Camping at below -40 degrees. Expedition training filmed in subarctic Canada.
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- Опубликовано: 25 сен 2021
- The brutal reality of living, camping and sleeping at temperatures below minus forty degrees.
Filmed during mid winter in the Northwest Territories, Canada.
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Thanks to vanguardstorage.co.uk/ for warehousing facilities.
Footage sourced by arrangement from the partners of The Dark Ice Project LLP
![Subarctic winter training: Unseasonal rain, falling through thin lake ice & prototype snowshoes [4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Nb_SPiBaCBM/mqdefault.jpg)
As someone who lives in Yellowknife and does a lot of winter camping and trekking just like this, its nice to see that a lot of my (largely self-taught) techniques and strategies are very similar to yours! I guess I'm on the right track!
I hoped I'd have a few 'knifers turn up on here!
@@AlexHibbertOriginals can I ask, why the coleman stove instead of an MSR XGK? We usually use the msr stoves, but the lack of fiddly bits and fuel hoses on that Colman seem enticing. At the expense of multi fuel I suppose.
@@mehoothemushroom Coleman white gas stoves are heavier and clunkier, and more solid, w/ metal to metal connections like miniature plumbing (IMO). MSR stoves only work safely if an entire array of rubber O-rings remain pliable and seal properly. Plus plastic pumps, plastic threads have to not break(IMO). I have several of both types. Long time backpacker here.
When an o-ring finally fails on your MSR during operation, thats when the real excitement begins-- excited cussing, shouting and kicking/throwing the flaming gushing pressurized napalm bomb out of your tent, if the door isn't zipped shut.
Nowadays, for some reason, I'm super paranoid about having o-rings in first class condition :D
I've used both lots, and ultimately a well maintained XGK will be fine too. You need spares to maintain both. I like the simple design, quietness, and stability of the Colemans.They're also half the price. Both kick out roughly the same energy.
Been to YK once. August. Lovely in the Summer. I also have family there. The Winter reports are horrid. But you have to love a place where you can Tee-off for 18 at midnight June 21!
When I was a young man growing up in Canada, one of my favorite things to do was to get dressed up and go out for a long walk on the coldest nights of the year. My personal record was -46C. My friends thought I was nuts, I thought it was just my Scottish heritage. It turns out it's really not all that unusual. A lot of Scott's are nuts.
A great video Alex, I really enjoy your short films, direct, to the point, and really informative with great narration. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.
Cheers
Finally it’s good to see someone camping at such cold conditions without a fire burner in the tent. Fair play.
You need to invest in a Canadian-made thermometer, that English one obviously underestimates peoples' willingness to be outside in the winter.
Typical Canadian nationalist.
This reminds me of the song “When it’s Springtime in Alaska it’s Forty Below!”
Would love to see more gear videos down the road. A rundown of some main articles of outerwear would be very interesting.
Although I won’t find myself in the extremes that you do, I am outdoors year round. Reliable winter gear is always on my radar. Tried and true versus flashy and useless is what I’m after.
I'll certainly try. Mine would be mostly focussed on gear for the dry cold, which isn't as useful for people who get rained on a lot. e.g. Scotland.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals I am interested in what the 'zine tape' id for anf how it works
@@nuthenry2 I would guess its to prevent frost bite on that thin line between the face mask and the goggles, seeing as that's where I have always experienced wind burn on ski slopes. It would be far worse up there with all the blowing cold wind, any gap it finds it would freeze and you likely wouldn't feel it until it was too late.
Ah, sorry. Zinc tape. Or Zinc oxide tape. It's just a preventative medical tape that you apply to any areas of skin that you know can rub slightly in your boots. It can also be used elsewhere, including the face.
I have worked in temperatures below -40F but thankfully I have never had to sleep in it. The statement you made about just accepting the cold is very true, and the seemingly trivial difference between -40 to -20 can mean the world when you are forced to stand around waiting for the sun.
Loving the linguistics in your voice overs and the youtube browsing vortex is a new highlight
Absolutely outstanding video
Amazing video very inspiring
Great channel
Got the alpkit drybags I see, good choice. Great video I've always wanted to know more about the logistics and daily life of traveling in arctic conditions, very good video.
Amazing ❤
Please please more of this kind of insight into arctic exploration content! I realised just how little I actually know on this subject, other than the stories about Scott's and Amundsen's "race", the general story about Erebus and Terror and *drumroll* the Top Gear Polar Race. :p Seriously though, I'd love to learn more about the day to day of a polar expedition, including gear, training, skills needed.... you get it
I'll take that as a mandate then!
