Why starting a fire in the rain wouldn't have saved me..

[cuerro viejo]

You guys really need to get on board with keeping a secret poncho in your pocket.......

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Ha, I got a HD 55gal contractor bag I’ve used just like that before.

 

[dtrkyman]

https://www.rei.com/product/247866/sol-heat-reflective-poncho

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[nnmarcher]

So you think 10x10 is ideal emergency tarp sizing?

Really looking hard into an emergency shelter, also looking at some poncho options?


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I bring a 9x9 tarp with me everywhere and I’d definitely consider it sufficient for an emergency shelter. I spend plenty of time under it with one other person during storms and there is room for us to stretch out along with our bows and packs.

I think you could pitch a pretty storm proof A-frame close to the ground and keep 2 guys dry overnight, but I haven’t tried.


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[HairyScandinavian]

So you think 10x10 is ideal emergency tarp sizing?

Really looking hard into an emergency shelter, also looking at some poncho options?


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I'm a novice with tarps, but the weight of the DD is 17 oz and I don't think going a little smaller is gonna shave much weight. With the 10x10 (which is really like 9.8'x9.7' or something like that) I can do a variety of pitches including pitching it into a tarp tent which was pretty slick. I did that pitch in the yard and wife and I crawled inside and it was pretty cozy, definitely could sleep there a night if we needed to shelter in place and it's a lot more solid coverage than the other pitches I practiced.

If you're not familiar this is a pic from their website of the pitch I'm referring to. Just need a trekking pole or a stick cut to size.

 

[rcb2000]

So you think 10x10 is ideal emergency tarp sizing?

Really looking hard into an emergency shelter, also looking at some poncho options?


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As a primary shelter, For two people and their packs/weapons yes.
Solo could go smaller.

I think the seek outside DST is maybe 9 x 9.5?That would work as well, I think.

 

[trophyhill]

Comprehending?
I do, I witnessed a situation not much unlike yours back in the 90s.
It was winter, I was still asleep, completely unaware my kids were already up, and what they were doing.
Still in their pajamas, they just sat there like nothing was wrong, eating Froot loops, on the couch.
The temperature was probably 68 degrees, colder than your harrowing ordeal, yet like you, they kept their wits about them, and survived, all without starting a fire.

Even though lessons like ours, prove a fire is not always necessary, I don’t go around suggesting to not to be prepared for one, just in case.

And yes, I do carry a tarp. Kelty Noah tarp.

I used to carry a Kelty Noah's Tarp to cover my Copper Spur so I had a place to sit out when it was raining. That thing is too heavy for my liking. But a good quality tarp for sure. Much better options for a shelter out there now. SEEK has a light weight 10X10. I used that for a year or 2. Still heavier than I like. I went to a TeePee shelter and now don't need a tarp for that but I found the light weight 8x10 where I bought my bivy sack out of Montana and that works great! When I think of the name of that one, I'll post it up. Working out of town so I can't go look at it at the moment.

 

[EdP]

The DST from SO in a diamond configuration works great pitched back against the wind. I have pitched mine with the front at 6' and put a fire under it with no effect on the sil nylon.

 

[*zap*]

First line of shelter starts with clothing. Rain gear/poncho, hooded puffy, watchcap and etc.
If you have a tarp you can keep a fire going under it and if you have rain gear you can collect wood without getting soaked. A roaring fire is warmer than 'the rewarming drill'. JMO-YMMV.
Something to consider.

 

[hibernation]

Great post. I hunt mostly in western Oregon, we have a lot of conditions similar to yours: 40s with constant light rain. People underestimate that light mist but you can end up soaked after a few hours, especially if you're going through wet brush. Wet and cold in the 40s is often more dangerous than dry and cold in the teens or 20s.

Sounds like you did a great job handling the change in conditions. IME, building a fire is rarely worth it once the conditions are bad, as compared to building an adequate shelter. As long as someone's shivering, get them dry and insulated and keep adding warm, easy calories until they recover. Warm water bottle if you can. If someone's past the point of being able to shiver, that's when it gets real dangerous.

 

[Mtndawger]

I do a fair amount of skiing in the Colorado backcountry and I run into potentially dangerous conditions on a regular basis. Temps in the twenties or lower and snowing. You can’t wear a goretex shell since you would drown in sweat even in those temps. The strategy is a balance between being too hot and staying as dry as possible. And then when you reach your destination, to get the goretex on, a warmer hat and gloves, and maybe a light enough midlayer to facilitate drying from the inside out while staying warm. A thermos of tea and a variety of snacks to keep energy levels and core temp up really helps. I often wear a really light nylon shell or vest with a single base layer while ascending. It’s Easy to dry out sometimes even balancing the wetting from the snow with the body heat to keep from getting too wet. The other thing worth mentioning is recognizing the situation for what it is and monitoring it. It’s important not to get to far outside yourself and losing that awareness and potentially getting into a danger zone of recovery. Being willing to alter your plan if the situation warrants it is important. Conditions and other factors will effect it.