Has anyone tried one of the Coleman Black Cat or similar in a nylon tent? If so 1-did it heat things up? 2-carbon monoxide issues? I've read the manufacturers sights as well as the Canadian safety report. But want to here from others.

Has anyone put a stove jack for a wood stove into a nylon tent, or replaces just one wall of a nylon tent with canvas and installed a jack?

I know this is two different things but I'm trying to cut weight while staying warm. I've always cold camped but at 50 I'm getting soft.

Safety is first with me but I'm always trying to cut weight.

Looks interesting, but kind of archaic

I do a lot of light weight backpacking (ultra light). As you already know, with winter camping, you can go a little heavier and not suffer much (you are pulling the weight not carrying it).

That being said, I have cold camped for many years. Four years ago I went in New Years Eve and was rained on. That night it got down to about -18. I was in my bag most of the trip trying to dry stuff off with my body heat. Not much fun.

I bought an empire canvas works tent the next year. I WILL NEVER EVER GO BACK!! It is a totally different experience camping hot as opposed to cold. It is not that heavy either (ok by ultra light weight standards it is a ton but for winter camping it is nothing for what you get). Tent is about 14 pounds. Stove (large) is about 22..which is about 14 pounds more thn I carry in the summer.

Anyways, I strongly suggest you try a canvas tent. Rent one out this year. You'll be amazed at what a different type of trip you'll have in the winter. If weight really is an issue, there are nylon teepee's with wood burning stoves out there. Here is a link to one (though this is a heavier one..I'll try to find the ultra light weight one I saw a couple years ago). Good luck!

George, your chimney tube looks like a blow tourch in that picture.

It felt like a blow torch in the tent! We were stoking the fire and basically created a "sweat lodge" or sauna. A little later we jumped into a hole we cut into the ice. It is not to bad if you get the tent hot enough to increase your body temp a degree or two. Very refreshing and good way to clean yourself up before the trip home (you sweat out the dirt and the cold water seals your pores back up);-) Oh, one of the biggest advantages to the hot tent, you can easily dry out all your clothes, no matter how wet and frozen they become!

Warning, never have a heater in a nylon tent. No one would be alive to tell the story! Also the nylon would melt with a wood stove!

Silent death!

Boneli

I'd never put a heater in a nylon tent. Interesting to see all the discussion on warm tents, cold tents.

Everyone has there own style but last thing we go winter camping for is to spend time in a tent. We're a bunch of 50 year old guys, we yuck it up all night like we're 25, throw a couple nalgene bottles filled with boiling water into a good bag, crash, get up a few times to pee, crack of dawn get out of the tent, start the coffee and let the fun begin again. I can sleep at home.

Of course the sauna deal looks like fun. Can't argue with that one. WE may have to add that one year for more yucks.

I agree that everyone has there own style. The right style for me may not be the right style for you. That being said, one thing to think about:

Winter camping: Sun comes up around 7:30 (maybe) and gets dark by 4:30 or 5pm. That is only 9 hours of sunlight. It is a lot easier staying up late in a hot tent thn outside or in a cold tent (at least that has been my experience). It is also a lot easier (and fun for me) to play cards, make dinner, snack, and act like 25 year olds in a hot tent as opposed to a cold tent.

I strongly encourage you to at least try it once, It may not be fun for you at all, it may even take the fun out of it for you, but I think everyone who winter camps should at least give it a shot.

PS: This year we brought my hot tent but two of us always slept outside under the stars (I did it three out of five nights), even when it was -10.

The attached photo shows where I slept behind the tent. We planned on going about 5 miles into sawbill this day. We made it about 1.5 miles. Why? He were caught in the middle of the lake in about 5 inches of slush. Thank goodness for the hot tent! Our gloves, boots, socks and pants were all frozen, like bricks! I still decided to sleep behind the tent (I like the stars and my space...plus it got pretty cold that night, -10 and I wanted my dog in the tent)..

Another option is to build an igloo. We did both (see attached)

George, I see you built an igloo using the "ICEBOX". Can you give us a review? Is it worth the money, ease of use, construction time, pros/cons etc...

Sure, I'll make a new post now and give my review....

Thanks George,

We've had a camp weekend planned for some time for this weekend. And as you know the weather is getting down right nasty for cold camping.

We called and rented a tent and stove for this weekend and we are looking forward to it.

We can't wait to see what it'll be like.

I am JEALOUS! Let me know when you get back how it went. Quick tip (if you have not left yet):

Get wood along the lake shore. This wood is almost always dry because
it is exposed to the wind and sun more than the wood further in.

Half the fun of a canvas tent and stove is cooking. Nothing better than sitting around the stove cooking up some awesome meals. You can make just about anything on top of that stove.

I want a trip report when you get back!

George,
What a weekend!! I'll post a trip report later today but the heated tent was heaven. Infact one of the boys dropped from fatigue, and the tent became a lifesaver. Lucky we had just made it to our campsite. A couple of tense hrs but all turned out well.

If anyone reading this has any reports as to what the temps and windchills actually were from Saturday to Monday in the Gooseberry Falls area, please post. I'd love to know what it was.

Jeff

Jeff,
Again, great trip report! Best place to find past weather is: http://www.weather.gov/climate/

The weather in Duluth was as follows:

Sat. -2 to -19 winds 11.2 to 17mph
Sun. -5 to -21 winds 13 to 20mph

Gooseberry was probably a little colder because they do not have as much of a lake affect (Duluth gets cooler in the summer and a little warmer in the winter because of the lake).

All of this information is fascinating! Where does one go to rent one of these canvas tents with a stove?

White Woods Outfitters in Duluth, MN rents the Snowtrekker tents. Check out the link and click rentals.

Snowtrekker Tents

motdur~
Thanks a lot! Now we just have to decide if our first trip will be a cold or hot. We also need to keep things with in our budget. We need a couple of other items and once that is all taken care of, we'll make our decision. Either way, I am GOING to give this hot tent a try at some time!

We were up on Ramshead for the weekend of Jan 17th through the 20th and it was extreemly cold. Hot tent and stove. Take out was a windy -26 degrees.

Great time though!

Boneli