Winter Camping How-To from a Guy that LIVES in a Tent in Michigan. #23 

In Canada, we don't call it winter camping; we call it eviction. Thanks for another great video.

I never get tired of listening to these tips you give. I’m 70, a woman plus ill health and I still enjoy camping. I go when the kids are back at school in September. I love it. I did get cold this year and listening to you I realised why. Nothing between my air bed and the floor. Thank you.

That was pretty awesome. Thanks. In the 1970s when I was a child we camped for 8 months. In a tent. In the woods on the side of a small mountain. We owned the property. To date it is the happiest and most treasured time me and my two little brothers remember. Its like we were born to be outside or something. We still talk very fondly of it. We hated when we left. No exaggeration. We thrived there. We are in our 50s and STILL dream of living that way! Its gotta be the way we're meant to live. Some of us anyway. It really is as if supposed normal life is drudgery by comparison. This was in Eastern Oklahoma for reference. Google shows me its still heavily wooded. 😁

🤣🤣 There is literally nothing in this video that would entice most people to winter camp. I love it 😀

I've been living (off/on) out of a tent for about a year and a half now. Going back to the city has very few incentives now - family that I'd stay with are... difficult. I'm grateful for their generosity, but my mental health usually nudges me to the door. I'm winter camping right now! In Yuma, AZ. 😆 With 35-40 mph winds, I'd say the wind chill is about 55-60 F. I invested in good gear about 45 years ago, and one of the few things I have left is my down bag. I didn't use it much (none) when I was a working stiff, but it's sure coming in handy now. Good video!

Fifteen minutes in? He nails it. Don't try to fight the weather. If it is 25-35 no wind no snow? Then go. But if it is 15 degrees and snowing? Don't go. He is absolutely right. You can go from a winter wonderland, fantastic camping experience... to a harrowing survival situation... when weather changes winter. Best advice I have heard in years.

Thanks I really enjoyed that. By the way, I find the most dangerous camping to be in the 30-34f degree range. As you know, if there is a chance of rain/slush-rain/hail it’s best to avoid that temp range especially if there is wind too. I far more enjoy 28f degrees and lower and know that even if it is snowing heavy I can still manage to stay dry and warm. 30-34f is just a recipe for dangerous discomfort. Give me warmer, or give me colder. Either one.

Good to see you are doing well and thriving doing what you love, Ryan! Best wishes and see ya in the next video! Love your channel!

Good info, when younger my dad showed me how to make a shelter with limbs and a log laying, love watching your videos

This was a fantastic video. Simple, honest and straight to the point.

I am truly grateful for you sharing your information as I take my last steps into permanent tent living. I'm from Jackson Michigan, but plan to explore as I become more skilled in this way of life. This was my first time watching your content and loom forward to seeing what other helpful tips and tricks you have to living free in nature. Thank you. 🙏🏿

Great explanation of winter camping! Thank you, this was Very insightful and informative. Down to earth, realistic, and good for everyone. I especially like how you explained that a person doesn't need to be rich to winter camp, can use what you have to get started. Your experience is invaluable, you've got a new subscriber for life.

So refreshing to hear from someone who isn't obsessed about gear, and licking the arse of manufacturers. You have done it and are doing it, rather than doing a ludicrous video from your lounge floor about gear you have never used. Outstanding video. Thank you.

I love watching your blogs. I actually learn from you. Thanks

Thank you sir. Stay safe.

Heading out soon to live the life as a nomad. Thanks for sharing your way of life. Way cool!

Glad u are thriving thru winter Mr Ringworm.

Fellow Michigander here. Great video. Thank you.

Thank you! A video with real information without trying to sell me this and that. Much appreciated!!

It's also great for anyone who doesn't like dealing with the bugs when warm weather camping. I am a big fan of winter camping. Nice video

Super down to earth guy, he kept it very simple.

thank you! I have always wanted to camp in the snow because it is magical. This gave a lot of great tips for getting started. I am going to try it. I love backpacking and camping, and this is a great extension of that.

I love winter camping. It is so peaceful and quiet.

Great video. I have my first December solo camp coming up and you’ve made my mind up for me; I’ll be sleeping under the stars, tent will now be set up as backup only. 10x more excited now, cheers!

subbed for very honest yet pertinent information. love the straight forward no b.s!

I work outside year round, and also thrive wearing cotton. Proponents of high tech fabrics may want to think about the environmental impact of the production process for synthetics. Sensible management is the key to success with cotton. Thanks for being brave enough to broach the subject!

Thank you for ur video it allows me to live through you while im working and dream of my next camping/backpacking trip.

Great video can't beat winter camping

I live in Ontario Canada right across the river from the state of Michigan and have been winter camping a few times and some of the times I enjoyed it and there was twice I did not but it was because of where we were at and what we had when I was winter camping. I have even slept in a ice hut on the great lakes Erie, Huron and St Clair while Ice fishing

This is my first video from this channel, it just popped up for me. I am so excited to see the others. WOW. I enjoy camping and am against overlanders and glamping (except where someone would not have the opportunity otherwise, like my mom or something).. and this is some great technical knowledge. Thank you for sharing this and I look forward to seeing more.