“I’ll let you get back to what you were doing”
Well, I think that my stapling expanded metal to the topography templates on this model *while listening to* the video won’t get interrupted by much
1 more video an reason that alan have to be a warrior for such as temperatures. - ©
Great job!
Regards from mexico
Kick Ass. Really interesting video. Thanks.
Cheers
Yeaaaa a new one
Im from Canada and have camped out in northern Ontario, -37 was the coldest we got down to but man what you said is accurate and I cant imagine colder than what we experienced especially with the crazy wind chill up there in the far north!
Amazing to see this, not a lot of media available that shows things in this level of detail. Would love even more detail though, such as how you manage to keep your face from freezing off and whether facial hair helps or hurts those efforts, as well as just in general how you manage to stay warm, especially in a tent while you're not moving!
Cheers.
Facial hair doesn't help too much, and can stick annoyingly to masks - painful to remove. In general, if you're sat around in the tent, you just need enough dry insulation on, and keep hydrated.
I learned a long time ago that facial hair, as in beards, are a real pain in winter. The moisture in your breath freezes in it and becomes very annoying and even painful.
Sounds like a whole lotta death to me. Great video man 👌
AMAZINGNES!!!
Damn, you guys are tough.
Seeing your perspective here is amazing to me as an aviation geek, since Buffalo Airways operates out of yellow knife and they operate aircraft in some of those temps...Then throw in a childhood in Minnesota and a not-good frostbite experience, and my amazement at both you and them goes up outrageously.
The guys at Buffalo actually delivered our freight. They were super quick and helpful after DHL dropped the ball.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals that doesn't surprise me!
In my admitted ignorance of such low temperatures I would have thought that an ultralight titanium tent stove of the type manufactured by Seek Outside, fuelled by smokeless charcoal briquettes, would have been hugely beneficial in drying out the tent, gear and people, and be a phenomenal boost to one's comfort and morale.
Presumably the weight of the fuel is the disadvantage, although use of the titanium tent stove for snow melting and boiling water will save one's liquid fuel supplies.
As I said, I am ignorant of living and carrying out very physically demanding work at these temperatures and can only imagine that these tent stoves are not used due to the weight of the charcoal briquettes.
I admire your determination to operate day after day in such conditions and still keep on going, which I guess is the most necessary ingredient to succeed.
Yes, the weight and power of these stoves are substantially better for expedition use.
Subarctic Canada, so just outside of Edmonton, Alberta ;)
The weather up north is no joke, glad it could be of some use to you though. You're completely right in that there is a big difference between -30 and -40.
-30, even -35 is horrible and awful but you get used to it fairly readily, like a bad roommate you can live with it if you have to. -40 and colder is just on another level, you need to move differently, think differently. When engaging in work or exercise you must ALWAYS be aware that any accident or injury is going to be much more unpleasant and much harder to treat or seek professional help for.
I lived up in Alaska for a while and the facial ice bugged me, found a good solution in the snowmobile industry. They make a style of goggles that has a shield that covers the mouth, cheeks, and nose. The ones I had worked great and would hold a bubble of air that kept my face dry and ice free.
Brilliant. Loved to watch it ☺️ Now I'm eager to go for more cold camping trips. Personal record is a couple of times -15 ... So there is room for improvement 😌
Gradually does it!
The coldest I’ve been able to experience in Australia is -9ºc camping a couple of km from our highest point, Mt Kosciusko. We were lucky to see the Aurora Australis though.
when of my favorite stories to tell guys from warmer climates is when I was 16-17 I laid in the snow wearing blue jeans long underwear and put a clutch in my 1967 mustang at -40. I was your therefore stupid and couldn't wear gloves so everytime I picked up a wrench or bolt they froze to my skin I'd have to wait a few seconds for blood of low to warm my skit and thaw the ice layer so I didn't rip my skin off . smh
also I found that in moving to warmer climates that doctors aren't familiar with the scars that form in lungs that comes from freezing them when you first take in a breath and the lungs freeze for a few seconds and you feel like you're going to die.
warm climate doctors think the scars are cancer.
I'm not sure if I'm strange or not, but i think id like to try this sort of thing. Pity im totally poor and will never be able to travel to these sort of places with the required equipment. Oh well. nice job Alex :)
Nothing like army service in -40 C.
Wood stove in the middle of a tent sets my socks on fire.
Hair on my head frozen.
Snow melts into ice wich freezes into the fabric of the green military tent.
Then standing guard and watching the beautiful green northern lights while your eyelashes freeze together as you blink.
