2012 Arctic Courses. <<>> Discussion thread. <<>>
- Thread starter Wayland
- Start date
forestwalker
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
A proper wool scarf is nice. Quick adjustment, a good way to seal in the heat. I would consider a third set of socks, but then I'm not sure how you would be wearing your setup. Remember when it comes to boots that you may get brioef thaws and overflow on streams. That is the one time mukluks are not at their best.
A saw? Either a lapplander or a bucksaw, fixed or folding.
Non-metal tableware? One looks so silly with a metal spoon stuck between ones lips. A lot of metal that you may end up freezing to (blow-tube?). Is there a pot that can hang over the fire? Large pots for melting snow is nice, but they may be issued on the course for all I know.
You have a lot of lights, but that is your choice. With lithium cells the need for sticking the battery pack inside the clothes is not as paramount.
A water bottle that can be carried inside the clothes is nice (mine is a rectangular old style (HDPE) 400 ml Nalgene bottle, with a cord loop).
Pack some spare pack straps, in case there is kit to attach to the outside (reindeer hide, etc).
I'm presuming here that you have tried to operate all the stuff with mittens -- or at least gloves -- on.
Hi Wayland,
There will be no need for the Ice axe on the expedition, we will not be venturing into steep terrain.
Hope this helps
Ross
There will be no need for the Ice axe on the expedition, we will not be venturing into steep terrain.
Hope this helps
Ross
Thanks for that Ross, that will make packing a bit easier.
I picked up a couple of those from Paul Kirtley and they are part of my Ice fishing kit now along with a few Speedhooks.
That is useful to know, I may pick up a cheap sledge to use as a pulk and leave it somewhere a kid will find it when I leave.
I may take an old cap comforter which can be used as a hat or a scarf if I have room. At night, the microfibre towel will double as a neck and head cosy as it will also absorb a lot of condensation from breath and the like.
The Sealskinz and Squaddie socks make up a third, waterproof set if needed and I've got three sets of felt boot liners.
I'm hoping that I can anticipate conditions enough to know when it's best to change between the Pac boots and Mukluks but only time will tell.
The saw in the snow shovel handle is more suited to wood than snow I reckon but I will also have my Lappy with me. I just forgot to list that.
I've got a wooden spoon but also a metal fork and teaspoon for mixing drinks etc. The bowl is plastic and the Primus set holds just under 3 litres. Plus another two if I'm using both pans. The blow poker has a wooden handle/mouthpiece fitted for this trip too.
The main billy has a bail and the smaller can be used as a mixing bowl or on the stove if needed.
A candle is specified on the course list but I prefer it in a lantern for safety. The Zebra will be my general working light, the Krill is a space light and the Betalight is a non battery backup and good for not destroying night vision.
I have a Sigg oval bottle with a leather jacket for inside my clothing layers, I plan to use the other bottles wrapped with socks etc. as hot water bottles to pre warm the sleeping bag and then popped into the boots to keep them frost free overnight in the bottom of the bivi bag. Hopefully I'll still have liquid water in the morning but if not they can be set by the fire to thaw out again.
I have some spare straps and have added shock cord for quick carrying clothing shed from layering changes. I can always use cordage for any unexpected attachments as I will have quite a bit with me anyway. I'll also have some rope for dragging the pulk and other ropey sort of jobs.
I've added tabs to all zip pullers and am in the process of changing any buckles that are not glove friendly (Surprising how many fail this test)
All really good advice FW. Thanks for the input.
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forestwalker
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
One more thing I like to carry is handwarmers. The old style that uses a stick of charcoal. I pack two. One in each front pocket helps with cold feet, one in each boot helps dry it out overnight, etc.
One thing you'll end up doing a lot is drying socks (dry socks are warm, so you change them every time you can, and dry the old ones best you can). The two main ways are to tuck tem inside the waistband of the pants and with a cord around the neck, inside all clothes but the inner layer. Now, I lnow you to be a craftsman who likes working on making "ideal" versions of all items, so I'll leave it there.
A third thing; some people carry the thinnest sort of work gloves ("assembly gloves" or something like that). Nice when you neeed to fiddle with ski bindings or things like that. Also a pair of heavy insulated work gloves (again, the hardware store and petrol stations can sell you these) is nice. Cheap enough that you can treat them as disposable when working with firewood and other things, and fairly warm and sturdy.
One thing you'll end up doing a lot is drying socks (dry socks are warm, so you change them every time you can, and dry the old ones best you can). The two main ways are to tuck tem inside the waistband of the pants and with a cord around the neck, inside all clothes but the inner layer. Now, I lnow you to be a craftsman who likes working on making "ideal" versions of all items, so I'll leave it there.
A third thing; some people carry the thinnest sort of work gloves ("assembly gloves" or something like that). Nice when you neeed to fiddle with ski bindings or things like that. Also a pair of heavy insulated work gloves (again, the hardware store and petrol stations can sell you these) is nice. Cheap enough that you can treat them as disposable when working with firewood and other things, and fairly warm and sturdy.
I did wonder about taking my Zippo handwarmer but wondered about getting fuel for them. (Can't carry it on the flights.)
Drying gear has been one thing I've been trying to research. Most methods rely on some kind of heated shelter which we won't have on the advanced course. I had been thinking of drying them near a fire but there are obvious risks involved there. Another idea was to make a bag from fibre pile material (like the inside of a Buffalo shirt) and hang that under my clothing to help wick the moisture out. Your idea sounds a bit like that.
The thin fleece gloves listed with the mitts are thin enough to work even fiddliest controls of my cameras with so I'm hoping they'll do for most other things too.
I must admit to lusting after a pair of Hestra Falt Gloves with spare liners but I'm trying to resist.
