Hot Tent Hot Shelters with the BioLite CookStove - As a Winter Camping Option

I've been experimenting these past few months with my idea to use a BioLite Cookstove as a heat source for a Hot Tent / Hot Shelter cold, wet camping option.  

I'm happy to report it works.

Using the BioLite Cookstove and a titanium 3 inch stove pipe, burning wood stove pellets, the combination creates an easy to set-up, inside the shelter, clean and efficient heat source.

Whenever Cooper and I go out, during wet, cold and snowy hikes, we still like to stop, make camp, cook a meal and enjoy our destination.

Sometimes a rain tarp and alcohol burner doesn't allow us to stay long.  A  more closed-in and warm shelter would.

I presented the idea on my Wawhiker Backpacking YouTube channel, and received many positive comments, more ideas and suggestions.  Thank you to my viewers and subscribers for your comments, ideas and suggestions.

The feed port on the stove pipe and the ability to heat water... 

...(and an easier option using a stove pipe tee and galvanized 3 inch stove pipe, available at most local-based hardware stores) were all viewer ideas.

Wood stove pellets verses gathered campsite wood has been a YouTube viewer observation.  Here is my thought.  

We hike in forests just outside the largest rain forests in the northern hemisphere.  Our forests get a lot of rain.  Dead standing trees (including their branches) that could be used for fires are wet.  Searching, finding and processing dry wood takes more time and energy than I care to spend at most day backpacking sites.  

I can leave the ax or saw or larger camp knife in the gear closet and bring along a bag of wood pellets instead.  Wood pellets in the BioLite CookStove burn hot, consistent and clean (and the burn is easily controlled).  As mentioned earlier, the set-up for the stove, pipe and shelter is easy and quick.  I can create a warm shelter in no time.

The hot tent, hot shelters with the BioLite CookStove is still a work in progress as I mentioned in my most recent YT video in the series.

See the Hot Tent Hot Shelters with the BioLite CookStove playlist on Wawhiker Backpacking on my YouTube channel).  

I will continue to post updates and my progress here.  

An Update and Moving Forward

I wanted to post an update.  It has been a while.  Photos from two recent camera purchases will make their way here as a featured showcase.  The latest videos (in 4K resolution) from my YouTube Channel will give you a sense of what Cooper and I have been up to.  Thanks for stopping by.

Rucksacking and Foil Stew

We took full advantage of a sun-break to get "out there" to have a camp fired stew along a rain-swollen river. Brought along the L.L.Bean Continental Rucksack, wearing Fjallraven outerwear - Fjallraven Vidda Pro Trouser, Fjallraven Forest Fleece Jacket, Fjallraven Byron Hat and enjoying all the moments with my Backpacking Cocker Spaniel Cooper.

SnowTrekker Minimalist Expedition Hot Tent Full On First Overnight

A snowshoe and toboggan pull to a snowy riverside setting allowed us to pitch the SnowTrekker Minimalist Expedition Hot Tent for a Full On First Overnight.

L.L. Bean Continental Rucksack with Bob Dustrude's Quick Buck Saw

and Gransfors Bruk Small Forest Axe

Wawhiker Rucksacking

Got out to the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest for some bushwhacking and campfire making with all my gear loaded in a rucksack. This is the first in a series of "Rucksacking", with more to follow on Wawhiker Backpacking. This video also includes a bonus - make your own DIY Bottle Holder (Fish Spreader) made from an inexpensive and very common / easy to find welding flint striker.

SnowTrekker Minimalist Expedition Hot Tent Winter Snow Camping - First Test Overnight

Cooper and I did a first pitch, first burn, hot tent winter snow camping overnight with the Snowtrekker Minimalist Expedition Hot Tent and Seek Outside Larger Titanium Wood Stove.