Allways the struggle to keep water from freezing.
None of that was voluntary on my part, so i hereby hand over a large man card to you for doing it for fun/research.
@Whiskey Rebel And here’s one to you too !
Amazing content! I discovered your RUclips channel after reading your book. Do you also use vapour barriers (nitrile gloves)for your mittens? I live in Whitehorse and can't figure out the best system for wet gloves management during expeditions...
Literally concocting a video on this next week.
The only good thing about -40 is you don't have to specify if it's Fahrenheit or Celsius.
I felt cold just watching it 😂😊👍🏴🦤🦖
Pringles are one of my favorite go-to snacks in the field, they have a great calorie-to-weight ratio and always taste great.
They have a terrible volume to calorie ratio.
@@Adscam And they're made by Kellogg's, who are bastards.
I have invented novel pissing technique btw. Instead of pissing into bottle and try to keep it warm, you piss onto some shallow plastic plate or lid. It soon freezes and you have a frisbee, which you can fling far away and avoid contaminating the area with smells.
I have only has one day at -40 F./C. I was surprised that my hands were warm in DACHSTEIN boils wool mitten liners and nylon shells with either palms. With alpine ski clothes ofer cross country clothing I was warm.
TIP-> cover mummy bags with a light synthetic quilt so the body's vapor condenses in it and not your bag. If the quilt has open ends frost can be shaken out.
I would love to try camping in that sort of cold just as an experience
I want to know what it was for the first time in a while
Pretty neat stuff, this is always good watching
We'd not put the tent up that season yet. So a few months of skills rustiness.
How on earth do you crap in those temps ?
Which skis do you use here waxable with wax and skins or waxless? Nice video
Waxless usually as wax at -40 can hinder. And I use kicker skins.
@AlexHibbertOriginals cheers
I've just ordered a pair of waxable to play with as and when
Stay safe out there
I’ve tried the premium fuel over naphtha and was put off by the odour, both of the fuel and the burning.
It really is down to which one, I've found. The Texaco pump in Yellowknife was nice clean fuel.
Good video , Coleman stoves forever, The cold, but how to make it all work without breaking. The jobs you have working the camp setup , so true to not hurry and throw junk back in the bag. My i take a pass on this, thanks.
So, all in all it’s better to go swimming in the tropics?
As someone with a mild dislike for regular camping, I have no idea how you do it!
As someone who is getting more and more into expeditions and outdoorsman ship in the winter, why choose the bleu label instead of a saitaris for example?
The Saitaris and Svalbard etc are great tents. But for this particular use (training for sea ice use) we didn't need such a low profile, wouldn't benefit from an inner fly due to the winter light conditions, liked the floorless design (we add a removable one), and preferred a configuration inside where all could access the stove.
I used to try that everytime it was below - 20C in Helsinki. I learned that two layers of cheapo - 10C sleeping bags work only if you are completely naked. Otherwise it was "sweaty balls -- freezing toes" as the air does not seem to circulate properly. Maybe those fancy 1000€ bags work better?
Even in £1000 bags you still need to wear as little as possible.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals Yes! Also I remember that at one time "Vapour Barrier" was fashionable. Non-breathing plastic bag prevented moisture and heat escaping and spoiling the bag. I was warm, but miserable, because you become drenched with your own sweat.
VBLs are still critically important unless you're going back into the warm each day, or you can be sure of sunlight in the day to re-loft a bag. Otherwise, you'll end up with a block of ice within a week.
It never occurred to me that polar expedition teams travel over the tundra during the periods of darkness. I had assumed that they schedule their expeditions for when there are sufficient hours of daylight. Sledging through miles of darkness has to be very unnerving & creepy AF.
Some expeditions do work in late spring or summer, but yes, winter travel is a skill set above.
Ventile / EtaProof cotton vs Goretex / Cutan etc ... which is better for a shell jacked in these conditions? Cotton or synthetic materials?
Ventile cotton can perform well, even in the wind, if you're able to avoid dampness (especially under harness straps etc.). But in practice, lighter, quality highly breathable synthetics are likely to breathe better and endure more friction and tears etc. Be careful though as some are designed to prioritise waterproofing, and this may compromise the ability to expel inner moisture.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals Thanks Alex! Even within synthetics there is quite a lot of variation. For example a polyamide based membrane such as Klattermusen’s Cutan affords freedom of movement as it stretches. Goretex Pro is less flexible, but lighter. Either way I find pit zips are a must with synthetic membranes in winter, to avoid vapour buildup on the inside. I love Ventile, but find zips difficult to operate when frost from one’s breath builds up around the collar. This can be especially problematic when it’s windy and one needs to seal up. What do you personally use as a shell layer?
