Hi Eric, I am an old crow (70Yrs) from Norway that have spent many a night tenting in cold and snowy conditions. Very nice to see your tenting film. I may suggest using some insulation under the gas canister and pots as metal conduct heat on to the snow and cool these items much faster when in direct contact with the snow. Consider using a sit pad or branches if available. The same goes for your shoes, insulate them from the snow when seated or "inactive". I always used to bring a candle with me. It can be a morale booster in the tent when wakening up on a cold morning, it can warm cold fingers and used for (carefully) thawing frosen items and as a firestarter. Happy winter camping !
Eric, the quality of your videos is second to none. I’m glad you are now doing your own thing and get the freedom to pick and choose what you would like to do. Wishing you a happy and healthy 2024 with many adventures to come! All the best!
I noticed that your water froze on the top of your water bottle. An old trick is to flip your bottle upside down as ice forms on the top of the liquid water ensuring you don’t’ have to chip through the ice to use the liquid water. Great use of Reflectix.
I was wondering if he'd stored the bottle upside down and it still froze like that. Also wondering why he didn't have some aluminium foil or something under his isobutane canister to keep it off the snow.
.. you can also make a small hardpacked igloo for your water bottle .... creating a pocket of air insulation from the elements .. There are a few makers of insulated bottle jackets ... Mine are from Outdoor Research ,, have had them for many years ,,, work well with hot water or frozen ice in the summer heat ,,used for bike packing ... as well as alpine backpacking ...
Eric deserves more credit for his cinematography. Doing any justice to the beautiful places this planet has is incredibly difficult, and so satisfying to see it when someone gets it right.
Good Job Eric! Enjoyed watching this. BTW the boots you gave a shout out to which are rated to -40ºF is also -40ºC (the only time both F & C agree on anything). 🤣
We just went thru a polar vortex. I did a one hour hike at -44° wearing the Keen Revel Polar boots. Pretty good for that hour. Any longer might have been pushing it. Great video. Banzai!
I don't care if you were 10 miles or 10 feet from your car, it was still cold! That place was beautiful. I loved the drone shots too. It looked like you had your own little condo there!
Agree. he did say it was his first ice camping and I would do it exactly the same way. Start off sleeping in car with doors wide open to test sleeping bag. I would then camp right next to my car for safety and move from there. Some of these winter camp channels get super brave with one guy walking miles up into deep mountain snowy terrain with a dam kinfe only. That was wild and brave and could also have ended badly as we just lost a winter camper this week in the kid from Norway.
good stuff. takes me back. 3 years ago i left the mt hood national forest where i lived for 15 years. i did winter survival on a national tv show. and i lived in the mountains. from snowshoeing to mushroom hunting. to archery and trout fishing. mountain biking etc. i did over 1000 videos on mt hood. but 3 years ago i moved back to the midwest. i even had dreams of mt hood last night. just views that blew my mind and were more gorgeous than ever. i lived 2 thousand feet below the tree line in govt camp oregon on mt hood. i was a adventure man and adventure film maker also. but now my vids are not mt adventures like the old days. thanks for bringing us alone. i just found this video. it is my first video i have seen of yours. good stuff
@@eric_hanson yep it was. cooking for shaun white and other olympians. living in the most beautiful forest on the most beautiful mt in the northwest. it was unreal doing so many adventures. i miss it so it is fun to watch others do adventures now. i still do bmx videos each summer and other things. tiny hikes but nothing like i used to do. i been to copper mt to shred. but most my mt time was mt hood. oregon. but i did so many mushroom hunting videos off trail in the most gorgeous rain forest ever. it was so fun. i loved it. i did magazine drills with mp5 ak47 m4 all wearing gas masks while doing mag drills. or just whatever. it was insane. so ya seeing snow or mts just makes me miss it. remember it. i will always have the memories but i am thankful i got over 10 thousand photos and over 1000 videos from my time on mt hood.
Building stuff with snow blocks makes me feel like a kid again. I was a part of a crew that practiced building quinzees, snow caves, igloos etc. What I found to work best is to stamp out a snow quarry on the OTHER side of the camp area, then wait 45 minutes for it to sinter, then use a snow saw to make the blocks and shovel to do what you were doing. IMO, that tended to be the most efficient method.
This may be my fave video of yours yet. You took us on an entire emotional journey 😂 The music, lighting, editing, the risk and skills of frozen solo adventure...I gasped out loud at the long shadows of the trees
Eric, I'm totally thankful for this video. I am studying it because you are just a really solid pro at this stuff. But I also wanted to say, reflectix can be great at the base of your fuel canister in order to stop it from losing heat to the snow.
Awesome experience. I love camping in the cold winter. Some of the most spectacular sky develops after a snowstorm and you ride it out in a tent. Enjoy!
True! It would've been perfect. I do actually have backcountry skis but I was hesitant to bring them because avalanche conditions were so high I didn't know if I'd go out at all. And I was traveling in my van and I don't have a good way to mount them. Hoping to fix that soon!
@@eric_hanson ... Have not used them ,, but Split skis look like fun for a backpacker ... Short snowboard (Splitboard) that converts into a pair of skis .. then use snake skins to hike on ..
I know long form trip videos usually aren’t the most lucrative for TH-camrs but I appreciate the content. This was an awesome video. Keep doing your thing!
Kudos on using a Nalgene filled with hot water to pre-heat your sleeping bag. As you indicated that your boots were cold, the same trick can be used to pre-heat your boots in the morning - use the smaller 8 oz size bottle.
