Sure did enjoy this video! Great to see your initial test camp with the vinyl orb. Had wondered if the zipper would give you fits in the cold. I’m totally impressed with results of the reflective heat! It’s so nice when a plan comes together. Looking very forward to any future testing with that configuration and finding out whether condensation will in fact be an issue. Best to you in the new year!
Thanks, and best wishes to you as well! This setup was just in my side yard, not far from the woodshed, so it was relatively simple. When I actually do an overnighter it will be on our upper acreage. Pulling my gear up there in the sled and processing wood covered in snow will make it a little tougher. If all goes well, I will spend the night in it soon, with a proper log fire. That should provide a lot more answers (and a novel experience!)
Good idea but I think for this to work you'd have to burn about 3 full sized trees at once in a long fire to work. The amount of radiant heat gained to loss through the material and floor needs to be high enough to get it comfortable. Let me guess, it only felt like maybe your body temperature was doing most of the work?
Like I said, I would make a log fire and put it a little closer to the shelter for actually spending much time inside. However, it doesn't take very large logs, just a wide fire for maximum radiant transmission. I've spent nights in a more conventional "super shelter" - made of an emergency tarp lean-to draped with painter's plastic - at temperatures a fair ways below freezing, and been quite comfortable as long as the fire was burning well. The only reason for really large logs is so that the fire lasts longer before it needs tending during the night.
Sure did enjoy this video! Great to see your initial test camp with the vinyl orb. Had wondered if the zipper would give you fits in the cold. I’m totally impressed with results of the reflective heat! It’s so nice when a plan comes together. Looking very forward to any future testing with that configuration and finding out whether condensation will in fact be an issue. Best to you in the new year!
Thanks, and best wishes to you as well! This setup was just in my side yard, not far from the woodshed, so it was relatively simple. When I actually do an overnighter it will be on our upper acreage. Pulling my gear up there in the sled and processing wood covered in snow will make it a little tougher. If all goes well, I will spend the night in it soon, with a proper log fire. That should provide a lot more answers (and a novel experience!)
Good test. Worked well for you.
At least a lot better than my first attempt! We'll see how well the next step goes.
Love it.
Good idea but I think for this to work you'd have to burn about 3 full sized trees at once in a long fire to work. The amount of radiant heat gained to loss through the material and floor needs to be high enough to get it comfortable. Let me guess, it only felt like maybe your body temperature was doing most of the work?
Like I said, I would make a log fire and put it a little closer to the shelter for actually spending much time inside. However, it doesn't take very large logs, just a wide fire for maximum radiant transmission. I've spent nights in a more conventional "super shelter" - made of an emergency tarp lean-to draped with painter's plastic - at temperatures a fair ways below freezing, and been quite comfortable as long as the fire was burning well. The only reason for really large logs is so that the fire lasts longer before it needs tending during the night.