I love winter time. I live in southern West Virginia I’m going to start winter camping this year and I’m very excited about it. I’m going to start in the 30° range and work my way down just like you said. I’m going to try it beside my cabin and if it goes to hell in a handbasket I’ll just go in my cabin and turn on the heat.

Fantastic! I really liked that splitting kindling trick (laying blade on wood, wrapping hand around handle/wood together, and dropping both on stump). I'll definitely remember that trick! The making curls too... Thanks 😊

Great video!!! Love summer camping and can’t wait to do some winter camping! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Seems like a real down to earth great guy, not caught up in the pissing contest of expensive gear. Thanks for the video 🤠

Thank you for solidifying why I hate snow. Liked and subscribed.

Thanks so much. You answered some critical questions for me re cotton, camping at 30 and not 20, uusin a tarp, avoiding storms, hand warmers, and 4x on fuel. A tip few tips of my own. Make sure your car battery is heavy duty and not old, use snow tires, consider camp sites with electricity and use a low power heater like the desk heater from Honeywell, buy a marine grade extension cord. Algonquin park here I come!

Great video, I was born and raised here in Michigan. My dream is to have property up north one day. I love camping also, that's about mostly what I think of every day. I haven't been winter camping in over 20 years, a buddy and I camped out for a weekend in northern Michigan, it was 17 below. I still had a great time, didn't have a hot tent then. I was just using a Coleman tent. but I can't wait to go again. I recently bought a hot tent and stove. Great to see a fellow Michigander on RU-vid. Thanks for the video.🏕👍

I can appreciate this….Illinois here and ready for some winter SUV camping! Thanks for the video.

Wow great tips, for winter camping. Thanks.

Man, am I glad your channel popped up on my suggested videos today. I grew up in the U.P.

Excellent video - Thanks for making this!

Practical suggestions well appreciated! Thanks! 👍👍

Loved your video, views on equipment and life as well. Subbed and cant wait for the next one!

I'm about to head out for a few months in PA. Thanks for the great video. Big help

I love love love winter camping.

Just the video I wanted to see. I'm ready to try it!!

I'm going. Thanks for the video.

I've done a fair amount of winter mountaineering and backpacking. I started out quite interested in optimum equipment and even have a custom mountaineering tent but I agree with your advice not to obsess or overspend on clothing and equipment. Everyone seems to go through a gear head phase before they accumulate enough experience to understand what works.

First time watching. Don't live in Michigan, but I would have loved it when I was younger. Even tho I'm in my 60's now, I plan on going camping again come spring. I used to love to camp and fish. My advice to anyone, don't let life get in your way. Enjoy the experience and like he said check the weather.

Great video and well-timed. Thanks!

I love the the idea of the sinking fire. I'm going try that if Utah get's a bit more snow this winter.

Sensible advice. Great video. Thanks.

You do a very good job giving great information in my opinion. The bag stuffs important to know understanding how a bad actually works saves lives.that old down I forgot leaving Naples again I was in a hurry.wish I still had it we have go to Washington.

I was like so glad to see another video!! Great information! I love this Channel!!

Great videos I just started winter camping this year in New Hampshire. I started at 35 deg now I’m down to like 0 or so it’s great. Thanks for the tips

"Don't go to work...ever." Ahhh, life goals. I plan to sell my house and camp out on a friend's property until I find my own land. Then I plan to camp there for a good while as I build a small cabin from trees on my land. Some chickens and goats and a big garden should help provide plenty of cheap food. Rice and beans should fill the gaps. Somewhere in there I'm going to quit my full-time govt. job and rely on my side hustle, pressure washing, to provide the needed Babylonian magic rectangles I'll need to pay for taxes and such. Working from home during this "crisis" has made me realize how much wasted space I'm paying for and how much useless stuff I've accumulated over the years. Time for this guy to clean out the clutter and start a life that's a little more streamlined. I've been buying tents and other camping gear I'll need get started. I can't wait to be living in a tent with my wood stove and my 2 dogs and building things with my hands. 16 years in front of a computer screen at work has deprived me of the happiness obtained by creating things with my own hands. Along with other youtubers you have helped me get mentally and physically prepared for the life I've been longing for. Watching other people do it has made it all the more attractive. I might even start a channel to document it all. I doubt I'll come up with a name nearly as good as "Surviving Ringworm" though.

Cool video or um cold video. Great story about the snow pack walls.

I have always wanted to do this!! Thank you!

I love the outdoors as well and love to winter camp. I'm also from SE Michigan.

My favorite camping trips were with my best friend at North Higgin's Lake near Grayling, Mich. In February in a tent without a heater.

Awesome-Keep up the videos. Following you and looking forward to your successes!

