The evolution of laziness

[memaquay]

Way back in the day, I winter camped in regular prospector tents, and we used a seven or 9 pole set up. When I got back into it, I bought an Atuk Kanguk, good tent, but hard to get a good set. So eventually I bit the bullet and bought the Snowtrekker. A few years ago the ticker acted up, so I started using a skidoo to get into the woods. I was having trouble processing wood too, used o tucker me right out, so I bought a Nuway propane stove. This is a neat little stove that vents to the outside like a wood stove, avoiding the moisture and CO associated with propane heat.

That's my Nuway in my Snowtrekker.
I found the Nuway was only good to about -5 C in the Snowtrekker, and it burned a ton of gas, but it was still pretty awesome.
Last year I got a cheap 3 man pop up Ice fishing shelter. The windows velcro on, so I took one out, traced it onto a piece of aluminium, and velcroed it back in with a 3 inch hole for my propane burner.

The little stove heated that sucker up really quick, on the low setting.
So this year I did some research on pop up ice shelters. They have come a long way. I ordered the Eskimo Outbreak 650, a large insulated pop up. No good if man hauling, but fine for skidooing or car camping. I'm going to make two aluminium inserts, one for the propane stove, one for the wood stove. It will be the ultimate lazy man set up. I'll post pics when I get it operational if anyone is interested in alternate winter shelters.

[Lonelake]

This is a pretty sweet set up to still get you out there. Right on!

LL

[4estTrekker]

This is really a great solution in many ways. Way to get creative to stay outdoors in the winter! Thanks for sharing.

[johnnyg08]

I've been waiting for somebody to jump on the propane stove ship.

I read above that you feel the stove is only good to around -5C...do you think that's the reason why they haven't caught on? The idea that the wood stove heats better in the frigid temperatures?
For the cost, there really is something to the vented propane stoves.

Is the Nuway you have, the biggest one?

[memaquay]

Sorry to take so long to get back, lol. I think there is one nuway bigger than mine.. They do suck up a lot of propane. A 20 pounder last about 20 hours burning on high.

[memaquay]

Tried the nuway in my new Ice shelter, the Eskimo 650. It is a very large tent, and at -30 C the nuway kept it around 40 degrees F, so liveable, but not exactly roasting. I had an opportunity to get a Gstove second hand, and that has proven to be the ideal stove for the ice tent. Had it at over 90 degrees F in there.


This is luxury, kinda winter camping glamping.


My wife likes it, so she comes too, which is a bonus. If one is willing to wake up every hour during the night, the tent can be kept really warm, even at -30. The locking exercise mats for a floor are awesome too, can walk around in your socks. I will keep the snowtrekker for fall canoe trips, but I think the pop up will be my new go to for winter skidoo trips.

[Undersky]

Your set-up looks quite comfortable, memaquay! You must have done a good job making it so if your wife enjoys herself on trips.

A buddy and I re-covered a fatfish with breathable 5 oz treated cotton, installed a pipe thimble, and also used interlocking foam mats over the entire floor. Even under the stove base the foam worked fine. It is so comfortable to live on! The tent pitches very quickly, and is wind stable. As you've noted, the only downside of the tent for man-hauling is the weight: maybe 26lbs? And the 16 2ftx2ft foam mats are pretty bulky, but really, so comfy!! The next improvement would be a window or two.

Thank you for the pictures!

[Arctic Fox]

This is a great setup. We have switched from a winter trekker to an Eskimo as well although not as large. I am not to a point of snowmobiling for my trips but I will probably get there someday. Its great that you are able to get out even after your medical issue. As I get older I get concerned about the day I will no longer be able to take trips I do now.