Ready For Another Contest? MORE PRIZES ADDED!

[elricfate]

It's winter and we're expecting some snow here in the near future. I'm definitely not camping in the wildlife area without a tent. The rangers would have my head if I destroyed anything to make a shelter, and a lot of the wildlife area is clean this time of year.

As for heat, I'm also not sure they would allow an open fire in that area. I'm gonna call and check.

EDIT: Checked, it appears as though I can't camp where I hunt. So I would have to pick myself up and drive over to the campgrounds, and pay to stay... which seems very uncontest-like.

I'll see if I can find another area I can work with.

[Dubbya]

i DONT think the contest should be based on who has the best, or most expensive gear, rather the contest should be based on " who can do the most with what THEY have/need in their enviroment "

This exactly. Its not about the tool, but how well you can use the tool. I could go buy a $1000 custom knife and just keep it on my belt for photo ops. That isn't what the contest is about.

[wyominglostandfound]

i DONT think the contest should be based on who has the best, or most expensive gear, rather the contest should be based on " who can do the most with what THEY have/need in their enviroment "

This exactly. Its not about the tool, but how well you can use the tool.

i disagree.

winter camping is dangerous enough to begin with and the use of modern equip. should not be limited. a person is exposed enough
out there with just a pack full of equip. to keep them alive and limiting that especially in the winter would not be a good idea.

[wyominglostandfound]

if you want to set limitations then there needs to also be a neutral venue as some areas have slightly harsher winter
conditions than others.

[Dubbya]

i DONT think the contest should be based on who has the best, or most expensive gear, rather the contest should be based on " who can do the most with what THEY have/need in their enviroment "

This exactly. Its not about the tool, but how well you can use the tool.

i disagree.

winter camping is dangerous enough to begin with and the use of modern equip. should not be limited. a person is exposed enough
out there with just a pack full of equip. to keep them alive and limiting that especially in the winter would not be a good idea.

I wasnt suggesting limitations. Quite the opposite. Use what you will. Everyone's bug out gear is taylored to their AO and personal needs/preferences. Just dont haul out some fancy gear, take some pictures of the shiny stuff and expect to win.

[Woods Walker]

wood stoves seems like cheating...even though I want one, sorry WW

No more cheating than a Whitegas or any other stove. In fact the one I pack in my BOB is about the same weight as my MSR with full 22oz tank. People only see the end results in those stove photos. They don't see cold hands setting up the stove in the field then taking it down. They don't see the skills needed for a proper burn. Limiting anyone’s gear options for winter camping is a risky proposition. Trust me I have been on the wrong side of the equation before and it doesn’t take all the much to turn a good time into something else.

On a side note like all contests I am in it just for the fun so count me out of the vote.

[MikeM]

Well, all of ZSNY will be freezing our asses off... I mean, enjoying the natural beauty of the Northern Adirondacks in February, so I might as well roll out the A game and get some pics up of my Winter setup.

-Mike

[CipherNameRaVeN]

there will be a small grey tipi w/ stovejack given to the winning winter bugout.

Now, I am going to have to play. I would love a wyominglostandfound tipi.
When does the contest start and when does it end?

edit: How about some photos of the tipi to get us in the mood?

[Murph]

Know what... forget it... these contests are always about who has the coolest gear, and can sneak a gun into their pictures.

This debate about wood stoves is no exception.

[wyominglostandfound]

there will be a small grey tipi w/ stovejack given to the winning winter bugout.

Now, I am going to have to play. I would love a wyominglostandfound tipi.
When does the contest start and when does it end?

edit: How about some photos of the tipi to get us in the mood?

[Dubbya]

Know what... forget it... these contests are always about who has the coolest gear, and can sneak a gun into their pictures.

This debate about wood stoves is no exception.

What about setting up predetermined voting guide lines and a scoring system? This could help with scoring based soley on gear manufacturer.

Some things come to mind.

1. Content of gear. (i.e. Did they bring means to start a fire, cook, purify water, etc.)
2. Use of gear. (Did they attempt to utilize the gear packed in?)
3. Documentation of trip. (Photos, climate records, etc.)

[elricfate]

Hell, Murph. It's not about the gear, it's about the usage. You could have cheap-ass gear (like me), and put it to good use. If you can make use of it and look comfortable doing it, I give you points, right there.

I don't care if you have the best, you have to back it up.

[Woods Walker]

Know what... forget it... these contests are always about who has the coolest gear, and can sneak a gun into their pictures.

This debate about wood stoves is no exception.

What about setting up predetermined voting guide lines and a scoring system? This could help with scoring based soley on gear manufacturer.

