Ready For Another Contest? MORE PRIZES ADDED!

[aa1pr]

aa1pr sorta like this : viewtopic.php?f=32&t=73792 ?

(personally I want to use my tent in this competition to see how it performs in such conditions)

Exactly roughing it old fashion style

[quote="Woods Walker"/] 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. [quote/]

I was not trying to place you on the wrong side, so please do participate. I agree it is not any easier just because you have a stove, I was really trying to imply that we should use what nature provides. Even getting or maintaining a campfirre is enough challenge. so maybe than all types of stoves should be limitied.

I too have been on the wrong side a few times, you think the weather will remain and it tricks you...unprepared cause you did not want to carry all the gear.

[elricfate]

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.

In good ole Georgia?

You'd be lucky to catch frostbite, southerner.

[Dubbya]

so maybe than all types of stoves should be limitied.

I disagree. I have a small butane stove that is part of my BOB. Along with this I have ways to start a fire and cook over that too if needed. My first choice is the "easy" butane stove. Limiting items forces a person to bug out in a fashion that they might not have prepared their gear for. Hell if you want to strap a kitchen sink on your bag and hike it out, enjoy yourself and take some pics! Just my .02.

[sigboy40]

Two days and three pages? Wow.

What about entries? Do they go here, or in a new thread, etc.

[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.

In good ole Georgia?

You'd be lucky to catch frostbite, southerner.

With an older, 20 degree down bag, 3/4 length sleeping pad and 2.5 season tent? Sure, there's risk. Do I think that will happen on an overnighter? That's why I said I need to find the proper location, to prevent that from happening.

I have seen/experienced New England winters, and Florida week-long Autumns (late Jan/early Feb). North Georgia is still cold, even if it isn't quite the same as yours. Also, mine can get wet AND cold, instead of just one or the other. That's something else my AO can get me on.

[quazi]

I don't think any gear should be excluded, gear is an important part of survival in winter. I realize people are worried that this contest will just be an easy win for those with the best gear, but I don't think that would be a problem if the contest was judged in multiple categories. I would suggest three: gear, demonstration of skills, and weather conditions.

I think having a category for gear and a category for skills will give everyone a pretty fair opportunity. Of course, I realize that most gear requires skill to use, maybe "primitive skills" would be a better description for the category. If someone has a heated shelter and a nice axe, they would get a good score on "gear." If a person didn't have those things, they could get themselves a good score on "primitive skills" by constructing a quinzee and making a bow saw out in the field.

Having a category for weather conditions would take care of the advantages and disadvantages people receive from the weather. If it's well below freezing and the wind is howling you'll have a much harder time getting anything done, but you'll receive a higher score. If it's calm and sunny and warm you won't get a very high score, but you'll have more opportunity to show off your gear and practice your skills.

I like the idea for having a minimum amount of time spent outdoors.

Instead of putting a limit on the amount of stuff people bring (like limiting them to what they can fit in a 3-day bag), why not have a requirement that people have to travel a certain distance by foot (or ski/snowshoe)? That way they can bring as much stuff as they want, but they have to be able to move with it. Or maybe "distance traveled" could be another category.

Just a few ideas I had. I probably won't be able to participate.

[xxxDarksidexxx]

I don't think any gear should be excluded, gear is an important part of survival in winter. I realize people are worried that this contest will just be an easy win for those with the best gear, but I don't think that would be a problem if the contest was judged in multiple categories. I would suggest three: gear, demonstration of skills, and weather conditions.

exactly what i was thinking.

im typing up the guidlines now, so stay tuned boys and girls!

[elricfate]

With an older, 20 degree down bag, 3/4 length sleeping pad and 2.5 season tent? Sure, there's risk. Do I think that will happen on an overnighter? That's why I said I need to find the proper location, to prevent that from happening.

I have seen/experienced New England winters, and Florida week-long Autumns (late Jan/early Feb). North Georgia is still cold, even if it isn't quite the same as yours. Also, mine can get wet AND cold, instead of just one or the other. That's something else my AO can get me on.

Keep in mind I am being lightly sarcastic, being from Florida.

[Texas Rebel]

I guess being here in Ft.Worth I can go out around Benbrook Lake and camp on the gubment land there in the mesquite trees here.
Not the same as going up to Colorado for a month in April

[xxxDarksidexxx]

this is just a preliminary list of rules / guidelines. if anyone wants to add, or remove something post up. if the majority agrees then we can tweak any of this.

RULES / GUIDELINES

1 - you will need to use your winter bug out gear / BOB.

