Snow Cave Camp - Feb 2012

Each Snow Cave camp has different challenges and hurdles.  This year our challenges were:

• The road to our usual camping location is closed due to the road being washed away last summer
• Our alternate location has only 2-1/2 feet of snow!

Luckily we were able to schedule the camp out on a day that the scouts didn't have school - so we were able to get an earlier start since we knew we would be shoveling the snow into piles, packing it down and then digging in.

We ended up working together to pile the snow up while 2 people walked on the pile with snow shoes to pack it down.  It was warm enough we were digging in short sleeve shirts to pile the snow up.  Once we got one pile done we moved to the next one and let the first one freeze.  That way by the time we got back to digging the caves out, the snow was set and we didn't have any problems with cave-ins or collapsing the caves.

My snow cave

We were able to get one big enough for 3 boys and another for 2 boys, plus each of the leaders dug their own caves.  Two of the leaders dug a quasi trench/cave.  They dug down to earth and then dug a shallow cave large enough to cover 1/2 of their body.  Then they slept with their legs and body inside the cave and their faces out (with a tarp over).

The Trench/Cave

One of them stayed warm, while the other one was cold.  We'll have to experiment more with them.

Yurt Campout

This year there isn't more than 1" of snow up in the mountains, so we had to forego the traditional snow cave campout.  We decided to try a new experience this time, we rented 2 Yurts (for more info on Yurt's click here). Basically a Yurt is a round "cabin" with canvas walls and a wood floor.  The ones we stayed in had a bunk bed and futon bed.  They had propane heat, and electric light.  Not really roughing it, but the propane heat wasn't enough to really heat the room.  While it was in the low teens outside, the inside was only able to get up to the mid 50's F.  Which in my mind is perfect temperature for camping.

Inside a Yurt

We reserved 2 Yurts, one for the scouts and one for the leaders.  They are located near Rockport Reservoir, but they can be found all over the world.  

We drove to the Yurts, loaded all our stuff inside, and then played touch football out on the lake (9" thick ice with hundreds of people fishing on it).  During dinner we discussed the dangers of crossing the ice, and how to rescue someone who has broken through the ice, and how to survive if you're the one that has broken through. The next day we cleaned up, played football again for a bit and then came home.  

It was a lot different than our snow cave campouts which usually consist of getting to the location, digging till 10pm, eating dinner and going to bed.  In some ways it was nice to have a "fun" campout, but I did miss all the hard work and good sleep that comes from snow cave camping.

Hot Springs Campout - Nov 2011

So, we try to do a hot springs campout every November.  Why do we choose November?  Because it's cold enough that you can stay in the hot springs for awhile - and cold enough that it feels good to get into the hot springs.

This year we went to Diamond Fork Hot Springs.  We camped at a campground down the road from the trailhead, and then the next morning we hiked the 2 miles up to the hot springs.  It happened to be snowing while we hiked, which made it all the more fun!  Once we got there we opened up a pop-up style "shower tent" which we used as a changing room and got to soak for an hour or so before changing again and hiking back out.

The springs we hiked to has been kept up pretty good, and actually had some cement work done to it to make 2 pools, seats, and a flat changing area.  It is also next to a cold stream, with a spot where you can unplug an inlet and let cold water flow in to cool off the tub.  It's pretty nice!

Diamond Fork Hot Springs

Something to consider:  Hot springs are notorious for the rowdy crowd, or the "natural" crowd.  If going, send an adult up first to ask people to cover up before the scouts get there.  We didn't have any problems, but I've heard of issues in the past.