Let's have a general winter thread.

[Mr. October]

When you live in northern Minnesota, a beach vacation lasts a week then you are back to the frozen everything. Got to get outdoors as much as possible.



I had -22 yesterday morning and -4 right today. With colder temps and windchills coming this weekend. In the tough part of the year for boredom. So fishing on the random +32 day is still 50 degrees warmer than what it’s been.

When I heard ICE was in Minnesota I thought they meant a government agency.

 

[Chris in TN]

"Ice fishing" for me would involve drinking a frozen margarita on a beach somewhere while surf fishing.

I get that cabin fever is a thing, but at no point in life have I ever been so desperate as to consider ice fishing.

For what a tent and all those poles and augers cost, I can drive to the beach.

 

[Ringbill27]

I get that cabin fever is a thing, but at no point in life have I ever been so desperate as to consider ice fishing.

For what a tent and all those poles and augers cost, I can drive to the beach.

When you live in a place where it’s frozen for 5-7 months a year the cabin fever would make anyone do things some would consider crazy. You’ve got ice fishing and/or drinking. Don’t curl (anymore), play hockey or bowl. Ice fishing it is. I will point out the second deer I shot on December 13 of the 2024 season was -11 out when I get her. This year was around 0 when I got my deer.

I’d probably spend that and some on gas driving or tickets flying to the nearest beach that isn’t frozen. And once then equipment is bought its not like I buy a new set of equipment every year.

 

[KurtR]

When you live in a place where it’s frozen for 5-7 months a year the cabin fever would make anyone do things some would consider crazy. You’ve got ice fishing and/or drinking. Don’t curl (anymore), play hockey or bowl. Ice fishing it is. I will point out the second deer I shot on December 13 of the 2024 season was -11 out when I get her. This year was around 0 when I got my deer.

I’d probably spend that and some on gas driving or tickets flying to the nearest beach that isn’t frozen. And once then equipment is bought its not like I buy a new set of equipment every year.

Its tough to beat fresh walleye from under the ice. We catch a fair amount of catfish in the winter and had a few southern folks up here kept a couple and cooked them and they dont want any of them from that warm water down south any more

 

[*zap*]

Winter is a great time for camping 🏕

 

[Ringbill27]

Its tough to beat fresh walleye from under the ice. We catch a fair amount of catfish in the winter and had a few southern folks up here kept a couple and cooked them and they dont want any of them from that warm water down south any more

Hard to beat cold water fish. All of them taste better through the ice.

 

[skmoore108]

It's been 75F and sunny in Southern AZ for days...down to 60 for a high this weekend though so we may have to get the winter jackets out, haha

 

[Tobe_B]

This winter has been very mild for us. Been able to keep working on some outdoor projects that would normally be on hold until warmer spring weather. Also getting to spend time working with the horses more. Riding a 3 year old that got broke to ride last winter and then left turned out since then, also getting one of our drafts back in a harness pulling a cart.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

We've had it fairly mild here in Western WA so far. Not a flake of snow yet and the heat pump has been doing main duty, propane furnace has hardly been tasked. Haven't fired up the wood stove either. Mildest we've seen, I think, in our near 30 years here now.

 

[Chris in TN]

Nasty snowstorm supposed to hit us tomorrow.

The kids want to build a homemade tent and camp.

Cutting tent poles yesterday:

 

[Chris in TN]

Their ‘tent’:

 

[Customweld]

Their ‘tent’:


View attachment 1009256
View attachment 1009258

They might have to get up a couple of times in the middle of the night to make sure the snow is brushed off the roof!

 

[Chris in TN]

They might have to get up a couple of times in the middle of the night to make sure the snow is brushed off the roof!

I’m hoping it stays up tonight and long enough tomorrow for a bit of snow to seal the cracks so it’s habitable tomorrow night.

Them again, if it collapses tonight I get to sleep in my own bed tomorrow night.

 

[Rockpicker]

Someone sent me 550+ pcs of brass. Time to start prepping the free brass.

I have a ton of mil brass also so I’ll start on that just for something to do.

 

[Chris in TN]

The youngest still wants to camp.





Brrr. It’s 25 and raining/sleeting. High humidity feels colder but the wind is light.

I’m not keen on this but I’m viewing it as future elk hunt training.

 

[KurtR]

-15 last night so the coyotes were hungry. Playing with the new thermal was fun.

 

[Chris in TN]

We survived a night of rain/ice/sleet/snow.

My metric for successful camping is the time I first check to see what time it is. I rarely sleep in a tent. There’s always an armadillo or farm animal moving around. No wind to speak of last night, but I heard the cows tromping around in the ice (they do have a shelter with hay in it!) and all the neighborhood roosters, including ours, do a series of crows throughout the night. Coyotes howl.

We stayed dry and warm but my inflatable sleeping pad developed a slow leak and my hip hurt when I ‘woke up’. Clock said 5:45; better than most nights. We stayed in until 6:25 and headed in. Ice everywhere. Tree limbs drooping. Dozens of reported power outages and it’ll get worse through the day as we descend into the coldest snap of the year. There’s always last minute preparation for ice here - feed the animals, then feed them some more. Crank up the wood stove and the central heat, while we can. Bring in wood for the stove. Feed the animals. Do laundry and start a pot of chili we can finish over the wood stove.

Brrr.

 

[Yoder]

I just wanted to say goodbye to everyone. The white death started falling a few hours ago and there is no way we can survive. I know it will be at least 12 hrs before we can drive 20 min to the store.

 

[go_deep]

I just wanted to say goodbye to everyone. The white death started falling a few hours ago and there is no way we can survive. I know it will be at least 12 hrs before we can drive 20 min to the store.

And if the snow doesn't get you, the exploding trees will for sure. Good knowing you!

 

[NMNomad]

I’ve been out doing a little winter hiking. Watching some deer, waiting for sheds to start. I’ve been debating on tearing into the old Dodge’s dash to change out the ac evap and heater core. That chore isn’t getting much traction though.

That's a big job. I'd rather winter hike. LOL