I've more recently used custom-made softshells, so a very simple non waterproof nylon outer. I'm actually thinking of a change though so watch this space. Some softshell designs have actually got worse in recent iterations due to a pressure to improve water repellence.
I like -20, can work and play in it for hours.
-30 is pretty much it for me.
-40, not happening. Nope Nope Nope.
I live on Vancouver Island where if it reaches -10 life as we know it stops. But I have worked in the cold before.
But I can honestly say that I would love to do a winter up in Northern Canada.
Which model Coleman stove are you using here?
The Sportster II / Dual Fuel.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals fantastic Thanks!
what kind of sleeping bags and thermos did you guys use?
Stay tuned on the sleeping system. I have Thermos Ultimate and have done a video on flasks.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals will do, thank you!
I know you're busy with Alan but would definitely love to see your sleep system when time permits.
And is that a Lupine headlamp? Curious on headlamps that have enough distance to keep an eye out for bears in the dark while also taking lithium batteries, options seem limited. Borge/Horn used the Duo Z2 and I think Kobalenko uses that or the Z1 depending on the trip now. Would love your opinions on headlamps in these conditions
I feel miserable just watching this. You guys are hard as nails, I'll tell you that!
There's something so weird about this... I see it, and I think to myself "That looks miserable. I want to go"
Any issues with flames and flysheet
None to date - practice avoids flare ups on lighting it initially
@AlexHibbertOriginals fab thanks 😊 I recently got a keron 4gt . Your tent looks pretty epic too. I'll have to get playing with fire 🔥 lol more used to gentle meths and waiting a few minutes looking out MLD Trailstar door
i heard temperature here are colder then the north pole
Frequently. Maritime weather systems often give you warmer air than 'stagnant' continental weather.
you mention running your stoves on premium petrol from the pump. MSR at least recommends the cheaper fuels as they have fewer addatives and thus are actually better for running your stove.
You may well be right. The additives like TEL improve octane rating and reduce knocking, but stoves aren't susceptible.
So, I guess a normal petrol and a physical filter to clean it would be fine.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals Thanx for the fantastic video! Quality content!
I run a campground in Canada and I close in the winter because I'm not crazy.
Question; what do you carry in case you run into a polar bear? I guess they can smell your cooking.
There's a whole hierarchy of deterrents so that everyone has the chance to walk away alive. From voices, waved arms and pots and pans, to mini-firework bangers, and then ultimately a large-calibre firearm.
How do you vent the stoves so you don't end up with carbon monoxide build up (or related toxic gases) from burning fuel in an enclosed space?
The tents aren't sealed, and usually a tiny gap in a door zip will do the job.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals Thanks for your reply (I just realised the post is a year old)! I know people are warned about cooking in tents without good ventilation so I was curious.
There are new Chinese Kerosene Stoves, which simply use dozen of wicks and special high heat chamber, where the burning happens very cleanly with blue flame. Costs like 10 dollars on Alibaba. They totally defeat your fancy pressure-pump Colemans and Primuses imho. Reliability is the issue. And safety too. I remember one polar explorer from Sweden, whose stoves were blocked and cracked beyond repair and he had to fly back.
I've never had a stove fail beyond that which needed more than a quick clean or re-oil. Whilst always open minded, a ten dollar stove based on wick burning leaves me sceptical.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals Here is a video: ruclips.net/video/bOWuXqkmezo/видео.html .
Goodness - a yellow flame, tiny fuel capacity, and slow boil time. It's not really in the same ball park.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals Not very experienced user in the video. The wicks are too high up. Believe me, they are equal to your Colemans. Last winter I made a mid-winter bicycle trip and was so happy. One benefit was that it can burn with very low flame all night and keep the tent warm. I have also modified one so that it can use Trangia windshields and is now totally enclosed, so no danger of fire escaping.
Just for the record: Here is my modified stove: ruclips.net/video/FU0cPkkjPkk/видео.html
halloherr shell
Don't become another Green boots..
He's permanently on the top of Everest
Does anyone metalize the interior of their tents like a space blanket? I would have thought that this would dramatically reduce radiative heat losses from the tent without adding really anything significant from a weight point of view. Not only would this improve overall comfort - you are doing things like heating bare skin with a stove! Reflecting the radiative heat from the stove back in would, I guess, be something you want.