Some things come to mind.

1. Content of gear. (i.e. Did they bring means to start a fire, cook, purify water, etc.)
2. Use of gear. (Did they attempt to utilize the gear packed in?)
3. Documentation of trip. (Photos, climate records, etc.)

I helped judge two contests and topics like brand names of gear or who showed the biggest boom stick wasn’t a factor in my decisions.

[ZMace]

I'll definitely be watching this thread, I love the contests.

[argyre]

I'd love to participate in this (love snow camping - so comfy! Custom contoured personally shaped bed after a night or two...), but feel like it would be cheating - winter camping anywhere locally (Bay Area) is basically like camping in Oregon in the summer or fall. Temps never much below 40, and maybe some precip.

If I can break free enough to head to northern Nevada or the Sierras, it would at least be a chance of cold and snow - though, as a former Vermonter, I never think of the Sierras as cold.

Locally, it would be comfortably doable with my BoB's fleece bag and AMS Thermal Bivy, sans tent or tarp.

[xxxDarksidexxx]

ok i have just a minute here again, but i like what eveyone is thinking, and from what i have read i think we can all be on the same page.

i will read through all this again tonight and post up some rules/guidlines to follw. once posted if the majority agrees ( and we can tweak the rules/guidlines if needed ) then we can get this this rolling.

quick edit... should the contest be judged or put up as a poll? ( keep in mind the polls suck now and some folks have trouble with it, though its really not hard to change settings and vote ) let me know what you think guys. i have some thoughts on this as well which i will post later.

[elricfate]

I think there should be a judge panel vote. Having said that, only those not in the contest should be allowed to judge.

I mean, that is the spirit of fair. But I'm not running it, so it's up to you.

[the_alias]

I'd say judged - and maybe one of the judges could be a non-USA based member to take in the considerations of ZS members not in the USA who enter. *looks at Blackdog, Sealegs, K9Medic*

As in last comp I will still suggest 1st, 2nd places.

[Murph]

Know what... forget it... these contests are always about who has the coolest gear, and can sneak a gun into their pictures.

This debate about wood stoves is no exception.

I helped judge two contests and topics like brand names of gear or who showed the biggest boom stick wasn’t a factor in my decisions.

I was referring to the contests that were voting by user. It seemed that entries with guns got twice as many votes as ones that didn't, on average.

Non-Contestant Panel Judges seems like a better way to do it.

[Dubbya]

Know what... forget it... these contests are always about who has the coolest gear, and can sneak a gun into their pictures.

This debate about wood stoves is no exception.

I helped judge two contests and topics like brand names of gear or who showed the biggest boom stick wasn’t a factor in my decisions.

I was referring to the contests that were voting by user. It seemed that entries with guns got twice as many votes as ones that didn't, on average.

Non-Contestant Panel Judges seems like a better way to do it.

I like this idea. Also count me in for prize donation. I'm not sure what yet, but some of my collections need thinning out and this would be a great way to do it.

[elkhills]

Like Darkside hinted at in the beginning, I think the real point of these contests is to encourage each other to get out there & test our gear, put it to use, yeah maybe show off a little, but mostly to share what we learn. That's a noble thing for the community good, IMO.

I know I would like to see an "unrestricted" contest, I dig seeing all the cool doo-dads the cool kids have! But to me that doesn't win points, it's what you do with it. A true Woodsman with minimal gear could probably out survive me fully outfitted for the apocalypse. And truth is probably less than half the people showing interest will even do it, so I say go all out.

That said, I would to participate if I can.

...Man, I hate the rain I'd take snow over rain any day- I don't mind being wet, and I don't mind being cold, but man I hate being wet AND cold!

[TacAir]

It is hard to get people to sleep outside during winter.

then regulator will win the prize.

this could seperate the men from the boys...

LOL indeed - or the sane form the insane. Hereabouts it hits -20 at night. I ain't going to sleep out in that s--t unless it is a gotta.

Good luck on the contest though - I know the photos will be EPIC

[elricfate]

I have a feeling what's going to happen is that I am going to pitch a tent somewhere, break camp, go hunt some squirrel, come back, cook the squirrel over my fire, skewer style, or in a stew on the stove, and then hit the hay. A non-eventful day that should use most, if not all, of my gear I packed for winter bug outs.

[shrimpwd]

I'd be interested. I've been working on a winter BOB, and would like to see where the shortcomings are, so I can make it better. However, I will need to find a good place to do this, so that in the event of a failure of some sort, I don't freeze to death. That would automatically disqualify me from the contest, I am sure.