Seek outside Cimarron cold-weather pitch

[Rmauch20]

I’ve had my Cimarron out in the warmer weather a few times since getting it and I’ll have used the line lock system to pick it up off the ground to help with airflow.

i’m taking it out for third season this year in Colorado and it looks like it supposed to be mid 30s for the high. Do you guys usually still pitch it up to help with airflow or do you pitch it tight down to the ground?

 

[GregB]

I pitched mine up this year, even with some snow and temps down to 10 some mornings we didn't have any problems.

 

[bridgermgmt]

I always pitch mine up at least on one side. When I can’t, I just leave a 1/2 door open.

 

[tttoadman]

pitch it high and lay a blow down next to it to block the wind. good ventilation and height but not the through wind.

 

[Stickbow]

FWIW I usually pitch mine all the way down, I dont mind a little condensation to prevent drafts. If needed I wipe the inside with a little terry cloth thing and run the stove. Its pretty dry in utah usually.

 

[sndmn11]

Shoot, we have been in the Redcliff for second season pitched tight to the ground and have not seen condensation.

 

[prm]

I always pitch mine (older BCS) tight to ground. I can open door and upper vent if necessary. Though I like the idea of raising it a bit with a log to prevent direct wind.

 

[Newtosavage]

I’ve had my Cimarron out in the warmer weather a few times since getting it and I’ll have used the line lock system to pick it up off the ground to help with airflow.

i’m taking it out for third season this year in Colorado and it looks like it supposed to be mid 30s for the high. Do you guys usually still pitch it up to help with airflow or do you pitch it tight down to the ground?

Curious - do you have a stove or just a really good sleeping bag? I'm wanting to prep for next season, but overnight lows in the teens without heat makes me real nervous.

 

[Mike7]

Small packable stoves are not good for keeping you warm at night...they only burn for about 30 minutes. You need a good sleeping bag or quilt/puffy hood along with an insulated air mat +/- foam pad to stay warm.

I pitch the windward shelter side only low to the ground, and put my backpack/gear along that shelter edge inside to breakup any drafts if it is windy.

 

[Rmauch20]

Curious - do you have a stove or just a really good sleeping bag? I'm wanting to prep for next season, but overnight lows in the teens without heat makes me real nervous.

I have the medium SO stove and I am taking a little buddy heater. I am truck camping so pack weight is not a Issue. As for sleeping bags I plan on doubling up bags. I have a Kelly cosmic 20 that I am not crazy about, but I am taking that and 20 degree Cabelas rectangle bag. The Kelty goes inside the larger bag.

I plan on buying a higher end 0 degree bag next year to streamline my sleeping bags for cold weather camping.

 

[Newtosavage]

Okay, I've got truck camping down pat (Kodiak canvas tent + buddy heater = glamping, LOL ) but am really wanting to gain confidence in backcountry camping when it dips below 20. Mainly so I can get some peace and quiet since I've not yet found the spot in Colorado where some bubba won't set up right next to me.

 

[Mike7]

I have the medium SO stove and I am taking a little buddy heater. I am truck camping so pack weight is not a Issue. As for sleeping bags I plan on doubling up bags. I have a Kelly cosmic 20 that I am not crazy about, but I am taking that and 20 degree Cabelas rectangle bag. The Kelty goes inside the larger bag.

I plan on buying a higher end 0 degree bag next year to streamline my sleeping bags for cold weather camping.

If you are car/tent camping, I think that you will find that a larger portable wood stove will put out much more heat than a Buddy Heater, burn all night with a bigger log or a couple of compressed eco logs, not produce condensation like a buddy heater, and can be used with the same 3" diameter stove jack.

I have a Reilly wood stove that is in the 13"×11"x24" size range I believe?...and it will burn almost all night. I use an about 10' long roll up ultralight 3" dia stainless steel pipe with it, and it draws fine with that long pipe, even though it is made for a 4" dia pipe.

 

[Rmauch20]

I hear ya. I spiked out/cold camped two years ago in second season with that kelty. Got hit with a surprise (at least to me) cold front and snow. Nightly lows were low 20 ‘s, those three nights sucked. After that experience I realized a needed a higher quality 0 degree bag.

 

[Newtosavage]

I honestly don't see how anything could be cleaner or more hassle free than my buddy heater. After using it, I'll never consider a wood stove for my base camp.

 

[Spotnstok]

I honestly don't see how anything could be cleaner or more hassle free than my buddy heater. After using it, I'll never consider a wood stove for my base camp.

If you’re not looking for maximum heat, and not concerned about condensation then I would agree. But a wood stove serves as both a heater and a tent/clothes/gear dryer. Yes, a stove takes more effort and time, so it’s a value judgment on the part of the user. If late season car camping, that’s an easy decision for me.

 

[Newtosavage]

If you’re not looking for maximum heat, and not concerned about condensation then I would agree. But a wood stove serves as both a heater and a tent/clothes/gear dryer. Yes, a stove takes more effort and time, so it’s a value judgment on the part of the user. If late season car camping, that’s an easy decision for me.

I don't understand the condensation comments. I've never experienced condensation while using my buddy heater in my KC tent.

I hang my clothes/towel above the heater and they dry out nice and quick.

What am I missing?

 

[Spotnstok]

I don't understand the condensation comments. I've never experienced condensation while using my buddy heater in my KC tent.

I hang my clothes/towel above the heater and they dry out nice and quick.

What am I missing?

Moisture from breath/body, moisture from burning propane, and moisture from wet gear drying. Wood stoves dry out the air rather than adding moisture to it, while also getting much hotter if you need that. I sounds like your tent is well vented and your AO is already on the dry end of the spectrum. Enjoy the combo if it’s working for you.

 

[Newtosavage]

Moisture from breath/body, moisture from burning propane, and moisture from wet gear drying. Wood stoves dry out the air rather than adding moisture to it, while also getting much hotter if you need that. I sounds like your tent is well vented and your AO is already on the dry end of the spectrum. Enjoy the combo if it’s working for you.

Oh, got it. I forgot to mention that I don't allow anyone to breathe in my tent. That must be why...

j/k - I have had zero issues and couldn't be happier with my setup.

 

[GregB]

Curious - do you have a stove or just a really good sleeping bag? I'm wanting to prep for next season, but overnight lows in the teens without heat makes me real nervous.

Small packable stoves are not good for keeping you warm at night...they only burn for about 30 minutes. You need a good sleeping bag or quilt/puffy hood along with an insulated air mat +/- foam pad to stay warm.

I pitch the windward shelter side only low to the ground, and put my backpack/gear along that shelter edge inside to breakup any drafts if it is windy.

You definitely want a good sleeping bag or you will keep waking up cold and have to get the stove going again. I have a LO 18" stove and it will burn for 2-4 hours with the dampener and airflow set just right. Using the largest pieces of wood you can will help burn time as well. When it was down to 10 or 11 degrees I would make an extra kindling bundle and set it by the stove so if I woke up, or got cold I could get the stove going again pretty quick.

 

[Newtosavage]

I think I need a better bag. I'd rather carry an extra pound of sleeping bag than 3-4 lbs. of stove that I have to wake up and tend to all night. Correct me if that's flawed logic though.