Hello. A magnificent video but without a doubt what stands out is the panorama and how you have fun on your adventures. Freedom and nature are priceless. Greetings 👍
Winter/snow camping... my fav. No bugs, no dirt, no mud and no tourists/flatlanders. Get video Eric. I usually put my electronics in a food cozy with a hand warmer to keep them from freezing and going dead... Winter time is the only time I will use a Nalgene, and, I also stuff it in the snow to keep it from freezing.
Beautiful videography! Hats off to you for actually practicing 'Leave no Trace" !!! Thank you sooooo much for not hacking off a bunch of tree limbs to light a fire and for not leaving a pit of scorched earth. 🙏
Well done brother! I make a square of reflex ex to put my stove/canister on. Just a barrier between stove and the snow. Great video and tips. One can be very comfortable in very cold Temps. Good gear is critical. You demonstrated that well!
Really nicely filmed and edited, Eric. I've winter camped, backpacked, and climbed for 50 years (down to -30F), and know how challenging it is to film and fly drones in those conditions! The worst part for me is the length of the nights. Looking forward to watching more of your content :)
Really enjoyed this adventure, Eric! So peaceful. I have appreciated winter more too living out West! Since you’ve been on your own channel your adventures have just gotten better and better and the video quality is second to none like another person mentioned. Thank you for sharing!
These are great tips for Winter camping for those hearty enough to venture out in freezing temps. Thanks, Eric for helping us to keep from making disastrous mistakes. I also have the NEMO Tensor Wide Insulated Pad but got it before the Extreme came out. Looking into getting one for this Fall/Winter. Have the absolute best time with your experience. You really ROCK in the Rockies!!! 😁
Gosh, your shots are absolutely amazing. Also, it tickled me that even out in the middle of nowhere wilderness you still managed to be found by someone just casually hiking by.
This video was so beautiful! Incredible. The guy stopping by and blowing up your spot made me laugh! But hey, nothing wrong with not being too far from your car - during a winter expedition especially. I love this area - Telluride is a place I try to visit every year! Need to put the Lizard Head area on my list for next time. Can't wait to see the next video!
Can't believe that Reactor stove worked so well using canister ISO/butane fuel. My experience using canister fuels in the cold is the reason I mess with a petrel stove during temps below 30 degrees. Looks like there will be a MSR Reactor in my future! Good stove selection Eric!
Eric, you probably know this tip: when carrying a Nalgene bottle in the winter, load it upside down in your backpack’s pockets because ice floats upward when it freezes. The ice will end up freezing to the “bottom” of your Nalgene and leave to top of the bottle unfrozen and accessible to unscrew the top off.
I think these winter hiking videos are amazing. It is something I'd love to try out at some point, and of course document my adventure. Great video! Subscribed!
It’s a luxury, but I always have a candle lantern in the tent at night. Surprisingly it will take some of the bite out of the air inside! Great video-cheers southwest Michigan!
Beautiful shots man. Looks like an amazing time. Cool tip for isobutane in the cold, research the moulder strip. Essentially it's a strip of copper affixed to the canister with an end sticking into the flame. Also making the canister an insulation sleeve help, especially if cooking on snow. Made mine from neoprene, and my moulder strip keeps the canister warm below 0f.
Great video, Eric. Feels like you leveled up more than just the winter camping skills! I will be out camping in the snow next weekend, and this made me more excited. Good to see that you got some norwegian equipment too, cheers from Norway!
Great photography and congrats on your survival skills in such a cold environment. Tip on the water bottles, invert them, they freeze from top down, that way you have liquid on top when you open the lid. Loving your new channel even if I’m a few days behind in watching!
Great vid and also great getting experience like that.i was taught to use snow as a wind block but digging down like that is just making a cold sink where all the cold air settles making it colder
Awesome video, Eric! Really appreciate all of the effort that it takes to film in conditions like that. I usually don’t even snap a single photo when I’m snow camping.
This was great ☺️ an unexpected trip down memory lane to my first backcountry experience with Outward Bound now almost 20 years ago. Felt good to reconnect to the memory 🙏🏼 thanks for that (now to plan a winter expedition of my own)
Thank you for making this video. I needed the inspiration! Can't wait for a snowstorm to pass thru so I can do what you did! Seems the wind wasn't an issue.
The wind was not severe, which was why I was out in the open here. And yeah the Reactor stove performed amazing even with the cold temps. Although I should've put the canister on a foam pad or something to get it off the snow. Still worked flawlessly tho!
This looks like so much fun. Man the red of your tent in the time lapse was intense. So cool. Encouraging me to go out again. With scouts I have camped at well below zero and I agree. Love the challenge and fun.
Love the reflectix tips. I believe those MSR Reactor stoves have pressure regulators inside them, so the burner operates on a much lower pressure than what is in the canister. This gives the stove a more even burn output over the life of the canister.
Awesome video! I love that area!! Back in September 2021 my brother and I camped at Dallas Divide near Telluride. The morning was bit cold (not as cold as this) with the sound of elk bugling near our tent. One of my favorite camping spots. I want to get back there to ski sometime soon.
Beautiful video. I would bring polar booties on winter trips. They are good to wear around camp. They are breathable so if you wear your day socks in them around camp you can dry the socks by body warmth. Important on longer trips. Also when it gets real cold you can wear them into your bag then you don't have cold feet. Adding an insulated footbed/insert in them is a good idea. Another important tip is when you take your boots off for the night make sure to open them up. They will freeze overnight and you need to get your feet into them to thaw them.
In a few weeks, planning to camp for 2 nights at ~8k' elev in Desolation, west of Lake Tahoe. For this trip, will be using some new gear - Mountain Hardwear Outpost 2 tent (w/ REI snow stakes), MH Bishop Pass zero-degree bag, Exped Ultra 7R wide pad, tail attachments to my MSR EVO snowshoes, and Oboz Bridger 10" boots. This vid has got me so psyched! What clothes did you wear once you got into your bag? Keep the puffy on? What would you do different?
