[at-l] Snow camping questions

[ellen at clinic.net (Bob C.)]

>"...I still put down a groundsheet and compress the snow."

The only time I use a ground sheet is when I'm camping under a tarp, summer or
winter. I tramp down the snow, if it's deep enough for snowshoes, set up my tent
and sleep on a full-length 3/8th inch thick foam pad. I've never had a serious
moisture problem, except when my breath freezes into ice crystals on the tent
roof.

Tramping snow with boots tends to produce an uncomfortable surface, so I try to
let the tent floor do the compressing, and minimize crawling around on my knees
to avoid compressing the snow unevenly. As soon as the tent is up, I lie down on
the foam mattress for a few seconds to begin molding the snow to fit my body.

My major winter problem is getting tent stakes to hold. Often I have to bury a
log in the snow and tie guy ropes to it, or use handy bushes and trees. A taut
tent helps shed snow, so good staking is important.

Weary