Anyone in WI staying through winter?

[SalsaDog]

I sent you a pm. I'm about an hour west of GB. If you explain your situation, I will try to help you out?

 

[JuliaAnne2018]

JuliaAnne, Lenny was only seeing possible danger, not being negative. I am new here, but people here really seem to care about each other.

I did get a lot of helpful advice from a lot of people, and the kind of comments I found helpful were the ones that offered real solutions. That's what I expect -- solutions not more problems. And I already knew it is possible to survive the cold. Didn't need anyone to try to tell me I can't or assume I don't know anything about WI winters. I've kept warm to the point of almost too warm even in 40-below weather when walking.

I just wasn't sure how to survive sleeping through the night.

So far, it hasn't been too bad though thanks to the encouragement here. That and my research on Alaska camping-- a place much colder.

I confess I haven't cut the cord yet, though. I run my electric heater alot from an extension cord from my uncle's house.

Above all, the most helpful thing is the numerous blankets when I don't have the heat on, but I also managed to block a lot of wind, and my water didn't freeze at all. LOL. If it gets really cold, I'll probably where my facemask and/or a scarf to bed.

Part of it is that I am not planning on "cutting the cord" til I finish my homemade "house" that I had started but couldn't finish because of circumstances that came up. So for now, I'm in a shack.

The house I build from scratch will be easier to insulate properly than this place.

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[cyndi]

I've removed several posts.

I understand you're trying to help.

Others don't.

 

[mpruet]

Void

 

[Goshawk]

There are many in Canada living full time. Focus on finding their stories and maybe contacting them. Next look at winter camping discussions. Thriving in minus 20 is possible with the right gear.

But always have a quick escape plan. A working daily checked vehicle with a working safe heater system is good.

Think you said you have electric ? Can you do electric blanket ?


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[JuliaAnne2018]

Hi, nice to meet you neighbor to the north. I actually have a lot of supplies already. Two electric heating pads (not sure what I did with my electric blanket) and a lithium ion battery pack and still have four cans of propane for Mr. Heater. I plan to get a generator soon, too. Yeah, Canada stories do help, and I also did research on camping in Alaska. I'm hoping to be in my trailer before any snowstorm, but just in case, I did my best to shield the opening in case it snows. That's one thing I might need more advice about -- how to make sure I don't get stuck in the snow.

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[JuliaAnne2018]

I've removed several posts.

I understand you're trying to help.

Others don't.

I don't understand what you think is helpful about negative posts that I believe are only meant to instill excess worry and fear into people without even any idea about all that the person has done to prepare already.

This forum is also not supposed to be a place to question other people's choices, either, especially if the people questioning haven't taken the time to find out all the facts about what that person is doing -- or why that person is doing it.

A lot of judgment even though this forum is supposed to be a place of no judgment.

But at least I have met a lot of helpful people who understand what I am dealing with that have practical solutions for me with no judgment or negativity.

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[glasschick66]

thinking about your door issue ...I wonder if you could make some sort of vestibule that would block most of the wind (and snow) so that there would be no problem opening the door and it would cut down on drafts as well. Something to research maybe?

 

[JuliaAnne2018]

yeah I want to…the problem is I keep spending too much time on this place, which I made to feel as much like home as possible…but not getting enough paid work done…but is only supposed to be temporary, but yeah… for now, I am doing what I can to block the sides and top just in case it snows before I move outta here. I hope I don't have to do the front. I'm assuming not if the top and sides extend at least a couple feet? Just enough for me to open the door.

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[mpruet]

Does the door open out or in?  The door is probably the place that a tarp would work.  Just make sure that it is attached at the top and then angle to the bottom.  That way if it snows, then the bottom of the door would not have a snow pile and would give you enough clearance to at least open the door.  If the door opens out then you could probably attach to the door rather than the door frame so that it wouldn't be in the way normally.  Just a thought.

 

[WanderingCanuck]

Loose snow is an excellent insulator, and wind blocker. If feasible, as it snows throughout the winter shovel it up against the walls and pile it as high and thick as you can manage. Make sure to have some venting for air exchange. More if you're using devices that create carbon monoxide or use up oxygen.

A side benefit is that you'll be nice and warm while you're doing the shoveling.

 

[JuliaAnne2018]

Does the door open out or in?  The door is probably the place that a tarp would work.  Just make sure that it is attached at the top and then angle to the bottom.  That way if it snows, then the bottom of the door would not have a snow pile and would give you enough clearance to at least open the door.  If the door opens out then you could probably attach to the door rather than the door frame so that it wouldn't be in the way normally.  Just a thought.

If you have a pic or drawing of this, that might help. I'm having a hard time imagining it in my head. The doors open out, by the way. I had to 'cause not enough room to have them open inward. A double door actually because the opening is too wide. Then, I have a third piece that closes down over the other two sections.

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[JuliaAnne2018]

Loose snow is an excellent insulator, and wind blocker...