Sounds like a great adventure ahead! I did not sleep in my puffy, just my Outdoor Vitals hoodie and then the All-paca wool hoodie plus long johns, synthetic insulation pants, and down booties. That was perfect for me. I think the only thing I'd really do differently is use skis to skin back rather than snowshoe. Just way more efficient.
Wow, great video. I was just out there in October. It's nice to see it in the winter time. Winter challenges are fun for those who are prepared, as you clearly are. Cheers!
Hi Eric, in the video I saw that you were using a Nalgene water bottle. In the winter (or cold weather), I recommend turning the bottle upside down when you carry it (or in its insulated case). This will prevent the water from freezing the bottle cap and when it comes time to drink or pour its contents if necessary. This is my experience where I practice these winter adventures. Also, one of my tricks before going to bed, I prepare a hot water content that I pour into a thermos vs. nalgene bottle. I then use this thermos inside my sleeping bag between my legs, which acts as a heat source, to help keep me warm for 7 to 8+ hours. If I ever have to leave the tent during the night, I leave the thermos in the sleeping bag and when I come back to it there is no accumulated moisture which can cause some bad sleeping/incomfort. The next morning when I woke up, I already have my water ready for breakfast as a bonus. As for your journey on the Eric Hanson TH-cam channel, I am totally impressed by the quality of the information and the joy you are giving us to learn more while having the desire to do more... I can't wait to see your next videos!!!!
best to dig out in the open or to go in the trees for less wind, not as deep of snow? I backpack all the time just have zero deep snow experience. Great video!,,
nice video, San Juan is one of my favorite places... another is BWCA in Ely MN... I did a trip on moose lake 2nd week of Jan 2024.. still have to put video together, but since you like adventure, that's an awesome place too... Steger Mukluks Arctic are my warmest boots.
This is incredible! We just did Mt. Sterling in Smoky Mountains National Park in the snow but that was a little shy of 6,000 feet. Colorado backpacking is on my to-do list next! Amazing video and editing! Sub and Like added!
Ah! As a Colorado Girl, loving this video. Perfect capture of the MSR lettering glow at night. Yep, I saw that! Loving the ice crystals. I don't imagine you carry a macro to capture that because , boy are those heavy! Beautiful Drone shots and music. Thank you for your creativity. Colorado Girl
Great video! Beautiful place, great video work. I've winter camped only a couple times and those were only about 20 F at night so not very cold. But even for that I think my body adjusted itself as I felt quite warm for a day or two when back home in my house.
Last winter I went out to Ridgeway State park during one of the first few winter storms. I was the only camper in the park besides some rangers. I had my normal tent which was a Triangular tent covered with a tarp on top and bottom. I had a buddy heater in the tent with me. It dropped down to 10 degrees and snowed all day and night. It was awesome. I winter camped 3 more times last year.
The snow wasn't deep enough this trip, however you should try a snow cave sometime. You won't have to carry a tent and you don't have to worry about the wind. You can get the inside above 0 just with a candle and your body heat. It is a blast.
Not done much winter camping, but I have done a lot of winter night hikes (with my dog RIP) and from my experience, you're absolutely correct, sheltering clouds means a warmer night. If you can see the stars clearly... it is going to be a bit brutal. The clear sky is more beautiful, but a cloudy sky will be more comfortable
Awesome video! Thank you for taking the time to share the beautiful Colorado wilderness with us. The overhead shots were gorgeous! You make even the longerish 😊 videos enjoyable to watch. I mentioned on a comment above that i was wondering if you'd stored your water upside down to keep the top from freezing and if it froze anyway?
Well thanks! I love the long format and I'm glad you didn't find it boring! I did store the water upside down overnight in the insulated thing I made, but I flipped it over after some ice had already formed.
In these conditions, a pulk and xc skis would have made the travel easier. I understand you weren't going for distance. I've been snow camping for the past few years and would love to get a group together for an 'intro to snow camping' excursion in Colorado. If you'd ever be interested in putting something like that together I'd love to be a part of it. Thanks for the great video.
Dude, you're so awkward, you're great. If you keep at it, you'll get the experience you're hoping for. Have fun, follow your passion, and props for not editing out that part from a proper Coloradan!
One of your best videos yet man. I would suggest not having your fuel canister sitting right in the snow like that and making a little coozie out of reflectix for the canister would help with performance on the stove and prevent that instant frost up in the out side
@@eric_hanson that insulation is actually designed for HVAC which is what I do for profession. The best tape to use is aluminum foil tape. It has great adhesion, easy to work with and lightweight compared to other tapes
i live in colorado and have done a few deep winter backpacking where i am not right next to the road, and digging a pit is completely unnecessary. wind pretty much always dies down at night.
Man this reminds me of cold weather training in the USMC at Bridgeport CA. It sucked!! lol. Main thing is with the thick boots is change your socks. Sunglasses don’t want snow blindness. Dig a small hole in tent for the cold air to settle. And put snow around the edge of the tent.
@@eric_hanson added protection from wind and blowing snow. It may keep it warmer in the tent from the elements. Is it true I don’t know. Just what they taught us lol.
Awesome video! Braving the cold like that is a real challenge. Love the shelter you made. I've been watching the"Outdoor Boys" channel. He builds some amazing snow shelters and has some great tips for winter camping/bushcraft.
I watched a bunch of @outdoorboys before heading out as that guy does some wild stuff! I was hoping for deeper snow to maybe try some other shelter styles. Might go back later when the snowpack is deeper.
Nice vid. The jacket you are wearing looks better than the jacket on your list. The green one looks like larger baffles, more loft. I suspect that a similar jacket will cost more if you can even find one with a lightweight shell.