I remember that Jack London story.

What a great video from a cool guy in a cold place. Lots of wisdom about camping--and living--here.

Thank you for your very useful and practical information based on your experience. Very much appreciated from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

I've always wanted to winter camp. I ride the UP all winter on my snowmobile. Would be awesome to camp while up there

Great tutorial with great advice! I love your low-key approach without the whole “I’m right and anybody that doesn’t agree is an idiot!” attitude. “If the weather is going to be bad, don’t go.” “Bring 4 times as much fuel as you think your stove is going to need if you’re going to melt snow.” Advice like that will save misery, and maybe lives! I’ve always loved camping, and I’ve lived out in the woods since 2005. In a small house, but out in the woods.It’s a little like camping, but with reliable water and electricity...well, semi-reliable.

New subscriber, love your videos. I live in Northern Wisconsin, winter is my favorite time of year, it’s the best time to camp, although I enjoy using a hammock instead of a tent. Thanks for sharing your story. Happy trails.

Love this, thank-you! ❤

Just was camping in Idaho mountains and winds blew in. Tent was staked but still trying to leave. Went searching around the site and found several large rounded rocks and placed them in the corners of the tent and it really helped. It was also snowing at the time.

Thanks sounds really great and a GREAT struggle that keeps us the BOSS...FANTASTIC FUN AND JOB...GREAT STILL ARE THE GREAT LAKES...

This is a great detailed video! Thanks

Just found your channel love it. The Nalgene as a car jack is super impressive I ran mine over before (I had several laying around) it didn't shatter haha I went right over it

Great video, good commentary.

I've been in Michigan for 63 years. You go right ahead and injoy yourself.

I did love it! How’d I love to get my hands on some vintage gear! Thank u for sharing! I’ve never tried winter camping and this vid helped a ton thx!

First time I watching! New experiences.thanks.

Very good and honest information.

I love to be on the outside. I stay 10 -12 hrs at a time the whole day and more . Don’t use any heat . But stay s few days at time it’s challenging because I love the hot coffee on the morning . God protect you . I keep watching your videos .

I bought my clothes and sleeping bag from Northern Outfitters and never looked back. It was great at -50 degrees in the Arctic muskox hunting and the sleeping bag has saved me many times. The bibs have also made some cold-weather deer stands very comfortable. Or, just laying on the ground in the snow for geese.

Watching on break thanks bro

Did it last winter in Canada at - 29c during the Polar Vortex. It was absolutely incredible!! Not super warm but didn't deter me.... going back out this winter. Thanks for the info

This is some of the smartest most common sense stuff that your sharing here ,thanks

I just found this channel and I love it! Way to live the "simple" life, really inspiring. We make things so complicated in this material world, where only economic growth count.

Wow,thanks. Never camped in the winter. Good info. Be good

One Michigander to another, love your content, I'm staying and learning, hope to head to UP week after next for a nice snowshoe get away...Thanks for the tips :)

Thank you for this information

Great vid!

I've lived out of a mountaineering pack in a tent for eleven and a half yrs now in northwestern Montana. That weather looks nice

great! love your attitude

Finally a non-vlog style video with the info I need

Great video and very solid advice. I'm in my 50's and I sleep outside in snow tent or no tent and wear cotton clothing. Just bring dry under clothing to change into.

Just an idea, I have seen military surplus clothing and equipment for cold-weather be very good and robust at his job keeping you warm. The Polartec fleece EWCS level 1, base layer longjohns and going all the way to Level 7 parka and bottoms that are rated for pretty much anywhere on earth, as cold as it gets. As far as cold-weather and your sleeping bag set up, military surplus has some good answers there also for great prices. You can get a Gore-Tex bivy, as the first part of the 3 piece military sleep system, add your sleeping bag and a pad and be pretty good. You can add layers the colder it gets by incorporating extra layers wrapped around you with a wool blanket, and even space blankets, layered into your sleeping system.

When I was in my late teens we only had a tarp and sleeping bags. Slept by the fire all night in 30-40 Fahrenheit at night. Best times ever!

I live right beside you in Port Huron and have never considered camping in the winter. However after seeing this very informative channel I will except the challenge. I've always wanted to try and have most of the gear but the sleeping bag I didn't know the proper bag to get. guess I am going shopping today. Love the content keep it coming.

Hope you are doing well this week. Also in Michigan, been trying to push myself to enjoy the winter wonder land (which i always do once I'm finally out). Thanks for the content.

Hey Ringworm. I lived around Marquette when I was a kid. Enjoy

Great information. Thank you.

Great helpful advice Thankyou very much 🖖

Great video" Michigan is were I live. Thank you for the input .

Love your videos I a,lso live in Michigan love to camp .I plan on doing a lot more this spring ,just purchased a adventure bike i want to camp the mich upper peninsula. I would like to camp in the winter once I get my gear dialed in . You real comfortable outside like a natural out side ,good video