10 Compass

Post new comment

Disclaimer: You are responsible for informing yourself of the hazards of backcountry travel and taking the necessary precautions. Loomis Adventures may not be held liable.