Yup! Tensor Extreme is very impressive, super warm, no cold spots, and incredibly light and packable. Great innovation. Sleeping bag is also great. I was toasty warm!
First off, I got to visit the San Juans a few years ago and I can't wait to go back. Second, I have the need to test myself, but I have NEVER felt the need to test myself in the cold!
I would love to do it also... at least once. What a gorgeous setting. I have never seen the likes of. Thanks so much for sharing. .......... Wow, I'm there (said that for 5 years) gotta get a move on, time runs faster at 60. Stay safe brother. 👴
This is probably a bucket list backpacking trip for me. Those views are insanely cool, and I'm sure the camera doesn't do it justice. I'm curious how you feel about the Nemo gear you tested, though I'm sure you'll prob have thoughts on that coming some point soon. I have the extreme conditions pad myself and was very happy with it when I went on a week long rock climbing trip in KY. I do want to recommend another good brand of cold weather gear to you. I recently switched to wearing Mammut brand jackets and I will never go back. Not only are they incredibly lightweight and warm, but as an added bonus they are Bluesign certified. Bluesign is one of the strictest environmental watchdog groups in the world, and it's nice to know that my gear was produced with sustainability in mind.
Cool drone shots... and the night time laps! I just can't bring myself to buy a bunch of cold weather gear for the couple times per year I'd use it. But I do enjoy watching others do this - but familiar, I grew up in far northern MI. Have you considered using a white gas stove for winter at elevation?
Yeah liquid fuel is more efficient for sure. I used my body heat to warm up the canisters. And I was also pleased with how efficient the Reactor stove is, handled the temps and all the snow melting like a champ.
Hi Eric, I am an old crow (70Yrs) from Norway that have spent many a night tenting in cold and snowy conditions. Very nice to see your tenting film. I may suggest using some insulation under the gas canister and pots as metal conduct heat on to the snow and cool these items much faster when in direct contact with the snow. Consider using a sit pad or branches if available. The same goes for your shoes, insulate them from the snow when seated or "inactive". I always used to bring a candle with me. It can be a morale booster in the tent when wakening up on a cold morning, it can warm cold fingers and used for (carefully) thawing frosen items and as a firestarter. Happy winter camping !
Eric, the quality of your videos is second to none. I’m glad you are now doing your own thing and get the freedom to pick and choose what you would like to do. Wishing you a happy and healthy 2024 with many adventures to come! All the best!
Thank you so much! I'm really enjoying the journey doing the solo thing. Cheers friend!
I agree his videos are very high quality
I noticed that your water froze on the top of your water bottle. An old trick is to flip your bottle upside down as ice forms on the top of the liquid water ensuring you don’t’ have to chip through the ice to use the liquid water. Great use of Reflectix.
I was wondering if he'd stored the bottle upside down and it still froze like that. Also wondering why he didn't have some aluminium foil or something under his isobutane canister to keep it off the snow.
.. you can also make a small hardpacked igloo for your water bottle .... creating a pocket of air insulation from the elements .. There are a few makers of insulated bottle jackets ... Mine are from Outdoor Research ,, have had them for many years ,,, work well with hot water or frozen ice in the summer heat ,,used for bike packing ... as well as alpine backpacking ...
I did flip it over but after some ice had formed. Great tip though!
yep, I should've use something under the fuel canister but it still performed great anyway.
Agreed
Eric deserves more credit for his cinematography. Doing any justice to the beautiful places this planet has is incredibly difficult, and so satisfying to see it when someone gets it right.
Good Job Eric! Enjoyed watching this. BTW the boots you gave a shout out to which are rated to -40ºF is also -40ºC (the only time both F & C agree on anything). 🤣
Finally! No one can complain about me not giving the celcius version!
We just went thru a polar vortex. I did a one hour hike at -44° wearing the Keen Revel Polar boots. Pretty good for that hour. Any longer might have been pushing it. Great video. Banzai!
Respect for anyone brave enough to camp in these conditions
I don't care if you were 10 miles or 10 feet from your car, it was still cold! That place was beautiful. I loved the drone shots too. It looked like you had your own little condo there!
haha right?! Beautiful little place I made for myself. And yes, cold is cold even if you're close to the car (I was about a mile away)
Agree. he did say it was his first ice camping and I would do it exactly the same way. Start off sleeping in car with doors wide open to test sleeping bag. I would then camp right next to my car for safety and move from there. Some of these winter camp channels get super brave with one guy walking miles up into deep mountain snowy terrain with a dam kinfe only. That was wild and brave and could also have ended badly as we just lost a winter camper this week in the kid from Norway.
Beautiful. You are one of the few of my many TH-cam subscriptions that I never fast forward through. Such a treasure you have that you share w/ us. TY
Aww thank you so much! I really appreciate that.
good stuff. takes me back. 3 years ago i left the mt hood national forest where i lived for 15 years. i did winter survival on a national tv show. and i lived in the mountains. from snowshoeing to mushroom hunting. to archery and trout fishing. mountain biking etc. i did over 1000 videos on mt hood. but 3 years ago i moved back to the midwest. i even had dreams of mt hood last night. just views that blew my mind and were more gorgeous than ever. i lived 2 thousand feet below the tree line in govt camp oregon on mt hood. i was a adventure man and adventure film maker also. but now my vids are not mt adventures like the old days. thanks for bringing us alone. i just found this video. it is my first video i have seen of yours. good stuff
So glad to hear it! Sounds like a pretty wild time you had!