Make sure to have some venting for air exchange. More if you're using devices that create carbon monoxide or use up oxygen.

A side benefit is that you'll be nice and warm while you're doing the shoveling.

I'm hoping I'll be outta here before it snows real bad, but yeah I wouldn't mind snow on the back wall. Hope it wouldn't drip through cracks when it melts, though. One of the disadvantages of using clothing for insulation, so I hope I won't still be here. But if I have to, I'll have to spend more time/money later.

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[lf6998]

Hello, I am from WI born n raised, however I left mid October and will not be returning till spring since gave up sticks n bricks. I have not looked at other responses, so may repeat some information.

If living in a vehicle during a cold snap I would run it all night to be warm. Not safe by any means. Personally I could not do it, too cold, cluttered in a any vehicle, the nights were down to 27 degrees and my electric heater was more than I needed in old mini class c.

In the past I stayed at seasonal site as early as March and electric heat kept up but no running water. Never tried to stay in anything other than sticks n bricks during November-February.

As far as campgrounds go, most will shut water off for the season, also state law cannot stay in any campground for more than 8 months out of year, most state parks restrict to 14 days. There is not a lot of choices for living out of vehicle and going unnoticed so I would not.

Not on here often as no wifi on road only when I stop. Good luck!

 

[JuliaAnne2018]

If, I'm not going to be camping. I know of one place I could park for $15/night and also have a shack in my uncle's backyard I insulated best I can. I decided I have to get rid of my dog though.

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[John61CT]

I can never bring myself to advise that decision, but you will gain a lot more freedom and flexibility flying solo.

 

[JuliaAnne2018]

John, I have another post on here that explains the situation about my dog. An update for those that have not read this thread from the beginning:

This post was intended to find people who are staying in WI or similar climate who know how to survive through the winter.

So far, it's been ok. A lot of ups and downs but the blankets and insulation kept my dog and me warm at 28 degrees. I was going to do more work on the shack to winterize it. I can stay in the house now though if I want.

But I plan to go back out to the shack in a few days. I may have to use indoor wifi to get more work done.

I'm all set as far as if I had to travel for work. I have all that I need for the most part. The blankets and clothes are what most will keep me warm.

I hope to get a small generator as soon as possible though.



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[lf6998]

I finally have internet while on the road that is reliable.  Just read most if not all the posts.

All I can say is get out!  I had an apartment that had bad windows with electric heat, covered windows with plastic and could not maintain 68 degrees in winter, during cold snap.  Not sure what your shack is made out of or if clothing is only insulation, but I cannot imagine it being enough to ward off frost bite.  

Propane heat is a moist heat and will cause condensation if drafts are not an issue.  I don't think any heat source would melt snow that is outside except for a roaring fire, so getting clothes wet that is your insulation would not be an issue. 

Again I was born and raised in WI near Green Bay and the winters can be a lot of snow (we had our last storm April 14-16 of this year PICS POSTED BELOW) which gave us 23.2 inches of snow, melted in a few days because it was a late season storm.  Never know if snow will be there for insulation or not.  The cold is a given, below freezing every night, until the real cold comes in December-January, you know its cold when they cancel schools due to the windchill factor (which cannot be explained till you live it) it takes the actual temperature and and gusts of wind to give you what the temperature feels like, easily -30 below, thats 30 degrees below freezing of 32 degrees above 0.

I hope for your sake that you are in a better place or on your way out.  Had I known I would have found a way to take you with me when I left.   
Best wishes, I will look for follow up posts.

 

[JuliaAnne2018]

Well, here I am a little more than a year later. I did stay at my uncle's house last winter but might have to face the cold this winter. I'm disappointed in the last poster. This person of all people should know how to survive in WI winter.

Well, this time around, I'll have no choice. I'm prepared at least for now.

If it gets too cold, I'll rent a hotel. But at least this car I'm in blocks the wind.

And... I so far was so warm -- and it's already December -- that I STILL sweat at night, so I must be doing something right. Obviously some of you have no clue how to survive cold weather even though some of you lived here.

I should be find in spite of your negativity. Maybe you have to learn from me not the other way around.

Because so far, I'm doing just fine!

What is wrong with you people?

I thought you could survive anything.

But maybe it has a lot to do with the fact that staying warm in a vehicle seems easier than in a shack.

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[ckelly78z]

There are different definitions of insulation, and being safe in cold environments for each person.

My wife and I picked up a $1000 1979 Holiday Rambler 32' travel trailer on Saturday morning (for her backyard "she shed") that a guy had been living through Northern Ohio Winters in (not the same intensity as Wisconsin). What he considered insulation was laughable, and some of the cobbled wiring was a complete joke...needless trash strewn about, and dangerous habits all contribute to an increased chance of a fatal mistake.

Just make sure you are being safe, and not taking chances with subpar insulation, sketchy wiring, excess clutter, or bad habits.

Many on this forum head South for the Winter because they don't want to survive, they want to thrive, and huddled in a corner, shivering is a miserable form of survival