I am making plans to create a winter camp. I live in a tent all summer on our land and I am not ready to give up the peace and quiet of the woods just because the weather gets bad. I have some ideas, but want to know what other folks think. Whats the best way to keep my space warm? I'm planning on making a structure a bit like a sweat lodge but bigger and with clear plastic on top to let in a bit of light. Dig a hole in the middle and use hot rocks for heat. Hoping to double the heat source as an oven using a dutch oven. Anybody tried this? How long will the structure stay warm on one load of hot rocks? Should I cover the hot rock hole with something after putting in the rocks? Think the floor will stay warm? I wonder down to what temp I can actually stay comfortable before bailing and going to the house...
first and foremost ya have to consider the variables of outside temp and ground temp.. then ya have to throw in how hot the rocks are.. will rocks cook somethin in a dutch oven?? sure,, but them rocks are gonna have to be red hot when put in the ground,,therefore ya have another variable, wich is how hot can ya get the type of rock your using before it explodes,,an how hot can ya get your rocks before ya move them.. as far as temps,, weve had kids stay in there tents with no heat as cold as 12 degrees.. we stay out till the low 20's we use a sleeve of rocks at our feet for warmth and they usually stay warm for 6 to 8 hours,thats heated to a point where they wont ignite blue jeans.. its all in how bad ya wanna stay where yer at i supposse.. hope that helps.. we love ya earthmother..
wow! that's quite a tough thing to do. i do knoe some people in wales, uk who live in teepees all year round, there might be something about them. it's called tipi valley or tipi village -in the uk. hope you make it! peace to you eathmama
Oh no! I already tried the tipi thing in a New York winter. Ended up livin' in the VW bus, 'cause it was easier to stay warm. Nope, I'm into bein' comfortable. Well, if nothing else, I'll let you know how it went. We got good rocks. The same ones we used in the sweat lodge. They get nice and red. And I will make it just like the sweat lodge except for big enough to move around in a little better. Hey, what's the worst that could happen? It's a short enough hike to the house and a wood stove...