@@eric_hanson yep it was. cooking for shaun white and other olympians. living in the most beautiful forest on the most beautiful mt in the northwest. it was unreal doing so many adventures. i miss it so it is fun to watch others do adventures now. i still do bmx videos each summer and other things. tiny hikes but nothing like i used to do. i been to copper mt to shred. but most my mt time was mt hood. oregon. but i did so many mushroom hunting videos off trail in the most gorgeous rain forest ever. it was so fun. i loved it. i did magazine drills with mp5 ak47 m4 all wearing gas masks while doing mag drills. or just whatever. it was insane. so ya seeing snow or mts just makes me miss it. remember it. i will always have the memories but i am thankful i got over 10 thousand photos and over 1000 videos from my time on mt hood.
Building stuff with snow blocks makes me feel like a kid again. I was a part of a crew that practiced building quinzees, snow caves, igloos etc. What I found to work best is to stamp out a snow quarry on the OTHER side of the camp area, then wait 45 minutes for it to sinter, then use a snow saw to make the blocks and shovel to do what you were doing. IMO, that tended to be the most efficient method.
Nice! That's a good idea to harvest your snow blocks elsewhere. I'll have to try that! I don't have a snow saw but I want one!
I'm taking notes on all your adventures.... In case I have to run from the Feds too😅😅
Big fan of yours with a horrible sense of humor😅😅
This may be my fave video of yours yet. You took us on an entire emotional journey 😂 The music, lighting, editing, the risk and skills of frozen solo adventure...I gasped out loud at the long shadows of the trees
Agreed. This whole thing was fantastic.
Awww shucks, thank you! I am continually trying to improve and grow. So glad you enjoyed the video.
Eric, I'm totally thankful for this video. I am studying it because you are just a really solid pro at this stuff. But I also wanted to say, reflectix can be great at the base of your fuel canister in order to stop it from losing heat to the snow.
aww shucks, thanks! Yes it would've been a great idea to use some reflectix under the fuel canister but it still performed really well anyway.
When I was younger I loved winter camping. But as I get older I enjoy it less and less. Outstanding adventure.
that's understandable. And thank you!
I'd love to see a collaboration between you and The Outdoor Boys.
Great idea 👍
Just to be clear Eric needs to go to Alaska and camp with him in the winter.
Honestly I would love that. I wanted to make a quinzhee but I'd love to have an expert around for my first!
Also if you go all the way to Alaska you can go to a few of the National Parks@@eric_hanson
@@anthonyrstrawbridge I have been to PNG and exlored some there. Pretty incredible place, one of my favorite travel experiences ever.
Awesome experience. I love camping in the cold winter. Some of the most spectacular sky develops after a snowstorm and you ride it out in a tent. Enjoy!
Gorgeous! You need backcountry skis. That snow looks perfect for gliding around.
True! It would've been perfect. I do actually have backcountry skis but I was hesitant to bring them because avalanche conditions were so high I didn't know if I'd go out at all. And I was traveling in my van and I don't have a good way to mount them. Hoping to fix that soon!
Maybe larger snowshoes would have kept you a little drier and saved some of the effort. That was a lot of pegging. Cool video!
@@eric_hanson ... Have not used them ,, but Split skis look like fun for a backpacker ... Short snowboard (Splitboard) that converts into a pair of skis .. then use snake skins to hike on ..
I know long form trip videos usually aren’t the most lucrative for TH-camrs but I appreciate the content. This was an awesome video. Keep doing your thing!
Kudos on using a Nalgene filled with hot water to pre-heat your sleeping bag. As you indicated that your boots were cold, the same trick can be used to pre-heat your boots in the morning - use the smaller 8 oz size bottle.
.. or put them in a plastic bag and put in or under your sleeping bag ..
If my boots were colder I would've done something to heat them up. My toes were chilly but not concerningly so.
Hello. A magnificent video but without a doubt what stands out is the panorama and how you have fun on your adventures. Freedom and nature are priceless. Greetings 👍
Thank you! I appreciate that. I definitely have fun out there!
Winter/snow camping... my fav. No bugs, no dirt, no mud and no tourists/flatlanders. Get video Eric. I usually put my electronics in a food cozy with a hand warmer to keep them from freezing and going dead... Winter time is the only time I will use a Nalgene, and, I also stuff it in the snow to keep it from freezing.
Beautiful videography! Hats off to you for actually practicing 'Leave no Trace" !!! Thank you sooooo much for not hacking off a bunch of tree limbs to light a fire and for not leaving a pit of scorched earth. 🙏
Winter and snow, harsh conditions are my favorite times to be out in the mountains! Great video. Thanks for posting!
It doesn't get much better!
Well done brother! I make a square of reflex ex to put my stove/canister on. Just a barrier between stove and the snow. Great video and tips. One can be very comfortable in very cold Temps. Good gear is critical. You demonstrated that well!
Really nicely filmed and edited, Eric. I've winter camped, backpacked, and climbed for 50 years (down to -30F), and know how challenging it is to film and fly drones in those conditions! The worst part for me is the length of the nights. Looking forward to watching more of your content :)
Thank you so much! It's very tricky keeping everything running in the cold. But I love the look and feel of a cold landscape!
Wonderful stuff Eric 👏 that sunset sequence and music was very moving. A great balance between the technical info and sharing the feel of being there.
great! That's my goal. Definitely want to convey a feeling as much as I want to communicate information.
Really enjoyed this adventure, Eric! So peaceful. I have appreciated winter more too living out West! Since you’ve been on your own channel your adventures have just gotten better and better and the video quality is second to none like another person mentioned. Thank you for sharing!
Well thank you so much! I've been having fun making my own videos. And I love adding as much cinematic flair as I can!
Maybe make a top for your groovy insulated water bottle sleeve! Same as the bottom, only a tad wider, to slip over the top. Good work!
