Another ski weekend in the 560

We just got back from our third ski weekend this year. Isn't it amazing how you can LEARN how to camp? We are so much better at it than we were just two trips ago.



First of all, we have learned that there are completely different styles of camping - even with the same trailer. Last winter we discovered the difference between camping and a road trip. This winter we've learned that winter ski camping is something completely different as well.

On our first attempt, I setup the 10x10 canopy over the galley with the portable bathroom nearby. The wind destroyed the popup tent, and blew away the bathroom tent - leaving the toilet.

Next trip I had a stronger and heavier popup tent complete with side walls,weights and an RV mat for the floor. We used our Mr. Buddy heater to keep the 'room' warm for cooking, meals and getting dressed in snow gear. I also put the porta-potty in one corner. I purposely parked between two huge RVs to block the wind, but on the third morning one terrific gust blew the whole setup over. At least this time nothing was broken.

This last trip we took NO camping gear. We never opened the galley. We didn't get dressed in the cabin. We didn't watch TV or stay up reading at night. We used the trailer for one thing - sleeping. In the mornings, we would hop into the car, and drive up to the lodge to get dressed and eat breakfast. In the evenings we would eat dinner at the lodge, read for a while, and then drive down to the trailer when we were ready for bed. We learned to take advantage of the warm facilities provided by the ski resort, buy warm meals at the lodge (supplemented by cold beer 'smuggled' in by thermos), and to turn on the furnace in the trailer 15 minutes before we went to bed.

It was our coldest trip yet - 5 degrees at night. The condensation was frozen to the trailer on the inside (the same as last week), and the heater had to actually be clicked off or else it would have run all night without hitting the mimimum temperature on the thermostat. I'd be interested to know how much Bear cracks his windows on very cold nights, because even a 1/4" seems to let in a LOT of very cold air.

One other note - some of the guys in the big RVs don't seem to think that it is possible that anyone could live in something so small. We came back to our trailer one night to find a big RV had pulled in right next to us - so close that I couldn't open my door (good thing we have two).


Worse still, his exhaust (generator or furnace?) was pointed directly at us.

Once he turned that thing on in the morning, we had no choice but to get up early.

I know some people can't see the appeal of camping in the snow. I don't particularly enjoy being cold, but I do like being able to ski for a three day weekend with my family while paying $0 for lodging! That's appealing. ...and the skiing is fun too...


Kate & Dad at the top with Mt. Rainier in the background.

 

You must be a man of iron will. I would not have been able to resist plugging the generator exhaust pipe with snow.

 

Evan, you really are too nice a guy. If me, that dude would have moved. Period.

Nice shots. When you, more than most, get your 100 night badge you can feel pride in knowing that you earned it and learned a lot along the way. Mine was a fair weather gimme in comparison.

Those under 100 nights in a tear/raindrop don't have a clue about this unique camping learning curve.

Hilditch

PS: There is a lot less condensation if you hold your breath.

 

Evan,
Great pictures. I enjoy late season/snow camping. Here in TN it is by luck, not by choice. In TN most people hole up til March. I have tent camped when the mercury dipped to within a few degrees of zero. Using the Camp-Inn is a real up grade.
I have noticed the memory foam is hard as a rock and soaks heat from my body for some time before it is comfortable.
Steve

 

Jenn, I could have moved but the exhaust wasn't as bad as it looked. He didn't turn it on until about the time we were getting up anyways.

I'm interested to hear what Bear has to say about condensation - and how much he cracks the windows and fan.

Yes, the propane worked just fine.

 

I love the picture of your Camp Inn between the two big campers!

Skiing isn't a "thing" here in our area, so I'm interested in the picture of the campers lined up -- it looks like lots of people were there. Do people just camp in the parking lot?

I do have one tip for cold-weather camping: Change ALL your clothes before you get into bed. Even if you've only been wearing your socks for an hour, you've sweated in them a bit . . . and once you're asleep and the temperature drops, that sweat's gonna be cold. Instead, change into TOMORROW's socks and tee-shirt, and you'll be warmer all night.

But to your opening point: Yes, camping's like anything else -- the more you do it, the more efficient you become at it. You learn more about how to pack, how to set up, etc. For example, I used to try to take everything for cooking and do all my work at camp -- now, assuming it's just a weekend trip, I do as much prep work as possible at home, and I arrive at camp with a bag of chopped veggies and chopped meat ready for the beef stew that my husband considers a first-night must.

And there's a learning curve for different types of camping. My preparation /camping is different for a family trip vs. a trip with my scouts.

 

Evan, I too have had my butt frozen a couple of times by a 1/4" open window. What we learned was that a 1/8" opening of one window is enough to still wake up in the morning. Open only the window on the downwind side & just crack the vent as little as possible. Hang a jacket over the opened window to disperse the fresh air.

Condensation: 1st, The water in your boot buckets does not help. Make sure you drain them as much as possible after the snow melts. 2nd, when not sleeping allow for more fresh air flow - heater on or not. You left a lot of moisture in the trailer last night so let it dry out while you are gone. Here you can leave 1/4" open for both windows and the vent and it will dry it out unless the humidity is 90%. Even frost will evaporate.

Warm or cold, we have always opened our tear up to let it breath during the day. Remember, a wool blanket can hold a quart of water and you would never notice it.

Hilditch

 

Yah, I don't I know what the Big Boys in the Homes on Wheels are thinking.. had one pull in right next to me in a 50' rv park with only 3 other campers and turned on his outdoor Flood lights... Finally got them off, but just what do they think... if they they think at all.. geesh... come on Guys THINK !!!
Winter camping nice but 5F is c-c-c-cold in anyone's book...
fun..

 

Cary,

Are there fresh air exchanges in the AC or the heaters? (Other than the condensation drain.) I would think not.

Hilditch

 

Hilditch,


You are correct, neither has a fresh air exchange. Bear is pointing out something I didn't think of though. Moving air around does cut down on condensation formation. Having a fan blowing can help as it does for him. Still would seem a bit stuffy for me, not cracking open a window even a little bit like you do. But, I can see the fair trade of warmth versus stuffiness.

Cary

 

Bear,

Yes, I suppose not alot of opportunity for air exchange on a sub. Good good point.

Cary

 

Having a little chuckle here now myself, Bear. Having seen firsthand up close the spaces inside a nuke attack boat (SSN), I am reminded now that the captain's quarters are about the floorspace inside my 560 (maybe a little more or less, it's been 45 years). And the next two ranking officers (XO, etc.) shared a space about that size. Sailors hot-bunk. Ever bunked on top of a torpedo? Ah, life inside a 16-foot diameter cigar (which I did not experience)....

 

Oops, the fingers are faster than the mind at that hour (re: beam). As I say, never experienced living in one, just a tour the Navy thought every officer-to-be should take, even one who would never go to sea (me). It was either join or be drafted, so I took the Navy, figuring that'd be the surest way to do my duty and not end up on Vietnam shore duty. Six months later, there I was, shore duty building targets for the Marines in I-Corps. Ah, well, they paid me an extra $65 a month for it, so who's to complain?