Gear list for winter base camp

[Moondog55]

I only used that with a Contrail but yes with a much heavier shelter and possibly some snow load you could end up with a more or less permanent mark.
you could also remouve the insole but considering moondog is not really tight for room on his pulk it isn't all that practical for him...
Anyway I must get hold of some playwood for my stove base

Playwood?/ LOL Typos are funny

7mm braceply is what I use because we had plenty lying around but even 4mm is fine, do you have the alfoil and CCF ?

[Onestepmore]

What about an old light plastic plate or bowl for a pole base?

[Moondog55]

What about an old light plastic plate or bowl for a pole base?

I would say it depends on the total load, in my Megamid the might do, until I made the plywood base I used the lid of my SIGG billy, the weight of the big tipi under a windload would probably punch a hole in a plastic plate, maybe I'll also throw in an old pot lid for nostalgias sake

[andrewbish]

I have effectively used a Snowclaw (mini snow shovel) for the base of my 'mid's centre pole in the snow.

[Moondog55]

I have effectively used a Snowclaw (mini snow shovel) for the base of my 'mid's centre pole in the snow.

Yeah Basically anything that spreads the load will work, I just like having a dedicated plate as it keeps things simple when I set up tired.

[wayno]

what about a walking pole snow basket?

[Strider]

what about a walking pole snow basket?

Far too logical Wayno. It'll never work

[Moondog55]

Wayno they are too small and don't spread the load over a big enough area. Even my 100*100 plywood base is a little on the small side for the Megamid; double the size [150*150mm] would be better

[Moondog55]

Well I just put a half tonne of mixed firewood and kindling on the trailer ready to take up, trailer must still be OK as the wheels didn't fall off.

Provisioning and packing is going remarkably well so far; I wish I could say the same for my fitness regime.

[Moondog55]

Well I have just finished making up a super strong steel frame for the Paddymade, and made a simple modification the the tents stake points. One of the bad points of any wall tent is getting the correct tension and support for the walls and it isn't always easy to find strong stick the right size. So using a couple of old broken arrows I was given a few months ago and some cheap screw-eyes I made 4 wall stakes and sewed on 4 ring and pins to the corners.

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[Moondog55]

Details of the wall poles and the pin & ring system, very effective and very little added weight, even tho weight matters less in this instance.

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[Moondog55]

One of the problems of long-term camping in our soggy and damp winters is the sleeping bag soaking up moisture and loosing loft/warmth.
I really did not want to use my $1000- sleep system continually for 3 weeks but couldn't see a way around it until this morning. As a compulsive Op-Shopper I call in every time I pass one.
Found my base camp bag today for $2- in the dog blanket bin.
Biggish double layer polyester thing but my MD Travellite fits inside.
The old model travel bag has 350 grams of 600 loft down and usually lives in the car now [just-in-case] but the two together should be more than adequate and I don't have to carry it in so the weight isn't important.

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Yes the cat gets into everything

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Last edited by Moondog55 on Fri 10 May, 2013 12:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Moondog55]

This is a fairly simple and basic trip but even so the amount of work and planning that has gone on is substantial.
I have a lot of respect for those who plan big expeditions to far-away places in hostile environments.
Made a few experimental snow anchors today, large ones; just waiting on the epoxy to set.
I am hoping at least some members can make it to share my experiments ( and perhaps a coffee and/or port around the fire) I have received a very generous donation from a forum member to provide that port as they cannot make it. Many pictures will be provided and a trip report in the appropriate place

[andrewa]

Nice oppy find. Should work well with your bag, and yes, the dampness issue is an issue for a trip like yours.

What's wrong with whiskey. Even bad whiskey is better than port.....!

A

[Moondog55]

Send me a bottle of something and I'm happy to drink it on your behalf, The McCallan 15YO if I have to sip it and Highland Queen is acceptable when diluted with coke. In winter I'm really more of a Drambuie or Benedictine sort of drinker tho

[corvus]

I have just bought and tried "spiced rum" for my medicinal stroll this weekend and it is "unusual to say the least" cannot say it will join me again
corvus

[photonaturally]

bring the cat for warm. Lofts instantly and do not have worry about moisture.

[andrewa]

Noticed the cat in the recent photo. I thought it was being burnt for warmth one night with the MYO stove.

I can't drink Drambuie so easily now. Drank a sh$&load of it in Scotland 25 yrs ago, and it still has negative effect on me!

A

[Strider]

I can't drink Drambuie so easily now. Drank a sh$&load of it in Scotland 25 yrs ago, and it still has negative effect on me!

I'm unsure how your negative experience with Drambuie compares to mine. My mum called me at 3am one night to come and sort out my father (who usually doesn't drink much at all) after he drank a whole bottle of the stuff. He was running around the house naked when I arrived

I've taken quite a shine to Glayva lately. Yum

[Moondog55]

@Corvus
You can tell a "real" old time pub because the have both Cloves cordial and "Chilli punch" cordial next to the rum bottles, a lot of the old-timers drank spiced rum in the winter.

Truth is after years of hospitality work and "over-indulging " I no longer drink very much at all, but a wee dram around the campfire with friends is one of lifes great pleasures

[slparker]

Axe? Are you going to build a hut up there?

Might see you up there... I'll be shivering in my Hilleberg (if it arrives).

[andrewbish]

I no longer drink very much at all,

I am sure my own habits will balance out yours..

[Moondog55]

Axe because I don't have a spare block-splitter.
I found 3 little hatchets in the shed too, one of those will be left in PV hut.
All welcome.
A lot of this stuff is so I can experiment with different systems I just found some foil backed polyethylene underfloor ( $3- for 5 meters) to use as flooring in the tipi and a short length of 4mm foam underfloor insulation as well to try

[Moondog55]

@slparker
if you are shivering you need a new mattress and sleeping bag or a new down parka I think.

Most of the load is in the back of the ute and the trailer is packed ready for a 6AM start Saturday, all I have to do now is make a week-ends supply of peanut butter and honey sandwiches and find the little grill pan for the cheeses and ham toasties

[Moondog55]

At the last moment I added an old cast iron brake drum from a semi trailer to use as a firepit, the metal will radiate heat more effectively than the stones would.

[Moondog55]

As the dump has been made I would guess this thread has reached the end of its life.
New thread gets started next year I assume.

[north-north-west]

As the dump has been made ...

Yes, I noticed a photo of the dunny in your report.

[Moondog55]

Benefits of a "High fibre diet" LOL
Worst designed dunny I have ever seen, roof lets the snow slip off to block the door and the air vent is 300mm in diameter and it fills with water and snow every time it rains heavily or snows, but Parks do not like constructive criticism and told me to take a jump when I commented on the design unsuitability for the high plains

[Moondog55]

I think my beloved wife is finally coming to terms with the length of my stay, she just came home from shopping and gave me a full box of Cherry Ripes to take up with me, dark cherry / dark chocolate and my favourite luxury food

[Moondog55]

We already dropped off a shovel at the hut but as I was leaving Bunnings this AM I saw a cheap shovel $4.99 and because of the colour I bought it. Yellow is much more visible in the snow than white

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$4.99 and 1660 grams

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