These are great tips for Winter camping for those hearty enough to venture out in freezing temps. Thanks, Eric for helping us to keep from making disastrous mistakes. I also have the NEMO Tensor Wide Insulated Pad but got it before the Extreme came out. Looking into getting one for this Fall/Winter. Have the absolute best time with your experience. You really ROCK in the Rockies!!! 😁
The updated Nemo Tensor is nice but the Extreme is sooo good for winter camping. Thanks!
Snow is magical. Beautiful views in this video!
Love the pristine snow out there.
Gosh, your shots are absolutely amazing. Also, it tickled me that even out in the middle of nowhere wilderness you still managed to be found by someone just casually hiking by.
Well thanks! Yeah those crazy Colorado people get out there! I thought that was really funny too.
This video was so beautiful! Incredible. The guy stopping by and blowing up your spot made me laugh! But hey, nothing wrong with not being too far from your car - during a winter expedition especially. I love this area - Telluride is a place I try to visit every year! Need to put the Lizard Head area on my list for next time. Can't wait to see the next video!
Thank you so much! I was about a mile deep and that guy had been out all day. It was pretty funny and startling! Lizard Head is a super cool area!
Enjoyed this one. Loved the night tent glow. Drone shots were well done. Glad you stayed warm man.
Thank you! Tent glow looks super cool.
Can't believe that Reactor stove worked so well using canister ISO/butane fuel. My experience using canister fuels in the cold is the reason I mess with a petrel stove during temps below 30 degrees. Looks like there will be a MSR Reactor in my future! Good stove selection Eric!
Eric, you probably know this tip: when carrying a Nalgene bottle in the winter, load it upside down in your backpack’s pockets because ice floats upward when it freezes. The ice will end up freezing to the “bottom” of your Nalgene and leave to top of the bottle unfrozen and accessible to unscrew the top off.
I had sort of done that overnight but I did it a little too late and quite a bit of ice had already formed. Smart idea though!
@@eric_hanson We all learn from each other. Great video!
I think these winter hiking videos are amazing. It is something I'd love to try out at some point, and of course document my adventure. Great video! Subscribed!
Glad to hear it, thanks!
Great video Eric!
Good decision on camping not too far from your vehicle. Props on wisdom! Love your stuff! Keep it coming!
Love the drone shots!!! I want to go winter backpacking now.
Thanks! Feelin' the inspo?
It's really cool seeing you explore my home state. Such beautiful place. I'll never leave lord willing.
Colorado is truly stunning!
It’s a luxury, but I always have a candle lantern in the tent at night. Surprisingly it will take some of the bite out of the air inside! Great video-cheers southwest Michigan!
Nice! Yeah I've always heard about using a candle in the tent but I've never tried it. I'll have to try it out sometime, cheers!
@@eric_hanson ... the canister stove used here would easily heat you out in little time ..
Beautiful shots man. Looks like an amazing time. Cool tip for isobutane in the cold, research the moulder strip. Essentially it's a strip of copper affixed to the canister with an end sticking into the flame. Also making the canister an insulation sleeve help, especially if cooking on snow. Made mine from neoprene, and my moulder strip keeps the canister warm below 0f.
huh, that's a cool tip. thanks!
Love the San Juans in Colorado. Getting my winter camping kit together to try myself.
Nice! Enjoy it out there.
Beautiful. I'm looking forward to doing the same in the northern Rockies, where I live, over the next several months.
What was the background music playing at 19:36? So beautiful!!
This is incredible. Only 5 minutes in but I just HAD to comment on the amazing cinematography. Great job.
Great video, Eric. Feels like you leveled up more than just the winter camping skills! I will be out camping in the snow next weekend, and this made me more excited. Good to see that you got some norwegian equipment too, cheers from Norway!
Thanks! This felt great to be out there and inspired me for more! And I've got Norwegian roots and I love that Norrona jacket!
Great photography and congrats on your survival skills in such a cold environment. Tip on the water bottles, invert them, they freeze from top down, that way you have liquid on top when you open the lid. Loving your new channel even if I’m a few days behind in watching!
Thank you so much! Yeah I won't make that water bottle mistake again!
Great vid and also great getting experience like that.i was taught to use snow as a wind block but digging down like that is just making a cold sink where all the cold air settles making it colder
True. I was concerned about making a cold sink but ultimately I don't think it created problems.
Awesome video, Eric! Really appreciate all of the effort that it takes to film in conditions like that. I usually don’t even snap a single photo when I’m snow camping.
haha I wouldn't be a very good TH-camr if I didn't shoot anything! But yeah, it can be a chore but that's the job!
This was great ☺️ an unexpected trip down memory lane to my first backcountry experience with Outward Bound now almost 20 years ago. Felt good to reconnect to the memory 🙏🏼 thanks for that (now to plan a winter expedition of my own)
Nice! Outward Bound is great. Glad I could send you on a little trip!
Thank you for making this video. I needed the inspiration! Can't wait for a snowstorm to pass thru so I can do what you did! Seems the wind wasn't an issue.
The wind was not severe, which was why I was out in the open here. And yeah the Reactor stove performed amazing even with the cold temps. Although I should've put the canister on a foam pad or something to get it off the snow. Still worked flawlessly tho!
This looks like so much fun. Man the red of your tent in the time lapse was intense. So cool. Encouraging me to go out again. With scouts I have camped at well below zero and I agree. Love the challenge and fun.
It was a blast. Fun to grow through these experiences!
Love the reflectix tips. I believe those MSR Reactor stoves have pressure regulators inside them, so the burner operates on a much lower pressure than what is in the canister. This gives the stove a more even burn output over the life of the canister.
That would make sense as it used way less fuel than I expected.