Drying gear has been one thing I've been trying to research. Most methods rely on some kind of heated shelter which we won't have on the advanced course. I had been thinking of drying them near a fire but there are obvious risks involved there. Another idea was to make a bag from fibre pile material (like the inside of a Buffalo shirt) and hang that under my clothing to help wick the moisture out. Your idea sounds a bit like that.
The thin fleece gloves listed with the mitts are thin enough to work even fiddliest controls of my cameras with so I'm hoping they'll do for most other things too.
I must admit to lusting after a pair of Hestra Falt Gloves with spare liners but I'm trying to resist.
forestwalker
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
The heated shelter is the proper way to do it. But small slightly damp items (i.e. socks) are easy to dry inside clothes. Don't make the mistake of drying things inside your sleeping bag, it will then turn cold because the excess moisture will form frost inside the insulation. I use a small dry bag for pants, felt booties, wool mittens and such that I want warm and nice in the morning. it is still damp, but at least the dampness is not inside my hard to dry sleeping bag. If it is clear and cold and preferably a bit windy you can freezedry stuff, even if it takes time (people here do it with their laundry if they don't have a dryer or space for a set of sheets indoors).
The thin fleeze bag, or even a mesh bag, would do fine inside the clothes, and can be used when melting snow as well if one needs to.
That should do the trick.
I must admit to lusting after a pair of Hestra Falt Gloves with spare liners but I'm trying to resist.
They are nice. I've tried them on in a store and drooled slightly, but they are pricy, and the spare liners one should have are not exactly free either. The pile insulated work gloves are an ok substitute, and after the trip you can dump them in you van, nice to have when changing tyres in winter. And cost so little (about SEK 80, say UKP 6-7) that one do not have to worry abut them.
Interesting setup Gary, would love to hear how you get on with it.
Is the second pair of mittens a back up in case the first get lost/wet?
Whats the yellow things on the bottom of the snow shoes? Are they just protecters for the grips/against anyone hurting themselves on them?
Do you have a way of attaching your snowshoes to your bag?
Hopefully this winter I will get out on my snowshoes and see how they preform, didnt really get much of a chance last winter. They arrived as the snow was melting.
Is the second pair of mittens a back up in case the first get lost/wet?
Whats the yellow things on the bottom of the snow shoes? Are they just protecters for the grips/against anyone hurting themselves on them?
Do you have a way of attaching your snowshoes to your bag?
Hopefully this winter I will get out on my snowshoes and see how they preform, didnt really get much of a chance last winter. They arrived as the snow was melting.
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Yes the second pair are back up and the Yellow bits are plastic edge protectors mainly so they don't wear holes in the bag while being baggage handled. (They are the sort of thing you used to get for hanging posters with.)
The snow shoes strap easily onto the outside of the side pouches with the compression straps.
The snow shoes strap easily onto the outside of the side pouches with the compression straps.
That sounds like a useful idea, I've got plenty of small dry bags so one could easily be used for that.
All very helpful stuff Wayland and forestwalker!
I am going to have to go with my civvy Trangia 25 ( I shall buy a 'sterile ' burner to get me passed the airport baggage restrictions )
Any tips folks ? ( apart from maybe keeping the meths burner warm through body heat prior to useing ! )
Cheers.
Chris.
I am going to have to go with my civvy Trangia 25 ( I shall buy a 'sterile ' burner to get me passed the airport baggage restrictions )
Any tips folks ? ( apart from maybe keeping the meths burner warm through body heat prior to useing ! )
Cheers.
Chris.
Take some tissue paper and wrap it around the burner lip. Pour some meths on it and light that.
The paper acts as a wick and will volatilise the alcohol even when cold.
Once lit, that then preheats the burner and Robert is your father's brother.
The paper acts as a wick and will volatilise the alcohol even when cold.
Once lit, that then preheats the burner and Robert is your father's brother.
The meths burner in a civvy set up IS above the snow Id.
No choice re-stove I am afraid, funds and all that.. However I have used my Trangia down to -10, slower but
Not unbearable !
I take it you are using petrol/naptha ?
I have only ever used open fires or Trangias in 30 years of outdoor cooking ! ( or a Honey stove! )
What are you useing Wayland ?
Thanks for the tip by the way .
My best.
Chris.
No choice re-stove I am afraid, funds and all that.. However I have used my Trangia down to -10, slower but
Not unbearable !
I take it you are using petrol/naptha ?
I have only ever used open fires or Trangias in 30 years of outdoor cooking ! ( or a Honey stove! )
What are you useing Wayland ?
Thanks for the tip by the way .
My best.
Chris.
You guys reckon my old trusty MSR Dragonfly will serve me well in the arctic?
I hope to fit most of my gear in my arcteryx Arrakis pack (extends to about 75 liters). Not really a bushcraft pack but it should do the job and it's pretty much waterproof. Do we need to bring a daypack for our trips away from the site? I assume we won't be taking all our gear and food when we go wandering about, or am I mistaken?
I hope to fit most of my gear in my arcteryx Arrakis pack (extends to about 75 liters). Not really a bushcraft pack but it should do the job and it's pretty much waterproof. Do we need to bring a daypack for our trips away from the site? I assume we won't be taking all our gear and food when we go wandering about, or am I mistaken?
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widu13
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
The Dragonfly will cut the mustard. With any pressure stove make sure you take spares. I'm now taking my TK111 Chinese Coleman Feather 442 clone- I'm really impressed with it. I'll take an alcohol burner as back up.
Chris,
I wouldn't worry about a new burner, I burnt mine dry of Meths, then washed out with washing up liquid, rinsed and allowed it to dry - no smell at all.
HTH