2 - there is no limit on the amount, or type of gear you can use. your gear is setup to take care of you in your AO, so this can include ANYTHING you would normally have in YOUR winter BOB.

3 - you will need to demonstrate how well you and your gear work together. you should also review your gear and let us know why you selected it for your AO.

4 - you will need to demonstrate camp / bushcraft skills. this can include fire building, snow melting, food gathering, shelter building, tool making, and every / any other skill you decide to show us.

5 - you will need to spend at least 24 hours outside. your trip should include some amount of hiking with your gear / pack strapped to your back.

6 - you will need to post photos, and or videos of your trip.

7 - this contest ends at midnight february 28th pacific time.

i think these are pretty simple guidlines, and will allow folks to get as creative as they want on their trip. keep in mind that this trip will NOT be about who has the best / most expensive gear. it WILL be about who can do the most with what they have, and dont forget to show us those skills!


the winner of this contest will be chosen by a panel of judges. there will be three catagories which will be scored. ( BTW - I NEED JUDGES i have an idea on how to score all the entries and will review that with the judges once they are selected. )

JUDGED CATAGORIES

1 - type of gear and USE of it. ( this is NOT about expensive gear. it IS about what gear you chose to help you deal with your AO and how well you use it )

2 - demonstration of camp / bushcraft skills.

3 - your overall ablility to show how well you, your gear, and your skills come together to keep you alive in your AO in winter.



we now have nine guys that have offered up a prize. they are myself, blackdog, wyominglostandfound, dubbya, whoshotJR, rgr snaplink, dawgboy, drewder, and bakeel, . you guys kick ass for offering up the prizes!!! ( correct me if i missed someone here )

i have no problem with a 1st, 2nd, 3rd place prize if thats what everyone wants, of coarse someone will need to decide what prizes will go to the winners. im guessing this will also be a job for the judges.

once we have this figured out i will post up the official rules on a new thread. you can post your entry on its own, but it MUST be posted on the official " winter bug out contest thread " to be considered for the contest.

[Texas Rebel]

So I guess you will post link here when all ready for contest to begin?

[xxxDarksidexxx]

So I guess you will post link here when all ready for contest to begin?

yeah, as soon as a majority of folks can agree on these guidelines then i will post a link on here. as i mentioned before there will be a new thread for the official contest.

[Regulator]

Guidelines sound fine to me.

[Texas Rebel]

Guidelines you have layed out work for me as well

[WhoShotJR]

I hate to complicate otherwise simple rules, but I say there should only be a second place prize if there are at least 5 or 6 quality entries and a third prize only with at least 10 entries.

Also I'll offer the same prize I did before, $25 gift certificate to an outdoor/ prep website of the winner's choice.

[xxxDarksidexxx]

I hate to complicate otherwise simple rules, but I say there should only be a second place prize if there are at least 5 or 6 quality entries and a third prize only with at least 10 entries.

Also I'll offer the same prize I did before, $25 gift certificate to an outdoor/ prep website of the winner's choice.

sounds good to me. lets see what others think. im hoping we will get at least 10 entries.

i will add you to the list for offering up your prize. you rock dude!

[RGR SNAPLINK]

I will add for the winner, 1 Combat Gauze, 1 CAT TQ, and 1 Izreali Bandage.

I just returned from a 3 day trip this afternoon. I was gonna post up the pics as a trip/gear report, but I think I will save them for this!

[xxxDarksidexxx]

I will add for the winner, 1 Combat Gauze, 1 CAT TQ, and 1 Izreali Bandage.

I just returned from a 3 day trip this afternoon. I was gonna post up the pics as a trip/gear report, but I think I will save them for this!

awesome! i will add you to the list.

you rock buddy!

[xxxDarksidexxx]

SHIT! with all these prizes i may need to hand this contest over to someone and enter! j/k

[ZombieRecon]

Ok you got me Im in!

[Dawgboy]

I'm in too. I also have a few Mikovs I can add to the gift pool for win, place, and show.

[Blackdog]

Rules look good to me.

I have to aggree with the_alias, it would be nice if at least one of the judges was non-US based.

As for my prize I can't say for sure what it will be yet, lets just say I will try to make it worth the winners time and will probably give the winner a list of things to pick from.

[Fixxxer]

I'm in for the gang-bang. This should be fun!

Man, if I only had a nickel for every time I've heard this.

The guidelines look fine to me. I'm debating right now whether I want to go minimalist by myself or pack a full bag and take a friend.

[elricfate]

The guidelines look good to me.