Beautiful video and a great adventure. You could use that reflective material to make a cozy fot your meal pouches too.
I think I'm gonna start making cozy pouches for everything I own!
Awesome video! I love that area!! Back in September 2021 my brother and I camped at Dallas Divide near Telluride. The morning was bit cold (not as cold as this) with the sound of elk bugling near our tent. One of my favorite camping spots. I want to get back there to ski sometime soon.
That's a beautiful area and waking up to elk bugling would be pretty memorable!
Beautiful video.
I would bring polar booties on winter trips. They are good to wear around camp. They are breathable so if you wear your day socks in them around camp you can dry the socks by body warmth. Important on longer trips. Also when it gets real cold you can wear them into your bag then you don't have cold feet. Adding an insulated footbed/insert in them is a good idea.
Another important tip is when you take your boots off for the night make sure to open them up. They will freeze overnight and you need to get your feet into them to thaw them.
In a few weeks, planning to camp for 2 nights at ~8k' elev in Desolation, west of Lake Tahoe.
For this trip, will be using some new gear - Mountain Hardwear Outpost 2 tent (w/ REI snow stakes), MH Bishop Pass zero-degree bag, Exped Ultra 7R wide pad, tail attachments to my MSR EVO snowshoes, and Oboz Bridger 10" boots.
This vid has got me so psyched!
What clothes did you wear once you got into your bag? Keep the puffy on?
What would you do different?
Sounds like a great adventure ahead! I did not sleep in my puffy, just my Outdoor Vitals hoodie and then the All-paca wool hoodie plus long johns, synthetic insulation pants, and down booties. That was perfect for me. I think the only thing I'd really do differently is use skis to skin back rather than snowshoe. Just way more efficient.
Great video. I like winter camping. I learn something new and helpful with all your videos. Thanks.
So glad to hear it!
Wow, great video. I was just out there in October. It's nice to see it in the winter time. Winter challenges are fun for those who are prepared, as you clearly are. Cheers!
Thank you! It's amazing how it changes through the seasons. It's. special place!
Hi Eric, in the video I saw that you were using a Nalgene water bottle. In the winter (or cold weather), I recommend turning the bottle upside down when you carry it (or in its insulated case). This will prevent the water from freezing the bottle cap and when it comes time to drink or pour its contents if necessary. This is my experience where I practice these winter adventures.
Also, one of my tricks before going to bed, I prepare a hot water content that I pour into a thermos vs. nalgene bottle. I then use this thermos inside my sleeping bag between my legs, which acts as a heat source, to help keep me warm for 7 to 8+ hours. If I ever have to leave the tent during the night, I leave the thermos in the sleeping bag and when I come back to it there is no accumulated moisture which can cause some bad sleeping/incomfort. The next morning when I woke up, I already have my water ready for breakfast as a bonus.
As for your journey on the Eric Hanson TH-cam channel, I am totally impressed by the quality of the information and the joy you are giving us to learn more while having the desire to do more... I can't wait to see your next videos!!!!
best to dig out in the open or to go in the trees for less wind, not as deep of snow? I backpack all the time just have zero deep snow experience. Great video!,,
Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
nice video, San Juan is one of my favorite places... another is BWCA in Ely MN... I did a trip on moose lake 2nd week of Jan 2024.. still have to put video together, but since you like adventure, that's an awesome place too... Steger Mukluks Arctic are my warmest boots.
Thanks for sharing. I enjoy gear reviews but this was so much better. Keep the amazing videos coming.
Thank you so much!
Skinning is a much more effective way to get around in the snow btw great videos of that sunset!
So inspiring and beautiful. Thank you ❤
I bought a Tensor extreme off the REI return rack recently. It works pretty well for me.
Eric - an amazing video. Looks like a wonderful evening in the San Juans
Thank you! I love me some San Juans.
The night time video timelapse outside the tent was really nice.
This is incredible! We just did Mt. Sterling in Smoky Mountains National Park in the snow but that was a little shy of 6,000 feet. Colorado backpacking is on my to-do list next! Amazing video and editing! Sub and Like added!
one of your best - well done!
shucks, thank you!
Ah! As a Colorado Girl, loving this video. Perfect capture of the MSR lettering glow at night. Yep, I saw that! Loving the ice crystals. I don't imagine you carry a macro to capture that because , boy are those heavy! Beautiful Drone shots and music. Thank you for your creativity. Colorado Girl
I love that little design aspect of the MSR reactor. And no, I didn't bring a macro lens but I have the 15-35 RF lens that is niiice.
Great video! Beautiful place, great video work. I've winter camped only a couple times and those were only about 20 F at night so not very cold. But even for that I think my body adjusted itself as I felt quite warm for a day or two when back home in my house.
Thanks! And yeah it's amazing how the body can adjust.
Breathtaking, inspiring, relaxing, and now planning!
Enjoy it out there!
Last winter I went out to Ridgeway State park during one of the first few winter storms. I was the only camper in the park besides some rangers. I had my normal tent which was a Triangular tent covered with a tarp on top and bottom. I had a buddy heater in the tent with me. It dropped down to 10 degrees and snowed all day and night. It was awesome. I winter camped 3 more times last year.
snow water melting tip- add a little snow at a time and it melts way faster. Be safe out there.
The snow wasn't deep enough this trip, however you should try a snow cave sometime. You won't have to carry a tent and you don't have to worry about the wind. You can get the inside above 0 just with a candle and your body heat. It is a blast.
I would absolutely love to build a snow cave. I might go back to the area when the snowpack is deeper.