It would stop any moisture breathing, and in the light, make it very dark inside. Also, perhaps likely to crinkle/fracture. You don't get much heat build up in tents, except in the summer when you get a greenhouse effect.
It's kind of crazy how low of a temperature humans can live in if they have some basic gear and enough food. How many calories were you having to take in each day in that temperature?
Depending on what expedition, 4500-8000kcal/day.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals That is a lot of calories to have to carry and consume. What is the breakdown of the calories (simple sugars, complex carbs, proteins, fats) that work best for that? I have seen some of the cold weather and arctic MRE rations developed by Norway, NATO countries, and the US and it they are up in that calorie range, but they also tend to be designed to limit bowel movements when consumed, so I am wondering how they compare to your provisions.
Maybe it would be worth doing an episode about the meals that you use for your expeditions and why they are the best provisions for that climate and mode of travel.
I'll do an episode when I have a moment!
How do you go about pooping without literally freezing your butt off?
Rapidly. Back to the wind. Loo roll lodged inside jacket opening with the sheets flowing from the centre, so it's a quick pull and rip.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals Thanks for the response! I've done my share of camping, hiking, and backpacking, but your videos highlight the enormous number of variables and challenges that separate one of your treks from a few days on the Appalachian Trail.
🤣
Just a couple of questions
A)why
B) WHY ❓❓❓😟✌edit; isn't English winter cold enough for u ❓
HELLO.
Allen, Allen.......? Al Allen..... Allerrrrrrrrn?
A little cold for the prairie dog.
Yes, what is it now?
Oh screw that. Florida. Definitely Florida.
Location is Secret? 😄 🤣 😂
That was on Great Slave Lake
@@AlexHibbertOriginals come to india..for camping..I will join you
Why don't you guys were goggles? Why is there no floor in you tent?
Only need goggles when it's windy. And the design is floorless. We made a composite foam-nylon set of moveable floor tiles. Easier to set up and clean.
Life begins at -40. In my sometime humble opinion.
5:10 feet stank 😂
Interesting. I notice that of course you wear face-coverings. Does anyone uses masks that attempt to capture the waste heat from exhaled air in these extreme conditions? It always struck me that a tube (or tubes) within a tube attached to a face mask would act as a counter-current heat ex-changer. A properly designed system would allow fresh, high oxygen air to be inhaled and warm it up from what would otherwise be painfully cold air. Obviously you'd have to deal with moisture too? Membrane? I've long wondered about this as I hear stories of people having gum and teeth problems due to the extreme cold.
Hi David. I think this would be more hassle than it offers as benefit. I don't find breathing cold air too bad to be honest. The key is to ensure exhaled air escapes easily, so it doesn't dampen or ice things up.
Brŕrrrrr
I dont believe you have the temp right, I can tell by what your wearing and doing. it converts to -40 F. Ive been in -40 F, it was -70 windchill from the weather station. Thats flash freezing temp there. All flesh. or water. Instantly burns flesh because it is freezing you, freeze your eyeballs in their sockets cold. In seconds. Causes the inside of a vehicle to pour down rain on the inside with the heater running full blast, why because its maybe 50 F in the vehicle and -40 F outside, thats 90 F difference, condensation is huge, river running out the doors, I lived it, watch the movie apollo 13, cant uncover your mouth to spit, why is pain, but if you could it would be ice before it hit the ground. plastic changes at this temp, it will break easy, the shell on my coat started to crumble like eggshell, very careful with vehicle doorhandle so it wouldnt break off, big truck, cold went through many layers and two coats and sweats and tshirtand jeans and sweat pants and raincoat and goggles and hood and cap and scarf, like it wasnt there,after that I walked in a zero degree F meatlocker in a tshirt and was warm,got strange looks, had to explain conditions where I came from
I think there's more folklore here than science. I can assure you that eyeballs don't freeze solid at -40. Nor does clothing fabric crumble like eggshell.
@@AlexHibbertOriginals As a Canadian that has lived in Saskatchewan and through 50 plus winters with temps below -40 and windchill into -50's this is cringeworthy to read, must of dreamed of being in the cold because this is basically ridiculous commentary.
@@traitoR142 Yea, I've worked outside for hours at -50F. No clue what the wind chill was, we stopped caring at -40. It's not instafreeze. It's not fun either.
Why is Norway so much better than you in polar regions hihi☠
There's probably a handful that are worse.
@Lord Jon Haakonsen Because the British always think it is like a game. They are having fun and never think things through completely. Here in this video, we have the author happily eating Pringles potato chips and thinking it is a good thing 😹