@@eric_hanson And I meant above 32F not 0.😃
Not done much winter camping, but I have done a lot of winter night hikes (with my dog RIP) and from my experience, you're absolutely correct, sheltering clouds means a warmer night. If you can see the stars clearly... it is going to be a bit brutal. The clear sky is more beautiful, but a cloudy sky will be more comfortable
Very relaxing video to watch Eric. Thank you for making great TH-cam content. 👍
You go skiing yet in Colorado with all the powdered snow must be amazing
Awesome video! Thank you for taking the time to share the beautiful Colorado wilderness with us. The overhead shots were gorgeous! You make even the longerish 😊 videos enjoyable to watch. I mentioned on a comment above that i was wondering if you'd stored your water upside down to keep the top from freezing and if it froze anyway?
Well thanks! I love the long format and I'm glad you didn't find it boring! I did store the water upside down overnight in the insulated thing I made, but I flipped it over after some ice had already formed.
LOVE the drone shots!
In these conditions, a pulk and xc skis would have made the travel easier. I understand you weren't going for distance. I've been snow camping for the past few years and would love to get a group together for an 'intro to snow camping' excursion in Colorado. If you'd ever be interested in putting something like that together I'd love to be a part of it.
Thanks for the great video.
Beautiful, Eric! The colors are gorgeous
I loove the colors out there, especially with that jacket.
Awesome views! Thanks for taking us along!!!
It's such a stunning place!
Great little mini series… Nicely filmed and edited. Enjoyed the music too! What’s next?
Absolutely stunning spot. Thanks for sharing!
yeah, so beautiful!
Dude, you're so awkward, you're great. If you keep at it, you'll get the experience you're hoping for. Have fun, follow your passion, and props for not editing out that part from a proper Coloradan!
Jan Juan’s and the Rockies. Miss it so much❤
One of your best videos yet man. I would suggest not having your fuel canister sitting right in the snow like that and making a little coozie out of reflectix for the canister would help with performance on the stove and prevent that instant frost up in the out side
Thanks! And that's a great idea to make an insulator for the fuel canister as well.
@@eric_hanson that insulation is actually designed for HVAC which is what I do for profession. The best tape to use is aluminum foil tape. It has great adhesion, easy to work with and lightweight compared to other tapes
i live in colorado and have done a few deep winter backpacking where i am not right next to the road, and digging a pit is completely unnecessary. wind pretty much always dies down at night.
Man this reminds me of cold weather training in the USMC at Bridgeport CA. It sucked!! lol. Main thing is with the thick boots is change your socks. Sunglasses don’t want snow blindness. Dig a small hole in tent for the cold air to settle. And put snow around the edge of the tent.
haha, nice. What does snow around the edge of the tent do?
@@eric_hanson added protection from wind and blowing snow. It may keep it warmer in the tent from the elements. Is it true I don’t know. Just what they taught us lol.
You got my sub at how well you interacted with your surprise visitor. I'm in 👍
Awesome video! Braving the cold like that is a real challenge. Love the shelter you made. I've been watching the"Outdoor Boys" channel. He builds some amazing snow shelters and has some great tips for winter camping/bushcraft.
I watched a bunch of @outdoorboys before heading out as that guy does some wild stuff! I was hoping for deeper snow to maybe try some other shelter styles. Might go back later when the snowpack is deeper.
Nice vid.
The jacket you are wearing looks better than the jacket on your list.
The green one looks like larger baffles, more loft.
I suspect that a similar jacket will cost more if you can even find one with a lightweight shell.
I scoured their website and couldn't find a better match. But yeah mine is huge and soooo warm.
We're you pleased with the ground pad and sleeping bag? I have been looking at both of those and would love to hear your experience with them.
Yup! Tensor Extreme is very impressive, super warm, no cold spots, and incredibly light and packable. Great innovation. Sleeping bag is also great. I was toasty warm!
First off, I got to visit the San Juans a few years ago and I can't wait to go back. Second, I have the need to test myself, but I have NEVER felt the need to test myself in the cold!
San Juans are awesome. Try out the cold thing and you might be surprised!
@@eric_hanson I think I'll just live vicariously through you on the cold.
I would love to do it also... at least once. What a gorgeous setting. I have never seen the likes of. Thanks so much for sharing. .......... Wow, I'm there (said that for 5 years) gotta get a move on, time runs faster at 60. Stay safe brother. 👴
thanks, you still have time! Get out there✌️
This is probably a bucket list backpacking trip for me. Those views are insanely cool, and I'm sure the camera doesn't do it justice. I'm curious how you feel about the Nemo gear you tested, though I'm sure you'll prob have thoughts on that coming some point soon. I have the extreme conditions pad myself and was very happy with it when I went on a week long rock climbing trip in KY. I do want to recommend another good brand of cold weather gear to you. I recently switched to wearing Mammut brand jackets and I will never go back. Not only are they incredibly lightweight and warm, but as an added bonus they are Bluesign certified. Bluesign is one of the strictest environmental watchdog groups in the world, and it's nice to know that my gear was produced with sustainability in mind.
I am thoroughly impressed with the Nemo kit. Felt quite warm. I like Mammut but I don't have much of their gear. Thanks for the recommendation!
Cool drone shots... and the night time laps! I just can't bring myself to buy a bunch of cold weather gear for the couple times per year I'd use it. But I do enjoy watching others do this - but familiar, I grew up in far northern MI. Have you considered using a white gas stove for winter at elevation?
Thank you! Yes generally I'd recommend using liquid fuel over isobutane. But the Reactor actually performed amazingly well.
I was surprised that your upright canister stove worked in this temps. I always take the whisper light when it gets below freezing.
Yeah liquid fuel is more efficient for sure. I used my body heat to warm up the canisters. And I was also pleased with how efficient the Reactor stove is, handled the temps and all the snow melting like a champ.